For the Love of Small Business with Caro Syson
Description:
Welcome to this week's episode of the Future-Proof Your Business Podcast.
In today's episode, I'm super excited to welcome the wonderful Caro Syson as my guest.
Caro is the founder of Pocket PA that she describes as the only tool you’ll ever need to manage your business. Caro shares with us her journey and motivation for developing her app and why she is on a mission to help as many sole business owners to thrive.
We chat about all the things you need to juggle and think about behind the scenes when you’re running a business, and discuss some key strategies that help you to show up in the right way and keep going, even when times get tough.
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I'm Lucy Rennie, and welcome to my Future Proof your Business Podcast.
The podcast that provides you with everything you need to know to build solid foundations and ultimately Future-Proof your Business.
I'm on a mission to share my love for small business with you and help you to enjoy the extraordinary ripple effect that comes through harnessing the power of people and relationships.
And I want to make sure that you can reap the benefits of being a business and a brand that people know, like and trust.
I'm a huge champion for small business and a massive believer in the fact that people do business with people.
This podcast is here to inspire you, encourage you and support you on this roller coaster ride that is building, growing and Future Proofing your business.
Hi, and welcome to this week's episode of the Future-Proof your Business Podcast. I'm Lucy Rennie and today I'm super excited because I have got the wonderful Caro Syson here with me today. And Caro is basically a small business whisperer and she is the founder of Pocket PA and she loves helping people make sense of their systems, but in a really easy and jargon free way. So first of all, welcome Caro thank you so much for coming onto the podcast and talking to me today.
Caro Syson 01:18
Pleasure, Lucy, thank you for inviting me.
Lucy Rennie 01:22
Thank you. I've introduced you a little bit, but I think people really want to hear a bit more about you. So would you mind kind of introducing yourself properly in your way and telling us a brief outline of maybe your story and how you came to to be here today create and creating Pocket PA.
Caro Syson 01:39
Yes, I have had a very squiggly journey Lucy and yeah, it's been a roller coaster at times. But I think that's the same for a lot of self-employed business owners. I haven't worked for anyone for over 30 years, which is really making me sound like a dinosaur. So the fact that I have made some software is quite bizarre, because I'm as untechy as they come so we'll come back to that a little bit later. But yeah, long time ago, I started out at university doing a physiotherapy degree. And I worked in the NHS for a very short nanosecond. And a hot minute later I had my family. I had four little ones in very close succession in four years. And straight after that I opened my own private physiotherapy practice, and I probably should have just lived happily ever after with my lot having my physiotherapy practice and my family. However, about three years into having my physio practice, I pivoted and retrained as a mortgage broker. So really clearly a very squiggly journey and I moved into finance and property and completely changed tack, all in the meanwhile, still having my physiotherapy practice running on a back burner. And four children I might add! Yeah, obviously, yeah, all level and just going through all stages, which I absolutely loved and adored. And, yeah, they were my whole reason why I did everything, really. So that was really vitally important. And when my youngest was three, I became a single mom so I felt very responsible for looking after the family and managing everything to do with all of our finances and wellbeing etc. So there was a lot of responsibility early on from my businesses. So I worked really hard in my property company, and I built that up, over the years went through the recession, and the crash of 2008 and all the other nightmares. And it wasn't until my kids were sort of late teens, they were just leaving school and still being at school some of them and some have just started at work. When my youngest daughter came home when she was 19 and she hadn't gone to university, she had just left school. And she announced that she wanted to work for herself. And I was super excited. I was something I had always sort of aspired to myself, but I hadn't expected my children to want to perhaps become self-employed, and certainly not before they were 20. So when she made this announcement, Mum, I want to work for myself. Whilst I was filled with excitement and glee. There was also this trepidation thinking, Oh, my goodness, what on earth? How will