In this episode of “Authentic Conversations with Entrepreneurs” I spoke with Holly Fisher, content creator, clarity queen & founder of Fisher Creative LLC. Holly shares her journey in entrepreneurship – both with Team and without! If you’re on the fence about whether you should go it alone, hire a team or even asking yourself who you need to support you in your business, you’ll want to tune in to this episode. In addition to key questions to ask yourself in that decision-making process, Holly even shares some marketing insights!
Katherine Morales: Hey everyone. Thanks so much for being here. This is Authentic Conversations with Entrepreneurs. I’m Katherine Morales. I’m Authentic Brand Strategist, and I’m so thrilled to be here with Holly Fisher. She is a StoryBrand guide, content creator, clarity queen, and founder of Fisher Creative Marketing. Say hi, Holly. I’ll pause for a second.
Holly Fisher: Hi. Thanks for having me.
Katherine Morales: Yeah, there we go.
Holly Fisher: Yeah.
Katherine Morales: I know we’re going to give you so much opportunity to talk, but I just want to set it up here. This is episode 18. Being a theater gal, I love the Shakespeare angle of this: to team or not to team.
Holly Fisher: That’s right.
Katherine Morales: That is the question, right?
Holly Fisher: That’s right.
Katherine Morales: But what we do each episode here of Authentic Conversations with Entrepreneurs is how it sounds. We have authentic conversations, and I talk with entrepreneurs like Holly about their experience in entrepreneurship. I define authenticity as the Good & Growing™ that lives within each of us in our journey. I say it’s like the hills, the valleys, the humps, and the mountains that we conquer. Each journey is unique, but there are some common throughlines for each of us. So I love when entrepreneurs are willing to come on here, share that vulnerability of their growing experiences so that other entrepreneurs can learn from one another. So our topic today is to team or not to team. So I will start there. Holly, what on earth does that mean to you, and when did you first hear it?
Holly Fisher: Yes. So that to me really means do I want to have a lot of people that are working with me or for me, or do I want to continue to just basically work solo? And that’s a big consideration when you have a business is trying to decide do you want to have people that are on your team. How many? What does that look like? Are those contract employees? Are those full-time employees? Are those just a virtual assistant that you have? It can look a lot of different ways.
Katherine Morales: So did you have a team at some point, or do you now?
Holly Fisher: So my journey is a little interesting. I fell into entrepreneurship and owning a business. I was a newspaper reporter for the first part of my career, and then shifted into doing marketing and PR and worked for another business for a couple of years, and then decided to just go out on my own, but didn’t really see myself as an entrepreneur or business owner. It was like, I’m just going to, I don’t know, have some clients and do some work and I don’t know. We’ll see what happens.
Katherine Morales: Was a great freelancer.
Holly Fisher: Yes, yes.
Katherine Morales: Yeah.
Holly Fisher: So I didn’t even… Gosh, I had my business for several years before I even started an LLC. I just was a solopreneur.
Katherine Morales: Just under your name.
Holly Fisher: Yeah. Yeah.
Because I was just like, baby business. But people would ask, are you going to hire people? Are you going to get an office? Are you going to go grow bigger? Because that mean just feels like the natural next steps. for businesses. A lot of people start out on their own or maybe they have a partner or something, and then eventually they grow or maybe they get some office space or whatever. And I really resisted that for years. I was like, no, this is great. I love just doing my own thing. And probably about, I don’t know, maybe six or so years into my baby business is when I did start to get a little bit more big girl business formed an LLC.
Katherine Morales: How did you define that? When did you know it was not a baby and it was getting big girl?
Holly Fisher: Some of it just actually came from taxes.
Katherine Morales: Oh yeah, yeah. Okay. That’s a wake-up call.
Holly Fisher: My accountant said maybe form an LLC. And I was like, I guess. Let’s stop sending invoices through a Word document and maybe you get QuickBooks. And it was like, all right. I’m starting to be a real actual business here and-
Katherine Morales: Look at that. Look at that. I love it.
