Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Panasiuk, owner of Rachel Dyan Website Design, located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

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

I provide customized Squarespace website design for wildly passionate entrepreneurs. My goal is to transform budding entrepreneurs from stressed and overwhelmed to polished and professional with beautiful, strategic design and a breath of fresh air.

Tell us about yourself

It wasn't until a friend of mine told me, "YOU NEED TO BE DOING THIS," that I even considered becoming a website designer. She had a small brick & mortar store I was managing, and I offered to create her website and help her develop an online presence. It came naturally to me: understanding the user experience, the navigation, the functionality.

What I didn't realize (at the time) is that understanding how a website should be designed doesn't, in fact, make sense to most people. They don't know where to start. It's the folks just starting out that I'm able to lend a hand to. Not only do I offer website design, but I also provide the puzzle pieces for them to establish their brand identity as a whole. Creating this life I envision for myself is what keeps me going every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We all know, or have heard, that on average it takes 2 to 3 years to establish a business (and actually make a profit.) Now, I'm not rolling in it (just yet), but my trajectory is looking good. My biggest accomplishment to date is that I've kept going. Yes - I believe that perseverance is an accomplishment. Being an entrepreneur isn't for everybody. So knowing that I've made it this far and haven't given up is huge for me.

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

In my case, I work from home by myself (with the at times irritating company of my two cats.) For me, the hardest thing is not having more human connections. That being said, I've put a lot of effort into leaning on my community of fellow entrepreneurs and utilising online co-working calls to ensure I don't start having full-on conversations with my cats. Feeling like you're alone is the hardest thing. But if you feel like that, know that you're definitely not alone, and lean into those around you who get it!

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

  1. Connect with your community - whether it's something like WECM, a mastermind group, or an organic group of entrepreneurs and small business owners. It's so important to not only network for the sake of your business, but through those connections, you have the opportunity to grow, collaborate, and talk through your hang-ups.
  2. Do NOT wait to get your website up and running - websites foster trust, and trust is the currency of the digital world we live in. Establishing your online presence tells the world you mean business, and in the long run, having a website with all the deets will save you time (and consequently... money!)
  3. It's ok to change, pivot, take a break... or quit. Just like a website, your business will grow and change and evolve. Entrepreneurship is just personal growth, which means your passions and interests will change. Or sometimes maybe a product or service isn't jiving with your ideal clients. And that's ok. Take a break, and reassess. At the end of the day, you should run your business (not the other way around), so if it comes down to your happiness, it's also ok to quit (...or something with a less negative connotation.)

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My vision as an entrepreneur is to empower wildly passionate entrepreneurs with beautiful and high-converting web design made accessible in every phase of business growth while encouraging their biggest dreams. While this journey hasn't always been pleasant, I don't think I would do any of it differently. Quitting a full-time job and pursuing a dream isn't for the faint of heart. There won't be a right time to start your dream business. But deep down, you'll know. It's risky and terrifying but can also be the most satisfying and rewarding thing you ever do.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.racheldyan.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racheldyan.websitedesigner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.dyan.webdesign/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Gyg6Li

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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