We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dana Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dana, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

Here are 8 resources to I’d utilize if I were to launch my business again (for less than $1500), covering everything from marketing to legalities.

1. MailChimp for Email Marketing
Build my email list early, even if I don’t have anything to sell yet, and focus on nurturing relationships consistently. MailChimp offers beautiful templates and a user-friendly interface, perfect for sending emails and housing freebies for your audience.

2. Canva for Graphics and Branding
Canva is essential for creating graphics, social media posts, logos, and PDFs. The free version is sufficient for most needs, but the Pro version offers additional features like a brand kit and background remover.

3. Squarespace for Your Domain
Secure a domain for your business with Squarespace, averaging around $14. You don’t need a full website yet; simply forward your domain to a MailChimp landing page that describes your business and collects email sign-ups.

4. Invest in Beautiful Photos
High-quality photos can significantly enhance your brand. Consider a mini branding session or subscribe to a stock photo service like Social Squares or Pexels.

5. Asana for Project Management
A project management system like Asana can transform your business operations, helping you stay organized and efficient.

6. Honeybook for Invoicing and Client Communication
Honeybook streamlines pricing guides, proposals, invoicing, contracts, and client communications.

7. Create a Pricing Guide or Media Kit
A well-designed pricing guide or media kit can make discussing prices less awkward and more professional.

8. Professional Contracts and LLC
Setting up your business legally with an LLC is crucial. Costs range from $40 to $520, averaging $280. Invest in professional contracts from places like The Contract Shop too.

Dana, 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’m Dana, the founder of Dana’s Desk, and I’m thrilled to share my journey with you! My career began as a wedding and event planning, where I discovered my passion for helping others bring their visions to life with meticulous planning. After years of orchestrating beautiful weddings in western NC, I transitioned to supporting other wedding professionals behind the scenes. That’s when Dana’s Desk was born in 2020.

Transitioning from a hands-on wedding planner to an online business manager and Pinterest strategist was a natural evolution. The skills I developed in meticulous planning, attention to detail, and client relationships seamlessly translated into the supportive role. I understood the unique challenges wedding professionals face, from managing time and resources to staying on top of marketing trends. My goal was to leverage my experience to help them thrive.

I provide a range of services tailored specifically for wedding professionals, including:
-Pinterest Management: Comprehensive strategies to enhance your Pinterest presence, drive traffic, and generate leads.
-Virtual Assistance: Administrative support to handle the nitty-gritty details, so you can focus on what you do best.
-Custom Marketing Strategies: Personalized plans to boost your visibility and reach your target audience organically.

At Dana’s Desk, I’m dedicated to empowering wedding professionals to achieve their dreams without the overwhelm. My mission is to provide you with the tools, strategies, and support you need to succeed. Whether you’re looking to enhance your online presence, streamline your operations, or simply find more time for creativity and family, I’m here to help.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I have a ‘love/hate’ relationship with social media. My journey on social media has been a combination of strategy, authenticity, and continuous learning.

I started by choosing platforms where my target audience of wedding professionals were most active. Instagram and Pinterest quickly became my go-to channels. Consistency is key – I made it a point to post regularly, getting more comfortable showing my face on video, ensuring my audience always had fresh content to engage with.

Building an audience isn’t just about broadcasting my message; it’s about creating a community. I make sure to engage authentically with my followers by responding to comments, participating in relevant conversations, and showing genuine interest in their challenges and successes. This two-way interaction helps foster a sense of community and trust.

Building a social media presence is a journey. If you’re just starting to build your social media presence, here are some key pieces of advice. Firstly, identify your audience and understand who your target audience is, tailoring your content to meet their needs and interests. Secondly, be consistent in your posting to keep your audience engaged and build trust. Providing value through content that educates, inspires, or solves a problem is crucial, as is engaging authentically with your followers by responding to comments and participating in relevant conversations.

Leverage visuals, using high-quality images and graphics to capture attention, especially on visually-driven platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Utilize hashtags and keywords to increase your content’s discoverability. Collaborate with others in your industry to expand your reach and tap into new audiences. Stay informed by continuously learning about social media trends and best practices, and be adaptable with your strategy. Lastly, be patient, building an audience takes time, don’t get discouraged by slow growth.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Absolutely, there have been several books, videos, essays, and other resources that have profoundly shaped my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy. Here are some that I highly recommend:

Books
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
This book introduced me to the concept of building a business based on validated learning, rapid experimentation, and a focus on customer feedback. It’s been instrumental in shaping how I approach launching and growing new services.

“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek
Sinek’s philosophy of starting with a clear understanding of your purpose has been crucial in helping me align my business goals with my core values. It’s a great read for anyone looking to inspire others and achieve lasting success.

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
This book’s insights into the power of small habits and incremental improvement have significantly influenced how I manage my daily tasks and long-term goals. It’s a fantastic resource for developing a productive and effective work routine.

Podcasts
“Entrepreneur Encounter”
This podcast is dedicated to soft skills development designed to help make you feel more empowered, thrive, and be fulfilled as you reach your entrepreneur goals.

“Duo on Air”
This marketing podcast is for entrepreneurs who care about organically (and authentically) growing impactful brands, cultivating professional relationships, and growing businesses.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ddvirtualmanagement.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danas.desk.nc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson

Image Credits

Morgan Amanda Photography – Charlotte, NC