We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alisha Procter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alisha below.
Alright, Alisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Success can be determined in many ways. What one person may consider a success may be ‘small potatoes’ to another. The beauty in being successful can be found in the process. It begins with a big, giant, idea. Something that you imagine and figure out how to make happen. Once you have your idea, you decide how you are going to turn this idea into a business. The actual planning process begins. Becoming successful involves the ability to see your business or project before it actually materializes. You have to be a dreamer and a doer. It takes a dreamer to see the vision into reality. The following steps require diligence, perseverance, patience, laughter, practice, and flexibility. In my opinion, flexibility is one of the most important components of becoming successful. You will need to be able to adjust many, many times. This is also known as CI or Constant Improvement. No matter what makes you a success, success is determined by your attitude and ability to continue to purposefully grow.
Alisha , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am Alisha Procter, Founder, and Owner of Procter’s Literacy and Development Group. I am a small business owner and mainly work with nonprofit organizations (NPO). I assist NPOs with program development, grant writing, research, and strategic planning. I have been involved with nonprofit work for approximately 8 years. I am by trade, an adult educator. I taught English to adults for many years. Additionally, I am a technical trainer, those skills helped me to gain employment in the nonprofit sector where I worked as a Project Manager, Program Director, and Specialist. I decided to use all of my skills to create my own enterprise where I could help small nonprofits to grow.
The pandemic was the catalyst for me to start my business, initially, I only researched and wrote grants for nonprofits. I had to come up with a strategy and something to set me apart in my business. I took classes, attended seminars, read books, and attended webinars to learn more about grant writing, finances, and start-up businesses. I started getting clients just by word of mouth. I started small and still monitor how many clients I can actually manage at this stage in my business. Some of the problems that I solve for clients involve finding funding, implementing programs, and consulting.
I am most proud of the example that I am setting for my daughters, I want them to see that while I am busy with my business and all of its challenges. It has been an amazing experience and I am so excited to grow my business to the next level.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As a small business owner, you have to realize your challenges and learn how to deal with the issues as they arise. One of my challenges involves working from home and a lack of space. While I love being able to work from home, it is hard because my family is never far away and the distractions never cease. I set up my computers and printer and lamps in a tiny corner of my house. It is still where I work today and it is not the most comfortable space but I am able to complete the work. It is frustrating because my family interrupts me on a daily basis. I have to work extra hard at being organized in the physical space but also in the digital space. I need to have my digital files set up for quick and easy access as well as sound security. I am oftentimes close to losing my patience with the space and long for a much more comfortable work area however; I have never let the lack of proper office space deter me from completing a project. I work very hard to make sure that I am always giving my best and working to make improvements to the services that I provide.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me has been my professional colleagues. They refer clients to me on a regular basis. It has been so humbling to know that my professional connections are so very supportive of my business endeavor. In fact, I have not had to promote myself too much. It has been word of mouth referrals and online referrals. I thank each and every person who has sent me a client.
Image Credits
Alisha Procter – shot by HairelegancebyTaylor