Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nikki Butler, Founder of Nikki Butler Media, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Nikki Butler Media, a boutique podcast production and management agency. Our customers are new or current podcasters, who are typically entrepreneurs or influencers with established businesses. We help ideate and launch new podcasts, as well as provide concierge management and production services to established podcasts. There is a LOT of work that goes into keeping a podcast alive and well so that the show can garner an audience.
Tell us about yourself
The idea for my business came from the launch of my podcast that I hosted alongside a friend of mine. I truly love the medium so much, and it's my favorite way to deliver and consume content. You can dive deeper into stories and truly get to know someone or about something; you connect with the hosts on a deeper level because you get to know them and their personalities. Plus, you can multitask so much more easily with podcasts versus any other digital platform. Not to mention, the BUSINESS of podcasting is massive and unlimited.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've scaled my business to multiple 6-figures revenue in just 2 years with notable clients/influencers in the self-development space.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
A day doesn't go by that you aren't solving at least one new problem. So being nimble, thinking quickly, and becoming a swift decision-maker are essential to your success.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Coming from my experience owning and operating a service-based business...
- Know your numbers. What are your expenses going to be? How is that going to eat into your projected revenue? Ensure that all your time is accounted for as well and you are being compensated for it. One of the biggest things I've learned in my journey so far is that I've offered up far too many favors for free, which have, in turn, burnt me out.
- Set expectations and continue to repeat them. Know where you draw the line with clients or vendors and professionally and clearly communicate that to them. It's not rude to give them reminders when they tend to scope shift or ask for things that were not agreed upon. Communication is key for this tip, and don't be afraid! They will respect you more for it, and on the off chance they don't, you're probably not meant to do business together.
- The moment you're able to start building a team, pour into them. Spending the time to train them properly is a lot of time upfront, but once that's over, it's going to make your life so much easier, and you're going to empower them to want to do a good job, take the initiative and the best part--ownership. Share your knowledge with them; they want to learn from you. And probably the most stressful part for the business owner, but also the most exciting, is continuing to find ways to provide them with growth opportunities.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://nikkibutlermedia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkibutlermedia/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkibutlermedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nikki-butler-media/
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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