Hey girls! Today I’m gonna spill the tea on my wild journey of building a business from literally nothing. I mean, who would’ve thought I’d get here, right? 😜
It all started with this crazy idea that just wouldn’t leave my head. I was sitting on my couch, binge-watching some trashy TV show (don’t judge me!), and suddenly it hit me. There was a gap in the market for something I was super passionate about. I was like, “Hey, why not me? Why can’t I create something amazing out of this?” And that’s how it began.
The first step was terrifying. I had to actually put my idea out there. I told my friends and family, and let me tell you, the reactions were mixed. Some were like, “Oh my god, that’s amazing! Go for it!” But others were a bit more skeptical. “Are you sure you can handle this?” they asked. It kind of made me doubt myself for a second, but then I thought, “Screw it! I’m doing this anyway.”
Research was my next big thing. I spent hours and hours online, looking at what similar businesses were doing, what customers were saying they wanted. I joined all these Facebook groups and Reddit threads related to my niche. It was like diving into a whole new world. I learned so much about the market trends, the pain points of the customers, and what was working and what wasn’t.
But let me tell you, the financial part was a nightmare. I had to figure out how to fund my little startup. I didn’t have a ton of money saved up, so I had to get creative. I started selling some of my old stuff online (yes, that’s how desperate I was!). I also looked into small business loans, but the process was so complicated and intimidating. There were so many terms and conditions that I felt like my head was going to spin off. But I didn’t give up. I kept calling banks, talking to financial advisors, and finally, I managed to get a small loan that gave me the boost I needed.
Then came the branding. Oh my god, choosing a name, a logo, and a color scheme was like choosing a new outfit for a first date. You want to look good, but you also want to be true to yourself. I went through so many different options. I had a whole notebook filled with sketches and ideas. I asked my friends for their opinions, and of course, everyone had something different to say. But in the end, I went with my gut feeling. I created a brand that I was proud of, that represented who I was and what I wanted my business to stand for.
Building a website was another huge hurdle. I had no clue about coding or web design. I tried using those DIY website builders, but they were so limited. I wanted something that was really going to stand out and look professional. So, I ended up hiring a freelancer. It was a bit pricey, but it was so worth it. We worked together closely, and I told him exactly what I wanted. He was really patient with me, even though I’m sure I was driving him crazy with all my nitpicky requests. But when the website was finally launched, I was over the moon. It looked amazing, and it was exactly what I had envisioned.
Marketing was the next big mountain to climb. I started with social media. I created accounts on all the major platforms and started posting content related to my business. But it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. I had to figure out what kind of content would resonate with my target audience. I tried posting pictures, videos, blogs, and sometimes it felt like I was just throwing things at the wall to see what would stick. I also had to deal with the trolls. Oh my god, the trolls! They would leave mean comments on my posts, saying things like “This is stupid” or “You’ll never make it.” It was really disheartening at first, but then I learned to just ignore them. I focused on the positive comments, the people who were actually interested in what I was doing.
I also did some local marketing. I handed out flyers in my neighborhood, went to local events and set up a booth. It was a great way to meet people face-to-face and get the word out about my business. But it was exhausting. Standing on my feet all day, talking to people non-stop, it took a toll on me physically and mentally. But every time I saw someone’s eyes light up when I told them about my business, it made it all worth it.
Customer service was another area that I had to focus on. I wanted to make sure that every customer who interacted with my business had an amazing experience. I answered emails promptly, took phone calls with a smile (even though they couldn’t see me!), and went above and beyond to solve any problems they had. I learned that happy customers are the key to success. They’ll not only come back, but they’ll also tell their friends about you.
There were so many times when I wanted to give up. When things weren’t going as planned, when I was running out of money, when I felt like I was just spinning my wheels. But I kept going. I reminded myself of why I started this in the first place. I was doing this for myself, to prove that I could create something amazing out of nothing. And now, looking back, I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished.
My business isn’t perfect. There are still things I need to work on, improvements to be made. But it’s mine, and it’s growing. And if I can do it, so can you girls! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Believe in yourself, take that first step, and just keep going. Because building a business from scratch as a female entrepreneur is one of the most challenging but also the most rewarding things you can do. 💖