Q&A from a small business owner

Small businesses are the heart of America, but what would it look like to start a small business in the post-pandemic world of today? Life in corporate America has changed drastically since the start COVID-19 pandemic. Turnover rates have skyrocketed and a growing sense of burnout has people looking for flexible, fulfilling enterprises. So, when the 9-5 isn’t cutting it anymore, why not become your own boss?

Turn a passion into a money making machine that pays the bills and gets you out of the office. My personal friend, MJ, did just that. She created Ambrosia and Honey, an online art shop specializing in fantasy novel merchandise. I got the inside scoop on how MJ turned her drawings into a successful, growing company, as well as the hardships and victories she encountered along the way. 

1. What made you want to start your small business?

I started to read again after graduating college. I loved reading as a kid but school took up too much of my time and that passion got put on the back burner. A few months after graduation I got a job as a concept artist and was living with my parents. I had tons of free time after work and was burning through several books every week.

After 6 months working I realized that I really don’t like working for a company. No matter how cool the assignment was, I found that I could never bring as much passion to my job as I did to my personal work. I got into a bit of a bad place where I wasn’t sure what I truly wanted anymore. My goal was always to become a concept artist so why wasn’t I happy?

That was when I discovered the bookish community on TikTok and Instagram. I found so many other people that loved to read as much as I did, as well as other artists who created amazing bookish shops. I thought to myself “well I could do that.” And so I did!

2. How have your priorities changed from when you first started?

I don’t think my priorities have changed as much as my goals have. Originally I started the shop with the goal to share my art and maybe make a few extra bucks on the side to pay for gas, seeing as I drove 45 minutes to and from work every day. I was already creating fanart for myself, I figured other people might like to see it too.

Well as it turns out a lot of people like to see it and the shop is now my full time job! My current goals are more in the realm of expanding the company so I can keep up with the demand and creating even better products. My small business priority has always been quality over quantity. 

3. Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out in your small business?

I would have done preorders from the start. I didn’t realize that social media engagement didn’t equal actual sales so I ordered way more product than I actually needed.

4. What has been the hardest thing about starting your own business? 

The hardest thing has probably been the accounting and business side of things. The art comes easy but the legal things you have to take care of are incredibly frustrating and time-consuming.

5. What is unique about your small business?

I think the fact I make art based on books is pretty unique. Most fan artists make work based on tv shows, films, or anime but the bookish community is relatively niche. My work itself is another thing that separates me from other bookish shops. The majority sell apparel, candles, or jewelry while I sell decor.

I combine digital painting with 3D elements to create something that’s never been done before. Of course this isn’t to say those shops are bad — on the contrary! My fellow bookish shop owners have become some of my dearest friends. I just mean to say mine is slightly different from the rest.

6. What do you look into when making a new product for your business? 

I have an entire notebook full of ideas I can’t wait to show everyone! Often times they come to me while I’m driving or when I’m about to fall asleep. That’s the easy part; scheduling is the main problem.

Due to how time-consuming each launch is, I’m only able to do one every few months so I have to be very strategic when they’re placed throughout the year. Seasons, holidays, book release dates, etc. all play in to what I choose to design and when. I definitely get inspired by my fellow bookish shops but my work is different enough from them that I generally just to my own thing.

7. How do you market your business? What is the most useful/successful?

Social media is essential to my small business! I personally use both TikTok and Instagram. Understanding how the algorithm works is the best skill you can learn in terms of marketing. Good lighting, engaging captions, and posting at the right times will take you far. If you don’t know where to start, look at other accounts to get inspiration. 

8. Any advice to someone starting a small business?

My biggest piece of advice is to be approachable! Let your followers get to know you and create a community. Post relatable content with insights into your personal life. Pull back the curtain and show what’s behind the scenes. People want to follow people, not brands.

Are you ready to start your own small business?

Starting a small business is no easy task, but it might be just what you need if you’re feeling bogged down by the corporate machine. They say if you’re good at something you should never do it for free, and if you’ve got passion and determination it can take you where you need to go. We’ve even got more tips for marketing your small business to help you get started.

Hopefully these tips can help you or someone you know who is looking to start their own small business! Huge thanks to my friend MJ. Remember to check out her shop Ambrosia and Honey online, and don’t forget to shop small!

How do you describe a mom who is ready to re-enter the workforce and the marketing world after spending the past two years almost exclusively at home with toddler twins? Nervous. Excited. Anxious.

Will my sleep-deprived brain remember what to do? The marketing world is so fast-paced – is my skill set still relevant? How will I juggle all the things? As the self-doubt crept into my brain, I sat down to make a list. What do I need to do to be successful in my next workforce venture?

Ready to e-enter the workforce? Prioritize. Then, prioritize. And prioritize again.

Make a daily to-do list. First, what has to be accomplished today? Second, what can wait until tomorrow if the day doesn’t go as planned?

Set an alarm, and don’t hit snooze.

Whenever possible, wake before the rest of the house. Enjoy an early morning workout, or get a head start on work. Maybe drink a cup of coffee in silence. Then, get yourself mentally prepared for the day ahead.

Always prep the night before.

School lunches, snacks, clothes – the list goes on. Nothing is worse than waking up to realize ALL THE THINGS need to be done. So doing them the night before relieves this particular anxiety.

