Sylvia: Stephanie, congratulations on the success of your young business. Congratulations on your recent appearance on the ‘Bethenny Frankel’ show. You did a marvelous job at introducing your brand. I love what you said in that your business started from the inside out. Explain it?
Stephanie: Thank you! My business Bed Rest Concierge is built completely on doing “what I know” 26 weeks of bed rest is what I know, how women feel when they are isolated, lonely and depressed is what I know. I took everything that I wanted, needed, and dreamed of having and created a business. I am my ideal customer so I have a huge advantage over other businesses who have to have brainstorming and synergy sessions to figure out what clients want. In business you should focus from the inside out, become your customer and connect on that kind of level. It makes a big difference and gives you an edge.
Sylvia: Yes, I agree with everything you just said. What advice would you give to a woman who have an idea but not sure where or how to get started?
Stephanie: Take time to develop your idea. Do not rush into business just because you have an idea. If you can answer the question of Who will spend money on this business, Why am I going into business, What purpose will this business serve, Where will I position myself in the marketplace. Once you have concrete viable answers to WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHY for your idea you can transform this into a business model. Without this you are done before you start!
I get asked this question all of the time, and I always answer the same way you are not really asking me How, you want me to tell you When. The answer for both how and when is now, if you are looking for a how to book on becoming an Entrepreneur you are not an Entrepreneur. None of us truly know how, we just do. Once you decide you are ready to do, then here’s your how…get moving, research, networking, laying the foundation for your business.
Answer Who, What, Where, When and Why for yourself.
Sylvia: You mentioned the importance of networking. Are there any online and local groups or associations that you would recommend who offer resources and support to women?
Stephanie: Sylvia the resources and support for Women in Business is staggering. Women should do some research and target the groups that will relate to their business. It’s two fold, you will be networking, developing relationships, showing interest in other women and in turn you are building your presence, the same women you support will in turn support your business and pass along your business information. I like networking online to build your social media presence but I’m big on face to face connections, meetings, community events. It makes a tremendous difference when people actually connect with you and it will show that you value relationships.
Truth, people do business with people they know and trust. Your online presence is one thing, your living breathing self is a whole other level. Do things that continue to set you apart from every other business.
Sylvia: Yes, ‘Know… Like… Trust’ major ingredients to building true relationships with your target market. ‘Bed Rest Concierge’… just an idea and now look at the growth of your business in such a short time. What do you attribute to your amazing success?
Stephanie: Focus, dedication and I made myself do something that pushed my business forward every single day. When the phone didn’t ring, and when nobody wanted to take my meetings. I still woke up before everyone else and went to sleep long after businesses have closed. You can still find me online early in the morning (2am check my FB status Ha ha) reading, posting articles, researching companies. I decided from the beginning that nothing was more important than Bed Rest Concierge and the expectant Mother’s I serve and I carry that attitude and focus every day. Nothing is more important than running a successful business, and if it is than that’s a hobby not a business.
I let my story sell my business. I run a niche company and I am my own brand so development was key and allowing people to know my story was important. When you find out what will sell your business it will take off. Instead of telling people how new and different we were, instead of selling services, I allowed my life to sell my services. When I made the connection between personal story and savvy business model, it couldn’t be stopped and it got bigger than me very quickly.
Sylvia thank you for your continued support, you have been in my corner way before the World saw me on Bethenny and you are still with me. Thank you so so much!
Sylvia: My pleasure Stephanie… my absolute pleasure! Please share your contact information.
Stephanie: Certainly! Here goes:
- To YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DRK7KUJIWU&feature=g-all-u
- To Website: www.bedrestconcierge.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bed-Rest-Concierge/191376930947916
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bedrestconcierg
Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.