Holly Fisher: And at that point, I did decide to bring on a couple of contract employees. I probably took my first baby step with that when I had a summer intern. That was my first dipping my toe into could someone enter my sphere and it work out. And I had a couple of really good summer interns and then brought on a couple of contract employees, people who were local to where, at that time, most of my business was local to where I was living at the time. And so had local folks that I brought on and it was-
Katherine Morales: And they were physically with you?
Holly Fisher: They mostly worked from their homes, but we would meet up usually at least once a month or go to client meetings together or things like that. This was all pre-COVID where we still did it things in person. So-
Katherine Morales: And were they team members, the contractors, were they doing helping you with the services you provide?
Holly Fisher: I basically made them essentially account managers. And so they were responsible for certain clients.
Katherine Morales: Like a firm, yeah.
Holly Fisher: Yeah. Doing their clients. At that time, I did a lot of social media marketing. I did public relations work, and so they would be responsible for those clients. And I kept some clients myself, some of the ones that I’d had for a long period of time, but anybody new that came on, I would give them to one of the contract employees.
Katherine Morales: Yeah, okay. Yeah, you were expanding.
Holly Fisher: And it worked! Yeah, it allowed me to take on some additional clients and business. And at that point I felt like, okay, I was at a point where I could also afford to pay people to help me with these things.
Katherine Morales: Right.
Holly Fisher: And they were fantastic. It was really great. It was actually really fun to have people to collaborate with and share the workload, or actually, I took a pretty good vacation that year with my family and was able to leave some other people in charge. So there were definitely some benefits. Some benefits to it.
Katherine Morales: Yeah, I’m hearing them. So what happened then, because you don’t have the team now, right?
Holly Fisher: I don’t. I don’t. So it was a few different things, but largely I did get certified as a StoryBrand Guide and-
Katherine Morales: Cool.
Holly Fisher: Decided I just wanted to shift the services of my business. I really didn’t want to do the social media marketing as much anymore. Really enjoyed helping businesses with their messaging work, writing their website copy. And I was able then to also work with more people virtually. So it expanded my reach. I could work with people really anywhere. And so that and a couple of other just personal reasons decided that I just wanted to go back to being solo. It was a very difficult decision because those women were… One of them I had known for years. All of us had gotten to be really good friends. And so actually they ended up spinning off their own businesses from-
Katherine Morales: Together or on their own?
Holly Fisher: Separate. They started… Both did marketing, but different focus areas.
Katherine Morales: Well, you inspired them. There you go.
Holly Fisher: I know. I joked that I was the business incubator there for a while.
Katherine Morales: There you go. Yeah.
Holly Fisher: And they actually took a couple of clients that I had previously had that I didn’t really want to work with anymore because I was changing the focus of my business. So they, like I said, just spun off their own businesses and I decided to go back to being solo at that point.
Katherine Morales: So tell me, okay, a little bit more about… I’m familiar with StoryBrand Guides but tell our audience a little bit more about what that is. Is it within that structure, are most people solo guides like you? Or do they have teams?
Holly Fisher: Yeah, sure. So if anybody’s familiar with the book, Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller, it outlines a marketing, a seven-part marketing framework that relies on the principles of storytelling to better tell your marketing message. So I actually read that book and really loved the process and decided then in early 2018 to go through their certification program. So I’ve been certified in that. That’s what I use in working with all my clients, whether they’re familiar with it or not, I’m using that to help clarify their message and write the rest of their marketing content. So there’s quite a few people that are certified in that scattered all over the world, and it’s very different. There are people that work solo like I do, there are people that have agencies, there are people that do mostly copywriting like I do. Folks that do website design, SEO. Everybody can make their business however they want. So really it is kind of cool.
Katherine Morales: Yeah. Love it. So this is six years ago, and since that time you’ve been solo, but when we define team, I know you said at the top contracted versus a paid employee, but surely you’re not doing every single part of your business by yourself. Because if you are, I’m very impressed, but yeah. Is there a team that maybe isn’t in-house or even contracted, but partners or people that really every entrepreneur should work with?