Learn to say ‘No.’

There are only 24 hours in a day. It’s ok to politely say no, I don’t have the bandwidth for that project or school activity.

Ask for help.

You can’t do it all, and you shouldn’t have to.

Re-enter the workforce by refreshing your marketing skill set.

Learn something new! Take a social media course. Or, follow a new marketing blog. Perhaps do a tutorial or a webinar.

These are just a few of the things that made it onto my growing list. After a few sleepless nights making this list, I then realized it was missing something very important. Probably the MOST IMPORTANT!

**Choose an employer who values my commitment to my family as much as my commitment to my job.**

Because the truth is without this, I can do all of the other things extremely well and still be unsuccessful when I re-enter the workforce. Since this item became super important on my list, another more meaningful list emerged describing this dream-employer.

• Choose an employer who doesn’t care when I clock in and out.
• Stick with an employer who understands life happens. Sick kids happen. Doctor’s appointments, house and car emergencies, and extracurricular activities all happen too.
• Work for an employer who values what I bring to the table, and my encourages my professional development.
• Value an employer who values me as a person. This would be an employer who cares what is happening in my life and wants me to be as successful at home as I am on the job.

At the end of the day, valued and trusted employees are happy. They do great work. And, they tend to stay at their jobs. It doesn’t matter if that work is getting done at 8:00 am or 8:00 pm.

I’m happy to say I have found that employer with Front Porch Marketing.

I’m new to the team, but I can’t express how excited I am about this opportunity to re-enter the workforce.

I want to do great work for myself, my team, and my clients, but Front Porch understands I’m a mom first. And with that, every day comes with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Is it going to be hard? Yes. Will it mean some late nights and early mornings? Sure. But moms tend to just figure things out. Woman-owned companies get things done! So, pour me another cup of coffee because I’m ready!

Working for a Woman-Owned Business is a Career Changer and a Life Changer

To quote Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are a-Changin’.” Specifically, the business industry has been changing and that’s a good thing. We aren’t in the 1950’s anymore. Women are achieving and climbing the corporate ladder like they never have before. However, sexism is still a prevalent problem in America’s workplace and economy. According to Business Insider, women were paid 17.7% less than men in 2019. From pay gaps to glass ceilings, women continue to be withheld from their full potential. We, as men, need to help bridge these gaps and break these ceilings for women worldwide.   

Every man should work for a woman-owned business at some point in their life. It will help you be more comfortable with the growing and changing workplace environment. Sometimes men have a specific mental picture of what it’s like to work for a business in the corporate world, i.e. lots of men in black suits barking orders at each other while submitting to their superiors without question. This is what I thought.

But now, working for Front Porch Marketing, a certified woman-owned business, has proven the opposite. Everyone I’ve worked with has shown me nothing but compassion, patience, and respect. Along with these values, I’ve learned how to become more detail-oriented, collaborative, and inquisitive. In summary, working for a woman-owned business has helped me grow personally as well as professionally.   

Woman-Owned Business: A Better Work Environment 

Front Porch Marketing treats me as an equal and makes me feel valued. One of the key aspects I’ve admired the most about a woman-owned business is the empathy they share. They care about how you’re doing and your well-being not only professionally but personally. As an example – on my first day of school as a junior in college, Front Porch Marketing sent me a box of cookies just to thank me for my work this summer. It put a huge smile on my face and made me proud to work for the firm.  

In regards to patience, I can tell you from personal experience that Front Porch Marketing has been very forgiving with me as I learn the ropes. They are very persistent in pushing me to reach my full potential and make it clear that I can always ask for help whenever I’m struggling. This learning atmosphere is rare to find in a business, especially one owned by men. In my experience, most of the time in a man-owned business they want you to figure things out quick and expect you to handle it yourself. 

Empathy, patience and understanding are not just the right things to do, they pay off. Not only are woman-owned businesses more understanding but they statistically tend to make more than those run by men. According to Sable International, women led companies “generated 10% more in cumulative revenue over a five-year period,” compared to men. Even when facing bias, woman-owned companies are still rising above men.   

Another bonus for me of working for a woman-owned business is the smoothness of the internship process. They gradually increase my work load once they think I’m ready for the next assignment, which is highly encouraging. They set me up to succeed. Additionally, I love having the opportunity to take on projects that make me feel like I’m making an impact. Lucky for me, Front Porch Marketing isn’t afraid to hand those out!  

This is an Experience That I Would Recommend to All Men

Overall, as a young man entering the workforce, where diversity and inclusivity is growing, working for a woman-owned business has helped me grow as an individual. It’s given me perspective on what it takes to be a marketer in today’s industry. For example I am learning multiple marketing strategies and tactics: how to write blogs, how to put together reports, how to conduct project research, and I am designing retail line cards. Working with the amazing staff here at Front Porch Marketing has opened my eyes on how a successful remote business is run and operated. From the emails, the coaching, zoom meetings, and most importantly meeting deadlines – a business works best when the team works together. 

Front Porch Marketing has been very kind in letting me join their team and held no judgement to the fact that I’m a man in a women’s business. It’s humbled me and made me proud to work for a group of strong, talented, independent women.  It’s an experience I’d recommend to all young men.