Soloist Spotlight: Rachel Amies, Crazy Cat Copy
Our Soloist Spotlights showcase the services our amazing Flying Solo Business Class members offer to customers in Australia, and take a peek behind the curtain of their day-to-day lives. This week, meet Rachel Amies, the crazy cat behind Crazy Cat Copy – your purrfect SEO copywriter and WordPress designer.
What do you do? Who for? And how does it benefit them?
I help service-based businesses create pawsome WordPress websites and write purrfect words to boost business and build connection. [As my business is called Crazy Cat Copy, cat puns come free of charge].
What does this look like? I design and redesign WordPress websites, provide WordPress/Divi theme training and support, and I write SEO-optimised website, blog and sales page copy. I also offer blog topic strategy, write tone-of-voice guidelines and brand stories.
The fact that I can write as well as design websites means that clients don’t need to deal with multiple people. And my clients love that I’ve completed advanced SEO training. For me, it’s all about clients feline fine about their digital marketing.
You’ve got a free half hour during your workday. What do you do?
Oh, that depends on my mood. Sometimes I’ll cuddle one of my three cats and either knit or read a book. Other times I’ll go online and learn something new about WordPress or copywriting (as I love upskilling). Or I’ll take a quick walk around the block to clear my head.
When did you know you wanted to start your own business?
I think I knew I wanted my own business when I was at university. I was studying law (but also music and criminology), so I originally assumed that I’d end up starting my own law firm.
What really cemented it was getting tired of commuting to and from Sydney CBD for work, especially during times when I felt under-appreciated. I wanted to create a working environment where I was valued as well as having flexibility. Working holiday, anyone?
What’s your proudest moment?
Playing in the university orchestra for Nelson Mandela. My cats don’t like me practising trumpet at home though, except for the deaf cat!
What’s your number one way to wind down?
Knitting whilst binging on Netflix.
What’s the best thing about being a soloist? And the worst thing?
The best thing is having flexibility around my working hours and who I work with. Oh, and the boss can’t complain when I colour my hair blue – ‘cos I’m not going to complain to myself, right?!
The worst thing? The isolation. But I alleviate that by attending face-to-face business networking events and going to the gym.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
In situations that make me worry, stop and ask myself where I want to be in five years’ time. And then ask myself: how would Rachel in five years’ time react to this?
Where and when do you have your best ideas?
Usually late at night. I keep a pen and pad by the bed so I can make a note of my best ideas.
What would be your advice to aspiring soloists?
The services I offer now are dramatically different to what I offered when I started my business. So, my advice is to not be scared of evolving and changing how you provide value to your clients.
What would your parents say is your greatest strength? And weakness?
I had to email my parents and ask! My parents are immensely impressed at the level of commitment and skill I put into starting and continuing my business. My mother says I’m no quitter (well, that could be me being a tad stubborn!) and she thinks I’m great at thinking “outside the box”.
As for weakness, they do worry about me being a sole worker. But that’s one of the reasons why I attend business networking events – it’s not only about attracting more work for me, I also use it as a social thing.
While I do outsource my bookkeeping, I do need to get better at outsourcing other tasks I don’t enjoy doing … a virtual assistant is next on my bucket list!
And finally, what do you wear to work?
The majority of my client meetings are over Zoom or on the phone. So, I mainly wear casual clothes. Some days I’ll work in my Peter Alexander PJs. And then I’ll dress up at night if I’m going to networking event.
Find out more about Crazy Cat Copy!
Want your turn in the spotlight?
Soloist Spotlight profiles are exclusively for selected Flying Solo Business Class members.
Already a Business Class member? Simply email us on info@flyingsolo.com.au with a link to your Flying Solo directory listing and let us know you’re keen to take part in a Soloist Spotlight – we’ll be in touch!
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