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Business: video production and website integration for entrepreneurs
Emerging as an entrepreneur: I started freelancing website design in 1999 but the work was sporadic until 2002. It wasn’t until 2007 when I became a LLC and established a network that I finally felt comfortable saying, “Yes! I am an entrepreneur!”
Entrepreneurial motto: “You must build and sustain relationships to sustain business.” With any type of filming, you must make your subjects feel comfortable so that they show their true side. Subjects are naturally going to be insecure under the camera’s lens. As the producer, you can’t overreact. You have to flexible with people and with people’s schedules. If an event (or cancellation) happens, you must be smiling and act happy - you must go with the flow. No one wants to work with someone who’s not into it.
“Why didn’t someone tell me this earlier?!” The importance of networking! Some people naturally just start doing. But for me, for so many years, I didn’t take advantage of what’s out there. As a woman entrepreneur, you must get out there and talk to people who are likeminded and doing similar work.
Most valuable asset for owning a business: Passion. If your work isn’t keeping you up at night or driving you forward or it’s all about money, just stop now. Without passion, there’s no way to live as an entrepreneur.
5 tactics woman entrepreneur should never leave the house without:
1. business cards (make sure your info is current!!)
2. calendar
3. positive attitude
4. open mind
5. confidence
"I can't believe I'm doing this!": To make financial ends meet, for awhile I was shopping at 99 cent stores and stealing Taco Bell sauce.
Finance for your back pocket: Bartering has been great. People really can utilize each others’ services – you just need to look for it. This especially helps when you first start. And when you’re sick of bartering, when you can finally say “I’m worth more than this dammit!”, then it’s a sign that you’re ready to charge.
No women entrepreneur should start a business without:
• Knowing her product inside and out - pros and con, strengths and weaknesses
• Understanding how your brand and marketing materials connect with your audience
• Developing a network with people who similar goals
• Subcontracting work - it can make a better product and better business
Favorite SF Women Entrepreneur event: Ellen Looyen’s six week branding intensive workshop. It was a great branding process learning experience where I had the chance to learn from likeminded peers. Another event worth checking out is The Bay Area Women Media Event. This group has great social media panels…panels of experts in social media – bloggers, twitter, etc. Just being around these people, who are where I want to be, has been a great learning experience.
Local SF DIY resources to check out: DVD Copycat for promotional DVD duplication and Copyworld in Berkeley for printing (posters, flyers, etc.) – it’s unbelievable!
Fake it ‘til you make it: …and do it yourself! Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. For instance, if you’re a strong writer, write your own copy or marketing materials. Then either barter or focus your money on your weaknesses. But always remain confident in yourself...so others will be confident in you.
Areas where it’s ok to “cut the corners: For one fee of $35, you can join sites like http://www.intuit.com and file tax documents or join networking organizations online to increase SEO. Also, a great resource to get business cards printed is http://www.vistaprint.com.
Tasks where “cutting the corners” should never be done: Design, marketing and branding. I did my own design only to realize how hard it is to effectively critique your work when it’s your business. I definitely suggest hiring someone outside of the company to develop your design (unless this is your specialty). Also, I would never cut corners in the legal department. Hiring a good lawyer saved me by using contractual agreements with partner organizations.
Why SF is great: I’m in love with the city – the people, the arts culture, the food, the restaurants, good dancing – I just love San Francisco! I love how you don’t have to be in the box… instead you celebrate being out of the box.
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