Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelly Thibodeau, Founder of Squarely Social Inc., located in Headingley, MB, Canada.

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

I help companies make sense of their online marketing with digital experience consulting and training services. Our conversations often start because they're looking for an outside expert to audit their online presence and give them some new ideas for how to connect with their audiences on social media, on the web, and through other marketing channels. I work alongside internal teams in larger organizations, help guide and build capacity for non-profit organizations, and this year, I launched training courses to help small businesses and small governments whose budgets and people are stretched thin. The courses are live, instructor-led classes that bake the strategy work right into the program. No more watching videos and trying to find time to do the work later!

Tell us about yourself

I started my business in 2017 after being downsized from my corporate job and officially opened Squarely Social on June 1, 2018. I have never felt like a natural-born entrepreneur, but I believe in doing business differently, so I decided to see if I could make a go of it. I enrolled in a business planning workshop because I really needed to get my head around what it takes to run a business and work for myself. It's a big difference going from always having someone telling you what to do and getting a direct deposit every two weeks to calling the shots yourself and riding the waves of entrepreneurship.

When I started my business, I thought I had to re-invent myself into something else and leave my corporate identity behind, but what I realized is that the corporate parts of me are actually part of my competitive edge, and it's what makes my business work!

What motivates me every day is working with a variety of clients, helping them get grounded in their audience and their business goals. When we work together, they get the confidence and the clarity they need so they can stop feeling overwhelmed. I've also had the good fortune of partnering with some really smart people, and I love that part of my work. Collaboration is everything!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is being willing to take risks, doing things I've never done before, and reaching out when I need help getting out of my own head. I have grown a network of people who lift me up and who I respect, and it's taught me a lot about myself and what I'm capable of. I'm also really proud of the Social Media Strategy Certificate and SEO Copywriting Certificate programs I launched this year. After being an instructor in post-secondary and post-graduate programs, I wanted to create my own container for teaching, and I've done that!

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

It's really easy to feel lonely and isolated and get trapped in all-or-nothing thinking. Some days it's hard to keep showing up. The roller coaster is no joke! I can go from riding high to riding the dip pretty quickly, and sometimes I forget to celebrate the wins along the way. I'm grateful for my trusted connections to that I can talk and who lift me up.

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

  1. One of the best things I did for my business is volunteer -- so I'd recommend doing that! Find the organizations you want to be involved in and let people get to know you. I didn't appreciate all that it would do for my business at the time, but it has been a real game-changer.
  2. I'd also recommend coaching -- business coaching and personal coaching because it's all connected. It's so helpful to have someone else plant new ideas. The trick is to intentionally invest both the time and money -- to really dig in so you can accelerate your thinking, understand your strengths and discover new ways to change your perspective.
  3. My third tip is to keep showing up. Even when you don't feel like it, whatever vision you have in your business, you can do it, but you have to keep showing up. Be positive, look for ways to meet new people, and talk about your work. The way you show up could be a total game-changer for somebody else.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Take the time to plan. Set a vision and direction for where you want to go. At first, it might feel like you're just experimenting and not necessarily building a business. It looks different for everyone, and that's ok. Take your business seriously. The other thing I want to share is to also look for ways to lift other people up too, especially marginalized populations or others who face discrimination. I'm aware of the privilege I have as a white, straight, able-bodied, cis-gendered woman. I acknowledge that not everyone shares that privilege and that the same systems that continue to benefit me are not always designed to benefit everyone. I also believe that as a person with privilege, I am both capable and responsible for helping to change that.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://squarelysocial.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/squarelysocial/

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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