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AMA
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:
bryceQ · 02/08/2023 09:41

cryinglaughing · 02/08/2023 08:25

I set up a business. Went through planning, built a building etc.
5 years on, we have a great reputation and are very successful (not in the £M's, we are limited by the size of our operation).

I have never used LinkedIn, or done any advertising. There are people who live 1.5miles from us who are only just discovering us.

How would me paying you £1.5k improve my business?

Not sure if you're looking for advice but I would make sure you have a top knotch Google Business profile if you're looking for local clients. Sign up to a free trial of Bright local and do an audit of your back links to your website such as yelp and your gbp - this is crucial for local marketing.

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:41

isthatmyage · 02/08/2023 08:28

OP loving this thread and the bitter jealousy.....you go girl and congratulations...hard work really does pay off 😊

Thank you - I have no idea what I can say or do to convince people I’m not a MLM 🤣🤣 so weird and derailing

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:43

CloudyMcCloud · 02/08/2023 08:33

I also teach how to write your headline and profile to attract and convert your ideal clients.

Where does this knowledge come from? Is it related to working in SM marketing or from somewhere else?

Show quote history

I did my own in a specific way when I started my first business I was using LinkedIn to get clients for. I had no idea how to use it or that most people used it as a CV. When I started showing other people how I wrote them it kind of became my trademark (not literally) and now that’s a framework I teach to others

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:43

SquirrelSoShiny · 02/08/2023 08:35

OP I'm not sure why you're getting such a pasting but good luck!

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:45

flutterby1 · 02/08/2023 08:35

The best place to see PYRAMIDS is in Cairo, Egypt.

I’m guessing you’ve had a bad experience with MLM. I had someone absolutely go to town on me on LinkedIn once and when I reached out she told me some absolute horror stories and how it’s made her really hostile to anyone she sees online because she had had such an awful time with people. So if this has happened to you I’m sorry, but I am seriously, 100%, not a MLM or have been ever.

OP posts:
cryinglaughing · 02/08/2023 09:46

@bryceQ not looking for advice, I am fully booked until November and have bookings into next year. I am currently turning away 3 or 4 customers a day who would to use our service.

I was more curious as to the benefits of LinkedIn. It isn't something that has ever been on my radar.

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:47

BrainFrazzled · 02/08/2023 08:36

If there are 2000 people who have signed up in the past, and all are still entitled to continued lifetime support, how can you possibly keep track of them and have a genuine awareness how how their businesses are going or what their business needs to do to improve next?
If you spoke to each person only twice a year that would be roughly 12 a day. To give any real help you would need to spend an hour chatting about what they have done or could do.
I know they probably don't all get in touch now their own businesses are successful but I still don't get the numbers.

There’s a Facebook group they can post in, there’s weekly calls they can come to, we respond to posts and questions on the lives. We will contact someone if they come to us and say they’re really struggling but in the main the training is there, everyone follows in in their own time, posts comes to the calls of they need us but mainly just gets on with it. We don’t speak to everyone individually no. We give ‘real help’ as you put it at scale this way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:49

Whatswhatwhichiswhich · 02/08/2023 08:37

I joined a MLM once, this is exactly the language they used. I spent hundreds trying to be successful, following their teachings and wondering why I was failing. They use the same statistics too, saying 20% smash it, change their lives beyond recognition, if you can’t do that it’s your own fault. This sounds like a linkedin scam.

It’s a training course people buy for £1500. There’s no recruiting, no incentives, no rah rah conferences. I’m sorry you had a bad experience but I am not a MLM

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:52

SoulCaptain · 02/08/2023 08:38

OP thank you for starting this thread, I'm sorry you're getting so many negative comments.

I'm about to go freelance - selling my professional skills but working for myself for the first time. What would be your top tips? Any pitfalls to avoid or basics to get off to the best start?

Just when I think I’m done I get a sensible question!

I would say pick a niche don’t be a generalist. Solve a specific problem and find people with that problem. Also price right from the start. Work out what you need to earn and want to earn and how many hours and make sure you’re not undercharging. Don’t take any business at any cost. Give people a way to try before they fully buy. Concentrate on showing up, giving value and helping people in your content and the clients will come. Obvs use LinkedIn!

OP posts:
Wintersgirl · 02/08/2023 09:52

It’s a training course people buy for £1500.

Fuck me that's expensive...not many single mothers have that kind of money OP, or anyone come to that..

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:54

Crikeyalmighty · 02/08/2023 08:40

The thing is @Whitecup24 - we turned over around £14m in 5 years- only about 5% is profit to us as it involves proper products, distribution , etc- it's high volume but relatively low margin.

The fact is if you have made money at it, then great, but if people expect to do this and then go on and do the same as you it's all getting a bit 'hitch hikers guide to the galaxy' (older mumsnetters will know what I mean) so many people going round coaching each other to be coaches etc-

I can't see that if you are dealing in 'stuff' and 'products' or even generic services then linked in is much use, Facebook works way better however due to the amount of marketing on it - it's not as effective as it was either.

