Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maryann Samreth, founder of Sincerely Miss Mary, located in Woodridge, Illinois, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is to help people write and publish their memoirs to amplify social impact in the world using the somatic trauma writing process. I also offer somatic wellness writing coaching to help people move forward from CPTSD, PTSD, and complex trauma. I work with people who have a burning desire to use their voice and tell their story to create a more compassionate world. My brand, Sincerely Miss Mary, has a growing social media presence on Tiktok, Instagram, and where I launched the Mental Breakthrough Podcast, a trauma-informed podcast for the healing journey.

Tell us about yourself

My business started off as an anonymous writing account on Instagram called Sincerely Miss Mary. I began live journaling my abusive relationship to combat the victim-blaming and gaslighting I was experiencing after I confronted my partner (now ex) about his best friend sexually assaulting me. Feeling trapped, I began to write my truths every day, growing my platform, until I eventually embodied the woman who was able to advocate for herself and get out of this relationship. A story I tell in season 1 of Mental Breakthrough, where I guide my audience through my healing journey of abuse recovery and breaking generational trauma as a 2nd generation Cambodian American.

I wrote my way into breaking generational trauma. After spending months analyzing my embodied writing process with trauma-informed mental health professionals and ancestral healers, I built the framework of my somatic trauma writing process to guide others through a transformation journey through writing their stories.

My purpose is to empower others to write and share their stories from a place of embodiment so they can create a significant change in the world. When we share our stories with the world, we create a movement in spreading hope.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

After leaving my 11 year NYC luxury fashion designer career in August of 2020, I fully embraced the entrepreneurial life by being flexible, open, and patient with how I wanted to create a business with writing. I first began freelance content and ghostwriting for life coaches and sustainable brands and switched to a writing coach in May of this year. Since then, I’ve launched 2 group coaching wellness writing programs and have coached two women on writing their memoirs. My biggest accomplishment would be my willingness to embrace uncertainty and allow my business to shift and evolve as I evolved. I am so proud of believing in my ability to guide others through their most vulnerable stories and seeing my clients transform into talented writers and shining advocates the world needs more of.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Balance. It’s difficult for me not to be thinking about my business 24/7 and take a restful break to nourish myself so I can continue to show up for my clients. Having your business on social media makes it difficult to fight the urge always to check it. It’s also very difficult to set boundaries with myself and know it’s okay if I don’t post on social media every day. Consistency does not equate to worthiness, and I always have to remind myself I am always doing enough.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Tolerate imperfections. Being an entrepreneur is a long game, and if you never had anyone model this journey for you, the journey is going to give you a lot of anxiety of having the power of authority and choice. All is allowed, and all is okay. We learn and grow through moments of imperfections.
  2. Treat your business like you would treat your healing journey. This was advice one of my best friends gave me when I had a moment of self-doubt with my business. She told me to look at my business like I would with my healing journey- with patience, self-love, and compassion. Building a business involves having an intimate and embodied relationship with yourself.
  3. Don’t be afraid to ask for support from friends or in your network when you have a new offering or project you want to share. Your friends and family who unconditionally love you will always be willing to help share your work with others or on their platform. It’s always okay to ask for help and have them help spread the word of your work, and of course, always return the favor with other entrepreneurs!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

When we share our stories with the world, we model advocacy and create a healing experience to empower others. The more truth we have in the world, the more love, compassion, and radical acceptance there will be for ourselves and for others.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sincerelymissmary.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sincerelymissmary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincerelymissmary/

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.