Featured Solopreneur Kelly Kingman: “I Will Never Go Back To Asking For Time Off”

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:
Kelly Kingman

Name of business and city:
Sticky eBooks; Beacon, New York

Web site address:
www.stickyebooks.com

Type of business:
eBook development and coaching

When did you officially go into business?
There’s no “official” start date but my first blog post was May 2009. I didn’t really give it a go until several months after being laid off from my last job. I’d say December 2009.

Why did you start your own business?
I was looking for more independence and flexibility in my career and wanted a vehicle to help me leave my job, then I was laid off in a horrible economic downturn and going my own way seemed the only sensible option.

What was the best thing you did when you were starting up your business?
I joined a few forums of other new or would-be entrepreneurs—they’ve provided a sounding board for my ideas, a wellspring of support, a great professional network and some of my first clients.

What is a mistake that you made that you have learned from?
I waited a very long time before creating my first product. I’ve learned that the sooner you create something, the sooner you can test it in the marketplace. Now that I launched one eBook, I can’t wait to do more—not just because of the income, but the creative rush of solving problems and helping people get their eBooks written.

What is your biggest current challenge in the business and what are doing to try to solve it?
Managing overwhelm. I still do freelance writing as part of my income, and Sticky eBooks has gained momentum over the past month that makes it very challenging to juggle blogging, product creation, marketing and social media plus life’s regular responsibilities and my part-time writing.

I am managing it by taking one day at a time and doing what I can to renew my energy when it’s time to unplug—meaning shutting down my computer at the end of the work day and trying not to check my e-mail every five minutes on my phone.

What are your goals for 2010?
My goal for 2010 is to get to the point where I begin a 45-Day eBook Bootcamp (stickyebooks.com/ebook-bootcamp/) every month with a new group of clients. In the fall I’d like launch and expanded version of my eBook, the Sticky eBook Formula.

Where do you want to be with the business in five years?
In five years I would like to branch out into being an eBook publisher, making Sticky eBooks an imprint, like ChangeThis.com—finding great authors to help package and promote their work.

What are your main software programs?
WordPress, MS Word or NeoOffice, InDesign, Adobe Acrobat

What’s your advice for aspiring solopreneurs?
Start testing your ideas right now. Go find one client—don’t worry about the perfect Web site or business cards (unless you design Web sites and business cards). Cobble together a modest portfolio of free projects you’ve done for people and go pitch somebody.

Also, experiment with your pricing and practice asking for more than you’re totally comfortable with.

Are you glad you became a solopreneur? Why or why not?
Absolutely! I will never go back to asking for time off—I’m completely in control of my time. I love it.