she do that if she doesn't have any business acumen? She has never run a business. She has only ever watched me from the sidelines and hadn't ever thought she was particularly interested. But my biggest concern was the fact that she has dyscalculia. And basically, that means she doesn't understand numbers and spreadsheets and percentages. And I was really concerned about how she was going to still be able to run a business at the end of 12 months, if she wasn't managing all that business stuff because I just knew that when you get to that finish line and your first year of business. HMRC comes knocking on your door, and the taxman says thanks very much, glad you've had a great year. Tell me what you've been earning and what you've been spending. And I was really concerned that on a day to day basis, she wasn't going to be able to manage all of that as I call it business stuff, alongside managing all of her clients and being wonderful like I knew she would be able to do. So as her mum, she was 19. And I just thought, oh gosh, there must be something out there that she can use. So I started off with my due diligence. And I could find all these different multiple apps and tools and stuff all doing something, a little bit of something that she needed to do, but nothing in a way that I felt she would understand it was all jargon filled, it will seem to be built for people with business acumen, maths degrees, and all of these other things. Oh, my God, what a mess. How complicated is all of that. And I was really worried for Megan about how she was actually going to manage this business of hers. And after having looked at quite a few and over several months, I just thought this is ridiculous. How difficult can it be I'm sure I could make something like I'm seeing all these different things, I'm going to strip the smallest amount from all of these big complex tools, because any of the ones that she had been looking at, she would have only probably been using 10 or 15% of the tools, the rest of it would have been redundant. So I thought I'm gonna nip out the big, the biggest and the bestest bits of all of these tools and put them together and make it all in one place for her. Put it all in colour, because business always looks better in colour. Take out the jargon and make sure that it's all words that she understands. And I'm going to make Megan an app. And so naively, there's like five, six years ago. Oh, Lucy, what a nightmare I am. Because I was just so naive back then thinking, oh, yeah, how hard can it be? I'm a mum, I've done loads of really difficult things, having four kids. Anyway, I started making Pocket PA and yes, it has been a freaking roller coaster journey with so many downs so many times where I've thought, you know what, I don't think I can carry on with this. Nobody knows it's coming. It won't matter if I close and shut now. And I did try. And I think I've probably reached the end of the road. But somehow I've pushed through all of it. And we've got our version 3.1. that came out in September. And I have lots of other users other than Megan, because it seems a bit self indulgent to make your own daughter and app. Just keep it to yourself. I think they realised that there were lots of other people that worked like Megan, I suppose. And yeah, so yeah, that's really brought you up to speed on the very drive through version rather than a sit down meal. Does that reach you where we are?
Lucy Rennie 07:17
Yeah, no, do you know what is fascinating? Isn't it to hear? Because, yeah, and just the whole reason behind it, the fact that first of all, you thought, you know, you actually saw there was a need for that to help her. And, and actually went ahead and did it. Yeah, I just think it's amazing. So how many of us have all these ideas? And then never do anything about it? And that's the thing, isn't it? It's actually acting on it and get, you know, having the I don't know whether it's determination, or whatever it is to actually get up and go and try it and bring it to life? This is massive in itself, isn't it?
But I think what you're describing for Megan, the fact that everything's so kind of full of jargon, it's textbooky you know, when you think of all the things in business, it can be so yeah, hard is the word isn't it to know what you're supposed to be doing and when and understand the systems. And even you mentioned about HMRC. There's no real guidebook on what you know, when you start a business, you don't really realise that you've got all these things to think about and to worry about. And you know, you just want to do what you do. Because you love what you do, don't you? So I completely get where you've come from with this. And yeah, I think it's I think, yeah, I love the fact that you've done that for your daughter and that she's, I'm presuming she's still working with it today iIs she? Does she use it now?
