Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with  Rhiannon Carnohan, SEO Expert based in Sydney, NSW, AU.

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

I’m an SEO expert, helping small businesses supercharge their success by getting them found on Google. SEO (short for Search Engine Optimisation) is all about improving your website so that it appears at the top of Google search results when someone types in a keyword related to your business.

It’s a truly powerful marketing tool, but many businesses feel confused and overwhelmed by all the jargon out there. So I’m on a mission to change the game with my honest and simple approach, providing DIY and done-for-you solutions that help take the stress and complexity out of SEO.

Tell us about yourself

I’m an SEO expert, a passionate supporter of small businesses, and a full-time digital nomad. When I’m not exploring a new town (or surfing, hiking, or sampling local wine) on my van travels around Australia, you’ll find me in my office-on-wheels, teaching small businesses how to harness the power of organic search marketing to grow their business.

Before starting my business, I worked in various ad agencies in Australia and the UK, creating SEO strategies for big-name brands with big budgets. But with entrepreneurial dreams of my own, I was frustrated by the lack of practical and affordable SEO solutions out there for small businesses. So, I left the agency world with one simple goal: to support other business owners by giving them the tools and knowledge to get found on Google.

Almost four years later,  that’s what still drives my business today. I love sharing my knowledge with small business owners and letting them in on the secret: SEO doesn’t have to be scary, technical, or full of jargon. Small businesses can have just as much success as the big players. They just need the right support.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been helping other small business owners not only understand but embrace SEO as a marketing tool that can help them grow their businesses. SEO is so often misunderstood, and many small businesses will shy away from it together because it seems dark and mysterious.

So I’m so grateful to have helped almost 100 businesses, who have all experienced first-hand just how effective SEO can be for them, no matter where they are in their business journey.

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

One of the hardest things I find about being a business owner is also one of the most rewarding, and it’s the responsibility that comes with building something from the ground up. Especially in the beginning, you have to wear so many different hats, and a lot of responsibility will fall on you - your products, marketing, customer experience, systems, and processes.

I love the variety that comes with running a business, but it can become overwhelming, so it’s important to stay focused, be organized, and, as soon as you start to grow, outsource anything that isn’t in your wheelhouse or doesn’t light you up.

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

  1. Just start! I’ve spoken to so many aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners who have a great idea or are really passionate about something, but they’re just too scared to take the leap. I’m not going to say that starting a business is easy, but getting started is often the hardest part. Once you put yourself out there, you’ll be surprised at how things fall into place and start happening for you as you build momentum. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. You just need to get started.
  2. Have a plan, but be flexible. As the old saying goes, “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail,” so make sure you have a clear plan of what you’re offering, who you are serving, and how you will deliver and market your products or services. But don’t expect everything to go according to plan. Expect bumps in the road, diversions, and plenty of stop signs, and learn how to navigate them along the way.
  3. Find a mentor or support network. Remember that you don’t have to do everything yourself, and you don’t need to do it alone. Find like-minded business owners to bounce ideas off or a mentor who has already accomplished your goals and can provide some sage advice.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://rhiannoncarnohan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhiannonjcarnohan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannoncarnohan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannoncarnohan/


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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