Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kate Williamson, founder and owner of Scientech Resumes LLC., located in Bend, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run a career marketing and consulting business that works exclusively with professionals, from new graduates to c-suite executives, targeting career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). One of my specialties is helping clients with advanced degrees (Masters and Ph.D.) market themselves and transfer their technical background from academia into industry.
My work with my clients focuses on helping them identify, re-establish, and market their unique value to prospective employers so they can land more (and better) interviews faster and find fulfilling work. We achieve this by creating targeted, branded resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, post-interview thank you letters and executive biographies. I also provide job search, LinkedIn networking, and interview coaching services.
Tell us about yourself
I am a trained scientist with a background in applied chemistry, focused on polymers and coatings technology. While completing my Master's, I started my first industry job as an R&D Applications Technician in the specialty chemicals industry.
In 2014, I moved to the Netherlands with my partner (now husband) to live and work. I landed a job as a Product Development Engineer with a global manufacturer of release liner products. It was a job that looked great on paper but quickly became a daily hell. Without going into excruciating detail, the company suffered from a management problem that set its people up to fail.
I gradually burned out and felt tired and angry all the time. Additionally, my partner and I struggled with culture shock from adjusting to a new country and learning a new language. I was unhappy at work, and I'm not someone who likes to do a bad job at my job, and I felt no sense of solace or safety at home. Something had to change.
During this time, I picked up some freelance resume writing work as a means of additional income for student loan payments. Resume writing projects were ubiquitous as it's not a sexy type of writing most people target, but helping people on a personal level was fulfilling. After nearly two and a half years, my husband and I returned to the States, and my company, Scientech Resumes, was established.
I'd say my biggest daily motivator is helping people on a personal level. I enjoy learning about new recruitment and job search practices. Unfortunately, the Internet has a lot of outdated and bad information on how to write a resume and create an organized job search strategy. I'm honored that my clients trust me to be their professional partner in the job search process and work with them to position them for the role they want.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Setting and sticking to boundaries. I'm a recovering workaholic. Running my practice remotely from the comfort of my home can cause the lines between work and personal life to get blurred easily.
One of my biggest challenges, in the beginning, was building my client base. I remember moments when I bent over backward to secure new business, even if it meant working with demanding clients. It took a few years to get clear on my business operations and set realistic boundaries on the types and number of clients, appointments, and projects I could handle in a given week. Over time, I've noticed improvements in how I use my time and energy to never over-promise or under-deliver.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Keeping the main thing, the main thing. It's easy to get distracted in business, especially early on, and feel you need to be everything to everyone. Once I focused on exclusively serving my niche, STEM clients, my business started to grow. Additionally, this freed up time to build valuable referral partnerships with resume writers and career coaches to whom I can send clients that will be served better through their expertise.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Focus on something that interests you. Many people like to say things like "focus on your passion." I don't like this vague, feel-good advice because it implies that it's a one-and-done deal. Choosing something you won't tire of (at least not quickly) and pairing it with certain skills, abilities, knowledge, or experiences you possess will give you an edge when building and operating a business and identifying prospective clients.
- Be intentional about your operations. It's important to know what products or services you want to sell and the clients you want to sell to, but what gets left out is the processes and systems you use to operate your business.
- Ask for help. This is easier said than done for some of you (present company included). The Internet provides a multitude of ways to connect with people all over the world and join groups in your area of focus. I am a member of multiple career management groups full of people who are more experienced than I am and have generously shared advice on how to navigate various business scenarios.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
When asking for help, make sure you accommodate the other person's schedule, make yourself available and come prepared with a learning goal. Be prepared to lead the conversation and ask open-ended questions that allow the person to share their unique perspective.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://scientechresumes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STEMResumes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scientechresumes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScientechHQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateewilliamson/
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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