Since Evelyn began contemplating the idea of becoming an entrepreneur and starting her own business, she found herself consumed by questions. Not knowing all the answers left her feeling anxious, but she realized that this energy was far more invigorating than the lethargy she experienced when she was unemployed.
Evelyn was well aware that she needed concrete answers to her inquiries. How could a social worker successfully transition into an entrepreneur? How does one acquire clients? And most importantly, who would be willing to pay for their services?
Hi, I’m Anneke, a social worker just like you and Evelyn. Since 2006, I have been running my own business, teaching and coaching social workers on how to become successful entrepreneurs while staying true to their social values. This is where I crossed paths with Evelyn.
Similar to Evelyn, many social workers harbor an underlying fear that they will lose their compassionate spirit once they embark on the entrepreneurial path. We constantly worry about avoiding the image of pushy salespeople or greedy opportunists. None of us aspires to be that way – not Evelyn, not you, and not me.
Let me assure you that there is a solution to address these fears. It’s a proven system I have developed consisting of seven simple steps called Sweet Social Marketing. I’ll delve deeper into this in the next episode of Evelyn’s journey. But first, let me tell you about the next step Evelyn took.
Evelyn yearned for answers, and I provided her with examples of social workers who had successfully become entrepreneurs.
Take Saskia and Evelien, two young Dutch social workers who founded “Samen Wille” (“Together We Want”). They organize speed dating events for the elderly, creating opportunities for them to find love once again.
Then there’s Dagmar, who grew up with disordered parents. She became a social worker and now dedicates her time to helping other women who have had similar upbringings, guiding them towards a more balanced life.
Marjolein, another social worker, focuses on supporting women who have experienced profound loss and have reached a point where no one else can assist them. She helps these women learn to navigate life with their grief.
And let’s not forget Rick, who established a practice to help men facing marital problems. He guides them through three pivotal decisions to regain control over their lives.
In addition to these examples, I also provide coaching to social workers who have businesses dedicated to helping their fellow professionals, just like I do.
Hans, a community worker, has found success in assisting social workers with their social media strategies.
Wies, an expert in child abuse prevention, helps social workers enhance their care for abused children.
What all these social worker entrepreneurs have in common is their unwavering passion. They choose to work with specific clients facing particular challenges that align perfectly with their own talents and interests.
Evelyn learned a few crucial lessons:
She wasn’t alone: Many social workers have either become entrepreneurs or have plans to do so. Success is attainable: It is possible to have paying clients and generate income from their services. Specificity is key: By targeting specific clients with specific problems, they can make a more significant impact. It is essential to follow your heart: Success is most attainable when you pursue your passion wholeheartedly.
By remaining loyal to their passions, social worker entrepreneurs can still fulfill their higher purpose of serving those in need. Now, the question is, how can you transform your passion into a thriving business?