Racquel Collard is the founder of SMB Marketing Solutions, a company providing powerful marketing solutions to women in business. MBA qualified and a Certified Practising Marketer, Racquel shows purpose-led entrepreneurs and small business owners how to leverage the potential of a strategic marketing roadmap customised to their unique business needs.
Her book, Marketing Launchpad was released in March 2023 and is designed to help female business owners map out their marketing strategy so they can take their business to where they want it to be. Their way.
Thank you for joining us here at The Corporate Escapists. Please introduce yourself to our reader. They love to know about you, your passion, and how you came to find and follow your passion.
Hi, my name is Racquel Collard and I am the founder of SMB Marketing Solutions. I help female entrepreneurs leverage the potential of a strategic marketing in a way that suits their unique business needs.
It’s a thrill for me to be able to help women all day, every day.
Oprah once quoted ‘You are where you are in your life, based on what you believe. If you’re not looking at the shadows, what is subconsciously telling yourself you’re not good enough, not worthy enough, not smart enough…you’re not enough, you end up acting out of THAT belief system, and not of what you want to be the truest for yourself.””. How important is it to you to have the belief within ones self?
Running your own business can be hard, so you need to ensure that you don’t succumb your own doubts and fears. Having a clear vision and believing you can achieve is critical to successful entrepreneurship. And make sure you have a strong support network, it will help too.
Tell us what the word “Entrepreneur” means to you?
This word means a lot of different things to me: satisfaction, control, freedom, joy and hard work. If you have a clear vision for your business, and work towards that, there is nothing better than having a business that delivers what you want, how you want it.
How has the life of being an entrepreneur, changed you?
Being an entrepreneur means that I have more control over my own destiny. It’s one thing to meet your job targets, get a good salary and bonuses, but to be able to replace that AND get the satisfaction of working with the kinds of people that inspire – that’s the gold.
Share you thoughts on the importance of business owners to be a leader in their own life and ensure they have a work/life balance?
My book, Marketing Launchpad is designed to help female business owners map out their business and marketing strategy so they can take their business to where they want it to be. Their way.
Everyone has a different vision for their life and your business should deliver that for you.
What is your favourite quote about “following your dreams”?
I have two:
“Dreams are illustrations… from the book your soul is writing about you.” – Marsha Norman
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own business?
Work to a plan. Make sure your foundation is solid and that what you are building will deliver what you want it to give you, in the time you have available. A clear vision will help you focus on what is important to you and that will take unnecessary stress away.
