Veronica Goldspiel from Montevallo, Alabama is here to tell us all about her journey as an entrepreneur. She has been a Freelancer/ Virtual Assistant for 18 years.
What does your dream life look like? Are you currently living in it?
My dream life looks like having enough financial flow that my husband and I can live an enjoyable life doing the things we want to do more often than doing the things we “have” to do. It’s a life where I’m not tied to the computer all day, every day. It’s a life where I’m able to maintain my finances where I want them to be while also taking time off whenever I need it.
Am I there yet? No, but I believe he and I are moving in the right direction.
Tell us what you do and who you help.
I am a freelance writer/Virtual assistant. I’ve worked for 18 years as a freelancer, working for a vast array of high-profile people like Tony Robbins’ companies and T. Harv Eker’s company to a European poker player, a non-profit bird sanctuary, and even did a stint as a 9-5 social media manager at a digital agency.
Currently, I am the owner of The Freelancer’s Life website. It’s a website by and for freelancers, independent contractors, digital nomads, and small business owners and the site offers insights, information, and inspiration for freelancers at all stages of their business lifecycle.
I am also the author of “Making Your Business a Social Media Superstar – The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating, Maintaining, and Promoting Your Online Presence”. I am also working on a few new books as well.
Wow, that’s awesome. What inspired you to get started?
As far as being a freelancer, that kind of just happened.
I was in the right place at the right time when a client was looking for a transcriptionist/summary writer for their company. I type fast and accurately and that sealed the deal. I am still with that client to this day.
As far as the website and my services go, I felt the need to help freelancers and anyone trying to make a lifestyle change to that of a digital nomad or at home business, especially during the pandemic. It was during the pandemic that I realized that although my workload did die down a little bit, I wasn’t as affected by the lockdowns as many other people were.
I started seeing more and more people asking how to work from home and be their own boss so they wouldn’t be affected by something like this again. It was then that I started the website and started writing more books on the subject.
You’ve been in business for a long time—18 years. Please share a challenge you’ve faced along your entrepreneurial journey.
One challenge I’ve faced on and off throughout my journey is finding new clients when the old ones drop off.
I’ve been very fortunate to have had the same clients for years on end (some for the complete 18 years so far) but I’ve found that when I get too dependent on those clients, I inevitably get a real shock when one leaves.
It creates a big hole not only in my day-to-day activities but also in my bank account.
I’ve always managed to keep going though but currently, I am looking at getting some certifications and possibly finishing my MBA in order to possibly create more opportunities down the road.
How has being an introvert affected your business?
Being an introvert, I believe, is a gift.
Most non-introverts spend more time thinking about how to answer someone’s inquiries rather than actually listening to what is being said. I feel that being an introvert makes me a better listener than most and I tend to have great attention to details that others miss.
I use my introversion to my advantage by living by the motto that the devil is in the details, noticing what others do not, and doing a more thorough job than most of my competition. It has created a great reputation for myself and the work I do.
What methods do you use to bring in new clients?
Because I am very introverted (I’m in the top 1% of the extreme introversion scale), I tend to be very low-key about promoting my business.
If I can do it via writing (as in writing books and articles or letters of introduction) that is my favorite way to promote myself.
I also have a podcast (that I can do in the comfort of my own home with no one watching me) and, if push comes to shove, I know how to go out there and visit local businesses or ask the people I know the question, “Who do you know who…?” to get more business or opportunities.
Is attending networking events a part of your marketing strategy?
I have attended a few networking events in the past but I don’t really like them at all. I haven’t done one in over 10 years now. I find them a waste of my time and not very productive.
It’s been my experience that most of the time networking events are filled with extroverts looking for other extroverts to join their business. Introverts, in my experience, tend to get overlooked or looked down on at those events and I usually leave feeling exhausted and deflated.
Would I consider going to a networking event today? If I felt the ROI was high enough I would.
How do you define success for yourself and/or your business?
I am a simple person. I really want a peaceful, quiet, healthy lifestyle for myself and my husband.
I wouldn’t turn my nose up at an overflowing bank account but in reality, as long as we have a little more money than we need and can do everything we need to do and have a little extra to enjoy our lives, that’s all I really hope for. Though, again, I wouldn’t run away from a millionaire status either if it was possible.
What advice would you give to other introverted women who are just starting their own businesses?
First off, there’s NOTHING wrong with you. I went for years thinking there was something wrong with me because people labeled me “shy” or “cold”.
It was only in my 20s that I realized I was an introvert and as an introvert, I required not only downtime to recharge but also to process things more deeply. So, number one, give yourself some breathing room to think, recharge, and come up with solutions.
Second, you don’t have to do things the way everyone else does especially if those people are extroverts.
Many times people like that bulldoze their way into their opportunities and there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s the way you work. But as an introvert, really think about what your strong talents are and develop and hone those.
Third, don’t take everything so seriously. It’s okay to laugh at yourself when things go wrong or when you’re stressed.
Take a breath and realize that no one learns without first making a mistake. Those are the times when your mistakes teach you a lesson and make you a stronger person. That’s progress.
Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Where can our readers find more information about you?
My personal website and services: https://www.buhlcreativeenterprises.com
The Freelancer’s Life website: https://www.thefreelancerslife.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefreelancerslife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefreelancerslife
