Tara Adams has been running her own marketing business, Adams Edge Marketing from home since 2010. She is based in Arizona and enjoys the year-round sun. You can often find her relaxing in the Sedona mountains when she has a day off. Find out how this mom started a marketing business from home.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey.
My name is Tara Adams and I live in Arizona. I began my entrepreneurial journey five years ago as I was torn between being very happy to be a mom and yet not quite fulfilled. I knew that I wanted to be home with my son especially as he began the first formative years of school so I began to search and network for ways that I could make it all work.
Through many ventures, I created opportunities for myself and those led to great relationships and partnerships that helped to use my skills and build on them. I also was able to keep up to date on the newest software and marketing trends.
I still rely on those relationships and partnerships and in 2010 I decided that with my son’s increasing independence and my increasing need to move my career path along I would begin my own company so that I could attract my own clients.
What did you do before launching your own marketing business?
Before I launched my business, I was a full-time stay-at-home mom. Prior to being a mom, I worked in marketing for several convenience retail chains.
How did you fund your business?
I started small and did my own website. I actually got so many clients so quickly, that I couldn’t find time to make changes to my website or begin my own social media campaigns. That is something I hope to get going this year as I can. I used the money from my clients to expand with office supplies and business materials.
How many hours do you work a week and how much is spent in your home office?
I work about 30 hours a week and I do most of it in my home office. Occasionally I will meet “off-site” with a client.
How would you rate your success?
I have a very busy client list and recently I had to turn down a few projects. That is a great problem to have! I have a loving family and I get to do what I love and be there for those most important to me.
What has been your biggest business struggle as an entrepreneur?
Balance! I want to over-deliver to every client and partner I have. There are times when the balance goes a bit far in either direction, but I read something very helpful. It said that balance doesn’t mean that every moment or every day you will have a perfectly balanced life and balanced doesn’t mean that every aspect of your life will get the same amount of time.
Balance could mean that I spend fewer hours at work than time for myself or with my family and it can also mean that I have to work crazy hours for a week and then spend the next week tending to family affairs. Balance is how you feel – and what does it take to get you there. I’m still trying to figure that out!
What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?
1. Realize that you will work hard, especially in the beginning. You also have to realize that you need to take time to get away from it so you can be refreshed and not burn out.
2. GET HELP! So many people are doing it for themselves and there are so many people who want to help. That was hard for me but as I grew I learned that there are opportunities for everyone and helping each other is rewarding.
How do you manage all of your personal and business activities?
It can be difficult at times. I plan ahead. My schedule usually books up two weeks in advance if not further out. I make sure to be careful not to overbook and to give SPACE in each day. It can be so tempting to book back-to-back both for financial reasons and for getting all the chores done but believe me it is the fastest track to crazy town. I’ve visited so I know.
I use a scheduling system called CheckAppointments.com and depending on what you need you can use it for free. I know I used to spend an enormous amount of time trying to schedule appointments with people only to have them try to book at times that were very inconvenient, like getting my son from school. Now I point them to the site and have them schedule a time that works for them and me.
Also, I make sure that my family appointments and needs are just like my clients. If a client asks to meet me at a time I have let’s say my son’s dentist appointment, I don’t tell them I have to take my son to the dentist I simply say that I already have an appointment or meeting at that time and when would be another good time to schedule. That is important for you so you can mentally know you are giving your family the same respect as your clients as well as the client gets the information they need and not all your personal business.
Thanks to Tara Adams and for sharing her story!
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