We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Trisha Badman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Trisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

I started Essence Digital (formerly Take 5 Virtual Assistant) in September 2019. I had just moved to Nashville, TN to start my new healthcare job when the pandemic hit. Like many others, lost my job because of it. I have worked in healthcare as well as marketing for over 20 years. So because of that, I decided to use experience and knowledge I already had to start my own marketing business. This journey of business ownership has given me such a learning experience and I only wish I had started it sooner! I think I had just gotten comfortable in my previous career, so I needed this push to fully understand my potential. Ironically I was thankful for being fired, it’s truly bitter sweet. I like to lean into the rough edges of life. I believe that’s the only way we learn and grow in life, personally as well as professionally. I am thankful to have met so many amazing people in this online space from all over the world in the last couple years, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

The name of my business changed in March 2022 from Take 5 Virtual Assistant to Essence Digital for a few reasons. My previous business name was catchy and gave small business owners the idea to “take 5” while I handle the rest. I loved my previous business brand because it’s now a great conversation piece, and got my foot in the door. But after 2 years, I started to think about how I could make more of a difference with my business. I wanted my “baby” to serve more of a purpose than just generating income for me. The word “essence” literally means important, so the name Essence Digital fit my goals and values perfectly.

I have been very involved for years in helping animal rescues and efforts to protect the planet, so I wanted those passions to somehow be part of my business model. I’m not quite there yet, but someday I hope to generate funds to donate to organizations that are trying to make a difference in this world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

My background is that of healthcare as well as marketing, and I have worn many hats over the years in both industries.

I’ve worked in medical and dental offices for years as an assistant, treatment coordinator, and office manager. I was also once upon a time, a licensed massage therapist (LMT) for about 10 years part-time. My marketing background started when I was about 18 years old, working as a brand ambassador and then a field manager. I’ve served and marketed several brands at auto shows, races, concerts, and various other events. I truly love marketing, and I have a passion for holistic health & wellness. I love to work with health & wellness coaches, fitness instructors, nutritionists, nurses, and any other solopreneur or small business who gives back in some way. Services I offer include social media management, video editing and management, administrative tasks, website design and management, and more. I’ve given myself the title “business strategist” because I do work with small business owners who are just getting started. These business owners typically come to me for one service, which then stems into a much bigger picture once we get the ball rolling. I have built an army of online experts that I am happy to outsource to, so I will always have my clients’ business needs covered. For instance, I am not a bookkeeper-I in fact hate all things numbers, so I outsource for that. I’m also not a copywriter or do SEO, but I subcontract to some wonderful copywriters to keep that wheel moving. Organization is my forte, because I believe efficiency and productivity comes from streamlining your process, which essentially saves you time. It can feel very overwhelming when starting a business, so I’m here as your business bestie to help take that pressure off and help you navigate this online space to reach your goals.

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

I am still a firm believer in the power of word of mouth, especially when you’re just starting out in business. You have to think about any of your friends or family who might need your product or service. More people own small businesses as a main source of income, or even a side hustle, than you might realize. I started out by doing something at a smaller fee (I always still charged, just for a lesser rate), and ask for a testimonial. That client testimonial is GOLD for building trust with your audience. A couple of my friends were my very first clients to help me get that needle moving. My friends also have a whole other network of people who they would refer to me, and so on.

Back before we had social media, we had to rely on newspaper ads, tv commercials, billboards, and events to get our name out there other than just our network of friends/families referrals. Small business owners just don’t have the revenue to be purchasing spots on TV for commercials to get their brand out there. However, with the newly popular Instagram Reels, Tik Toks, and Youtube shorts, we actually do have access to FREE marketing every day!

Social media is the modern day business card, and essentially any business has access to their very own commercials if they utilize these tools correctly. The new “word of mouth” in social media is sharing, liking, commenting, and saving a small business owners content. This helps them get the exposure they need with just a click of a button. Marketing 101 is building relationships, so I organically look for problems I can solve online for small business owners and build relationships. If someone doesn’t need me right now, they may in the future or they might know someone else who does. Word of mouth is very powerful! If you make the right impression and give yourself the opportunity to add value to the world, you’ve also built yourself a door. Thank you Milton Berle for one of my favorite quotes “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

My personality type is ENFJ, meaning I’m a people pleaser, organized and intuitive. I have always been a bit of a workhorse by nature, and don’t even realize that sometimes I’m going much further out of my way then necessary.

At one point during this whole learning experience, I started to feel the feared burnout. I was allowing for after hours communication, or “scope creep” which was really unproductive for everyone in the long run. I started to feel unhappy and resentful, until the burnout started to creep in which lead me to that “ah-hah” moment of needing to set boundaries. I know my goal for my business, which is to do the best job I can for my clients and I can’t do that if I’m pouring from an empty cup. My current clients are very understanding and respectful of that method, so I’m very thankful that I learned that lesson early on.

My best advice for anyone starting a business, is to set boundaries and stick to them, period. If you don’t stick to your own boundaries of office hours, project expectations, or communication expectations, then you can’t expect your clients to either. It’s in your best interest for your business and your mental health to set healthy boundaries.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.essencedigitaldesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essencedigitaldesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EssenceDigitalDesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trishabadman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjOQT3whO4unS4UKh2nHJDw