Congrats on your business and you’re totally entitled to your opinion. I think Facebook is great (I’ve spent £750k on ads) and I’ve got a big free group and I love it for my communities.

LinkedIn is also great - and I teach people how to use it to get clients. I don’t teach people to become coaches.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:56

Whinge · 02/08/2023 08:41

@Whitecup24 After that last post my question is why would anyone pay you for advice when you've just given the information for free. Confused

People pay to join my programme after seeing all my free advice I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of hours of free training, free guest experts, podcast appearances, speaking on stages, 5 day challenges etc.

They join because they want to have all the training in one place, have a group community where they can ask questions and get in depth advice and support and an opportunity to come to the live calls to ask us questions. They see that a lifetime of support is worth the investment as they will get that back when they get their first or third or whatever Client from LinkedIn.

OP posts:
Wintersgirl · 02/08/2023 09:56

Just when I think I’m done I get a sensible question!

But people have asked sensible questions and you've ignored them so I'll ask again, what are your qualifications for advising people and asking them to part with £1500?

schnauzerbeard · 02/08/2023 09:57

Sounds like the urban myth about the notices pinned up everywhere saying 'if you want to know how to get rich quick send £5 to this address' the answer they people who would write in would get is simply 'do as I do'.

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:58

Brrrrrrrrrrrr · 02/08/2023 08:45

I see OP has posted a beefy how to guide there as a free sample for those wanting to see how she could potentially help you achieve your goals of growing your hobby into a global conglomerate for a fee of course 🤔🙄

@mnhq is this allowed?

I got asked for advice and I gave it…not sure why this is a part of my master plan. Tbh I’m hoping this does get shut down soon I’m tired, I just don’t want to miss a genuine question

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 09:59

schnauzerbeard · 02/08/2023 08:49

Will all the questions you're asked on here not have the same answers though? 'You can find out once you purchase my £1500 How to be a Millionaire course'?

I’ve answered question about what my thing is and how much it is. No matter what I say I’m being accused of lying so I give up, back to the questions.

OP posts:
Wintersgirl · 02/08/2023 10:00

I just don’t want to miss a genuine question

You've missed loads OP, you're cherry picking the ones you want to answer...

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 10:00

GoodChat · 02/08/2023 08:51

I’ve got over 4000 testimonials

How have you got 4000 testimonials from 2000 clients?

Also, how do you effectively work with that many people while running another business, practically?

They’re not all from paying clients they’re from the free trainings, guest speaking, events, podcasts etc that I do. Apart from on Mumsnet people love my work and the way I teach it

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2023 10:01

What’s the average ROI from the £1500?

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 10:03

GoodChat · 02/08/2023 08:51

I’ve got over 4000 testimonials

How have you got 4000 testimonials from 2000 clients?

Also, how do you effectively work with that many people while running another business, practically?

On the how do I do it well like I’ve said it’s an online business with training, community and calls so my team handle all the customer service, onboarding, finance etc so I focus on the marketing and doing the live events - the free training, podcasts, events, speaking on stage etc. I have another consultancy business that doesn’t take much running day to day and am shareholder in a few others and they’re run by other people so I get a lot of free time really. Hence today although would probably have been better going the gym

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 10:04

Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2023 08:51

Do people pay you directly for your service or do you charge people for your “secret method” - which is usually how to sell the service to other people.
If you do what I think you do there are many of you on LI and it’s a poorly disguised pyramid scheme

People pay me to join my training programme and they learn how to get clients for their business using LinkedIn. No recruiting, no pyramids, no high fives they buy my training and that’s it. The end of it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 10:07

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 02/08/2023 09:02

Thanks for this post OP.
I have an idea for a consultancy role for big business.
How do I go about deciding an hourly rate or initial assessment fee?

Hello!

So what I found is that corporates will pay for two things - the strategy and the execution so a good way is to go in and do an ‘audit’ and create a ‘strategy’ of how you’d help and charge for that as a one off, then charge separately for hiring you to go the work. That’s how I would do it.

Otherwise you could look at project fees or retainer model.

I always start with what do you want? How do you prefer to work? What do you want to earn, then we work back from that.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2023 10:08

Ok, thanks for clarifying. So you don’t ask your “clients” to sell the training scheme?

Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 10:09

CornishGem1975 · 02/08/2023 09:02

God people are sneery bastards sometimes.

Well done OP. I've seen and known many people similar making a good living from doing similar to yourself. I use LinkedIn a lot for work and there are a lot of people out there that do need help for their businesses.

It’s so weird. I don’t get the point of it at all. It’s a shame really as I really hoped I’d get some good questions. I got some, but mainly this weird vibe that I must be lying and scamming people. It’s really actually depressing to see. I know there are scammers out there but it doesn’t mean everyone is. In my world online this just isn’t the vibe at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whitecup24 · 02/08/2023 10:10

Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2023 10:08

Ok, thanks for clarifying. So you don’t ask your “clients” to sell the training scheme?

No, they refer people in sometimes but no one gets paid for it

OP posts:
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