We are delighted to introduce you to one of our Women’s Business School graduates Katie Robertson-Kelk, founder of ECM Consulting.
When did you start your business?
I started my business in July 2018 after leaving a national Resume Franchisee, where I was a Franchisee for nearly 15 years.
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
After being a Franchisee for nearly 15 years, I felt it was time to go out on my own for a number of different reasons. I already had the tools and resources in place so it was a matter of promoting myself as a new business.
I also identified a gap in the services the franchise was offering of not educating job seekers on the importance of their personal brand whilst job searching.
What are you most excited about in your business?
The autonomy and not paying weekly franchisee fees.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
The setting up of a website and the continual marketing via social media. Some weeks I am time poor, therefore no time to promote the business.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
When starting your business “do something you are passionate about”. Do you research and due diligence of your competitors and the market place, and build and promote your personal brand both online and offline; ie. knowing your values, passions, talents, target audience and competitors, and your point of difference.
Why did you choose to do the Women’s Business School Programs?
I chose to do the Women’s Business School Ignite Program – as I knew it had a great reputation and the Awards were nationally recognised for women in business. I also believe in continually learning and growing as a professional.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the program?
The networking and have made some great contacts, but also the modules that were offered. Most of them challenged me and got me thinking more about my business.
What surprised you most about the program?
The assignments!!
Which module was the most helpful and why?
The Personal Branding and also the finance module.
How did the program help you in your business?
Assisted me with identifying different pathways for my business; ie. creating passive income through an online program and putting some strategies into place for my finances.
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
Being my 2nd business and the initial reason for being in business was to have the flexibility whilst my children were younger. I was 8 months pregnant with my 2nd child, when I started my first business and 1st child was 2.5 years old.
Would you recommend the Women’s Business School to other women starting a business? Why?
Yes definitely. It provides business owners with clarity, building blocks and strategies whilst starting up a business.
What’s happening next in your business?
Launching my online program – “Building Your Personal Brand” to be launched this month, which is targeting both job seekers and start-up small business owners.
What are your big plans for the future?
To build the online program to be a passive income.
To learn more about ECM Consulting, please visit the website, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.
Applications for the award-winning Women’s Business School Accelerator program are now open!
Follow the link to apply today: https://womensbusinessschool.lpages.co/wbs/