We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Janelle Harlan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Janelle below.

Janelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

1). Having a Service Mindset. By the time a business owner decides to hire someone like me, they’re usually pretty frustrated and overwhelmed. I thrive on relieving that stress and pressure for them so they can scale their business and make a bigger impact every day…all while regaining some balance and peace in their lives. It’s what I love most about my business!

2). Being Compassionate.
As a service-related business working mostly with solopreneurs, it’s imperative to be observant of how each client works. I like to see their business and their projects from their point of view- then adjust my approach to fill whatever gap they have at that time.

No two clients are the same. Being adaptable is key to success.

How can I best serve them?

3). Balance.
It’s so easy to burn out as a solopreneur … .especially when you love your clients and the work you do.

I provide a high-level experience for my clients…I spend a lot of my own time and energy working on THEIR businesses.

So being intentional about where I’m spending my time and energy on my OWN business has been key for me. I’ve learned it’s impossible to do all things all the time. It’s okay to hire some things out when needed AND it’s okay if they just don’t get done or take a little longer sometimes. As a perfectionist, giving myself grace in this department has been hard- but I’m learning!

I prioritize keeping my own balance by getting outside for a hike with my dog (Bodhi), mountain biking, or kayaking down my favorite local whitewater run.

Janelle, 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?

A few years ago I did a really scary thing.
I stepped down from my well-paying, secure corporate sales director position with a retail chain I had helped grow to over 200 stores during 20+ years of my adult life.

For many years I thrived on the excitement of it. I loved leading teams and contributing to growing a business.

But the high stress, long hours, and cross-country travel were taking a BIG toll on my health.

It just wasn’t fun anymore and I was feeling pretty miserable.

After leaving the corporate world, my husband and I bought a cabin on a creek and relocated to the mountains of Western Maryland. We were intent to live a more balanced life filled with the outdoor adventure sports and nature that we love so much.

You know…searching for that Holy Grail called a work/life balance.

At that time, I was working as a Certified Personal Trainer and had also started a Health Coaching business.

I began learning the world of Digital Marketing for my own online business. And I was FASCINATED!!

I became obsessed with learning everything I possibly could about Digital Marketing Strategy and Technology…and how it all worked together.

And THAT’S when it happened…

I realized I had started the wrong business.

I quickly pivoted my business and started providing Digital Marketing Services to solopreneurs…coaches, course creators, and authors…often with a focus on holistic health & fitness (my specialty!).

My Digital Marketing business grew fast!! And here I am a few years later…a Marketing Tech Integration & Funnel Specialist. I enjoy providing Tech & Funnel Building strategy, implementation, and management to online entrepreneurs. I enjoy being a go-to partner they can trust.

I have a business and clients I love and work I truly enjoy. I’m finally in the right place now, and I couldn’t be happier!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The most common fears when someone hires out their Marketing Tech are: – Will they do the job right?
– Or will I have paid all this money, then have to pay someone else to fix it?
– Will it break during my launch?
– Will they get it done on time?
– Can I trust them with my business?

I alleviate all of these fears by always being reliable, consistent, communicative, and easy to work with. Open communication throughout the project helps clients feel comfortable- they know what’s happening in the backend of their business, but without having to personally be in the weeds of it all.

And when a client sees how invested I am in their business’s success, it takes away the anxiety of the backend tech not working for them.

I anticipate my client’s needs, so I can be a step ahead of them when it comes to the backend tech and systems of their businesses.

My detailed and thorough testing process means they don’t have to spend a lot of their own time testing. And I offer a guarantee that their project will be done right.

I feel invested with every client I work with- treating their business as if it’s my own. I view us as “partners” and I love doing the behind-the-scenes work to help bring their ideas to life! I think this unique perspective is rare in our industry and it’s part of what clients love about working with me.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Most of my clients come to me through referrals.

No strategy really…just being reliable, consistent, and easy to work with.

I’m honored that my clients think highly enough of my work to refer me to their friends and colleagues.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janelleharlan.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-harlan-digital-marketing/
• Email: janelle@janelleharlan.com

Image Credits
Red kayak pic: Upper Yough Photo