Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Micaela Staudenmaier, Founder of A Swell Space, located in Fairfield, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I provide digital solutions and services for small businesses that want to establish their online presence through graphic and web design. My customers are online female entrepreneurs who mainly create products for moms. I work with postpartum nurses, IBCLCs, pediatric Physical Therapists, Psychologists, Therapists, sleep consultants, doctors, etc., that create courses, resources and offer coaching/consults to parents (mainly moms).
Tell us about yourself
What got me started working on my business was simply teaching myself all that I needed to know to run a blog and market one. I took all the possible free courses and webinars and began to learn lots about marketing and the tech-integration side - truly as a hobby and because I enjoyed it. These skills landed me my first few clients, and my business took off based on referrals alone. At that specific time, I was extremely motivated to learn anything I absolutely had to so that I could control my working hours and schedule and not have to clock into a traditional 9-5 job.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been able to create a full-time income for myself and grow a team of women and mothers that help me run my business. Being able to afford an employee on salary felt very huge for me because it gives me satisfaction to be able to support other fellow mothers who need/want flexible schedules. Other huge accomplishments have been seeing current and past clients be featured in big publications and seeing some of my work cross-represented in their blogs/graphics.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner is fighting the urge to place my worth in how my business is doing. I often need to separate my business highs and lows from my own personhood/emotional health and let go of that deeply embedded desire to be a people pleaser. Yes, business is about great work and service, but also staying true to myself and my own values. I often need to gently educate my clients on best business practices.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you are willing to fail and invest time, you can chase after your dreams, knowing it will take you somewhere very special. The business I have grown looks nothing like I ever imagined it could, but I am in awe of every day of the special projects and the amazing people I get to meet and support!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I have mad respect for any person out there who has opened a small business - whether big or small - successful or not. I absolutely enjoy learning from people who have opened their own businesses and could never hear enough stories about how brands/businesses got started
they are so inspirational to me.
I am also a grad college dropout. I was only one year away from completing my master's in Mental Health Counseling, but my business was growing so quickly that I could not keep up with both. I chose to pursue my business instead and have yet to regret my decision.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.aswellspace.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aswellspace/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belenstaud/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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