Patricia Handschiegel

Patricia Handschiegel is a self-described “serial entrepreneur” who is currently at work on her newest creation, 9.

She also writes a column called The New Power Girls at the Huffington Post.

Today, Patricia talks about what goes into creating your own job and how she works her way to meeting big goals.

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Patricia Handschiegel: I’m a serial entrepreneur on my second company, 9. 9 is a multiplatform research/consulting and production company that helps brands, entertainment, internet and media companies do business on TV and the web.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Patricia Handschiegel: 9 is 9 months old.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in ??? that is now the basis of your job?

Patricia Handschiegel: Putting things together. I like to see if I can accomplish what I have my eye on. It is now the basis of my work.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time… What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?)

Patricia Handschiegel: I initially launched my first startup, Stylediary, to try to angle into a journalism career, but saw the opportunity to get into more of the business side and that’s when it all started.

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Patricia Handschiegel: Laptop, internet connection.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job? (Or any really cool moments that made creating your own job completely worth it?)

Patricia Handschiegel: I am always excited to go to work. I love what I do. I have boundless energy for it. one cool thing is that I work as much as I did when I was an employee at someone else’s company, only now I can decide where and when.

If I need to take a few hours off, I can.  It’s not an issue, and my company doesn’t suffer at all if I do it.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Patricia Handschiegel: Endurance. Everything you do that’s big will require that more than anything else of you. I have seen it make or break people’s projects.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Patricia Handschiegel: Big things happen in small steps. Every step you take towards what you want, if it’s the right thing for you, doors will open up.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

Patricia Handschiegel: I love all of Guy Kawasaki’s books — he is the founder of alltop.com.

More About This Company:
Founder: Patricia Handschiegel
Company Name: 9
Products or service offered: Multiplatform research/consulting and production
Website: www.whatis9.com
Learn more about Patricia at: www.dailypatricia.com

Thank you, Patricia! We really enjoyed learning about your approach to using your natural interests to create a successful company.

Books by Guy Kawasaki:

Rules for Revolutionaries

The Art of the Start

Reality Check

Pitch! Press

Shannon Estrada and Pam Roberts are friends who put their PR savvy together and formed Pitch! Press, a “strategic editorial” PR company that helps companies in the fashion industry get media coverage on a regular basis.

Their clients benefit from their years of combined experience, and Shannon and Pam have a good time in the process.

Shannon graciously offers up some advice about what went into getting Pitch! off of the ground and working with a business partner, and we think you’ll learn a lot from what she shares!

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Shannon Estrada: Pam Roberts and myself are publicists in the fashion industry.  We represent designers and brands in the accessory, apparel, beauty and children’s categories.

We created Pitch! because there was a need for an agency that focused their efforts exclusively on securing editorial in the lifestyle, beauty and fashion publications, weeklies, dailies and blogs at an AFFORDABLE monthly rate.  We are not a full service public relations firm, but a strategic, editorial one.  Editorial hits not only increase our clients’ retail sales but wholesale as well.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Shannon Estrada: Pitch! has been pitching for five fabulous years.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in ??? that is now the basis of your job?

Shannon Estrada: Pam and I both have public relations backgrounds.  Pam has had a lengthy and hugely successful career in broadcast, as well as running the Fashion Mart here in Los Angeles.  I came from a fashion marketing, branding and public relations background and was sole proprietor of a full service fashion public relations agency prior to launching Pitch!.

For me, editorial: working directly with the editors to get them the product they need, has always been the most fun and most rewarding part of the job.  So, when Pam and I discussed this void in the market for an agency that just, well, pitches, I jumped at the chance to be a part of something new, something needed and something that I love to do.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time… What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?

Shannon Estrada: Tenacity has always been a part of my genetic makeup.  Pam’s too.  It has never occurred to us, something ‘couldn’t’ be done.  I moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago with a dream of making movies.  I had always wanted to be in film production but after 2 short years became disenchanted with the industry.

I decided fashion was my true calling (which my entire family responded with a “Duh!”) and jumped from one fast paced industry to another.  I worked on staff at several key Los Angeles fashion companies before the fashion editors themselves urged me to go out on my own and start my first agency.

I have loved being an entrepreneur and Pam has as well.  We work stress-filled, long hours, are committed not only to our business, but to our clients, our contacts and to one another.  She is a terrific business partner to say the least.  Pitch! Press could not exist without her!

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Shannon Estrada: One of the beauties of Pitch! is that there were no start-up costs.  That is incredibly rare.  We were selling a service where people retained us for our media contacts.

Editors work consistently with publicists they know and like and publicists that make their jobs easier.  So from the start, we had the essence of our business in place.

We made a landing page for our website (www.pitchpress.com), created our name and logo in-house and designated pink as our branded color because it is memorable and recognizable.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job?

Shannon Estrada: Being your own boss is wonderful.  Both Pam and I have a work-aholic-work-ethic, so as much as we love it, we are tired, needless to say, at the end of our long days.

But it is rewarding, rewarding to work with clients that love and appreciate you and work with editors that love and appreciate you.  We truly care about each of our clients, their businesses and futures as well as our editors.

