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Meet a Jane: Sophie Zollman
Posted on March 30, 2010 - Filed Under Jane Dough, Jane Thoughts, Meet a Jane, Success Tips for Jane, Which Jane Are You?
Sophia Zollmann is a wife, mother of two and owner of a virtual assistance business whose purpose is to help online entrepreneurs increase their productivity and income potential. Services that Sophia offers include, but are not limited to: Social Media Set Up & Management, Article Marketing, Social Bookmarking, Blog Set Up & Management, Calendar/Schedule, Contact Management, Proofreading, Editing & Formatting, 1ShoppingCart Set Up & Management, QuickBooks/Bookkeeping, Ghost Writing, and Data Entry.
After four years of working for an eCommerce website as the VA and Online Business Manager, Sophia decided to take a break to be a stay-at-home mom for the second time. Eight months later, her life took an unusual turn and she took on semi-verbatim and verbatim transcription, before fully returning to her VA career. She “found” Twitter and Facebook and after networking on those sites, her career took off. “I went from a simple freelance WAHM to a business owner,” says Sophia. “It turned out to be the best thing that could happen to me. I have found my passion and thoroughly enjoy what I do. I love helping entrepreneurs get out of overwhelm and back to doing what they love most. I started working from home freelance to be home for my kids and family as needed. I wanted my children to be able to participate in activities outside of school and be there for them as transportation and support. I just recently started an LLC because the direction my work was taking me required it.” Sophia finds numerous rewards in owning her own business. “I work with some of the best people in the business world while being at home for my family for all their needs. I love making money doing what I love, to help people make more money, and to be able to take care of my needs and my family’s needs.”
After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com, Sophia discovered that she is a Jane Dough. “My Jane type fits my current business status almost perfectly. I really feel this way: ‘Jane Dough really enjoys running her business and is comfortable and determined in marketing and selling. Compared to other women business owners, you may be working somewhat longer hours, but you don’t seem to mind because you enjoy your building your business. Your focus is on growth and operations. You are clear in your priorities.’ The part that isn’t quite me, but very well could be years down the road is this: ‘may be intentionally and actively growing an asset-based or legacy business. As a result, the Jane Dough type is five times more likely than other women entrepreneurs to grow a million dollar business. And, you may even plan to sell the business someday or to pass it on to your children.’ From the beginning, I have never thought of this as a million-dollar adventure. I am content with 5 figures and don’t intend to pass it on unless my children want it. Selling it may happen when I choose to truly retire, but I’m not sure about that yet. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
What advice does Sophia offer to other Jane Doughs? “The best advice I can give anyone like my Jane Type is to go with the flow,” reflects Sophia. “Every time I say I don’t want this or that for my business, it falls into my lap and happens. I have enjoyed the journey so far so I don’t intend to get in the way of myself any more. I’m learning to let the Universe guide me instead of my brain. The Merry Jane Type and the Accidental Jane could also be me in the past. The actual starting of a business was quite accidental. I had initially intended to be a freelancer for the duration. The Merry Jane Type is also how I feel most of the time. I am happy with my small business. Though I intend to grow it, I do not see me going as far as the 6 and 7-figure levels. I am content with a small business that doesn’t take too much of my time.”
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It always excites me whenever I see women put up their own businesses and become independent. Mompreneurs have great insights into marketing gaps and the effort they put in to juggle their time to balance home and business is really amazing. Cheers to all the moms who give it a go! I hope we will continue to see the rise of mompreneurs as future leaders of our businesses and communities.