Caro Syson 08:28
Yeah, she's doing super well. And I think the nub of Yeah, the nub of any business is the fact that, you know, the difference between a business and a hobby is the fact that the business is supposed to make money, and you're supposed to be in profit. So the whole premise of why I was making Pocket Pa was to make sure that she was kept focused front centre on the money side of things. Because business and having a profitable business is just a game of two halves. It'swhat am I making and what am I spending, and as long as what your spending is way lot less than what you're making, you're going to have a healthy business and a profit. But I was wanting to make it really clear for her to show her that, you know, if she was spending as much as she was making, then there was going to be no profit left for her. And I showed that in colour in a really large, dial, red and green. And God forbid that red became bigger than the green, then she had an expensive hobby going on. And I wanted her to know that so much faster than when the accountant told her at the end of the year. So I had to make these big dials for her that she was going to be really clear, she didn't even need to actually read what the numbers were. But she knew by looking at this green and red dial, exactly whether she was in profit, it was a healthy profit, or whether she was on the borderline of breakeven, or God forbid this expensive hobby going on. So that was my whole premise that I wanted her to have this very clear tool that gave her this metric. But then, when I started realising that, you know, in order to create all of these accounts, there was just a whole load of other things that went into her business because she had to have a whole database, a CRM system of all of her clients because without a client, she wasn't going to be making any money. And then what were all of her services that she was going to deliver because client plus service equals an appointment. So I then had to create this calendar and booking system and then to leverage her time we moved it on to become an online booking system. So all of these different things just kept like spiralling into becoming evolving Pocket PA and what I thought was going to be quite a simple, straightforward, little tool and system for her has actually evolved to become very multifaceted, and incredibly powerful and sophisticated. But I'm really mindful of not overwhelming that small solo business owner, because I'm so passionate about them becoming successful and not getting overwhelmed and I know, when you are starting out in business, it can feel like that. So I have to be very careful and balanced up by saying, “Oh, my God, it does everything, i's all singing or dancing,” and overwhelming people with all the features that it does. And just say, Whoa, just stop, just start with just one thing, just add your clients, just put in your services. And then you just go from there. And I think that's the same in any business, you have to make sure that you've got the steps and systems. And you don't get overwhelmed at any one point because that's when you start to lose that traction. And you get, you know, stuck in a rut because you just feel that you can't make any progress forward because there's just too many things to do. Where do you start? So the idea is to you know, goodbye business overwhelm, Hello, Pocket PA it's, it's designed to be with you on the go, whether you're on a phone, tablet or desktop computer to just be your best buddy, really your secret sauce.
Lucy Rennie 11:34
No, it just sounds great. Honestly, it sounds absolutely perfect. And most of my clients, well all of my clients suffer from overwhelm from the fact that they're spinning so many different plates that there's so many different things they need to take care of. And so actually having something where, you know, it can be one step at a time, and really focusing on the essential things is huge, isn't it for them? And one of my things I'm always kind of getting them to focus on is what's the thing that's going to have the biggest impact, where should they be putting their energy? Or where should they be, you know, really focusing their time. So actually, it sounds like you've kind of brought all that together under one space and then actually, I love the idea of these big dials as well, where it's really visual. So you can actually see, you know what, what needs to happen. And the colour is making me think of my daughter Elia, who's eight, every morning when we're getting ready for school. So I've got a big egg timer, but it's really visual and pink and green as well. So she knows how much time she's got left before. You know, she has to finish cleaning a teeth or whatever. And it's it's the same sort of thing. It's actually really visual really simple, really clear. What do I need to focus on? What do I need to be aware of? And, yeah, it sounds wonderful, because not only that, you've just it's not just about the numbers is it you've actually brought in all the different parts of a business into one system that like you say that they can have on their phone or in the app that they can use to have everything under one roof and really focus on the key things. So I'm absolutely in awe of you and how you've gone from physiotherapy to this. Amazing. And you say that you're not very good at Tech. Yeah, it's incredible, actually, what you've done and how you're doing this.
Caro Syson 13:12
