Jason Kruger, Online Marketing Tech Professional
From ‘stuck in a rut’ and busy freelancer to confident business owner
Success Highlights:
- Gained the confidence through shifting mindset from being freelancer to business owner
- Defined a clear roadmap to achieve the vision
- Increased pricing and refined positioning which has developed stronger relationships with clients
- Surrounded myself with action-taking business owners
“It can be a lonely place working on your business, but being surrounded by like-minded people who are all at different stages of their own business means we all have something to offer. You cannot overestimate the value that you get from being part of a small group of business owners each on their own journey. “
How was business for you before you started working in the Momentum programme?
I’ve been helping purpose-led, heart-centred businesses in their web development and digital marketing and offering tech support for nine years – and my clients are delighted at the results I give them.
My vision has always been to partner with clients long-term, helping them to choose, implement and evaluate the tech that will best support their business as they move forward.
But this vision had not yet become reality.
My busyness and success meant I jumped from contract to contract, client to client. I was operating as a freelancer, simply reacting to client decisions and timescales and being more ‘tech support’ rather than ‘tech partner’.
What was the key reason you decided Momentum was the right programme for you to join?
I had long been aware that the business was not growing as I had envisioned but I was busy with work and life and kept looking only at the ‘short-term’.
I was unsure of what I needed to do to change the business for it to be as I wanted; I had no one around me with that could offer that external and business perspective. This lack of assuredness impacted my mindset – and imposter syndrome set in, with me questioning my capability and value.
But the desire for change was growing. I had become stuck in a rut and needed to get back my mojo for my business plans.
I’ve known of Karen for many years and had seen how she had evolved her own business and grown her coaching capabilities. I knew she and her coaching team helped freelancers like me to shift their mindset and re-evaluate how they operate and, having talked with them, the Momentum programme offered the balance of individual focus and group support.
What key things have you worked on during your time in Momentum that have made a difference to you and your business?
I already had a range of packaged services, but it became apparent my fee structure failed to reflect my true value. I increased my prices significantly and, by making an offer to current clients, have been able to successfully transition them to the new pricing model.
This was important and impactful, but the biggest impact to date has been on my mindset and my confidence in what I can achieve.
It’s meant that I have started to have longer and broader tech conversations with my clients which not only helps to move me to where I want to be, but also are really well received by my clients. It is what many have been wanting and waiting for!
What has being a part of Momentum given you?
You cannot overestimate the value that you get from being part of a small group of business owners each on their own journey.
It can be a lonely place working on your business, but being surrounded by like-minded people who are all at different stages of their own business means we all have something to offer. When it’s been a tough week or you’re not clear on what to do next, the Momentum team and the wider group hold you up, offer their thoughts and generously share their varied experiences.
It’s these fresh ideas and perspectives and practical suggestions that have moved me on hugely in a relatively short timeframe.
What is it like working with Karen and the team?
The coaching team offer a different focus, and they complement each other brilliantly.
Melina has worked with me on my sales and business development actions and processes, giving detailed, practical and pragmatic guidance. She draws on her own experience and what she has seen to work and flags up some of the pitfalls.
Karen has helped me to change my mindset, getting to know where I want to be, holding my vision, but also showing me new possibilities. She has a skill at knowing the steps I need to take – and how.
Some of the actions I am now taking are things I have mulled over for years. Working with the coaching team has given me the confidence to make change happen.
What words of wisdom would you offer others who were thinking of joining Momentum?
Go for it! I’ve seen a big shift in my business in a relatively short space of time and there is a true generosity of spirit in the group.
Joining the group gave me the confidence to realise my value and increase my prices almost immediately. It was something I knew deep down that I’d needed to do but had been apprehensive and done nothing. With the team’s help to structure my offer and how best to share it with my current clients, I made the change. That level of support is invaluable.
While my long-term vision for the business was already in place – I simply didn’t know how to get there. The planning process has given me that route to follow, and at my own pace. Would I like to move faster? Yes, but I no longer need to think about speed as I now have confidence in my clear and action-oriented plan.