Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Caroline Cole, Owner of Caroline Cole Stories, located in Dallas, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run a business called Caroline Cole Stories. We're a boutique voice-over, content, and copy-creation company focused on crafting meaningful stories for our clients. Our clients are educators, coaches, and companies looking to tell their stories through audio and written mediums such as audiobooks, podcasts, educational materials, blog posts, articles, and marketing materials.
Tell us about yourself
Performing has always given me a sense of community, whether that's through singing, acting, dancing, writing, or reading. I began performing at a very young age and always felt more connected to those I served with than others. We were the ones who got to see behind the curtain, to know the excitement of being backstage, to play pretend and make-believe. At the same time, the audience members had to grow up into adults. It was a place to belong and feel special. This feeling of belonging and specialness motivates me to this day.
Because now, I realize that there's nothing more powerful than the stories we tell to and about ourselves. I'm always working to harness that power with client work—the ability to tell your story exactly as you want to. So, whether I'm creating local opportunities through theater education, reading an audiobook, writing a script, or creating content, I look for that same energy. What will make the end reader/consumer/client feel seen, unique, and powerful?
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
That's tough to say, honestly. Haha. There are a lot of different branches of the business, so I'm never bored, that's for sure. And I enjoy the fact that I'm able to walk a creative tightrope that includes threads of yoga, writing, teaching, coaching, and performance.
My biggest accomplishment is the small team I've built to put the stories together. I work with an audio editor (Josh Bangle), video editor (Cain Rodriguez), social media creator (Olivia Birch), and general copy editor, creator, and communications guru (Courtney Mentzel).
I'm so grateful to have people I can count on to expand this little studio's capacity, so it's not just me taking on all these random projects. With the expanded capacity of a remote team, I can also focus on local projects with theaters and yoga studios that support my community. No one can do it alone.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, it knows when to wear what hats. Who am I right now? Am I the boss or the employee? Am I the writer or the performer? Who's in the driver's seat this morning?
So, it's figuring out who I need to be and when. One morning I may need to do some long-term planning and goal-setting. It's a boss morning, for sure. Plan a walk and get outside to get those creative juices flowing. But tomorrow afternoon may be all about getting four article drafts churned out.
I need a cup of coffee, noise-canceling headphones, and my Fitbit to remind me when to take breaks -- because that's how I write best. The next day maybe it's sending invoices. Yuck. Paperwork. That's the grunt work, but you girl has to get paid!!! So, it's all necessary for the dream to work.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Yikes, that's a tough one! In a creative business, in particular, it's essential to have a lot of faith in what you're doing.
- And to act into that faith even when you don't feel it.
- This means you've got to invest in yourself, take care of your mental and physical health, and take yourself seriously even when others tell you to be cautious, "realistic," or "why don't you just get a normal job with benefits?" Julia Cameron has been my most excellent teacher on this.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://carolinecolestories.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinecolestories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinecolestories/
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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