Holly Fisher: Yeah, absolutely. So I definitely have a bookkeeper, which she’s the best because I hate doing all those things. So- you can go in and keep the QuickBooks cleaned up and make sure all of that stuff is good to go. So having that bookkeeper, obviously, having the accountant to do the taxes, things like that. So people who do the finance piece is great. Highly recommend that, especially if that’s not your area.
Katherine Morales: Unless you are the CPA, maybe you get this. Right. Yeah.
Holly Fisher: And I hated it too. I was like, this is definitely not a good use of my time.
Katherine Morales: Right. Right.
Holly Fisher: Grinding, trying to figure out QuickBooks, not a good use of my time.
Katherine Morales: It was one of the first team members I had. That core help.
Holly Fisher: Exactly. And then probably about, I guess around two years, or maybe a little over two years ago, I brought on a virtual assistant to largely help me with my social media and some content creation. So she helps me make sure I get my emails out every week and keep my social media current and all that. So that’s been really helpful as well, because even though I can do all of that stuff, it was just too much. I just needed someone to help me with some of those pieces. So I definitely have those two folks. And then I also collaborate with a lot of people. So I have a graphic designer and he and I work on a lot of projects together. Sometimes I’ll bring in, obviously, web developers if I have a client that we need to finish building out their website. Maybe it’s photographers or videographers, people like that, that I can have on a temporary team, maybe to do a client project or even just to collaborate with. So I find that to be really beneficial. It’s just having those partnerships and people that you can pull in on projects as needed.
Katherine Morales: I love that. And I think it’s smart business too, to have those sorts of partners or collaborators, if you will. Yeah, similar I’d say, yeah, I had the bookkeeper initially. Actually then went to a CPA who did all in one. And very similar in the assistant to help with the social postings, which was, I think it’s when you’re like us, right? You do marketing and messaging and stuff, it’s this little hill you have to get over. Well, it’s a should. I should be doing that. Because that’s what I… I don’t necessarily do social postings, but I know about it, so I should do that. And especially even with the authentic piece, I was like, well, how can I give it to somebody else and getting past those layers?
But yeah, I think especially the term solopreneur is not about going it alone, you are the expert in what you’re the expert in. But entrepreneurship, there’s stats on this. It can be a lonely business and especially I think in the COVID time where we really couldn’t go anywhere. So I think these, what are we going to call them? The core team that you need for your stability of your business and sanity probably for your business. And I would add to that too, I don’t know if… I’m sure your VA does some of this too, but some of those administrative tasks. Being responsive to certain emails, if you’re out at meetings, even setting up meetings, things like that, that you could spend hours in your day during doing that stuff. Your time is money ultimately if you’re in services business.
Holly Fisher: Yeah, absolutely.
I want to say too, even finding just maybe people in your similar industry that you can just powow with, right? So I definitely am part of that StoryBrand community, which is great. So those are people that you can tap into if you’re struggling with something or things you might normally go to a coworker, right?
Ask for help if you don’t have a coworker, having a team like that. Even the two women that I mentioned earlier that worked with me as contractors and then now have their own businesses, we still meet virtually at least maybe once a month, even a couple of times a month, and just talk shop and sometimes refer business back and forth. So even just having those people that are in your industry and can serve as those coworker relationships, if you will.
Katherine Morales: I love that. Yeah. Yeah. And I love too that I could see some entrepreneurs feeling like, oh, but they’re my competition, and especially in the same industry, but I love that you’re heading on, you guys can refer business to one another. I think a lot of times what I say is there’s no other you. When you really connect with that authenticity or even your unique story as you do with StoryBrand, you realize that even though someone might be in the same industry as you, you have different clients. You have right fit or different.
Holly Fisher: Yes. Yeah. Yeah. There’s lots of business to go around. I don’t think every business has mastered their marketing just yet, so.
Katherine Morales: And it continues to constantly evolve and change.
Holly Fisher: That’s right.
Katherine Morales: Whether it’s a new social channel or algorithmic change or what have you, so.
Holly Fisher: Exactly. Exactly.
