We recently connected with Orsolya Szabo Dr. and have shared our conversation below.
Orsolya, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
I firmly believe that taking calculated risks is a fundamental requirement for any successful entrepreneurial journey. Without embracing a healthy level of risk, there’s no opportunity for growth or advancement to the next level. One of the most significant risks I took was when I decided to pivot my career, transitioning from being a lawyer to becoming a location-independent consultant. It was a major leap into the unknown, one that brought with it countless challenges but also tremendous opportunities.
But my journey of risk-taking didn’t stop there. I took another bold step when I decided to expand into new markets, while still living in Europe. I opened my business to new regions, moving from Hungary into the DACH region and beyond. Breaking into these markets required me to adapt to different business cultures, understand new customer bases, and continually evolve my approach to meet the needs of entirely new audiences.
It’s important to note that risk-taking doesn’t equate to making irrational decisions. Risk, when approached thoughtfully, is about navigating change with insight and preparation. And change is constant. Those who resist it inevitably fall behind. I’ve learned that these risks can be minimized through thorough market research, a deep understanding of the target audience, identifying real needs, and committing to continuous learning.
The more of these challenging situations you successfully navigate, the more confidence you build in yourself and the brighter your outlook becomes for the future. Each risk, each leap, not only pushes you closer to your goals but also strengthens your belief in your ability to tackle whatever comes next.
Orsolya, 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 Dr. Orsolya Szabo, a business and marketing consultant with a deep passion for helping female entrepreneurs build successful businesses and strong personal brands. I left my legal career because I wanted the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, travel, and engage in creative work. This desire for freedom, combined with my passion for helping others achieve their business dreams, led me to the path of consulting.
One of the greatest joys in my work is supporting female entrepreneurs in a variety of ways, whether it’s through helping them level up their businesses, refine their strategies, or strengthen their brands. I offer various mentorship programs, such as The WIBE Program, along with consulting services, AI-driven marketing subscription training, and workshops to ensure my clients are equipped to scale their businesses and seize every opportunity.
I am also the founder and organizer of the Women & Business Brunch, which will launch in Graz as its first location. This networking event is designed to bring together inspiring women from different fields, encouraging them to share their experiences, learn from one another, and support each other in their growth journeys.
My mission is to support female entrepreneurs in successfully leveling up their businesses, whether through consulting, mentorship programs, or AI marketing training. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level,
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
One of my businesses is the Women & Business Magazine, which I co-founded with photographer Anna Kirschner. Anna is based in Silicon Valley, where she empowers her female clients through her unique portrait photography. In the fall of 2023, I traveled to visit Anna to work on her marketing strategy, and during our collaboration, the idea emerged to create a distinctive women’s business magazine.
Anna’s unique perspective and outstanding talent result in beautiful images, while I support female entrepreneurs and leaders with strategic insights. That’s why we envisioned Women & Business Magazine—to showcase the stories of these extraordinary women and to honestly reveal what lies behind their success.
The magazine is just the starting point—the idea was actually born during a fun girls’ trip to Los Angeles. Our future plans include launching international training programs and organizing business trips for female leaders to Silicon Valley. As Anna and I like to say, we’re building an empire. :)
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
As a strategist, it’s crucial to highlight that one of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is failing to build a diverse portfolio. Instead, they tend to rely solely on a single channel—most commonly a social media platform.
Many entrepreneurs are reluctant to acknowledge that social media platforms are also business tools, and therefore, they are not truly free. Organic content is great for sharing personal updates, but as a company, you need to use different tools and strategies.
The first and most important step is to know your target audience from a communication perspective: Who are they? Where are they present? What content do they consume? Who do they admire and follow? Who are your competitors, etc.?
Once you have this information, you can better prioritize the vast array of marketing tools and channels available. It’s essential to aim for regular and diverse content creation.
Another key point: People connect with people. That’s why I always recommend building a personal brand whenever possible. It allows potential customers to get to know you better, connect more easily, and trust is established more quickly. People are more willing to spend their money with businesses that speak to them with a human touch and genuinely pay attention to their needs.
My third piece of advice is to think in terms of processes and automation. Today, there are countless solutions available where you don’t need to rely on your own human resources. Excellent AI-driven marketing tools can support the background processes of your business, helping you manage your resources more efficiently and allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
In conclusion, don’t leave client acquisition to chance; being proactive is one of the keys to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.orsiszabodr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/o_zsolya/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orsolya-szabo-dr/
Image Credits
Anna Kirschner