I've never written a line of code. And I never plan to and I think that that's been one of the hardest bits is feeling that I've been so reliant on developers, because they haven't always been scrupulous. And I haven't always been the steward at choosing the right team. And, you know, people, people often talk a good story and say, Oh, yes, we can do that, we can do that, when in reality, they actually have been very inadequate at being able to deliver what they've promised. And I'm, well, I used to be very good at taking people at face value and very trusting. And it's made me a little bit more skeptical, unfortunately, and a little bit more sort of testy when I'm sort of going on with new teams and stuff. But I have been with my existing team over three years, and they've really brought to life, everything that I wanted it to do, because with with anybody in their small business, nobody starts a new business to do more business admin said, no one ever and the point about Business Admin, it's not income producing. So you're not earning money while you're doing all that stuff. And so people want to get all that stuff done and take the least amount of time. And for it to be the easiest way to do it possible. And people don't want to invest afternoons and evenings, you know, messaging back clients, they don't want to be tracking business receipts and expenses at the weekend on a Sunday afternoon when they could be spending time with friends and family. And those were the challenges that Megan had at the beginning. And I just kept thinking, right, how can I get rid of that? How can we make sure that it's done as she goes every single day? So small 30 second, One minute tasks are done on a gradual consistent basis all through the year instead of having a complete two to three week meltdown at tax time and thinking oh my god, I'm never going to do this ever again, there's got to be a better way. Yeah. And you know, there is, but you need to do things regularly and they're not particularly exciting and sexy things and you know, accounting software is never particularly sexy and exciting. But the magic is in the mundane. And as a small business owner, unfortunately, you have to suck it up and do these small, repeated tasks when needed. But the idea and the secret sauce is that you can leverage your time and find smarter systems and processes to cut through having to do repetitive tasks, if you can find ways to set a recurring business expense. If you can find a way to automate and send your client appointment reminders, to find a way to be able to send out a link to be able to get people to leave you a Google review or a testimonial afterwards, without you having to do it manually each time. And those were all the things that I wanted to put into Pocket PA to help people systemize and set things up just once like on a set and forget system, so that they could then just spend more time with their clients or god forbid, with their families and their friends enjoying themselves outside of work and have a better work life balance God, what a novel idea, I
Lucy Rennie 15:59
imagine, imagine. But ya know, and you know what, I love the fact that you're not a techie, genuinely. And I think it's great that you've found, because it is hard to find the right people. And I think that's one of the things isn't it, that you learn on that roller coaster is actually not to take people necessarily on face value, but to really kind of, you know, delve a bit deeper and find those people you can trust. But for me, I think that's a real added value for you. And Pocket PA is the fact that you're not techie. Because actually, you've come from a place well, actually, this is what I need to know, this is what needs to happen. This is what I need it to be really easy, user friendly, and all those things jargon free. And you've kind of translated, that you've found the people who can actually help you create that, but and but actually, you've got the you the end user in mind. So the small business owner in mind, haven't you and making life easy for them. So for me, that's almost like a perfect blend of skill set really isn't it and allowing you to really speak the same language as your client, which is the small business owner. So yeah, I think it's amazing.
Caro Syson 16:56
Sorry, Lucy, I was just gonna say I had my ideal client living with me upstairs. So she would come down and tell me all of the things that she needed. All of the things that she needed doing differently all of the way that her business was evolving. And it was just replicated in hundreds and 1000s of other people's businesses. So I knew that by making things that suited Megan, it was going to be replicated and needed in other people's businesses. And you know, whilst not everybody works exactly like Megan, I then had a son that came along who's got dyslexia. And he works in a trade, he's an electrician, self-employed electrician. And so I called him my blue, my blue group, and Megan was my pink group. And the way that they each use Pocket PA is so so different. Sam just uses it for a couple of things for tracking his business expenses, doing his invoices, and logging one or two payments a month, because that's how he sets up his operation. Whereas Meghan uses everything end to end in a pink way, and uses it completely differently to Sam. So it's so interesting how different businesses have different needs in their sort of requirements for their systems and processes. But hopefully, we've covered the blue and the pink groups, pretty much and many people just use Pocket PA as a pick and mix and they just take the bits that they need out of it because it does cut the corners, tracks their business mileage, or does their reminder messaging, it just does one aspect of something that they really need. But as they start to use it, they see how much else it can be incorporated into their day to day sort of business. But yeah, I'm totally non technical. And I think that that's actually been an advantage. I think sometimes you presume that not having a technical background is going to disadvantage you and yes, in some areas it is because I can't always speak that talk. But I've also been able to use that to my advantage because I've been very resolute and not compromising on the functionality of what we've delivered. And I think if I had been more technical, I would have probably found a shortcut, because it was easier to code that way. Whereas when I want to feature in the development, oh, that's quite complicated. And he starts to go into the reasons why and the different database tables and the cross it and I'm just like, just I don't really need to know that, I just want to turn the electricity on with a switch. I don't need to know what's going on in the circuit board. And that might sound a little bit rude. And I can be very direct. I just think no, i My only interest is switching that light switch on and knowing that I've got light coming out. I do not want to know how you're wiring up the circuit board. That doesn't matter to me, as long as it's not going to have a fuse that's going to keep breaking. That's the most important thing that it's been built correctly on a solid foundation.
