Dear Deborah,
You have provided great tips as a guest writer of Womenandbiz.com, and now you just published your first book, congratulations!
Deborah Bailey
Could you share with us your experience prior to becoming an entrepreneur?
I spent over twenty years in the corporate world at companies such as JC Penney, Avon, AT&T, Lucent and Johnson and Johnson. I’ve changed careers a few times. When I started out I worked in the garment district in NYC, and then worked as a copywriter. I changed careers and became a computer programmer and business analyst. I’ve always been willing to make career changes when I wanted to try something new.
How did you spot the opportunity to start your business?
I’d been planning to start a business for years. In fact, I wanted to start a business after high school graduation. Unfortunately at that time being an entrepreneur was not the norm. Instead I was encouraged to either become a doctor, lawyer or get a good job and a pension.
It took decades in the corporate world before I decided that I had to make a major change in what I was doing. So, I decided to start a freelance writing business. Unfortunately once I started to get that going, the housing crisis hit and the economy started going downhill. I realized that I would have to add some other revenue streams.
So, I took an introduction to coaching class at Coach U and decided to register for their Core Essentials program. Though I hadn’t planned to go into coaching when I started, I realize now that it was an excellent choice for me. I think that a lot of people start businesses because they see a need for something. Others end up falling into it because they start with one idea, then they’re led to another type of thing entirely.
I’m a creative person and my business has evolved along with me. Recently I’ve added speaking and training to my services. I realize that I don’t like spending so much time working alone on my laptop, so I’m looking forward to going out and working with groups. Though I started out doing freelance writing, these days most of my writing is done to market my business and my new book.
How did any outside advisors make a difference in your company?
That’s a good question! Actually looking back I think that I probably relied too much on the opinion of outside advisors. When you don’t know enough, you can end up listening to people who sound credible, but they really don’t have the knowledge that you need. Unfortunately you may not find that out until your own knowledge has increased, and then you discover that perhaps they weren’t the experts that you thought they were.
I’ve been fortunate though to have worked with a few great coaches – which is what prompted me to take training to become a coach! They have made a big difference in my life because they were very supportive and honest about what is needed in order to build a business. I find that there is a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of “experts” are downplaying the work that is really involved.
You have to be very discerning about who you choose as a mentor. It will take a lot of work and commitment to get things going. In my opinion, building a business can’t be condensed down to a “quick and easy” set of steps.
What do you consider the most difficult challenges you face as a woman business owner, and how do you overcome them?
I think a big challenge has been being a home-based business you aren’t given the same respect. When people hear “home-based” they think it can’t really be that serious.
To be honest, any challenges that I might encounter as a woman business owner pale in comparison to my challenges as a woman in corporate America. In that environment I was always frustrated by the lack of opportunity for advancement. Perhaps because I am home based I’m not encountering the same obstacles some other women encounter while building a business. I can’t say that I feel restricted in any way.
Tell us about your business and the products and services it provides:
When I started out in coaching I called my business, Deb Bailey Coaching, and now it’s evolved into DBC Communications. It’s not just about coaching, but also includes training, speaking and my internet radio show, “Women Entrepreneurs – The Secrets of Success.” I define myself as an author, career expert and speaker, and I have to admit that it’s hard for me to narrow down my services. As a right-brained person I have so many things that I enjoy doing, it’s hard to narrow it down.
Later in the summer I’ll be working with Middlesex County College in NJ to provide training in business writing and customer service to businesses. I also speak on topics such as how to move from employee to entrepreneur, and how employees can use entrepreneurial thinking in their jobs. Recently I started providing a service for entrepreneurs who want help with writing books to promote their businesses.
What I really want is to help people with personal development so that they can align their skills and desires with their careers and businesses. I also want to do my part to promote women entrepreneurs because I don’t think we get enough attention in the mainstream media. That’s why I started my radio show. I wanted to give women entrepreneurs a place to talk about their businesses and inspire other entrepreneurs-to-be.
What inspired you to write: “Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Getting Control of Your Life”?
I wanted to share my experiences transitioning from employee to entrepreneur. There’s an emotional and mental transition that has to happen and that is rarely mentioned in the “how to” books. Work is changing and people can no longer expect to be employed for life at one company. In the book I wanted to show that employed professionals can change their thinking and take control of their careers. So many people are stuck thinking that the company dictates their career and that they’re powerless.
As an entrepreneur I learned that I had to adapt certain traits in order to survive. I couldn’t just sit and wait to be told what to do, or let my future be decided by a manager. I had to take charge of my own destiny and make my own decisions. When I thought about it, I realized that employees could use those traits and apply them to managing their careers.
Who should read this book?
This book is geared towards employees; however entrepreneurs can also get a lot out of it. In fact I’ve had great reviews from entrepreneurs, so they obviously feel that they got some good information! Anyone who wants to shift their thinking and make changes in their professional and personal life will get something out of the book. I’ve included my personal story of transitioning from corporate and provided a lot of motivation for those going through similar changes.
What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?
Do a lot of research before you begin. Determine your target market, figure out how much money you’ll need and be as realistic as possible about it. You will have to invest time and money in your venture if you want it to succeed. You must also believe in your vision and stay focused on bringing it to life. It’s important that people understand that there will be sacrifices required, at least at first. You’ll have to devote a lot of energy to your business idea. Don’t expect it all to fall together without major effort on your part.
This issue’s theme is “Show leadership through your social media presence”, could you share how using social media has made a difference in your venture?
My radio show has been a major part of my social media presence. Through it I’ve met and interviewed over 100 entrepreneurs, and many of them have remained part of my network. I recently was invited to join a small group of bloggers for an interview with First Lady of California, Maria Shriver. She started an ice cream company with her brother and they’ll be using a portion of the revenues to support Special Olympics (which was founded by Maria’s mother). My invitation to participate in that interview came from my having the radio show.
I also have a Facebook fan page and I’m active on Twitter, so I’ve been involved in various social media tools. However, it is all too easy to spend a lot of time on social media without having any real focus. It’s easy to get caught up in numbers of followers and friends. If you’re on social media all day but have no sales, then perhaps your focus is in the wrong place. You need to have a strategy in order for it to be meaningful.
WOW, that’s amazing, congratulations! What are your plans for the future?
I’m about to start on another book, a novel this time. Ultimately I’d like to present workshops based on the concepts in my book, “Think Like an Entrepreneur” and do a lot more speaking on topics that will help people to grow and bring out their best skills and abilities. I’d really like to be a part of helping people to make positive changes in their lives. As long as I’m doing that, I’ll feel that I’m living my own purpose.
Are there any other questions you wished I had asked, from which you feel Women and Biz’s readers could learn valuable lessons?
I can’t think of any particular questions because we’ve covered a lot of information here that I hope will be very helpful. In addition I want to say that Women and Biz is a terrific resource for business owners, and I am excited and honored that you invited me to contribute.
I’m featured on Deborah Bailey’s new ebook: “Think Like an Entrepreneur: What You Need to Consider Before You Write a Business Plan“
For more information, please visit: http://www.dbaileycoach.com