Woo-hoo! Can you believe it’s already been five years since Simple Online Solutions started?
Time flies when you’re having fun and doing what you love, right? Today, I want to take you on a little trip down memory lane and talk about all the exciting changes and growth I’ve experienced.
The Beginning - 2020
Rewind 5 years, and you’d find me in a completely different setting. I was all about holistic and beauty therapies with my business, Emerald Dreams. I spent my days helping people heal physically and emotionally using techniques like Reflexology, EFT, and Flower Remedies. But then, as we all know too well, the pandemic hit, and like many, I had to close the doors to my home-based treatment room.
That’s when Jo from Joon Silver, a talented jewellery maker, got in touch. She needed to shift her sales online since face-to-face just wasn’t an option anymore.
I jumped at the challenge, said a big "Yes!" and built her an online shop, and just like that, Simple Online Solutions was born.
Challenges Faced
Switching gears from therapy to tech wasn’t a walk in the park. The demand for online services shot up, and suddenly, I was building websites and setting up online shops left, right, and centre.
It was a whirlwind, but hey, I’m a bit of a geek at heart, and I loved every minute of it. Learning to juggle different client needs and tight deadlines taught me a lot about the power of good communication and being clear about what I can deliver.
Key Milestones and Achievements
Fast forward to today, and it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come:
- I’ve built over 60 websites and upgraded more than 30
- I’ve dived into the world of CRMs with Moxie, email funnels, sales funnels, and so much more
- I even started running workshops and created all sorts of branding materials – from social media looks to business cards and logos
- And let’s not forget the fantastic Get Visible Online Hub, where I help small business owners stand out online
Lessons Learned
Every project has taught me something new, but 3 of my biggest takeaways...
1. Be consistent. I know that marketing can sometimes feel like pushing a boulder up a mountain- loads of hard work for not much return, but keep showing up, talking about the problems your ideal clients are having, the solutions you provide and how they can buy from you, and when they are ready, they will buy.
2. Get systems in place. Having streamlined and efficient systems can help to support you and your business and make marketing so much easier.
3. Stay flexible and keep learning. The digital world moves fast, and keeping up means staying on your toes and being ready to try new things.
Client Success
Nothing makes me happier than seeing my clients succeed. I mentioned Joon Silver above, and I am so proud of how they've continued to grow their jewellery range and now have their lovely range of products to buy in multiple stores around South Wales.
Or Wendy from FAST - Frontline Assistance for Stress & Trauma. FAST was set up during the pandemic to help all frontline healthcare & emergency services workers in the UK impacted in their work and life by excessive stress and trauma, offering one-to-one, highly effective, long-lasting emotional support using the wonderful tool Emotional Freedom Technique.
They've just finished an EFT learning and community weekend event.
EFT has a special place in my heart, as it has changed my life, and without it, I probably wouldn't be writing this blog post today! I even include a whole section about Mindset using EFT in the resources of my Get Visible Online Hub.
It’s stories like these that remind me why I do what I do.
Looking Forward
Simple Online Solutions isn’t just my business - it’s a community, and it's driven by my passion for helping other small business owners thrive online. I love providing the tools, resources, and support they need to reach more people, communicate their messages to the world, and deliver exceptional experiences to their customers - experiences so warm that they inspire word-of-mouth praise. It's all about the ripple effect!
I’m excited to see what the next five years bring. More challenges? Bring them on. More successes? Absolutely, yes please!
How Can I Help You?
Thinking about taking your business online or giving your digital presence a boost? Let’s chat! Click the button below, and let’s make it happen together.
Thank You Note
And lastly, I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who’s been a part of this journey. Whether you’re a client, a friend, or a follower, your support means the world to me. Here’s to continuing our journey together and making the online world a simpler place for everyone.
Hugs,
Sarah x
