Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa Cunningham, Founder of Treehouse Marketing & Creative Ops, located in St. Petersburg, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a project manager and creative operations consultant for mid-size marketing agencies who need support managing their clients and projects or who are struggling with bottlenecks in their processes that cause issues with project timelines and budgets.
Tell us about yourself
I've been working in marketing roles for about 15 years and started out as an assistant traffic manager for a creative agency. After many years in the industry, wearing many hats, I've learned that I have a talent for seeing how all the aspects of the agency and the creative process work together. I love helping teams work smarter so that agency owners and creative team members can focus on their areas of expertise.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been finding my niche. As a marketing generalist, I have many skills, but I wanted to create a business that allowed me to focus on my unique talents and interests and serve clients I can really relate to. Discovering that there was a need for my skillset and building a business around that has been a really big step forward.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
There are so many challenges that come with being a business owner. There are so many new things one has to learn, like navigating the process of setting up your business, bookkeeping and taxes, managing your time, and hiring employees. The hardest part overall is how easy it is to lose sight of all the progress you've made and all the things you've learned that have allowed you to get where you are. It's easy to keep pushing forward towards the next goal, but often difficult to recognize and celebrate what we've accomplished. Overlooking our successes, no matter how small, can lead to burnout and fatigue and cause us to question ourselves and our business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be patient with yourself. Not everyone moves at the same speed. Some people will take more time to figure things out and find their groove.
- Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Owning a business is a big accomplishment.
- Connect with a great network of business owners/entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges you face. The support you'll get from your business-owner peers is invaluable. Everyone has been where you are and can relate to what you're going through. Don't be afraid to reach out to them for support when you need it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://treehousemktg.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamcunningham/
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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