Community Insights for Impact
Heather Owens
Heather Owens brings more than 15 years of executive support to her clients. She has held every role from Executive Assistant to Interim COO with a diverse portfolio of companies. She is a master at details - whether in email, calendar, or project management - and ensuring high quality support. Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Masters of Arts degree in International Education. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, son, and dog.
All authorsThe Lazy Freelancer’s Elevator Pitch
Crafting a strong elevator pitch is essential for freelancers looking to make connections and attract clients. This blog breaks down a simple, effective formula for answering the common question, “So, what do you do?” by focusing on three key elements: identifying the problem you solve, explaining how you solve it, and sharing a memorable example of your work. By structuring your pitch in a way that sparks curiosity and invites conversation, you can turn casual introductions into business opportunities. With a well-crafted pitch, freelancers can confidently showcase their value and leave a lasting impression.
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Health Insurance for Small Business Owners
Curate Impact was founded with a long-term vision: to provide high-quality, discounted health insurance for community members. While this goal is still a few years away, growing the Curate Impact community is a necessary step toward qualifying for group insurance rates. This blog explores the challenges freelancers and small business owners face in securing health insurance and outlines various coverage options, from marketplace plans to professional associations and health savings accounts. By joining Curate Impact, members can help build a future where accessible, equitable health insurance is a reality for independent professionals.
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Backend Processes for Improving Client Communication and Satisfaction
Strong backend processes are the key to delivering exceptional client communication and satisfaction. This blog explores how freelancers and business owners can streamline operations through active listening, clear expectations, and effective referral strategies. By implementing structured workflows—such as well-planned meetings, automated client updates, and referral systems—businesses can create a seamless, professional experience that builds trust and drives growth. With the right systems in place, entrepreneurs can transition from overwhelmed freelancers to thriving, in-demand professionals.
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Overcoming Freelancer Burnout: Tips for Maintaining Your Mental Health
Freelancing offers flexibility and autonomy, but it also comes with unique challenges that can lead to burnout. This blog explores practical strategies for recognizing and preventing burnout, including setting clear work boundaries, managing workload effectively, and finding a supportive community. It emphasizes the importance of regular breaks, self-care, and mindfulness techniques to maintain mental well-being. By prioritizing balance and sustainability, freelancers can protect their mental health and continue thriving in their careers.
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The Lead Spectrum: Identifying and Cultivating Hot, Warm, Cool, and Cold Client Prospects
Understanding and nurturing client prospects is essential for freelancers and small business owners looking to grow their business. This blog breaks down the four types of leads—hot, warm, cool, and cold—and offers tailored strategies to engage and convert each. Hot leads require quick, personalized responses, while warm leads benefit from ongoing engagement and relationship-building. Cool and cold leads demand strategic nurturing and outreach, emphasizing the importance of patience, value-driven communication, and consistent follow-ups to move prospects through the sales funnel.
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How to Have Hard Client Conversations
The blog discusses how freelancers and small business owners can navigate challenging client relationships by having difficult conversations. Drawing on quotes from pop culture figures, Kaitlin emphasizes the importance of checking in with oneself, understanding potential misunderstandings, and approaching feedback with curiosity and kindness. Ultimately, the goal is to improve working relationships and prevent burnout by addressing problems directly and constructively.
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Hidden Treasures for Freelancers at Your Local Library
Libraries offer freelancers and small business owners numerous free resources beyond just books, including workspace, technology access, professional development opportunities, and networking potential. Tori highlights five key ways entrepreneurs can leverage their local library. These library services can help freelancers optimize their work, learn new skills, and grow their businesses without significant additional expense.
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Planning for Taxes as a Small Business Owner
Heather shares her personal journey with taxes as a small business owner, detailing her evolution from dreading tax season to developing a strategic approach to managing tax obligations. Through years of experience, she learned to set aside some of her business income for estimated taxes, make regular contributions to retirement, and work closely with an accountant to calculate safe harbor payments. For other small business owners, she recommends understanding tax deductions, using bookkeeping software, deciding between self-filing or hiring an accountant, and consistently setting aside money for estimated tax payments.
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3 Ways to Use AI to Support Your Business Operations
In this blog post, Kaitlin shares her journey from initially fearing AI to embracing it as a supportive tool in business operations, highlighting three key ways she uses AI. Kaitlin emphasizes that while AI isn't perfect and requires human oversight, it significantly enhances her productivity by reducing time spent on tasks like email composition and research. Ultimately, she concludes that AI is a valuable efficiency-boosting technology that should be viewed as a collaborative tool rather than a threat, and encourages professionals to integrate it into their workflows while maintaining a human touch.
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Harnessing Freedom as a Freelancer by Crafting an Ideal Week
In this blog, Tori Hennis emphasizes the importance of managing time effectively as a freelancer by utilizing the concept of an "Ideal Week." Inspired by Todd Duncan's book Time Traps, the Ideal Week helps freelancers structure their time around priorities, blending both non-negotiable tasks and personal goals. Hennis shares strategies for building this ideal schedule, such as time blocking for focused work, allowing for breaks, and minimizing context switching by grouping similar tasks. While acknowledging that life may not always go as planned, she encourages freelancers to remain flexible, adjusting their Ideal Week as their circumstances evolve, to achieve a balanced and fulfilling work-life experience.
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