Inspirational Biz Owner Spotlight : Sarah Davies
This year I've been working with a Sarah to help move me and my business into a new growth phase – while very exciting, it’s stretching me to look at things differently, and develop new ways forward. Sarah offers direction, inspiration and connection with her knowledge and clarity around strategy and marketing. I'm really enjoying being part of her Beyond The Hourly Rate group coaching program.
Check out her website and get in touch with Sarah if you're ready to make those business changes you know you need to do!
What inspired you to start your own business?
Seeing creatives, coaches and consultants who had incredible knowledge and talent in their area of expertise struggling for success because they lacked the business skills. When you learn your craft, nobody teaches you the skills such as how to package that knowledge into an offer people want to buy, how to find clients, charge your worth and to navigate sales conversations.
What challenges or obstacles do you face with running your own business, and how do you overcome them?
Like most people I love to do the things I am good at and avoid those things I don't like, value or find hard. BUT, as I learned, until you overcome those obstacles you hold yourself back from success. For me it was tech. I had terrible mindset issues and blocks around embracing tech, which led to me having a cobbled together techstack and any decision I made was run through a filter of 'how can I do this with minimum or without tech?'. 18 months ago I put my big girl pants on, left my ego at the door and enrolled in a program that has literally changed the way I do business. So my advice is - Identify what you're avoiding, invest in a coach or consultant who has trodden the path and learn the skills you need - then work on the mindset issues as well. I truly believe that the path to your success is overcoming your greatest weakness.
What have been the most effective marketing and promotional strategies for your business?
Connecting with people - either through running workshops and masterclasses or networking or being part of active online business groups.
What advice would you give to business owners who are wanting to move their business to the next level?
Choose one goal, start being intentional with your time, money and energy. It's amazing how your daily life will change when you start being proactive instead of reactive.
Find someone who has trodden the path - we are not meant to do business alone. You don't have to figure everything out by yourself.
Set your pace, so if you decide to work on your business 2 hours a week - block it out every week and if something comes up move it to another time. Rome wasn't built in a day but bricks were laid every hour.
What are your future plans and goals for your business?
My plans are to help more creatives, coaches and consultants turn their knowledge and expertise into a profitable business using the logical phased approach that I offer in my program www.beyondthehourlyrate.com.
I have a dream to be able to support migrants in New Zealand to create successful service businesses. This past month I gave my first talk to a migrant community and I was blown away by the audience. I'm looking forward to working more closely with the migrant community in NZ and sharing my knowledge to help them succeed.
www.sweetspotbusinesscoaching.co.nz
