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Original poster

I started a business from scratch as a single mum in debt and have made over £2.5m in revenue in 5 years AMA

172 replies

Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 06:26

Hello

I was asked to do a AMA on another thread and have a day off today so thought it would be a good time to do it.

I’ve started various businesses some worked some didn’t but then I started teaching what had worked for me (using LinkedIn to get clients) and it just took off in 2017/18.

I’m now a business coach and help other people to start and grow businesses online very often mums especially those who don’t want to return to work (why I started my business) or want to make additional money usually from what they already know and without spending lots of money on retraining or expensive set up costs.

if I can answer any questions or help anyone with their businesses I’m around all day

OP posts:
CloudyMcCloud · 02/08/2023 07:13

Cazzovuoi · 02/08/2023 07:06

I’m also a self made millionaire OP and I’ve done this thread before. I’m surprised you only got one MLM accusation so far.

My thread descended into accusations of lying and someone even called me a Walter Mitty type.

Congratulations and good luck with this thread.

I’m surprised you only got one MLM accusation so far.

Why an ‘accusation’? It’s unclear what the product or service end result is

So people are going to ask

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:13

BitOutOfPractice · 02/08/2023 07:00

possibly the most blatant sales pitch I’ve ever seen on mn.

Not a great one considering it’s anonymous.

I’d advise LinkedIn for those

OP posts:
flutterby1 · 02/08/2023 07:15

Be careful girls . She wants t charge you £1.5k for her pyramid lead- giving BS

ZekeZeke · 02/08/2023 07:16

You can use the sales navigator function in LinkedIn for new business.
Their customer service will show you how to use it, along with multiple you tube videos.
A third party like yourself isn't necessary.

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:21

10oclock · 02/08/2023 07:01

What would be your main ‘top tips’ to someone wanting to start their own business?

Number one is to start with selling one thing to one person - the biggest ‘mistake’ I see is trying to sell all the things to all the people and doing anything just to get the money in.

Pick something you enjoy - you’re going to have to spend a LOT of time talking about it on socials etc ie I’ve been teaching the same thing for 5/6 years and saying the same things but I’m still really passionate about it.

Pick something people need and will pay for. I know this sounds so obvious but I see a lot of people creating an amazing course for example but then can’t sell it because people don’t want it. So always make sure people want it and are prepared to pay then build it!

Don't expect too much support from friends and family beyond the initial start up excitement. Find friends in business who get it join free groups etc. also don’t be too disappointed when they drop you when you get successful.

Decide on a marketing plan and stick to it. Consistency is boring but compounds over time.

Enjoy it and go for it!

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 02/08/2023 07:21

Are you worried your industry will get overloaded, I seem to be getting a lot of similar ads popping up on social.media?

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:22

missfliss · 02/08/2023 07:01

Thanks OP - is the LjnkedIn focus around social selling ?

It’s about doing three things every day - growing your audience, engaging with them and posting content. It’s very simple. People pay to be in the community and get the support. I teach the strategy for free everywhere I go

OP posts:
MistyMorningMelons · 02/08/2023 07:22

How much profit have you made, rather than turnover?

CloudyMcCloud · 02/08/2023 07:23

Can you give examples of what your clients sell?

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:27

OrchidsBloomimg · 02/08/2023 07:03

But what do the businesses making 100k plus do? Are they also selling services (if so what type?) Or are they selling products (if so what type?)

A mix here’s some examples:

Someone who sells pharmaceutical quality assurance

Someone who sells mental first aid training to companies

Someone who runs hypnotherapy training

Someone who coaches women in business

Someone who teaches city bankers how to get fit and lose weight

Someone who builds sales funnels for entrepreneurs

Someone who teaches career changers to become traders

Theres a few who I know are doing brilliantly

theres a massive mix of freelancers, coaches, consultants people who sell to businesses and to the general public.

OP posts:
flutterby1 · 02/08/2023 07:29

I'm so glad you've taken time from your busy schedule to let us know here on MN how you've become successful, to pass on your tips and to charge us £1.5K , I'm not sure if I'd ' made it' I'd be that altruistic .

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:30

GoodChat · 02/08/2023 07:03

Do you refund them if they don't make their money back?

Are you still running the original business that took off?

Do you give people business ideas or do they come to the table with an existing business and you help them expand?

If after 6 months of doing the work they’re not getting results we will work with them and see if we can help them maybe tweak their messaging etc, if then after 12 months it’s literally not working then yes we would. But if they do the work it works. We don’t refund unless it’s within the 14 days cooling off unless we’ve done absolutely everything we can to help them. We have refunded people with circumstances out of their control in the past. A lot during Covid.

OP posts:
CloudyMcCloud · 02/08/2023 07:32

Do you only charge the £1.5k or do you continue to earn if they do?

