Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susannah Curry, President of SCURRY Communications, Inc., located in Athens, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a full-service healthcare marketing agency. We work with a range of clients in the health and wellness space - from diagnostic manufacturers to regulatory consultants to pharmaceutical companies.
Tell us about yourself
I’m a creative director, copywriter, and strategist with over 19 years of experience working in healthcare marketing. I started working in medical publishing and answered a head hunter's call about a healthcare copywriting job. Until then, I had no idea the job even existed! I am inspired to work in this business because it allows us to be creative in unique and challenging ways. Art and science are human attempts to describe our world, and I enjoy working at the intersection of both to do work that makes a real difference in people's lives.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I started the agency in 2017 at my kitchen table. I had been working in network shops for my whole career, but I knew I had to find a healthier work-life balance after I had my daughter. I'm proud that I could start and grow the calibre of agency I have while maintaining a healthy balance for myself and for the world-class talent I have on my team.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The toughest thing is the pressure we place on ourselves to succeed and meet client expectations. I can work 24/7, but I can only do that for so long before it affects the quality of the work and my health.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do it because you love it, not because you have to. If it's not your passion, find what is and do that instead.
- Make sure you have the paperwork in order. Get good lawyers, accountants, etc. It's worth it.
- Don't overpromise. Make sure you can deliver the best of what you're promising.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
As a small business owner, you deserve all the respect in the world for hanging out your shingle. You're taking a huge risk. Don't let clients or anyone else try to haggle you into a place where you're doing work for nothing, doing work on spec, or spending long hours pitching for business. You've got to eat too, and they know that.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://scurry.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannah-curry-943b831/
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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