We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ebony Robinson . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ebony below.
Ebony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Let me be the first to say that I was not the biggest risk-taker when it came to taking risks. In 2012 I earned an internship during my senior year in high school working at the hospital as a Patient Access Representative. This was a big deal for me because it was my first real corporate job and a great opportunity to jump-start my career in the health field. But once I started working there I soon found out that this job was not what I wanted for myself. I felt boxed in but I felt obligated to continue working there because my parents stressed the importance of having a job and being able to take care of myself. I would have to say I grew up in a traditional household where you stay at a job for years. So I continued to work at Vidant, even though I was miserable and so unhappy. But in 2019 I decided to take a great leap of faith. I was now at a different location and starting my Master’s program. Going to school and working full-time began to get overwhelming and ultimately I was not at peace working for someone else. I felt that while I was at the hospital I wasn’t valued and appreciated and that feeling alone drove me to wanting something more for myself. Do not get me wrong, I was nervous and anxious about what my parents would think, how would I be able to pay my bills, and all the thoughts that come up when you are getting ready to make a huge decision. Even with all those negative thoughts running through my mind my determination and will were stronger and allowed me to let go of a toxic workplace and never looked back. I said that to say this that you have to make the best decision for you and your life. Take the job, move out, dye your hair, take those risks because you don’t want to look back at your life hoping and wishing you would have made that move. Since making that move to leave the hospital my business has been flourishing and expanding. The biggest risk I took was on myself and my business and I would do it again a 100 times over.
Ebony, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Around 2007/2008, I was about 13 years old, I started playing around on my mom’s computer creating flyers to be a babysitter. Before I had any idea that I would work towards doing that full-time. Then my family and friends would have me do small jobs of house, pet, and babysitting for them. Fast forward to 2019, as I am preparing to take my business to the next level, that is when I gave my business the name Auntie Eb’s Family Services LLC. Auntie Eb because when I do anything for a family, I want to be just that, a part of the family; I want my kids/clients to see me as their aunt, big sister, or friend. Family services because I offer services for everyone in the family; I offer child care, tutoring for most grades, including GED courses, and pet sitting. Once I took that step to leave that Toxic Job Auntie Eb received so much love and support. I provide child care, tutoring, and pet sitting services, along with mental health services and a social media page that promotes education, positive parenting, coping skills, and much much more.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
I think the most important thing to help you succeed in my field is to be flexible. You have able to be open-minded and go with the flow because growing a business means you are constantly learning and improving your business for the betterment of your consumers, clients, etc. As a business owner, you have to be able to roll with the punches and not get hung up on how things didn’t go as planned. Be able to be flexible
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I would say putting myself out there and hiring a social media coordinator and marketing team. Being able to have other perspectives that can see your business from a different light can help you grow as a business owner and your business in general. If you are not willing to go door to door and advocate for your business then you can not be upset about the lack of clientele. A closed mouth does not get fed, so promote, go to networking events, and be a vendor at different events to tell people about your business.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Auntieebs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Auntieeb
- Other: [email protected]