This month I chatted to online content strategist extraordinaire, Parrish Wilson, about life, business and how to make it work.
Hi Parrish! Tell us a little bit about you and your business.
I’m a mama to two little boys and an entrepreneur in love with my business. I offer content strategy services to other entrepreneurs in the online world. My business marries my two greatest passions: creativity and strategy. It’s a perfect match for me and I am happy every day I sit down to work.
What inspired you to start your business?
I have always wanted to have my own business. My father is an entrepreneur and the genes were definitely passed down! I love the freedom of creative expression that is allowed when you are your own boss and make the rules. I knew I couldn’t spend my life being told what to do and so being an entrepreneur was the only option.
But it was having my first son that truly kicked my butt to do it. I wanted to be the kind of mother who followed her dreams and was a good example for her children. And this is what continues to push me through every challenge and moment of self-doubt – I want my children to know they can make their dreams come true, just like their mama.
How would you describe your journey and how has having your own business changed things for you?
My journey? Ha! My journey to my current business has been like a long windy dirt road that you drive wondering if you went the wrong way (but with a very clear intuition that you made the right turn). I started my entrepreneurial life as a relationship coach for parents. And it sucked. I was just learning the ins and outs of online business… and the big thing that kept coming up for me was that to build an online business you really need to love it because with blogging and social media you ARE your business. That meant that I had to make the scary admission that I didn’t want to be a counsellor or coach despite a decade of post-secondary education, professional designations and experience. It was hard to step away but when I did I knew it was the right thing. In the year following that my business continued to shift as I focused on my gifts (writing, connecting, strategy, idea generation) and allowed them to guide me. I am now an extremely joyful Content Strategist.
What has been your biggest success so far?
Financial success is awesome but I feel like my biggest success is the community I have grown. I love the women that have become a part of my world because of my business. They live across the globe and I feel blessed to be connected to them. I am so grateful every time they support me and honoured every time I am able to support them.
Would you share with us the biggest lesson you learned?
Follow your gut. Listen. Just step away from the computer, be quiet and pay attention. You know the answers. Trust yourself.
What keeps you motivated and engaged with your business?
Being creative and connecting. I love taking action on my ideas and moving forward. I’m a go-getter so I think I’m well suited to entrepreneurship. Though this year I am also trying to spend more time NOT working and having firmer work-family boundaries.
What one piece of advice would you give other small business owners and start-ups?
Ask for help. Whether you hire a coach, connect with a mentor or sign up for a course, you need help to get there because this is not an easy road. And remember, you are not weak for asking for help. You are strong, determined and committed. The best of the best get help along the way.
What’s next for you and your business?
I’m launching an online business blogging workshop. I will be teaching entrepreneurs how to blog for business success – authentic heartfelt writing, formatting for easy reading, promoting without feeling like a sleaze. All that jazz. It’s going to be amazing and the participants are going to experience a huge shift in how they blog and convert readers into clients. I’m calling it Connect & Convert 🙂
Parrish Wilson is a Content Strategist for entrepreneurs who want to create heart-felt content and make more money with integrity. She develops strategic content plans with her clients that support their business goals and get them noticed in the busy online world. To get more Lovable Content Strategies check out The Fabulous Biz Blogger Success Secrets. {link to: http://www.parrishwilson.com/bizbloggersecrets/ }