Alumni-owned business spotlight: Altimese Curry (B.S.’07)
VCU Alumni is highlighting Ram entrepreneurs in our alumni-owned business directory. Here, Altimese Curry (B.S.’07), owner of social media and public relations agency The Ezer Agency, shares her business advice.
What tools helped you the most when you started out?
When I went into my business full time, there were three tools that helped me tremendously. One tool was Canva. Beyond creating general graphics for myself and my business on social media, I created my proposals, social media content calendars for clients and my analytical reports. It helped me create content for all areas of my business and everything aligned. Another tool that was extremely beneficial was Asana, for project management and helping me organize my priorities. As I hired my first virtual assistant (who’s now my operations director), Asana helped me manage my priorities while ensuring my assistants had clear guidance. Now, we use them to outline our standard operating procedures, and we got a little creative with manifestation boards! Finally, one platform that I am so glad I invested in was HoneyBook. I used it to help me look “polished” with clients as I sent contracts. Now, we have client portals, lead-generation funnels and more. We’re also noted with the company as HoneyBook Educators for other business owners.
What was the biggest challenge to maintaining your business?
Ironically, the biggest challenge to my business involved my mindset. Transitioning from corporate America to full-time entrepreneurship, I had a really hard time pushing back on clients when I knew that their preferences weren’t going to generate the results they desired. In corporate America, you operate as a collaborative team member on a larger team (unless you’re the only one in the department). However, as a business owner you’re a collaborative partner that is also the expert in the field. It required a shift in how I handled expectations and communication. As the company grew and I tackled that, I then had to deal with my actual mindset with money and how it shows up in my life. Both of these were life-changing seasons for me, my confidence in the business and also my trust in the process — even when things don’t look so great.
What advice do you have for people considering starting a business?
Be intentional with two things. One: being honest with yourself about where you are, who you are and how you handle adversity. Two: How you show up in your personal life will become a mirror of how you’re treated within your business. Another thing I would recommend is begin with the end in mind. Write out your vision for your business and your life (and write it as if it’s already happening and in present tense). Put that where you can see it daily and also send it to yourself via email. Schedule an email to go out every six months or 12 months with a letter to your future self and include your vision. Within your letter speak to your micro-level goals, either within the six months or the 12 months. This will be a game-changer for you.
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