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YasmeenAbdur-Rahman
The Brownstone Workshop | yasmeen033@aol.com | Owner | 01/03/2003 | Sole Proprietor
Yasmeen Abdur-Rahman##comma## 100% private owner of The Brownstone Workshop providing desktop publishing##comma## word processing##comma## virtual office assistance##comma## database management##comma## start-up business consultation##comma## and uncontested divorce services.
What kind of training or education did you acquire before your venture?
The business was started in 1993 after I had been an Executive Assistant for a top Executive at a pharmaceutical company since 1989. I achieved a word processing diploma##comma## attended numerous college business courses and seminars##comma## and worked part-time from my home-based office while working full-time.
What services or products does your organization offer?
My business is home-based and located in Cary##comma## North Carolina. I specialize in creating quality documentation##comma## such as: business cards##comma## flyers##comma## business stationery##comma## resume packages##comma## note/post cards##comma## menus##comma## price lists##comma## reports##comma## certificates##comma## and much more.
What type of business or organization do you operate?
My business structure is sole proprietor. Presently##comma## I am working alone without employees##comma## but when it is necessary to hire employees or add on a partner##comma## I will change my legal structure.
How many employees do you currently have?
Presently none; I outsource when necess
How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
It was developed around what I loved the most and that was being a Word Processor/Typist.
How did you originally fund your organization?
My company has been financed by my personal funds##comma## so far.
Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes.
Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
I don##aps##t think that my business is of a corporate culture because it is home-based and ran from my point of view and at my pace##comma## unlike working in a corporate environment.
What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
At the beginning##comma## everything was formed at my pace. I used my knowledge of business and my typing skills to get everything in place. After 9 years of working from my home-based office##comma## it may be time to seek additional funding and that seems to be the road block right now. I am in the process of completing my business plan with the hopes of a lender or venture capital.
Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
Having proper advisors are crucial to your climb of success. My advisors that I chose to work with are people that I have known most of my life. I trust them##comma## they are well-educated and more importantly they are objective.
Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
I would say that (NAFE) – National Association for Female Executives##comma## and (HBWM) – Home-Based Working Moms organizations have played a role in my business success so far.
What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
I would say that continuing to focus on my goals##comma## continuing to research my field and to enhance my business has been key to my continuous success thus far.
What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
In order to keep the edge over my competitors##comma## I continue to network##comma## put out surveys from my website in order to learn more about my clients##comma## and I continue to create my services as packages unlike most home-based business in my area.
What types of marketing do you employ?
The market methods that I have used so far with the most success are the Yellow Pages##comma## website and email##comma## posting flyers##comma## along with sending out introductory letters to local businesses.
Do you employ any web or online marketing?
Without the Internet##comma## computers##comma## and emails##comma## there wouldn##aps##t be a business. Technology has been key to business owners without a doubt. In order to communicate what your business is about##comma## technology makes that a smooth avenue for business owners.
What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
One mistake that I have made in the past was not being as organized with my business paperwork and keeping it separate from my personal information. Being organized is very important when you are working from a home-based environment.
Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
I have always wanted to run my own business. Working part-time while I was working full-time made me realize that I could make the same amount of money or more on my own. This was something that I felt since 5th grade!
What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
I would recommend those books that are based on how to run a business##comma## how to market your business##comma## and reference books; not one book in particular.
Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
I see that there are more people being entrepreneurs now than ever. If you pick up any magazine or watch a business-related TV show##comma## most people are leaving corporate America for sole owners of businesses that started off as a hobby.
Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
Networking and building contacts is crucial for an entrepreneur. In order to keep your business up and running##comma## you have to maintain a steady growth of clients and new business prospects. Always keep a business card in your reach. You never know who might be your next business client.
What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
The one most important thing that I have learned about business is that you wear several hats. You have to continue to learn about business because it changes drastically. When you first start off##comma## most of us can##aps##t hire an accountant##comma## a lawyer##comma## or an advisor##comma## so that means that we have to continue to read##comma## research and network.
If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Well##comma## I believe education is very important##comma## but on the other hand##comma## formal education may not be necessary depending on the type of business you have started. I do not have a degree but I have enough experience that would outweigh a degree. It is a personal decision for the person who wishes to embark on this type of career path. Most of my experience has been hands-on while working in the corporate environment with other entrepreneurs and/or executives. There is never a negative on education; it would only enhance your business and enhance your business savvy progress.
What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
Please don##aps##t let anyone tell you that you can##aps##t succeed. Your goals in life are personal so don##aps##t rely on someone else to give you the advice or motivation to do what you love.
