I recently interviewed Katie from Bela Blue Solutions, an Email Marketing and Social Media Campaigns Manager about her business. She absolutely personifies someone that is living a “do what you love, love what you do” life. Learn more about her business and maybe it’ll motivate you to pursue a DWYL pathway!
Katie Guenther|| Email Marketing and Social Media Campaigns Manager
Years in this business/industry
I have over 20 years in project management, marketing, and online media production. I’ve been working for myself since 2017.
What is your favorite thing about your business/company?
I love being my own boss and making my own schedule! I get to be with my kids when they need me, travel when I want to, and work remotely from just about anywhere. I get excited about taking email and social media strategy and implementation off of my clients’ plates so they can grow their businesses and focus on the parts of the business they love doing.
What drove you to start your business?
Ultimately I needed schedule flexibility. I wanted to create a business that utilized all of my skills and the work that I actually love to do. After 20 years in the video and web production field there are a lot of things I CAN do…but I don’t want to do all of those things anymore.
What has surprised you most about working in email marketing and social media campaigns?
I was a little surprised when I finally realized…like, TRULY realized…that I have skills that other people need. I am passionate about making email marketing work for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. I LOVE creating automations, templates, and newsletters. I didn’t know that was a rare thing to love doing! Now I’ve met all of these other service industry professionals who have super weird niches just like me and they are making a living doing work that entrepreneurs really need help with!
What would you say to anyone considering starting any business of their own/ jumping into the entrepreneur’s life?
I think if you have an idea, a passion, and a skill set that you think people need – go for it!
The biggest piece of advice if someone starts their own business?
Be ready to learn, fail, and learn & fail some more. As long as you pivot and evolve as you go, you’ll be fine. Also…create a business plan and set financial goals. Take yourself seriously and others will too.
What would you have done differently from the beginning?
My very first business was selling clothing and I jumped in with blind faith…and credit card debt. I will never start a business in the red again. It created so much unnecessary stress! I wish I had started much smaller and only invested money I had in-hand. With my email marketing and social media campaigns business, I’m proud to say it’s been profitable since day one.
What type of training or courses do you think a someone should take before making the leap?
Don’t be a learn-it-all! Set a budget (time and money!) for learning each month so that you can get the most out of the courses you pay for. Learn with intention and make sure what you are investing in aligns with your business goals.
If you aren’t sure how to create a business plan, take a course. I took Windy Lawson’s Creating a Killer Business Plan course as a boot camp, it was very valuable to my business. It’s the one thing you will need to know how to do forever.
Find a business coach that you gel with…whether in your specific field or just in general. If you try them out for a month and don’t feel a connection, find a new one. Most have free membership groups so you can get to know them a little before committing to a paid arrangement.
What tool(s) are essential for your business?
I use Dubsado for my CRM and I love it! I use AWeber as my email marketing platform and I honestly don’t think any other service can compare. Their customer support is INCREDIBLE. For graphics, I use both PicMonkey and Canva. I feel like they are each better for different things.
What is your big dream for your business? Or your next big goal for it?
In the next few months, I am launching some email marketing DIY products for small business owners who need some help but maybe aren’t ready to outsource yet.
Where can we follow your journey?
You can find me at my website, Bela Blue Solutions, and on Facebook.
Also, she didn’t share the link in the interview but Katie’s emails are chock-full of awesome tips and great humor, subscribe to her list here!
Anything else that you would like to share?
Life is too short to do work or have a job you hate. If you have a passion for something or have skills and talents that are marketable, there is a good chance you could make money and work for yourself. Think outside the box! You may have a unique combination of skillsets that you’ve picked up from various experiences…maybe it’s something you can make a living doing!
And that’s a wrap!
I would like to thank Katie, a email marketing and social media campaigns manager, for letting me interview her and for all the inspiration she has given me! She is an amazing person to know and work with on projects.
If you are ready to do what you love and need someone to bounce ideas off of I would love to chat! Drop me a line or comment below.
