Name: Vanessa Shepherd
Business Name: Vanessa Shepherd
Location: St. Albert, Canada
Establishment (Year): 2018
Category/Industry: Business Services
Profession/ Specialty: Business Growth Strategist / Marketing
Website: www.vanessashepherd.com
Social Media: LinkedIn
Company Detail:
I help brands/companies tap into strategies and insight they don't have on their team. Company marketing teams are often very overwhelmed and caught up in the day to day, so they don't have time to stay on top of what's new or changing in marketing, especially digital marketing and e-commerce/online services. I step in to provide my insight and expertise, training, and ongoing Q&A access to tap into when they need it. It's like having a marketing expert on speed dial to solve problems they can't solve (or don't have time to solve).
Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:
I help individuals accomplish business growth through simple marketing and operations strategies in a way that's sustainable for them and scalable up or down as needed. By simplifying and drawing in more consistency, they're able to attain results that feel massive to them. They also achieve more clarity, context and move through overcoming imposter syndrome and/or self-doubt. A lot of service providers and consultants prescribe one way of doing things, while I work with my clients to find an approach that truly works for them and their unique situation and goals.
Challenges Faced During the Journey:
To get where I am now I had to get out of poverty and move into the middle class, deal with a cancer diagnosis, go through an eating disorder treatment program, and battle the obstacles that came with obtaining a university degree while paying down medical debt and juggling a full time job and family commitments. There were also times when I tried to secure funding for my business and was told I'd need a husband or male partner to get one, or where I was told women weren't capable in business and that I'd never make it long-term as a business owner. Life has thrown a lot at me over the years, but with grit and determination (and the emotional support of others) I've been able to defy those odds that say I shouldn't be where I am today.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:
If you're told that you can't do something ask why not. There are so many biases out there toward women and so much societal conditioning that limits our ability in some cases to achieve the big dreams we know are possible for us to achieve. Get curious, ask questions and find a way that works for you instead of aiming to make everyone else comfortable. Your dreams are unique, and you deserve to achieve them!
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