Hello Online Marketers! This week's Featured Interview is with IVWCC member Jennifer Wright. Jennifer has a very unique business - I hope you enjoy!

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KB: Jennifer Wright thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview for our readers.
To set the stage for this interview, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

JW: I am a woman living the life she always wanted! At the age of 47, after years of doing all the “right” things, and years of being a good single parent, my children left home for their own endeavors. As a result (and another story!), I decided to disorder my logical, ordered, middleclass life and move to New Zealand to find adventure and myself! Five years on, I have found ME, as well as the love of my life! (married 2 years ago!)

KB: Wow, Jenn, that’s a pretty amazing “disordering”! I think New Zealand would be such a great place to go. In fact, I am thinking right now of the movie “Whale Rider” lol!

Okay Jenn, give us your elevator speech, or 30-second spiel, about what you do, about your business:

JW: I am a mid-life adventure guide for women! I help women slough off the baggage of their life, their sense of duty and replace it with a backpack of lightness of true choice.

KB: That sure is an interesting career you have! How long have you been in business for yourself?

JW: 3 years

KB: Long enough to know you WANT to be doing it! Why or what was the determining factor for you in starting your own business?

JW: The need to fulfill my own destiny coupled by my husband’s support.

KB: What, in your experience, has been the greatest benefit in running and owning your own business? What do you like best about your business?

JW: I am doing what I love (most of the time). I am walking my talk which means I am doing what is my highest good, empowering the feminine energy in the world.

KB: Running a business takes a certain “mindset” so tell us what is the most difficult or challenging part of having and running your own business:

JW: Being patient with building a business, the time and energy it takes can be overwhelming.

KB: Oh, I hear you on that one Jenn!

Who is your primary target audience? How do you attract them?

JW: My target market is mid-life women, professionals who are ready to answer the question, Is there more to life than this? I attract them through my writing, workshops, website, some advertising, word of mouth.

KB: Hey, that’s hitting all the angles – good job!

Is your business primarily online or offline or both

JW: My business is a combination. I do have a website (2). My primary website is to allow people to get to know me. I have a articles, newsletter sign-up, and a free e-course. I plan to put an assessment on soon (working on the creation). My second website www.middleearthadventure.com is a joint project with a Seattle coach.

This website is for information about our adventure coaching and sign-up.

KB: What is your best source of customers, prospects and/or clients?

JW: Wow…not sure. Word of mouth and networking.

KB: I’m finding that that, Jenn, are the two BEST ways! Since we’re are having this interview on the International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce channel, we know you are a member of this organization but are you a member of any other professional organizations? If so, would you please tell us a little bit about them and why you chose these particular organizations to affiliate yourself and your business?

JW: I am a member of Zonta International which is a woman’s service organization

(this is for the service side of me and networking opps), another organization is locally for graduate women. Here I do some mentoring and have donated a workshop.

KB: Thanks for sharing that. Online networking groups are rising in number so are you a member of any online networking groups?

JW: Yes, Ryze

KB: I don’t think I’ve met anyone who ISN’T on Ryze lately! On average, how often do you visit those networks? Do you post messages there regularly, or are you more of an information seeker and lurker?

JW: I visit 3+ times a week

KB: Definitely not a lurker! Moving onto a very vital subject in online business, on average, how many email messages do you receive every day?

JW: Probably 50+

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KB: Gosh Jenn, that’s not bad at all. About how many of those emails are actually email you either requested from clients or pertinent information?

JW: 50%

KB: Again, that’s not bad – good in fact. What is your number one complaint, if any, about email? ...and how do you think it could be resolved?

JW: A way to have a good triage system

KB: He, he, oh, exactly – wouldn’t that be nice! Do you publish a newsletter / ezine?

JW: Yes, once a month. Issues of mid-life women (I write the articles)

KB: Do you subscribe to any newsletters? If so, what is the delivery format?
(email/autoresponder, online only, online with email notification, RSS, other)

JW: Yes, all of the above, except RSS

KB: Are you familiar with RSS?

JW: No

KB: That’s okay Jenn, we’ll help you learn all about that now that the IVWCC is publishing in RSS format. In fact, you can subscribe to this channel where we’re having your interview. That can be your first RSS subscription!

There are so many ways to promote ourselves online and off, and one of the most touted and apparently great ways to do so online is to write articles. I noticed that you said you do write articles for your online newsletter, so can you tell us how you promote and distribute it?

JW: YES, as you said, I write articles for women, mostly about mid-life issues. I believe I have a unique voice and a bit different than the usual. I send out to “specific” publications and newsletters I think will have an interest.

KB: Very cool niche market! Have you ever submitted a press release?

JW: No, but I am getting ready to the end of the month!

KB: That’s great Jenn, and I wish you much success on that. What is the most creative thing you have done to attract customers?

JW: A Women’s Expo booth, with a cool contest.

KB: Wow, how fun! If there was one thing you wish you had (other than time!) to help you grow your business, what would it be?

JW: Better organization for my bill paying, etc..

KB: I understand that, and what’s great is we have some excellent Virtual Assistants in IVWCC who can help with that very thing.

If you could offer one word of advice to someone wishing to start a business in your field, what would you tell them?

JW: Be patient, have faith, walk your talk!

KB: Excellent advice Jenn! Thank you again Jenn for taking the time to participate in this interview.

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END INTERVIEW with Jennifer Wright

http://www.middleearthadventure.com