Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lindsey Wicker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lindsey, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
I love this question! I’m not a parent yet, but from what I’ve heard, being a business owner is similar to being a parent. Nothing about it is easy; every day brings new challenges, and my feelings on this topic are always conflicting! Some days I wonder why I am working so hard for so little, and some days, the smallest thing, like seeing that only 35 people viewed my website, makes me ecstatic. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it is also one of my most rewarding undertakings.
Owning a business involves numerous unexpected details and administrative tasks that you may not be prepared for when you embark on this journey. The business aspect can be overwhelming and not enjoyable, but it’s part of the process! Learning as you go is the best/worst way to figure it all out. I have learned so much about owning a business simply by trial and error. But the question of “which error is going to be the death of me/this business” is always lingering in the back of my mind! As a business owner, I constantly remind myself that “it takes five years for a business to become profitable.” Yet, in my second year, I often find myself banging my head against the wall, wondering how much longer I can struggle. Then, a potential new client calls to inquire about my services, and the rush of excitement instantly shifts my perspective. With every new call or email I receive from someone who discovered me through Google or a word-of-mouth recommendation, my confidence grows, providing me with the strength to push forward for another week.
I have been operating my business as a full-time job and being fully self-employed for almost two years now. By the end of August this year, I was ready to throw in the towel. I went on vacation with a group of friends who all have amazing careers and are doing well, which left me feeling defeated. Approaching 40 and constantly struggling financially while trying to build my business, I found myself with not much to show for it except dark circles under my eyes and increasing gray hair. I began looking for jobs on LinkedIn again.
The thought of a steady paycheck and health insurance, along with the relief from the constant stress of “Will there be enough to pay the bills this month?” was incredibly tempting. Many days, I feel like I just need a break! I hope for that one contract that will allow me to breathe and give me a small sense of peace, so I can focus on growing my business instead of just surviving.
After a tearful conversation with my husband, I was thankful he wouldn’t let me give up. He has witnessed how hard I’ve worked to reach this point and knew I would be miserable in a desk job. I am immensely grateful for his encouragement and support, as I likely would have given up by now without it.
The biggest takeaway I learned from this experience is that it’s okay to admit you are burnt out as a business owner. It’s normal to feel tired and to think that you have nothing left to give. Take a moment to sit with those feelings for a day or so, then let them go and keep moving forward. I remind myself why I started this journey. My family and I are worth this hard work, and success doesn’t happen overnight.
I try to hold onto the feeling I get at the end of a workday when I’ve had a great time helping a client who feels more like family, and I actually get paid for it! When I go on vacation, I appreciate not having to ask a boss for time off or feeling overwhelmed with guilt if my flight gets canceled and I need to stay longer. I remember that owning a business has its perks.
I love helping others and I love making my own schedule and the freedom that comes with owning a business, so ultimately, I am happier being a business owner than I ever was working for someone else.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Three Little Birds started as a solution to a problem I encountered while working as a full-time, touring personal assistant in Nashville, TN. When COVID-19 shut down the music industry, I took the time to reflect on my experiences and what I enjoyed most—and least—about my job.
I began researching how to become a freelance personal assistant and discovered that it is actually a profession called a Personal Concierge. Once I realized I could operate as a personal assistant while being my own boss, I was inspired. Ideas flowed easily, and I loved the concept of helping multiple people at once, especially those who truly needed and appreciated the assistance. I also valued the ability to decline potential clients if I felt we wouldn’t be a good fit. Essentially, I wanted to do what I love—helping others—while maintaining control over my career. This realization solidified my decision to start my own business as a personal concierge!
One of my main struggles in this business is people telling me I need to “find my niche.” At Three Little Birds, I offer a wide range of services, which I find helpful because not every client has the same needs. Some clients simply require someone to check in on their house occasionally, while others need me to sit with them for six straight hours to assist with administrative tasks. I enjoy both types of work. That said, I have not yet narrowed down my service offerings to a specific niche because I love learning new things from each client. I don’t want to limit myself or my business by only offering specific services.
Three Little Birds does not specialize in any specific service. If you need assistance, we are here to help. I provide a range of services, from stocking groceries in your vacation home so you can simply arrive and enjoy your time, to weekly house management tasks like putting away laundry and emptying the dehumidifier. No task is too small or too large. I have helped clients with everything from organizing end-of-life affairs to ensure they leave well-structured files for their families, to removing spiderwebs from the walls of rental properties. If you need assistance, I can likely provide it!
Three Little Birds also offers professional organizing, which is my favorite service in my business. I truly love organizing! Whether it’s sorting your emails into folders or organizing your pantry, it brings me joy. Unlike many organizers, my favorite part is sorting and categorizing, which oddly enough, gives me a sense of calm and peace. This skill is particularly helpful in my business, as many people struggle with organization. I’m grateful to have a mind that works in this way, allowing me to assist those who find it challenging.
Whether you live in Wilmington or Raleigh, don’t hesitate to give Three Little Birds a call and see how we can make your life easier today!
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I enjoy shopping more than I probably should, so I started to consider how I could shop for others instead of myself. This way, I could still enjoy the process while giving my bank account a break! My sister-in-law works in the real estate industry, and I gradually noticed that I was frequently running into real estate agents while shopping at HomeGoods and similar stores. This inspired me to start creating closing gift baskets for real estate agents. It became a way for me to indulge in shopping while also providing agents with a fun solution to the challenge of finding thoughtful gifts for their clients. From that idea, I launched an entire gift basket business called Bird Baskets!
Now I create custom made gift baskets for any occasion, but I specifically love to partner with other local, small business owners to include their products in my gift baskets. Wilmington is a huge small-business community and this process has allowed me to support other small business owners as well as partner with them to learn about and promote amazing products made right here in our town! I enjoy collaborating with fellow business owners because it fosters creativity and learning while building community.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Like many small business owners, I find that word of mouth is my most significant source of new clients. This can also include leaving a positive Google review. Many people may not realize how much a Google review can benefit a small business. Between word of mouth and positive reviews, these are my primary sources of new clients, and I am truly grateful for that!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.3LBConcierge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3lb_concierge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3LBPersonalConcierge
