Blog

My OBM Story

"So, why did you decide to be an online business manager?"

This question comes up a lot as I’m launching my business.
 
No, I didn’t decide at the tender age of twelve that I wanted to be an OBM. In those days I was pretty sure I wanted to live in Paris and be Nancy Drew or maybe be a writer or a psychologist. 
 

An apartment in Paris and a career as Nancy Drew never materialized, but that would have been fabulous! 

"So, what are you going to do with an english degree?"

Instead, lover of reading, writing and words that I was, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Then I was frequently asked: “What are you going to do with that degree?” Honestly, I didn’t know. 

But it led to a great first job as a technical writer, which led to a role in marketing at a high tech company. I was tossed into the deep end and I learned to swim. I worked on marketing campaigns, sales enablement, partner programs, events, launches, and customer reference programs over the years.
 

finding my zone of genius

Somewhere in the middle of all the events, meetings, emails, spreadsheets and powerpoint decks, common themes kept popping up.

I learned I was good at:

  • Brainstorming and collaborating
  • Making sense of things – figuring out what actually matters, making it clear, communicating well, simplifying, synthesizing, strategizing
  • Making improvements & solving problems
  • Planning, managing projects, managing teams, managing launches
  • Working with a diverse group of people to make it all happen — finding what we had in common and how we could work together to reach a common goal, while being understanding and encouraging

Finding the magic of connection

I developed some amazing relationships with women I worked with. I affectionately think of them as my work wives. I looked forward to our meetings, when we’d sit in a conference room and excitedly brainstorm and lay out plans. There’s something special about having a partner in crime — an energy that builds, a sharpness and clarity that comes from fresh perspectives.
 
I bring this experience with me as an OBM. Sometimes we just need someone to bounce ideas off of, partner with, help us stick to the plan, champion our business, or just say “Hey, you’re not alone in this. Let’s go!” I hope I can bring that kind of magic to my clients where I can be that encouraging, energizing force in their business.
 

Changing gears

After a long haul in corporate, I shifted gears. I had a beautiful baby boy who stole my heart. I left high tech to spend more time with family, unsure what was next, but grateful I had time to focus on being Mom for awhile. 
 
Several years later I started working with my husband in his real estate investment company. It wasn’t my big dream, but I jumped on board, got my hands dirty and learned more than I ever thought I would. I got to experience, up close and personal, how it feels to be a business owner – to have all the responsibility, to juggle roles, to do everything, soup to nuts.
 

How it feels to be a business owner

I gravitated towards backend operations – set up of financial systems, resident management, leasing systems, SOPs, company manuals, employee training, and KPIs. I found I lit up while creating systems. I loved that feeling of things being clear and organized. 

I realized that business owners who weren’t naturally built this way – or just had more than they could handle – could use someone like me to get their business running ship-shape. It was a light bulb moment that would come together later when I learned what an OBM is.
 
At times running our business felt daunting – not enough hours in the day – but I’m grateful for the experience, because it helps me understand how business owners feel and I bring that empathy with me as an OBM.
 
I know how it feels to want to be able to clone yourself– to long for help, but struggle to delegate and let things go. I know it can feel like a big step to bring a new person on your team. I know it can feel vulnerable, opening up and trusting a new team member. I know what it’s like to want to bring someone on your team who you CAN trust, to get things done, to figure things out, to be reliable, to be proactive. I hope this makes me a better OBM because I know what it’s like to be in my clients’ shoes.

the next chapter

Eventually I started thinking about the second chapter of my career. What was the next move? Real estate didn’t light me up. I was grateful for my time in the corporate world, but it felt so big and impersonal. I wanted to do something I connected to on an emotional level. 

I was interested in digital marketing because I was fascinated by the evolution and opportunity I was seeing and and how all these niche communities were springing up around passions and needs people had. When I was a new mom, I had sometimes felt isolated and the online world of connections helped me find answers and support.  I’d found inspiration and camaraderie in the world of bloggers and online influencers.  I was amazed at how accurately Instagram could target me with ads. And when I wanted to work on my health, I found a killer circle of women that made all the difference.  So I’ve always been intrigued by the potential of the online world. 

 Networking in Austin, I learned about Prowess Project and their mission to empower women to build flexible, but ambitious careers that make the most of their patchwork quilt of skills and life experience. I learned what an OBM is, which was new to me. I took my time doing research, but it felt like an amazing fit — not to mention I felt that flutter of excitement! I could operate in my zone of genius and work with smaller companies, supporting inspirational women, and make a contribution with my own gifts to something I found meaningful.
 
And… I was hooked.
 
Since then, I’ve completed Prowess Project’s OBM University, a 40 hour, 6 month in-depth training and support program.  I’m so grateful for the education and mentorship they’ve provided. 
 
Now I’m launching my business as an OBM and doing customer research to deeply understand my ideal client. Along the way I’m continuing to expand and deepen my skills and define who I want to be as an OBM.
 
What I love most about this role is that each OBM offers a unique blend of skills and personality which meshes uniquely with the clients they serve, so my goal is to be as authentic and upfront with who I am and how I work as possible, so you can decide if I’m a good fit for you. If you’re interested in working with me, please reach out, I’d love to chat.