Katherine Morales: Yeah and as everything outside the window, whatever changes also impacts it. So I’m with you on that. Well, so any specific, I know you’ve offered some advice, but is there any specific tips you would give for our viewers or listeners who are on the fence about whether they should go it alone or get the team, or how do you get the right team? So those sorts of questions.
Holly Fisher: Yeah. Yeah. I think number one would just be figuring out what you want to do. I did go through another little crisis of conscience probably three or four years ago when I was like, oh no should I be hiring people again? Especially, again, I was looking around at folks in my StoryBrand community, and there were people that were building agencies and people that were hiring and doing all the things. And I was like, should I be doing that? Is that the next step? And I struggled with that for a little bit, and then I really was like, I don’t want to.
That is not for me. I don’t want to, for the people that want to do that, fantastic. That’s great.
Katherine Morales: Yeah.
Holly Fisher: I don’t want to, and that’s just not a good fit for me. I like being able to work independently and just have my clients and just do my thing, and I just release that going, I don’t want to do that. And I’m not going to say I never will, because you never know, but in the moment, it was like, nope, this works really well for me, and so this is what I want to do. And so I think just not getting caught up in what everybody else is doing and feeling like, well, I have a business, so I guess I have to hire people and I have to do this, and I should be doing these things. Just figuring out what really works for you and how you work best and how you want to structure your business.
Katherine Morales: I love that, Holly. I think, It’s almost like I want to just hit repeat of what you just said, because I think it’s true though, because the irony is that when you go into business as an entrepreneur or solopreneur or any of those titles, freelancer, when you go into business on your own, you will find yourself inevitably faced with these questions. But the irony is that you went on your own because you wanted to build a business that you desire, you wanted to experience freedom is often one of those words or independence. And then you put yourself in these predicaments where maybe you’re doing something based on what you think you should be doing as you say.
Holly Fisher: Yes.
Katherine Morales: But yeah, I’ve already taught my six-year-old, you do you. I think that’s wonderful. When I talk about what you’re describing is the ins and outs. So the outside world, I’m seeing other StoryBrand guides doing X, Y, or Z, and then internally you’re going, should I do that? But it’s about really being able to find that alignment and live in harmony with it. And you’re 100%correct. It’s constantly changing. And I’m sure this question, I love that you hit on that. This question comes up again, and maybe it will next week or two years from now, who knows?
Holly Fisher: Who knows what things will look like two or three years down the road, but just being comfortable going, no, I’m okay to work the way I want to. And I would say also just not rushing into something like that. If you do think, yes, I do want to grow and I want to have more people on my team, that’s great. But just easing into that. I think starting with maybe some contract folks, a virtual assistant. Just people…
Katherine Morales: Test the waters.
Holly Fisher: Yes. And make sure that you’re comfortable with that and that your business can support that. Right?
Katherine Morales: Yeah. Yeah.
Holly Fisher: Because that was the other thing too, is like, man, I don’t really want to be responsible for someone’s livelihood.
Being responsible for their income, it feels really scary. So making sure that you just test the waters in your business and that you and your business can handle that.
Katherine Morales: Well, I’m sure even from this conversation, Holly, and knowing you a bit before that if you did go down that path, you would be a wonderful boss. But I also love in this conversation how you talk about this topic and pacing yourself and listen within and how you’ve done that for yourself. I’m sure that is every reason why the clients you work with work with you and what they love about you. So I’m going to put up your website because I know people want to get to know you so they can visit fisher-creative.com.
Holly Fisher: Yes.
Katherine Morales: But tell us a little bit about who you do work with and like working with and what you have to offer our listeners today.
Holly Fisher: Yeah, absolutely. So I work with a lot of smaller businesses, a lot of solopreneurs, a lot of folks with just maybe a handful of people, small teams. I tend to work one-on-one with the business owners usually, and I love taking people through that process to really make sure that their messaging is really clear. Then I’ll write all of their website content, we’ll make sure we have that really nailed down. And then just helping them with the rest of their marketing. So lead generation, whether that’s a lead magnet, email campaigns, other content that they might need for their business.
