Featured Solopreneur Laurie Gay: Building A Solo Business That Reflects Her Priorities

This is “Featured Solopreneur,” an ongoing series that gives all of us a glimpse at how other solopreneurs operate their small businesses. Click Here to read more Solopreneur Success Stories.

Name of business, city, Web address:
BluePrint Balance; Atlanta, Georgia
www.lauriegay.com

Type of business:
I help people be themselves, out there, in the world. You know, like (1) if you’re burnt-out and lost with your work, we find the right career or job for you, and (2) if you’re really fed up with struggling with your weight or with any kind of food or body image preoccupation, we get you to your naturally thinnest weight, free from dieting or obsessing but really enjoying food.

When did you officially go into business:
September, 2008

Why did you start your own business:
I started my own business for two primary reasons:

First, I wanted a career that met my natural preferences for schedule and environment. For me, that means having a career that is location independent, meaning it permits me to live anywhere and still be earning a living. I also thrive when controlling my own schedule and creating a variety of work that suits my natural preferences and my strengths, like being around people, writing and speaking instead of, oh, I don’t know, dying alone in an office.

Second, I wanted a career that felt really fulfilling on a personal level. I believe I’m on the planet to change the world for the better, and I wanted my career to reflect my priorities.

What was the best thing you did when you were starting up your business:
I hired several different people to help me get clear on exactly how I was going to make this thing work, and exactly what I wanted it to look like.

You need support, and if your resources are limited, there are a lot of very good, free options, too, like the blogs at www.ittybiz.com , www.thefluentself.com and www.heartofbusiness.com for marketing yourself and creating a foundation for your business that will grow with you.

What is a mistake that you made that you have learned from:
Don’t take on too much too quickly. I tried to start several avenues of my business all at once, while moving cities and traveling for fun. It was way too much, and I got very little done until I shaved off some less-necessary commitments.

What is your biggest current challenge in the business and what are doing to try to solve it:
Currently, my biggest challenge is creating systems that work for my idiosyncratic business so that everything is streamlined (keeping books, creating files for clients, building new offerings). Time is an issue, and systems really are the answer for saving time for the solopreneur. That said, we all do such unique ventures that your systems don’t always look like the next guy’s, so you have to see what shape your business takes and continue to modify your systems accordingly as your very alive business grows and changes with you.

What are your goals for 2010:
My goals this year are to have an office outside of my home (as of last week… check!), create my three most popular tools in the form of products so that I can reach more people (products are much less expensive than paying for my time), and continue to grow my body of published articles.

Where do you want to be with the business in five years:
I’d love to create a training program to help other people do the work that I’ve cobbled together and do; to primarily be speaking and writing; and to strategize with new businesses on ethical growth and sustainable work environments.

What are your main software programs:
I am a huge fan of WordPress for your blog, Mailchimp for your mailings and autoresponders, and 1 shopping cart for your payment option.

What’s your advice for aspiring solopreneurs:
The best thing you can do is have fun with this—oh, and don’t quit. Set yourself up so that you can enjoy creating your very own, totally special and awesome career without the incredible stress of falling into debt, worrying about money or what “everyone” might think.

That said, don’t have a true backup plan (because if you have a true backup plan, that’s really your plan) and have some accountability, either through a coach, a business partner or a friend (if “friend,” choose one that you’re kind of scared of so you’ll actually follow through with what she’s holding you to).

Are you glad you became a solopreneur? Why or why not?:
Most definitely. I’m not gonna lie, people—it’s much more complicated and stressful than I imagined because you are every, single department (accounting, marketing, administration…) and you will not be all that great at every one of these departments. But, the ups and downs and tremendous learning curve are really worth it: making money and finding real success doing something that is close to your true identity, that you created out of thin air, is the best feeling I have ever known. In business.

What lifestyle choices have you had to make to stay in business?
Even when I worked as a lawyer at a large, New York-based law firm (translation: you’re making bank), I kept a very low-key lifestyle. I actually haven’t had to make any real sacrifices, and have a lot more extra time to do, um, whatever the heck I want.

What are your strategies for staying competitive?
I actually don’t view today’s environment as one of competition in a traditional sense. I maintain my client base and keep clients best when I am living by my own advice and partnering with and sharing clients and information openly with would-be competitors.

I find that growing really clear on who you are serving, and what keeps that specific person up at night and then solving their juiciest problems for them is the best way to create a viable business. I don’t try to beat or outdo other people doing similar work as I do, but riff off of their ideas as they do mine. It’s really fun, and it’s a model that’s working very well.

Do you need a second household income to support your lifestyle? (Is the business primary, or supplemental to the household?)
I 100% support myself and only earn income through my coaching business.

That said, for fun (and for smarts…remember that bubble bursting in 2008? And, 2002?) I’m beginning to work with entrepreneurs with their legal matters (I’m also a lawyer). It’s legal work that is fun, and creates multiple streams of income. That’s another thing to think about: multiple streams of income is one of the only true sources of security of solopreneurs. Check out Andrea Lee’s blog and offerings for finding your multiple streams. She rocks.

If your business should fail, what is your fallback position?
Well, two things: first, I don’t believe in failure. Seriously. It’s just reformulating and trying something different. Second, there isn’t “a” fallback position…there are about a million fallback positions! I could find another coaching niche like, look for counseling positions at law schools (because of my legal background), return full-time to the practice of law or any number of other jobs.

My personal experience has been that there are a lot of jobs and opportunities out there—maybe just not ones that we are used to seeing. There’s a terrific Chinese saying, “Fishing is best when waters are choppy.” There are some of the best opportunities in distressed markets that we wily solopreneurs are scooping up left, right and center. Join in on the fun.