I started my company in 2009 without a name, without business cards, without a website, without a logo, without anything except an idea. That’s it, just an idea and my laptop. It was a very simple idea…that I could do Twitter for small businesses in my neighborhood.
My First Client
I asked my husband to help me land Mike as my first client. Mike’s an amazing person and a serial entrepreneur. One day, when I was walking with my hubby, I asked him to cross over to Mike’s store and see if he needed help managing his Twitter account. I was nervous and so I waited outside on the corner (chicken).
Soon my husband and Mike emerged from the store and motioned for me to cross the street. OK, this was it. Breathing hard and not knowing what to expect, I crossed the street. Mike said he wanted to hire me and asked me for my business card. Nervously I looked through my purse (faking it) and then I told him that I didn’t have a card with me. Which was “sort of” true because I didn’t have ANY business cards! I went home that day and came up with the name Sabrina&Company and I ordered simple business cards from VistaPrint.
Luckily, I create websites, so I ordered my business domain name and put up a site. From there I contacted LegalZoom, opened a bank account, started using FreshBooks for billing…basically I took care of the details after I started. I wouldn’t advise that for everyone but that’s how it worked for me.
Icing On The Cake
My good friend Kirsten had a virtual business and told me to get a Social Media Marketing certification. She also graciously took me under her wing and shared her clients and knowledge with me as I studied and grew my business. And now, 7 years later, I offer a full slate of custom social media packages, websites, consultations, and Desire Map Workshops.
Passion or Need
If you have a passion or a need to get started, don’t let the big stuff weigh you down. The big stuff could stifle your creativity at the very beginning and that would be sad.
It’s Not That Deep
Do you know how many times you will change your website, tweak a logo, redefine your service offering, design new business cards and change your headshot? SO MANY TIMES!!! So, don’t worry about finding the perfect design or picture because it’s all fluid. And that’s the way it should be. Stay open to change.
Start Where You Are
Sometimes taking your time and making a great big beautiful business plan is great.
Sometimes putting it out there on your social networks or a blog is a perfect start.
And sometimes… just starting with an idea, your computer, and no business cards will really work!
What About You?
Where are you starting from and what’s in your heart? I’d love to hear from you!
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Make An Impression.
Sabrina Espinal
Sabrina&Company Marketing
Image credit: © leszekglasner
