Small Business Week Interviews Linda Dessau

Interview with Linda Dessau, Founder of You Talk, I’ll Write

Tell us about your business.
I work with coaches who have great ideas but struggle with putting those ideas into writing. I provide ghostwriting and editing services for articles, special reports, e-books, books, workbooks, e-courses and other written information products.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I have been self-employed in one form or another since I graduated from university. I have always been drawn to the variety, freedom and challenges of working for myself.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
I have been inspired, motivated and encouraged by the work and mentoring of Andrea J. Lee. I admire her generosity, integrity and humility as she seamlessly passes along lessons as she learns them.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Tripling my income gradually but steadily, after making a commitment to run my business along spiritual lines.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
My business is a gift from God, and how I spend my time is my thank you note.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
If something feels forced, it’s probably not the thing I should be doing right now.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you succeed?
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber, Multiple Streams of Coaching Income by Andrea J. Lee (www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com), The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman (www.wellfedwriter.com ), the wonderful members of the New Coach Connection (www.newcoachconnection.com), Typepad (www.typepad.com), TimeDriver (www.timedriver.com ), BatchBook (www.batchblue.com ), FreshBooks (www.freshbooks.com ) and AWeber (www.aweber.com ).

What is the Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
I plan to increase my earnings by leveraging my time and expanding my team.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
The magic number was true for me – once I had been in business for three years, all of the seeds I had planted really began to bloom and the momentum started building on itself. So hang in there!

How can our readers find you online?