Lucy Rennie 19:32
Do you know it's so funny you say I'm laughing because I'm smiling because I've actually just recorded a podcast this morning on exactly that topic on actually, you know, the customer doesn't care how you do it. You've just got to deliver on what they want. And it's exactly that isn't it? If you want that happening, you don't care how it gets there, but you just want him to be able to deliver it in the right way. So I think that's yeah, so interesting. Just to come back then behind the scenes then, as the kind of the business owner of this and as this sort of the founder of it and think about the journey that you've been on which we've taught, you know, we know it's been a roller coaster ride. I'm a massive believer in the fact that actually to future proof of business and to create something that works for you, it's not necessarily having the most expertise or talent, sometimes it's just about having the grit and determination and resilience to keep going when things you know, don't necessarily go to plan, which is quite often. For you, what, what would be the sort of the thing, the essential things that you think as a business owner you need to kind of embrace or what are the key skills that you think people should have, if they want to run a business? What's been most useful to you in this journey?
Caro Syson 20:39
Well, I think one of the things that is really important is to remember that things aren't always going to go smoothly. And it's just natural that you're going to have curveballs coming, you're going to have hiccups, you're going to have potholes in the road and stuff, and not to just have a total meltdown, every time one comes along. Because you're not going to last very long in self employment if every time you know a curveball comes in, you have a massive either panic attack or tantrum or whatever. There are, of course, going to be things that are bigger than others, but you have to accept it as part and parcel of your journey being self-employed. And goodness, if I had, well, I have had lots of meltdowns, but I have never actually thrown the towel in. And I think that's the point, you, you have to regroup and you have to get perspective on what the actual challenges and I, I find that sleep is a great leveller, if there's something that's really getting overwhelming, I sort of packed my day up and will go to bed at nine o'clock, or eight o'clock or seven o'clock, or it's 5.30 and I've already packed my day. And I'm doing the children, but there's not been a day I want to repeat. And I think, yeah, I've had a couple of those just recently, but you just have to know as a small business owner, that you are the front stop, the backstop, and the side buffers, and it's hard being all of those things all at once and you know, wearing all of those different hats. And as a solo business owner, which is the group that I support, particularly, I know it can be lonely. And so I think it's really important that you try and make sure that you address that and you realise no man is an island, and that you look for communities and support groups, because those are the places that you can recharge your batteries, that you can share problems and challenges with, which is really vital, because you can't just you're going to just burn out if you just think that you can do everything all of the time. And that you're just going to have an endless capacity for just keeping going. You do need to recognise, you need to take breaks, you need to have time off, you need to have time away from your business. You need to share thoughts and ideas and challenges with other people other like-minded people, it's probably not best to chat with Auntie Betty at the Christmas party about something that's going wrong with your business because it will be like, oh dear, I told you you shouldn't do that darling, you need to get yourself a proper job. And when you're having a challenge, you don't need to hear from people that have no insight into your business. You know that when you're already having those little doubts in yourself, it's not the time or the right people to surround yourself. So I think it's really important to get a like minded group of other community self-employed professionals to be able to share the challenges that you're having and to be able to have sounding boards because you can't always see things. I've often been far too close to things to be able to get perspective. And you know, that saying you can't see the wood for the trees. I'm too much inside my business, I think you know, our mentor Lisa Johnson says you can't see the label from inside the bottle is totally true. You can't when you're inside it. So yeah, a community and having certain people, whether that's a mentor, a business coach, or, you know, some trusted friend that you can go in and have that safe space to be able to talk about challenges that you've got, I think that that's a really important thing. Is that something that resonates with you?