Katherine Morales: Well, I love that how you say you’re a content creator and clarity queen, so I’m sure that seven-step process, that’s where the clarity comes, right?
Holly Fisher: Absolutely, yes. A lot of folks come to me thinking, I need a new website, or I want to start sending emails to my list. And I’m like, all right, that’s fantastic, but let’s take a step back and make sure we really know how we’re communicating to customers and clients and build that foundation, and then the rest of the pieces will just fall into place after that.
Katherine Morales: I love it.
Holly Fisher: That’s really important to get that done first. People are much happier when that’s nailed down.
Katherine Morales: Yeah, well we definitely have that in common. I think I always say begin with the story. Because in marketing it’s easy to start with the action, but I love that you’re leading them through that. And here is where you can find Holly’s business on LinkedIn, FisherCreativeLLC and Facebook and Instagram, @FisherCreativeMarketing, and you have a free gift. Is that right?
Holly Fisher: Yes, absolutely. Yeah. Folks can go take this StoryBrand marketing report, it’s an assessment that you take and just look at your own marketing and do I have this or not? Do I have these key elements in place? And you’ll get a custom report sent back to you via email that you can take a look at and see where the gaps are in your marketing.
Katherine Morales: Maybe there’s even some insights too, of if they need a team or not to… It’s true. I feel like this fit, I’m so glad you’re talking about this topic because I feel that marketing is constantly, and communications in general is constantly growing, and it could be nonstop depending on the nature of your business as well as a factor. So yeah, my message to yours is don’t go it alone. I think it’s interesting too that we both have an assistant that helps with the social postings because the way I describe certain things is keeping your lights on.
Holly Fisher: Yes.
Katherine Morales: Marketing that you do, the one… Marketing you have to do to be like, Hey, we’re in business, the Google profile and all of that, right? And then there’s the expansion, right? You’re talking about the lead generation, the lead magnets, all of that. So it’s a lot for how we feel about the accounting piece. Yeah. That’s not what I do. There are other entrepreneurs that should go and do this report to get this report, because if you don’t know anything about marketing, that’s okay. You don’t have to be in marketing guru to run a business these days.
Holly Fisher: Right. Absolutely. Yeah, you can definitely bring in some really great consultants and folks to help you that are essentially part of your team.
Katherine Morales: Yeah.
Holly Fisher: I like to feel like I’m part of the team.
Katherine Morales: I feel that in… Yeah. I feel that in how you show up too, and even how you were saying to go with them through the process I talk about, I walk with you on the journey.
Holly Fisher: Yeah.
Katherine Morales: So yeah, it’s like a breath of fresh air to connect with, and that’s why I wanted to have you on the show because I feel like, yeah, that’s not always what you get. I think a lot of times with marketing, you might get this cookie cutter thing, but somebody who’s willing to sit at the table or sit by the fire with you and guide you through the process is really invaluable. So I love what you’re doing.
Holly Fisher: Yeah. I love the relationship piece. People that work with me be prepared for me to ask you about your kids and your weekend and things like that.
Katherine Morales: Yeah. Yeah. Well, I think the irony here is that I would say you already have the team. It’s just your team is the people you’re working with, right?
Holly Fisher: Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
Katherine Morales: Yeah. You become part of their team.
Holly Fisher: Exactly. Exactly.
Katherine Morales: Well, this is wonderful. I want to give back time here at the end to our viewers, and you as well, Holly, but you can find this recording afterwards on my website at inflectionpointcomms.com. And yeah, thank you so much for sharing your story. I think really good tips about marketing, but also topic to team or not to team. So that is the question for our viewers and yeah, I want to invite our viewers to tune in next month, July 20th, same time, 1:30 PM ET. I’ll be talking to Tyshon Phillips and we’ll be talking about “Reframing Your Story”, speaking of story. So she is a Golden Admin, so some of those systems and administrative tasks. So she’ll be bringing a different take to it. But I hope you can join us, Holly, and hear her story. But thank you so much for being here, and have a wonderful rest of your day. Thank you all.
Holly Fisher: Thank you.
