Today I’m interviewing Dawn from Just Doing My Best. She’s focused on making middle-aged life for women exciting and adventurous. As she says, “Owning our 40’s means being confident and helping each other navigate through this stage of life.”
Sarah: What inspired you to start your business?
Dawn: I started my blog before the holidays in 2015. I really wanted to reach women over 40. We don’t subscribe to magazines as much anymore but we still want all the info magazines had to offer. As a woman over 40, we view health, parenting, marriage and life in general differently than we did 20 years ago. I wanted to offer healthy living ideas but touch on a little more as well. Health is a big concern as you age. I had several requests for parenting articles, so I’ve been writing articles covering parenting with a 40-year-old perspective. My readers will find a little bit about several things. Not too many topics, but enough to make it interesting.
Sarah: What inspires you, and how do you put that into your creations?
Dawn: I’m inspired when someone tells me they like what they’ve read or have tried something I suggested. Not everything will resonate with everyone. That’s ok. I just enjoy reading, researching and connecting with women that I would not have met otherwise
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Sarah: Tell us about the struggle. What were the 2 most difficult things you had to do in order to launch your business?
: The biggest things I struggle with are finding women my age on social media. Most of the woman I speak with want what I have to offer but don’t take the time to connect on social media or the internet to find the information. My other struggle is the ever-changing world of technology. As soon as you think you’ve mastered one aspect of blogging, social media, technology, etc., there’s one more thing to do. It’s difficult to know where to get the answers and not pay a fortune for the help you need.
Sarah: What marketing tips and tricks did you pick up along the way to launching your business that you wish other creatives would know?
Dawn: My biggest source of information has been Facebook Groups. I’ve stumbled on some really good ones. There are a lot of people out there who really want to help and see others be successful. I also got on a lot—a whole lot—of free webinars from people who offer products and services. Most of them (if not all) are trying to sell something. I didn’t buy everything that was being offered. Some, I just took the free info and moved on, some I actually bought. Some of the services were way out of my price range (courses for $500 and up). Most of the courses I’ve taken have really helped and made me better at what I do.
Sarah: Tell us about where you are now. What have you done already, and what is next on your plate for go? I’ve grown my blog and learned something new every day. Blogging takes a lot of time in the beginning. I’m focused on growing and turning this into a business. I can see I’ve grown my blog and learned something new every day. Blogging takes a lot of time in the beginning. I’m focused on growing and turning this into a business. I can see I’ve grown my blog and learned something new every day. Blogging takes a lot of time in the beginning. I’m focused on growing and turning this into a business. I can see light at the end of the tunnel.
Dawn: In the next few months, I can see myself slowing down a little and being able to focus solely on writing. By that, I mean that I’ve spent the first few months writing while tackling all of the steps that are required to set up the blog for success and social media accounts. Wow. You have to be really committed and have a good support system to make a venture like this a success. I’m also part of a group of women starting another blog that will be launched worldwide in the Fall.
Sarah: What advice would you give creative entrepreneurs hoping to one day to be where you are in your business?
Dawn: Be prepared for the amount of time it will take to make it successful. This is a full-time job and I’m not making money yet. It’s very time-consuming and can be a little costly in the beginning.
Sarah: What are two of your products or services that you love that you want to share with me and my readers?
Dawn:I have several of my favorite products that I share on my site. One of my favorites is Maca Root. It’s so helpful for women over 40 for muscle building, female health, and libido support. The other is Grass Fed Collagen. Collagen is terrific for gut health, bone and joint health.
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