We recently connected with Kimberly Williams, MSW, LCSW and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
I started exactly 2 years ago with a dream & a plan. However, because of “real life”… I was not able to prioritize my dream or my plan. I slowly began making strategy content videos to help my colleagues pass the ASWB licensing exam. People began to take a liking to my video fairly quickly, but I was not making the time to create them consistently. I then began to get colleagues reaching out asking for me to work with them 1-on-1… so I did! I started taking a small number of clients a week that I was able to fit in alongside my regular therapy sessions. When the results quickly showed favorably, I knew I needed to devote more time and be able to expand my reach. So I created an online prep course to help offset the personal sessions. I averaged about 15-20 clients the first year, which was pretty low. However, I was not consistently apply myself, nor my time to market myself to become visible to my peers. By the middle of 2022, I decided that I wanted to grow my business to the its fullest potential, but I knew that I would have to become more visible to do so. I hired a someone to help me market and engage on social media more regularly and consistently. Once I saw that helping and my course numbers started growing, I decided to keep at it. I’ve since then added printed study materials and video tutorial packages in addition to the online prep course, live individual and group sessions. One of my primary goals is to provide quality, organized and simplified study strategies and resources to help my colleagues past the exam with the least amount of attempts, anxiety, and money. Since 2021, my course has grown to a little over 100 students, in addition to a plethora of clients that I work with in weekly 1-on-1 and group sessions.
My key to up upscaling is visibility and consistency. Also, offering more ways to resolve my clients’ problems and struggles with preparing for and passing the ASWB exam. Most importantly, I had to make decisions to invest more of my time, finances, and other resources to start seeing the growth I desired. Already this year, I have almost doubled my clientele and I do not plan to slow down.
Kimberly , 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 a Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist. I have been in the field of mental health for over 10 years. I have been helping social workers pass their licensing exam so they can move forward in their careers for 2 years. The SSWEP program offers a variety of resources, depending on what the client feels that they need. Products & services are as follows: A comprehensive online prep course; video tutorial packages; Individual study guides & live video tutorial replay sessions; Practice questions & mock exams; Individual & group coaching sessions; Free YouTube content for subscribers; and a study planner. I also sell aromatherapy products for text anxiety and overall mood enhancement. My business is set apart from the others, especially being one of the newest on the block, because I am relatable, and I provide straight-to-the-point solutions to preparing for the exams that accommodates all learning styles at cost-efficient prices.
My clients and followers should know that I believe in getting you ONE & DONE. I know how stressful and expensive preparing for and taking the ASWB exam is, so I am PASSIONATE about eliminating as much stress from the process as possible. I do by teaching you exactly what you need to know by way of proven exam strategies from my own personal experience and other colleagues experiences with taking the exam. I do not offer clients products and services that they do not need, but provide an option for just about every need that arises with this exam. I am also looking to expand in providing financial assistance for the exam to those who have tested multiple times, but choose to persevere. I already offer big percentages off my program for repeat testers, even donating the program to several eligible colleagues.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When COVID hit, I had to move my business from 100% face-to-face, to 100% online. It was a lot of work to transition at first, but it ended up making things more sufficient and efficient for the busines..
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I lived in a town where during the Covid-19 pandemic, we experienced two back-to-back hurricanes and a major flood… all in less than a 6 months. I had to relocate my family to another state, while trying to rebuild, parent, run businesses and stay sane.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
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- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq5JClxBNbbHbmtu2a2_o-A