Featured Solopreneur Helen Robinett: “Build a Network”

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 solopreneur:
Helen Robinett

Name of business and city:
Image Quest; Melbourne, Australia

Web site address:
www.imagequest.com.au

Type of business:
Personal and professional visual branding

When did you officially go into business?
November 2002

Why did you start your own business?
Freedom and excitement to share this fabulous skill!

What was the best thing you did when you were starting up your business?
Engaged a great business coach and bookkeeper

What is a mistake that you made that you have learned from?
You need to be better at marketing than doing

What is your biggest current challenge in the business and what are doing to try to solve it?
Social media marketing. I am about to engage a guru to help with it. Definitely not my skill set.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?
To step my business to the next level. Serious focus on the target market I know are right for what I have to offer. To be known as Australia’s leading image advisor for emerging professional leaders.

Where do you want to be with the business in five years?
Hiring consultants to do some of the work I am putting a system in place for.

What are your main software programs?
ACT, MYOB, Windows

What are your strategies for staying competitive?
Niche value. No-one approaches this work the way I do. I tend to break the rules. People like that.

If your business should fail, what is your fallback position?
Start another business!

If you could start your career all over again, with that you know now, what might you have done differently? Why?
Have more systems in place more quickly. Charge for what I gave away for free. Oh dear!

What’s your advice for aspiring solopreneurs?
Build a network that will become your board room to thrash out the issues that you need serious assistance with.

Are you glad you became a solopreneur? Why or why not?
Oh you bet I am. I get to choose. My life has a balance of my not-for-profit work, family, business, and some fun. It works. It fuels me and brings a great level of peace.