Interview – Abbey Claire Keusch

Let’s welcome Abbey Claire Keusch to Wickedly Chic this week. Abbey is the proprietor of Abbey Claire Professional Organizing. Her ideal client is someone whose life has gotten in the way. Busy moms, busy professionals and anyone in between who doesn’t know how or where to start.

1. Abbey, what made you decide to become an entrepreneur and what made you want to start your business?

I decided to start my business after many years working for someone else. I had been in a job I enjoyed (preschool teacher), but was feeling under-utilized and no longer challenged. I discovered “professional organizing” as a career and knew it was what I was meant to do!

2. I was not born with organizational skills. At all. Can you give a couple of easy tips to those of us that are organizationally challenged?

I find that most people get into trouble with clutter because things don’t have a place to go. Deciding on a ‘home’ for things will make it easier to know where to put things when you’re cleaning up and where to find them when you need them. Another tip would be to keep things where you use them; if you usually sit at the kitchen table to pay bills, have a letter opener, stamps, address labels, pen etc. nearby so you can get things done without having to get up and find them. Keep these items in a nearby drawer or basket.

3. What one thing would you tell other business owners (or people who are thinking about starting a business) that you wish you would have known when you were starting out?

When i started my business, I had no prior business education or experience with bookkeeping. I would advise any other entrepreneurs to get a basic knowledge of how businesses are run….and get a good accountant! And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions!!

4. What services are you offering now and how can people get in touch with you?

I offer ‘residential organizing services’. In addition to tackling clutter, I create systems that will keep you organized after I ‘ve left. Each client is different and I work with you on an individual basis to get the best solution for you. I can be reached by phone, 323-243-3569 or email abbeyclaire@sbcglobal.net. There is more information about my services on my website. You can also check out my blog for tips and ideas.

Interview – Amy Kinnaird

We’re meeting with Amy Kinnaird this week, founder of UnCommon Sense Marketing. For questions about social media marketing, Amy has many of the answers. Read on for the interview.

1. Amy, your business is called Uncommon Sense Marketing. You always seem to be so grounded. Why did you choose the name Uncommon Sense?

Ha! That’s a perceptive and funny comment about being grounded. I never thought of it that way in relation to my company name. The short answer to your question is that there were already a LOT of businesses with “common sense” in the name, and I was trying to get the point across about thinking outside the box.

2. Your website talks a lot about social media. If you have a Facebook page and you are on Twitter, is that enough to market your business?

The one thing I stress to my clients is that social media is just another marketing tool. It shouldn’t be your only marketing effort. And for some, it may only be a small part. For some, it may be a bigger component of their marketing. For best results you should participate in a couple of different social networks (based on your target client), plus use other online and offline marketing tools. Those may include online advertising, email marketing, videos, blog, article marketing, speaking, and local networking, to name a few.

3. What type of clients do you serve and what kind of services do you offer? Do you have any new services or programs coming up?

The majority of my current clients are local to north Louisiana, but I love helping small businesses everywhere learn how to put the WOW into their online presence! Together we create social media strategies, dig out content sources that make sense, and organize everything into a marketing calendar with a great process defined. Often a new or updated website is needed, or email marketing. My Geek Tweaks service has been popular for those who don’t want a full time website specialist, but just need a few changes and updates made on a one-time or infrequent basis. Those are great services available from UnCommon Sense Marketing.

Many people know me as the “Social Media Evangelist” in the area since I speak to lots of groups and conduct numerous training sessions on topics like my Social Media Boot Camp.

There are some neat things coming up shortly: a live social media chat on my Facebook page, new social media webinars, and offering posting support for those who don’t want to manage Facebook and Twitter on their own.

4. How can people get in touch with you?

I’d love to connect with your readers! Hello to Liz’s readers: I’m on Facebook and you can be the first to hear about my upcoming Live Chat to answer all your social media questions. Connect with me on Twitter, or you can connect with me on LinkedIn. If you like, my website is Uncommon Sense Marketing – get a free copy of my marketing tools report to get started. While you are there, catch the latest blog post or see where I am going to be next. If you would like to email me, amy@uncommonsensemarketing.com will get me. Can’t wait to meet you!