Lucy Rennie 23:56
Yeah, no, 100% I think that's, I completely agree with everything you're saying. And I think it's really good advice. I think that's, you know, people who know me, and I think since pretty much since the beginning of lockdown the community that we've created, I think that's probably why most of the business owners who are in that space have actually come out stronger, if anything, after lock down and the pandemic, not necessarily because. Well, it's because of the power of the group and that community and having that support and being able to share those highs and lows and having that sounding board and connecting and coming together. And because it is a really lonely place, isn't it as a solo business owner, and actually, you know, it isn't easy. It might look easy from the outside looking in, but actually, it's a lifestyle, isn't it that you take on, it's not just actually a nine to five anymore as a business owner. It's much much more than that. And to top it off, because you actually really care about what you're doing, so adds to that because it really matters and so yeah, 100% surrounding yourself with the right people. I'm a massive believer in having a mentor and a coach and even more of them for different areas of the business. I think the more you can really surround yourself with the right kind of people that you can trust is hugely important. And then I think it's also just about learning from your experience, isn't it? I think sometimes, you know, we get upset because maybe things don't go as planned. But actually, if we can learn from that, and make sure, then we're not doing the same thing again, but actually, we're moving forward, and we're growing, and we're tweaking, and we're listening, I think that's also really important. And, you know, as I say all the time, I believe it's a, it's a long game. This isn't a quick win overnight fix, this is something that, you know, we've it takes a long time to build and, to create, but we've got to enjoy the journey, as we're on it as well, and actually really kind of, you know, take in every moment and not always be kind of I think, as well, as entrepreneurs or as business owners, we're always looking for the next thing, and we're never really looking and recognising the success or the achievements and the things that we do kind of create. So I think taking that time to take stock and actually look back and see where you've come from, and you know, the results that you are getting, and the things that you are doing is massive, and they don't have to be big things. They can be little things, but actually just acknowledging those and sort of giving ourselves sometimes a pat on the back can be really worthwhile and really healthy. So yeah, I'm with you on that. 100% care. Oh, thank you. And if just as a last question, then, I mean, again, you touched on it with what you were saying about sleep. So I'm always going on about the fact that for me, I think the key part, the key puzzle to creating a sustainable business and future proofing your business and creating something that that you know, is going to last for a long time is you the business owner. And I always talk about the golden goose and protecting, you know, the golden goose and looking after the source of your wealth and talking about putting your oxygen mask on first before we start looking at other people and all those things. And very often we cringe at that, because I think we've been brought up to actually put everybody else first and not to put ourselves first and not to take that time out. I think especially as a mum, you know that mum guilt and we kind of we think, Oh, we're torn, aren't we and pulled in every direction. So it's taken me pretty much 44 years to recognise that actually, I do need to go for a run, I do need to make sure I'm getting some sleep and I'm drinking my water. And there's so many simple things. But actually, I need to take that time out for me. Because if not, I'm no good for anybody. And that's what I encourage my clients to do, is kind of what are those boundaries? What are the things that you need to have in place, the strategies to make sure actually that you're okay, and we're looking after you and your wellbeing? What would your three things be then for you? You talked about sleep? What do you have to do to make sure that you're in the right place? And the right, yeah, in the right position to keep going and look after your business and everyone around you?
Caro Syson 27:56
Yeah, I think making sure I definitely don't function if I don't have enough sleep. Sleep is really important. Exercise for me is another non-negotiable. So first thing in the morning, every day, that's part of my routine. I do a lot of outdoor swimming, I run, any of that sort of stuff is all what fills my cup up. And I think just having something that I do that creates purpose, because I think success looks different for everybody. And for me, it's not having a multimillion pound company with 1000s of staff and all of those responsibilities, I think, for me, I get huge purpose and fulfillment from helping individual people with their own journey of their small business. And I think it stems from me feeling you know, not everyone who's got a mum that can make them an app like Megan has had. And I just feel this whole sense of responsibility, of helping other people like Megan, because what if Megan had been born into a family where mum had said, Oh, don't be ridiculous, you can't run a business, what do you know about a business. I would be devastated hearing that conversation going on in someone else's home, and that light being snuffed out. So for me, I feel that responsibility for helping other small business owners to get understood and eliminate that overwhelm of what they've got going on. So for me, I need to have purpose every single day. And I think working on Pocket PA, delivers that purpose when I collect with, you know, somebody that's using it that has a query that I haven't explained something properly in a help article or whatever. Those things are really, really meaningful for me because it makes me feel more closer and connected to helping somebody else. So those moments fill my cup up. And that's one of the strategies that I try to look for and, and have every single day. And so yeah, making sure that I have purpose each day. That's really important alongside exercise. Yeah, because I think those are the cornerstones for making me feel that I'm living a meaningful life that works for me that makes me feel successful.
Lucy Rennie 30:06
No. And I think that's a perfect way to end our chat today. Because, yeah, I'm 100% with you on that. And it's a love because its very often what I ask my clients to do is really tell me why they're doing what they're doing. Because you can see their whole face change and their eyes light up, and that's the thing that it's those tummy flips, isn't it, when you, you know, you're doing something that you really love, and you're making a difference, and you're making an impact. So, yeah, 100% I think that's brilliant. And I love the fact that you're on a mission to, to make things easy for small business owners, and really help them to, to get rid of all the stress in the mither. And I've just got a vision of these big dials, the red and red and green or red and blue dials that are going to help them and know and know what they're gonna do. So, thank you so much for coming on today.
