It’s time for the latest installment of our Student Spotlight Series! We’re so dang excited here at BB headquarters today, because this months student is seriously so dang inspiring, and is totally killin’ it out there in the #girlboss world!
Want to know a bit more about our Student Spotlight Series?
Each month, we sit down with one of our incredible Bucketlist Bombshells Academy graduates, who have successfully chased their dreams with a fierce fire, taken the solopreneur world by storm, and are now totally rockin’ the online biz world.
Wanna get to know our next dream chasin’, go-gettin’, inspiring #girlboss? Let’s get to it, chica!
Meet Hope Linker
Name: Hope Linker
Age: 25
Hometown: Lanark, Illinois
Business: Hope Linker Creative Studio
Services she offers: Branding & Social Media Management
We had the chance to sit down with Hope and chat about her own personal girl boss journey, what she’s learned as her business has evolved, how she dealt with totally changing careers, and her epic advice for aspiring Bucketlist Bombshells!
What inspired you to take the courses inside the BB Academy?
The desire to have FREEDOM with my career, time, life. 🙂
What was the moment that you decided to ditch your 9-5?
Did you have an “aha” moment? I worked my business as a side gig for about 1 year as I continued to learn how to navigate the entrepreneurship space. However, for about 6 months out of that year, I was TRULY INTENTIONAL about getting more clients, promoting my services, and putting myself out there more often. That’s when I saw huge growth. When I signed on 4 new clients (on top of others I was already working with) within a month of each other, I figured, “this is it!”. This is my chance to give 100% of my time and energy to my business.
Another “aha” moment was when I was working so much (45-50 hours per week at my full-time job, and 20-25 hours per week on my business) that my health started to deteriorate. I was exhausted, worn out, unmotivated, and uninspired – very unlike me. That was another PUSH to go full-time with the career of my dreams. I put my notice in at my 9-5 (which was a fantastic job, btw), and never looked back. I’ve never been happier.
How long did it take you to transition out of your 9-5, and how much time did you dedicate a week in order to make it happen?
I was at my 9-5 while working my business on the side for about 1 year. I worked on my business anywhere from 5-25 hours per week. During the last few months of my 9-5 job, I was working 15-25 hours per week on my business and that truly became exhausting. A few months of that caused me to flip the switch.
What does a “day in the life” look like for you now that you’re running your online biz?
Every day is different! Some days, I’m working at a coffee shop creating social media and blog content for a variety of clients. I also love doing graphic design work when I’m at a coffee shop or a different environment that can inspire creativity. Other days, I’m in my cozy home office, spending time with clients on the phone or on a Zoom meeting to help them tell their brand story authentically and organically! Though every day is different, and some days are more difficult than others, EVERY DAY is extremely enjoyable knowing I’m my own “boss”!
Has the BB Academy helped you on your girl boss journey?
The BB courses gave me that initial realization that a career with freedom was possible. Nothing else ever gave me 100% confidence that I could freelance full-time and make enough money to fit my lifestyle. The BB courses made me realize that freelancing can be sooo much more than a “side gig” if you want it to be!
What’s the most challenging part of runnin’ your own online biz?
The most challenging part about running my online business is organization! Keeping my finances, contracts, proposals, and schedules is difficult for me because I’m a creative soul and I tend to fly by the seat of my pants. 🙂
I hope to hire this aspect of my business out someday! I also find it challenging to organize all of my ideas and goals. I have a new idea for a project or service almost every day, and it’s sometimes hard to prioritize new projects because I have so many flying around in my head!
What was the one thing that kept you going when you felt like giving up?
Advice from my mom (a self-employed boss lady:)), friends in business, and other solopreneurs I look up to…
If a potential client fell through or decided to go with someone cheaper, she would say things like, “Their loss!” 😉 and “There are so many people out there who will value you, your services, and they won’t question you or try to negotiate your prices. Keep going.”
Sounds simple – but having confidence instilled in you is all it takes to stay fearless and keep going.
What was your biggest setback and how did you overcome it?
I would say my biggest setback so far was not getting a client I was super excited to work with. After my proposal, they chose to go with someone who was “cheaper”. I just stayed positive and told myself that there would be sooo many other clients in the future who would value my services and wouldn’t question my prices. Staying confident and persevering is everything!!!
Why did you choose the Bucketlist Bombshell lifestyle and what does it mean to you?
It means everything to me. For my whole life, I have desired freedom. Freedom with what I create, who I work with, what I wear, what my schedule looks like, etc. This is the only type of career that made me feel like I would have true freedom. I wake up excited to “go to work” every day! I never experienced that in any other job I’ve had.
Now that you can work anywhere, what is your fave travel destination to work from?
My cozy home office! 🙂 I haven’t done any major traveling yet, but I’m so excited that I have the freedom to work from wherever I want.
What’s the best part about being your own girl boss?
The best part about being your own boss is having total freedom with the choices you make. You get to choose what you offer, what you charge, who you work with, when you work, and where you work!
What’s your go-to favorite podcasts that you’d recommend to other girl bosses?
I love Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing Made Easy, Jenna Kutcher’s Goal Digger Podcast, Christy Wright’s Business Boutique, and The Skinny Confidential. They are all very different but they each provide tips on different areas of business and life!
How do you stay inspired and motivated to run your online biz?
I listen to podcasts. I read personal development books. I stay clear on my goals and what I want for my life in future years to come. I try to CREATE more content than I consume. Being super intentional with my time on social media has been a game changer. I only follow people who inspire me in some way or another. I don’t spend hours scrolling. I truly believe that podcasts, books, and spending time with YOURSELF are some of the best ways “consume” and create content and get inspired even though I’m such a huge social media fan.
Okay, and our absolute favorite question: What is your #1 piece of advice to aspiring Bucketlist Bombshells?
Put yourself out there CONSISTENTLY. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself and your services! Fellow introverts, I’m looking at you! 🙂
CONNECT WITH HOPE!
Bucketlist Bombshells Courses Taken:
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