episode 9: starting your business journey

elcome to the starting line of your entrepreneurial journey! In this episode, we dive into the early days of launching a business through Stacy Eleczko‘s inspiring story of transitioning from education to entrepreneurship and starting her own copywriting venture. With no prior business experience, she took a bold leap after spotting a copywriting course, despite initial doubts.

One of her biggest challenges was finding the right guidance. She sought more meaningful support through networking groups, especially those tailored to women business owners. These connections became her lifeline, helping her navigate starting a business.

Struggling to set fair rates and negotiate confidently, Stacy learned the value of transparency and the importance of avoiding the trap of comparing herself to others. Her advice? Build a strong community, access the right resources, and stay true to your values.

Joining us is the brilliant Stacy Eleczko, a copywriter and brand messaging strategist who helps service-based businesses make their next big move. Stacy’s journey began with a focus on copywriting, but she quickly realized that her clients needed more—a deep understanding of their target audience and a clear, strategic brand message.

In this episode, we explore Stacy’s insights into overcoming early-stage challenges, finding the right support, and the power of authentic, well-crafted messaging that resonates with the right audience. If you’re ready to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

• Networking and building a community of support, especially with other women entrepreneurs is crucial.
• Accessing the right resources, like the SBDC and Women’s Business Centers, can be very helpful for new entrepreneurs.
• Embracing vulnerability and being open about challenges, rather than just touting successes, helps build meaningful connections.
• Advocating for fair pay and being transparent about pricing and rates is important, but can be difficult, especially for new entrepreneurs.
• Avoid perfectionism, and don’t compare yourself to irrelevant benchmarks or unrealistic success stories.

• 00:08 Stacey’s Journey into Entrepreneurship
• 03:15 Challenges as a Female Entrepreneur
• 03:52 Seeking Support and Mentorship0
• 7:30 Networking and Resources
• 12:03 Reflections and Advice
• 13:15 Building Relationships and Allyship
• 19:18 Navigating Mentor Relationships
• 20:18 Supporting Women in the Workplace
• 21:38 Highlighting Women’s Achievements
• 22:56 Addressing Pay Disparities
• 25:19 Challenges in Pricing and Negotiation
• 27:25 Building Confidence and Value
• 29:44 Top Hacks for Starting Out
• 34:34 Ethical Marketing Practices

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Hi, y’all! I’m Raven O’Neal, a diversely curious serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. But the fun doesn’t stop there. I’m also a mentor, wife, mother, and business expert. I see my business as an extension of all my personal and professional life experiences, embracing growth and learning from a few fumbles along the way.

Throughout my business journey, I’ve supported over 500 female-led startups, advised more than 200 founders 1:1, and played a role in facilitating over $100M in funding. My calling is to help women transform their businesses and lives through collaboration and partnerships. I look forward to being with you every step of the way on your journey to growth and transformation. If you want to join the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.