Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mandi Relyea-Voss, owner, and CEO of Like A Voss Inc., located in Campbell River, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Like A Voss Inc., an organic social media management agency that focuses on community building. We work with business owners who need to free up time in order to focus on doing what they love and who want to build an engaged community of real relationships with their clients and customers.
Over the past 8+ years, Like A Voss Inc. has and continues to share our community-focused mindset with start-ups and established brands alike, taking their social media game to the next level through passion, dedication, and true love for differentiating businesses in their marketing through storytelling.
We truly look to lend our services to businesses that we are genuinely excited about.
Tell us about yourself
I believe in accenting the 'social' in your social media marketing, and through it making your company shine brighter than ever before. My social media marketing journey began in running the events and promotions department for Canadian Kiosk. I was exposed to a variety of businesses that we're fascinated by my ability to grow the business through their social media channels (which was only Facebook and Twitter back then).
One day, I decided to go for it, spontaneously creating a website and logo, starting Like A Voss Inc. from the ground up. Within four months, I was supporting myself in working as a solopreneur.
What motivates me the MOST is the team of amazing humans that I work with. Doing it alone was okay at first, but there is something SO special about having an amazing team around you. They bring so much joy into my life - seeing them grow in their skills and constantly being amazed by the amazing work that they do for our clients. They are, without doubt, my #1 motivator. And then, of course, seeing clients succeed and those amazing lightbulb moments that come when we teach them stuff and they "get" it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having been nominated three times for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards (2019/2020/2021) and applied for consideration in 2019. It was one of the most difficult but also rewarding things I have ever done - even though I did not win.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Separating yourself from the business and "turning off." It truly feels like an extension of who I am, and I can honestly say that I am not sure I'd know who I am without it. I get so much JOY from working with my clients and seeing them succeed. But, at the same time, I really have to give myself permission to walk away sometimes and focus on ME outside of "business owner" - do things that I love in order to feel connected to myself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Hire an accountant early on. Understanding your finances is SO important.
- Establish core company values, and refer to them every time you're feeling uninspired to remind yourself what is important.
- To anyone trying to do it all themselves (solopreneurs) - be okay with realizing when you're not the best person for the job and hire staff to fill those gaps. You don't have to do it alone!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
When I am not working, I am in nature, as much as I possibly can be. Backpacking, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and even just out walking along the beach. Other than actual therapy (which I do go to), nature is my therapy. If I go too long without some sort of outdoor adventure, my mental health really takes a beating.
Oh, and I have the cutest little doggo on the planet. Her name is Cleopatra (Cleo), and she is a 5lb miniature pincher. She has saved me more times than she knows, just by being present and showing me unconditional love and affection.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://likeavossinc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandirelyeavoss/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandirelyeavoss/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandirv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandarelyeavoss/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.