This guest post is part of our ongoing Small Business Perspective series, and is written by Theresa Gould, owner of RobnT Business Solutions in Chicago, IL.
Last month I shared that I was offering my services for free to a couple of clients for a short period of time. The strategy was to gain experience after being out of the work force due to the birth of our first child, and to gain reputability as a new business owner offering online services.
My internships enabled me to work with individuals who were clear in their goals and who were great communicators; this made my job so much easier. I knew what was expected, I knew what their priorities were. And if they were not known in the beginning and listed as part of my outline, it quickly became apparent to my client how my skills could be utilized for their business in the time frame that we had stipulated. It was easy to gain a good rapport and camaraderie, if you will, with each of my clients. Now I don’t think that is to be expected each and every time; however, if it does happen, then it is a confirmation that it is a great fit for both parties.
On the other hand, if things do not “click” within a short amount of time, then I think it would be safe to assume that the “chemistry” of a good working relationship is just not there. I actually had that experience a couple of years ago, before I started this business. In my desire to earn money and to please the person, I ignored the signs that the working relationship was not what it should be. I continued working with the individual but dreaded every contact because of the inevitable unpleasantness that would occur. Our personalities just did not match and it wasn’t worth the discomfort and bad feelings that I still experience when I think of that short job. This is something that I would like you to be aware of as you seek out new positions for yourselves. Don’t compromise yourself for a position or client that is not really a good fit for you. Know in advance what kind of person you can and will work with, that alone will eliminate a lot of potential problems.
I am happy to report that my first internship ended last week with my client deciding to become a paid client, one that has retained me until the end of the year! Plus, as a result of researching for this particular client, I have obtained two other clients, one who is paying for my services and another one, who, while not paying monetarily, provides certain perks that add value to my time investment.
As I searched to increase my client base outside of my internships, I discovered a couple more potential clients – a reminder that there is work out there. It is a matter of finding the ones that best fit my situation and specific skill set. It has been exciting to see how the fruit of my experience with successful internships has led to an increase in clients, profits and valuable working relationships with whom mutual trust and appreciation is being built. I hope this gives you increased confidence in your current situation as you contemplate your next step in the area of internships, business and earning an income.
Theresa Gould is the owner of RobnT Business Solutions, a virtual assistant firm in Chicago, IL. To learn more about Theresa and all of our Small Business Perspective Authors, click here.
