“It’s been a period of trialling and testing to find out what I really wanted to do. There are no regrets because I now have a business I love.”
It wasn’t always a clear path forward for Kim Wright of Office Society when she first started thinking of running her own business. After leaving an office job in the Business Administration field, she worked as a bookkeeper and a general VA. But these roles didn’t click for her. So Kim rebranded as Office Society, to enable online businesses through OBM and VA services.
Now, as a Certified Online Business Manager, Kim helps steer online business owners to success. With expertise in strategic planning, launch and project management, systems management, event management and team building, Kim and her team work closely with their clients.
As Office Society continues to grow, Kim looks forward to matching all their clients to a team member who will serve them best. She wants her clients to experience the joy and peace of mind that comes with building a sustainable business.
Kim is also a published author in the book RAW: Real Stories from Nine Resilient Women, and has spoken at the HerStory Online Women’s Empowerment Summit about self-empowerment.
In her free time, she enjoys live music at small venues, wine testing, blogging, artwork, needlework and coffee. You may also find Kim in the Members Stand on game day cheering for her favourite AFL team, the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
Mary Kay Ash because the values her company Mary Kay Cosmetics is built on took this very unhappy and disappointed with what life was offering girl and started to shape her into the woman she has become.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
One morning I was sitting on the bus on my way to work when I heard myself chanting I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go. I realised I had been chanting this for several months but this time I heard myself and I could feel the tension in my body. I walked in to work that morning and gave my notice.
Although I did leave this workplace I still dabbled at being an employee by taking up temporary roles. I had been wanting my own business for quite some time but I never knew what it could be. I had kept a list of every idea I had but none of them sat well with me. One day push came to shove and I just started. I started as Kims Books providing Bookkeeping services and within 6 weeks I pivotted twice. I became a bookkeeper and a general VA and whilst I enjoyed both of these roles neither gave me the deeper satisfaction I was looking for.
I wanted be more involved with the business helping the owner steer it to the success it would become rather than completing tasks and moving on to the next task. One afternoon I made up 3 lists. List 1 I wrote down all the different business I had worked for. List 2 I wrote down what my position was and the tasks I performed. List 3 I wrote down all the things I liked about each position. All of a sudden I could see it. I was an Office Manager and this excited me. The whole room was aglow.
So I rebranded as Office Society and started providing services as an Online Office Manager. a little while later I came across the International Association of Online Business Managers and I realised I was providing similar services. So, I made the decision to become a Certified Online Business Manager which then provided me with the skills I needed to provide services to business that are based online. It’s been a period of trialling and testing to find out what I really wanted to do. There are no regrets because I now have a business I love.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I love packing up my virtual office in my back pack and working my business wherever I choose. Whether it’s going home to mum and my step dad to give them the extra support they need from time to time or travelling. I also love the people I work with. They are open to my suggestions, value my experience and appreciate what I do for them.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Build relationships with the people who can help you expand your business.
- Invest in systems that deliver what you need in your business right now. You don’t need all the bells and whistles.
- You need a strategic plan and you need to stick to it. Otherwise you are constantly chasing the next bright shiny object without any return on your investment.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
You need to spend your time and energy into getting clients before you build a web site. No clients no business.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Finances
Know how much money is coming into the business and how much is going out of the business.
Marketing
Know all the different ways there is to market.
Networking
You need to open as many doors as you can.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
Office Society is a boutique agency offering OBM and VA services to online business owners. All our clients are matched with the team member who will serve them best. My focus is building the brand through speaking and creating an even playing field for new business owners.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
I joined HerBusiness to connect with like minded women and expand my network. The thing that I am enjoying the most is the goals group. I have been looking for something like this for a long time. For me the goals group is about having a team to be accountable to, supporting each other when the going gets tough, and sharing the struggles and wins with people who understand what it is you want to achieve.
