Curious to know how other women run their businesses and their top tips to thrive in business? Each month, I catch up with one of our wonderful Thrive Collective Members to find out more about them and their business and share their top 5 tips to creating success in business.
This month, Josie Dom is doing the honours. Josie is a children’s author. She writes picture books for children up to age 7 and has CE-certified accompanying character cuddly toys handmade in the UK. She also goes into schools with her Imagination & Creation Storytelling Workshops for KS1 and KS2.
Tell us Josie, why do you do what you do?
I do this because I love words and I love writing. I do this because it is fun! One day I wrote a story (Lum) of which I was so proud, that I got carried away and before long (I fib, it was probably two years!) it had become a book. Once I’d started down the route of becoming an author, I wasn’t going to quit, and I am learning every day, which makes life much more interesting.
What practical advice would you give to anyone about to start, or in the early stages of owning a business?
If you’re starting a business in a field that is completely new to you, as I did when I became an author, think about the skills you have already that can be transferred from your existing career, but don’t let lack of experience in the field hold you back. If you’re passionate about your new business, you can learn as you go along or invest in formal training to get you to start-up.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
Subconsciously, I think my Dad who set-up a business with colleagues when I was a teenager (I actually helped a little by typing letters on my old electric typewriter!). And my Nan who ran her own business when she was younger – I never knew her business but knew that she’d owned a shop. I think seeing my Dad go from being an employee to an employer showed me that it was possible to work for yourself.
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve been given in business?
“Better done than perfect” is my current favourite. Sam Dixon says it all the time! I quote it to myself when I’m delaying launching something new in my business.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
To keep on learning and stepping outside of my comfort zone. Each time I do so, the comfort zone becomes a little bigger and there is somewhere new to step.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
Just lately I have:
- had a new website created, which I am able to update myself and pleased that I am confident to do so
- run a drawing competition for children. It started with a FB advert (the first one I’ve run) and has a proper email nurture series set-up in MailChimp to serve parents of children that enter – it’s working really well
Do you have any new projects coming up?
My latest project is very exciting! I have written an epic poem ‘Animalympics’ which tells the tale of the animal kingdom stepping up to compete in the Olympics when humans cannot. From that concept, I am using the poem as a fundraiser for UK zoos, and am asking Olympians, Paralympians and other elite athletes to work with me. Luckily, I have had a good response and the fundraiser has gone live. You can read more about it on my website here or on the GoFundMe Campaign Page.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, your tips and insights Josie. We absolutely love having you in the membership and seeing you Thrive with all your business ideas and initiatives.
You can check out more about Josie here www.josiedom.co.uk and give her a follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Thrive is a community of business women supporting each other to connect, collaborate, learn and thrive together in business.We’re women who are energised by other women’s successes and equally motivated by our own.Thrive Collective is the combination of both the Thrive Collective Meet Ups and Thrive Collective Online Membership, whatever help you need, we’ve got you covered!