Caro Syson 30:53
And I just want to say, all right, before, before we finish, I do just want to reiterate that fact that for small business owners, you know, they might not have decided what they want to do. But if they have a dream, and they have something that they think they can do it, you know, we're a long time dead. I think it's so much better to try to do something and then for it to not go according to plan, than to live with regrets. And so it really is worthwhile, if you think that self employment might be for you, and you've got something that, you've got a hobby that you think could turn into something that you could monetize, you know, give it a go, there are loads of people that are wanting to help you and to, you know, spur you on your journey, and you don't know where it might lead. And you have to have that belief that you can do it. And as I say that there isn't anything that any of us can do if I've been able to make a software tool only 2% of all founders of software are women. I mean, that's a tiny minority. So if I can do it, and a woman of a certain age is able to make something like Pocket PA, then it leaves the whole world open to everything possible, I can promise you. So just go with your heart and think what is it that I could bring, because the world needs more people shining their light. So if there's something that you think that you could do that would light you up and that you could make some money from just give it a go? Just Just try it dip your toe in the water? What's the worst that could happen? And, you know, if I had not started my journey, I would never be where I was now. And I you know, whilst there have been lots of ups and downs, it's been a really exciting one. And you know, I'm sure the same for you, Lucy, you wouldn't change being self employed. Now I'm sure I might be totally unemployable. But I love working for myself. And that's not to say it's not challenging, but just give it a go, believe in yourself and just try it.
Lucy Rennie 32:42
No, I'm just gonna say I'm totally unemployable, too. And I think that's it, isn't it? It's about finding the joy of what you're doing and bringing it in and having a go. And I think it's if anything now, with all this challenging times, we've got ahead, now's the perfect time to maybe have a dabble, to have it, investigate and start doing something on the side of what you're doing to, to try and make, you know, get going and get some momentum with it. And yeah, have a go because
Caro Syson 33:07
I did a reel on my tiK tok this week. And I said, you know, in fact, the government will allow you to earn up to 1000 pounds with a side hustle without there being any tax implication. And I thought, oh, goodness, you could have a really good goer, you know, to be earning 1000 pounds to get an idea whether it's something that that suits you, you like it, or whatever, you know, have a go try a side hustle. There's no tax implication under 1000 pounds. Yeah, crack.
Lucy Rennie 33:33
Definitely no 100%. And, I mean, I could speak for another hour or two on this topic. But I think there's also something there about encouraging the younger generation as well to go and do this and really kind of encouraging more and more people to come and start their own small business. Because for me, I think that's what the future is. I think we're going to change the economy. I think they're going to be a force for good and it's going to be Yeah, the power of small business. So yeah, on that note, if anybody wants to find out more about you Caro or wants to, yeah, hear more and learn more about Pocket PA and how to work with you, what's the best place for them to come and find you?
Caro Syson 34:11
Yeah, so if they go to PocketPA.com There's a 14 day free trial for anyone to get going with Pocket PA and I am on Instagram, on at PocketPA.gb And also on Facebook, and I have just started on Tik Tok with business tips, but I'm called the Small Business whisperer there. So yeah, come find me and follow me. I'm afraid I don't do any bad dancing. But just imparting news about my day and lots of business information and money saving bits and pieces. So yeah, come and say hi on Tik Tok.
Lucy Rennie 34:44
That would be bizarre, amazing. And yeah, we're not into dancing on it. It's okay there. So yeah, I love that. And what we'll do is I'll pop all the links in the show notes so you can go and have a look. But thank you so much, Caro, for coming on today. And as always, if you have any questions that you want to get in touch then come over to I am Lucy Rennie .com And you can also send me a message at Lucy@LRComms.co.UK. Thanks for listening and I'll see you next week for another episode of the Future-Proof your Business podcast.
Thanks for listening to the Future Proof Your Business podcast. I've been your host, Lucy Rennie, I hope you've enjoyed this episode. If you have, then I'd love you to head over to Apple Podcast, Google Play, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcast and hit the subscribe button. And I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave a review and a rating and help me to reach even more small business owners like you who want to build a business they love.
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