Erica Stacey’s first focus on digital marketing came about while working at a digital agency. Her prescience saw the opportunity digital marketing offered to businesses regardless of their shape and size, motivating Erica to setup “Scout Digital Training”.
Erica noticed that small businesses steered away from digital marketing, limited by their size and budget. With the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to “Do their best online” (tagline), Scout Digital Training offer services and resources for smaller organisations and individuals to enhance their online presence.
Scout Digital Training covers digital marketing strategy development and implementation, management, and now has a greater focus on training to help other business owners and marketers have greater confidence and understanding on how to tackle the various (and ever-changing) aspects of digital marketing.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
“On a global stage, I really admire Randi Zuckerberg and the businesses and innovations she has developed in her own right.
I also look up to and admire Kate Toon and fellow HerBusiness Network member Belinda Weaver. Watching their businesses evolve over the years has been inspiring, as is their honest approach to sharing their wins and losses.”
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
“I really appreciate the variety of work and people I encounter, and the flexibility available to me (although I don’t always make the most of it!)”
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given?
- Don’t compromise your value/worth. Set your prices/boundaries etc and stick to them. You’re not going to suit everyone.
- You don’t HAVE to work with or get along with everyone.
- Even if things are going fine, try to look ahead to your next step, or escape/exit plan
What advice would YOU give to someone starting their business?
“It is really important to be clear – both to yourself and others – about what you want to do and why.
Running a business can be very challenging, and it is easy to simply create a job for yourself, rather than a lifestyle.”
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
“Having a high-level working knowledge of finance and accounting, budgets and cash flow is essential to any business owner. You don’t need to do all of your accounting yourself (in fact it’s usually better to have most of it handled by a trustworthy professional!) but it’s still up to you to understand and manage the basics.
Understanding how to develop and implement systems and processes is another essential area of business. While it might not seem necessary in the early days when you’re starting out on your own, or aren’t as busy, but you will definitely benefit from them as you grow. And it is REALLY hard to go back and work on them later!
And I have to say marketing. Again, you don’t have to manage this all yourself, and it might be best to employ someone to handle it for you, but as a business owner, you need to be the driver of what your business offering is, what your goals are, who the target audience is, and what your brand personality is. This is the foundation of your marketing and should come from you.”
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
“I am getting there… my ideal business sees me earning enough to be able to focus on doing the things that I enjoy and do best, and then being able to outsource other tasks to people who are better at them than me!”
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
“Joining the HerBusiness Network has definitely assisted with the isolation that can come with working for yourself. I have been impressed by the calibre of members, from a variety of industries.
The other huge benefit is the professional development resources and opportunities. It’s invaluable!”
