Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bayley Simmons, Founder of Professionally Polished, located in New Orleans, LA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Professionally Polished is an HR Consulting and Career Coaching firm. Our customers are small businesses and non-profit organizations that need assistance with the buildout, triage, or oversight of their HR function. On the Career Coaching side, we assist all job seekers, from inexperienced students to seasoned professionals, with demonstrating their skills for their dream job through resume writing, cover letter writing, and LinkedIn page optimization.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Bayley Simmons, the founder of Professionally Polished; I started like many career-oriented people. I am goal-driven and wanted to land that perfect job, but I quickly learned there is a lot of competition and very few road maps on how to navigate the corporate world.
I am an experienced Human Resources professional with a career that spans over a decade. I worked for small businesses, non-profit entities, local government offices, and large conglomerates. Through years of experience in career advancement, I learned a lot about what employers want from potential employees. I also know what is expected of prospective employees when they initially engage with a company of interest. Through observation and roles within Talent Acquisition, I became an expert in professional presentation and interview engagement. I created Professionally Polished to pass on this expert knowledge to other people, especially young women and men and those who come from backgrounds or families without corporate connections.
I wear many hats—entrepreneur, career coach, community volunteer, HR expert— and I purposed to embolden businesses, large and small, by making their HR foundation rock solid so that all other aspects of the businesses flow smoothly. I share the same commitment and dedication to volunteerism and community engagement. As Project Leader of community project RECreate for Young Leadership Council, I formed partnerships with Tulane Athletics, New Orleans Recreational Development Commission, New Orleans PD, Harmony Oaks community, and the community center’s liaison company Urban Strategies, to enhance awareness of the YLC’s community initiatives. In 2015, RECreate was awarded the honor of “Project of the Year” for outstanding programming, engagement, and leadership.
I live in New Orleans, LA, with a host of family and close friends. When I am not working, I like to frequent local eateries, take short weekend trips, and cheer on LSU Tiger Football!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment so far was moving my business from a part-time hobby to a profitable enterprise in 2021. I accomplished this through the establishment of retainer client partnerships that inject consistent, predictable revenue into my business monthly
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I am a small business with a small team, and we rely heavily on tools to assist our clients. It can be quite challenging to identify which tools are necessary and when to switch or change the tools if they become obsolete.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Believe in yourself and your idea, file your paperwork, and start.
- Find a business coach - there are so many programs; some are free, some have fees, and they will meet you where you are as an entrepreneur. They will provide guidance and ideas and bring focus and systems to your vision to create an operation.
- Celebrate every win, no matter how small.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Consistency is key, do something every day that can help your business and renew your motivation!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://getpropolished.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Professionally-Polished-105097054234279
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getpropolished/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayley-simmons-42808915/
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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