Wondering how many clients you have (or have had) to get to £2.5m

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:32

GoodChat · 02/08/2023 07:03

Do you refund them if they don't make their money back?

Are you still running the original business that took off?

Do you give people business ideas or do they come to the table with an existing business and you help them expand?

Sorry replied too soon.

I am still running the original business that’s generated this revenue yes. Been up and down over the years but I absolutely love it.

Most people come with their business idea formed and wanting to market it but I have helped many many people create business out of what they already know.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:35

Cazzovuoi · 02/08/2023 07:06

I’m also a self made millionaire OP and I’ve done this thread before. I’m surprised you only got one MLM accusation so far.

My thread descended into accusations of lying and someone even called me a Walter Mitty type.

Congratulations and good luck with this thread.

I’m definitely not a cash millionaire - congratulations to you!! I’m sure it will derail but some genuine questions and I’m happy to answer. It’s a weird space to be in isn’t it when people get mad at you for making money and it must be a rip off or a scam. Thanks for the support!

OP posts:
SunnieShine · 02/08/2023 07:35

MistyMorningMelons · 02/08/2023 07:22

How much profit have you made, rather than turnover?

That was going to be my question, too.

MrsPoliportsGoose · 02/08/2023 07:35

flutterby1 · 02/08/2023 07:29

I'm so glad you've taken time from your busy schedule to let us know here on MN how you've become successful, to pass on your tips and to charge us £1.5K , I'm not sure if I'd ' made it' I'd be that altruistic .

The resentment and jealousy is strong with this one 😉

Well done OP and I wish you luck with the thread, woman supporting women is a Mumsnet myth sadly, and when you try you inevitably get beaten down by the fearful and the haters.

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:37

BitOutOfPractice · 02/08/2023 07:04

Presumably “pay me £1500”.

and yes, before you accuse me of cynicism, yes I do run a successful business.

Show quote history

Not sure what the question is here but I teach my methods for free everywhere I go I don’t keep it all a secret. People buy the programme because they want the community and the live calls. Happy you’re running a successful business! Can’t we support each other or is it better if we have a go at each other as women in business?

OP posts:
Milk2SugarsAndAShotOfYourFinestValium · 02/08/2023 07:38

Ooooh I need this! My business partner and I have an IG based business but we have struggled to shift it from just IG (individual clients) to IG and LinkedIn. How do we grow on LinkedIn? Is there a posting formula? Do you contact individuals? Or target posts and hope for shares? Should we get a pro account?

We are a niche coaching business. We both have significant qualifications and experience but are rubbish at SM. (There are so few of us that if I post the specialism it would be outing 🤣).

Any LinkedIn usage advice SO welcome! It’s quite a confusing concept to us after building 12k on IG (we find IG harder to monetise).

Thanks!

Newbutoldfather · 02/08/2023 07:40

How do you know you are helping people to make money?

Of course, if you are taking enough fees to generate money to live a comfortable life, you must have lots of clients. And, statistically, some of these would have been successful anyway.

Do you do any research on how much value you have added (I know this is hard)?

Sorry to be sceptical, but this does sound a bit like Andrew Tate’s ‘Hustler’s University’……

YourOpinion · 02/08/2023 07:40

drpet49 · 02/08/2023 07:07

I call bullshit

Why be so horrible ?

People are always on here with work/career related issues or needing to work out what they can do to increase their income ? This thread could be helpful yet almost immediately jealousy rears it’s ugly head and we get bitchy comments.

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:43

AutumnLeaves5 · 02/08/2023 07:07

How much profit have you made from £2.5m revenue?

Turnover £2,630,308.57
Gross Profit £2,198,785.67
Net Profit after tax £479,175.48

OP posts:
ZenNudist · 02/08/2023 07:45

You seem to be avoiding the questions about how much profit are you making. Why is that? I'd like to know how your revenue grew and what it translates to as profit. It doesn't seem like a business that would have much in the way of costs.

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 07:58

drpet49 · 02/08/2023 07:07

I call bullshit

Feel free to send me a DM and I’ll send you my companies house information if it makes you feel better

OP posts:
Brrrrrrrrrrrr · 02/08/2023 07:59

Without coming across cynical this thread reads like you're touting for business, I hope people are wise enough to to not DM you asking for advice.

I follow an art business ‘coach’ on Insta and a few of her clients mainly to see how not to operate and it’s very telling when you see them all applying the same formulas trying to sell their ‘art’ (which is often amateur/ average at best and not of a standard to ever be a viable thriving business).

I see a classic tactic is saying how much your business is worth or its revenue to entice people. It’s always vague and has elements of exploitation along the same lines as MLMs. A successful business owner in my opinion can not be coached to hit the big time they need to have a natural flare otherwise the wheels quickly come off.