As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Liz Jurkowski.
Here’s what we found out about Liz’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and what sparked the idea for your business?
This was the easiest part of setting up my own business. I did not want to work for anybody else any more. Not that my previous career was at all bad – I was just ready to set my own schedules, goals and expectations.
I thought about what I love to do and what I have a passion for, then turned that into a thriving business.
As a woman navigating the business world, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Running a business takes money. That’s the biggest challenge I have had starting my two websites. Also, another huge challenge I had starting up was making important contacts and networking in the right realms. My previous career was 180 degrees away from what I’m doing now, so that took a great deal of time and effort.
How do you balance the demands of running a business with maintaining a healthy personal life?
Luckily, my two businesses are travel-related. So not only do I get to do my “research” with my family and/or friends, it involves what I love to do, so I feel like I’m in a good mindset. I do have to make sure I carve out time away from my desk. I work at home, and unless I have a firm stopping point, I’d be tempted to work through family time with my husband and sons. There’s always more to do. .
Which networking strategies have most effectively built meaningful connections within your industry?
I found meaningful and helpful online groups with active and constructive discussion boards. Some of these are directly related to my specific travel niche, but others are more business-focused. There are wonderful resources online. In addition, I try to attend as many live workshops and conferences that I can. The contacts I make as well as the content I learn are so valuable to the success of my businesses.
How do you approach mentorship, and how has it shaped your entrepreneurial path?
There are a couple of people I really respect in the travel industry, so following their lead and walking in their footsteps really helped shape the businesses I run now. Without other successful women, my success would have been slow.
What strategies have worked best for selling your products and reaching your ideal customers?
I don’t sell a product, rather, I provide free travel advice and tips for great destinations around the world. If people choose to, they can purchase travel packages, etc. from my sites, from which I make a small commission.
Which marketing techniques have been most successful for your business, and how do you track their performance?
My businesses are online, so tracking my viewers and online presence is easy (thank goodness for online analytics – I’m not a math person!). These online platforms help me monitor what is working and what is not.
Can you share a significant setback in your business journey and the steps you took to overcome it?
My most significant setback in my business journey was starting it all online on the incorrect website host. I did not realize that certain hosts better suit certain industries. That took me a while to figure out, and probably hindered earlier profits.
What’s the most important advice you’d give to women just starting their entrepreneurial journey?
Don’t be afraid to start. Once you do, everything will just fall into place.
Is there a mantra or quote that guides your actions and decision-making as an entrepreneur?
“Explore, Inspire, Empower.”
This encapsulates the spirit of adventure while emphasizing the impact I can have on others through my journey. It encourages me to embrace my own passion, share my experiences, and uplift fellow travelers and business owners.