Some of these fabulous women I have known for 12 years.  We’ve gone from being single to being married to having children.  There really is a bond with so many of the people I work with.  And that is priceless.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Shannon Estrada: The biggest challenge the first couple of years was to learn how to best work together as business partners.  We were a team from day-one, but we work and communicate very differently.  So there were definitely tense times in the beginning.

BUT, we are both very open to constructive criticism and to learning and evolving a business, and as individuals.  I have learned so much from Pam.  So much.  And she from me.  We are a team.  And most importantly we are life long friends.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Shannon Estrada: Do what you love.  We as a society have created a rat-race in how we live and work.  If you are going to spend 8 to 10 hours a day at a job, make sure you LOVE it.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

Shannon Estrada: In this day and age, it is a necessity to have a professional, branded website.  Everyone Googles everything; it is imperative to have a positive and memorable first impression so invest in your site and evolve it with consistent updates, product, verbiage etc.

More About This Company:
Founders: Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada, Pam Roberts
Company Name: Pitch! Press
Products or service offered: A press service for fashion industry clients seeking ongoing editorial at an affordable monthly rate.
Website: www.pitchpress.com
Additional Contact Information: Editorial Offices: 310.791.0033.
More About Shannon & Pam: Guest Blogger at PRcouture.com and BusyBeeLifestyle.com

Thanks, Shannon for sharing your road to creating your own job with our readers! In addition to being hard workers who are committed to excellence for their clients, they also understand that creating your own job can be lots of fun and a way to build long lasting friendships!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Omar Soliman

Our People Who Created Their Own Jobs interview today is with Omar Soliman, the CEO of College Hunks Hauling Junk.

He was named a Top 30 Entrepreneur under 30 in America by INC Magazine. He is also a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Omar has been a guest speaker at many high schools and colleges across the country, and he’s taken a bit of time to tell us about the history of College Hunks Hauling Junk.

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Omar Soliman: I am the CEO and co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk, the largest US based junk removal company. We haul away and remove junk and trash from commercial and residential properties. We are like a dumpster service but we provide the labor.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Omar Soliman: Since June of 2005.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in ??? that is now the basis of your job?

Omar Soliman: I never said that I wanted to be a “trash-man” when I was growing up. But I had a natural interest in entrepreneurship and starting my own business. My natural interest is in people and that is the basis of my job. As a CEO I empower and motivate the people around me to reach their personal and business goals.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your “Once upon a time…” What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?

Omar Soliman: I started hauling junk as a summer gig in Washington DC when I was on break from college. I used a beat up cargo van that my mom had for her furniture store. My senior year of college I wrote a business plan for College Hunks Hauling Junk that won 1st place and $10,000 in the Rothschild Entrepreneurship competition at the University of Miami.

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Omar Soliman: We needed a logo, website 1-800 # and a truck in order to get started on a basic level.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job? Or any really cool moments that made creating your own job completely worth it?

Omar Soliman: Seeing our vision grow into a national company and a soon to be household name. We started with 1 beat up van and now our orange and green trucks can be seen in 20 cities across the country.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Omar Soliman: The toughest hurdle was to get out of the mind frame that I was creating my own job but rather I was creating something bigger than just me. I wanted to give everyone that joined our company an opportunity to grow and to look at College Hunks Hauling Junk as something more than just a job.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Omar Soliman: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. I created my own job in something that has existed for hundreds of years, trash removal. But I added my own innovative spin to it. In the words of Nike…JUST DO IT!

More About This Company:
Founder: Omar Soliman
Twitter: twitter.com/OmarJunkMan and twitter.com/1800JUNKUSA
Facebook: Omar Soliman
Email: Omar@1800JunkUSA.com
Website: www.1800JunkUSA.com

Thanks, Omar, for answering our questions. We think your story is encouraging to others because you didn’t only create your own job, but you created jobs for many other people as well, which is pretty cool!

Dan Pavlik

Dan Pavlik is a video producer who used his storytelling skills to move from video production to create his own job as a filmmaker.

But he didn’t stop there.  Dan also decided to help others by forming a non-profit organization to help other aspiring filmmakers get access to equipment to help make their film ideas become reality.

In this interview, Dan talks about his path to creating his own job and a non-profit.

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”?

Dan Pavlik: Writer/Director/Foundation President

TheCareerCreator.com: Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Dan Pavlik: I am a corporate video producer by day, writer and aspiring filmmaker by night (or the rest of the day).  I started Educational Films of America, a non-profit designed to get students who are aspiring filmmakers practical work experience of a movie set.  EFA will ultimately sponsor student projects, giving them an opportunity to start a career.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Dan Pavlik: 13 years

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in story telling that is now the basis of your job?

Dan Pavlik: I’ve always enjoyed getting a reaction out of a crowd when telling a happy or sad story.  As a filmmaker, you thrive on the ability to lead your audience down a prescribed path.  When it works the way you’ve planned, it’s like a drug.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time…What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?

Dan Pavlik: I was going to school and working as a bartender at a restaurant. I started “producing” the holiday videos for the employee party.  I received such positive feedback that I was encouraged to pursue a career in video production.

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Dan Pavlik: When I got started all you needed was a camera and two VCRs.  Non-linear, computer based editing was not even available at the consumer level.  This put creativity at a premium.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job?

Dan Pavlik: The best part about creating my own job is that I don’t miss a school play or a soccer game of my kid’s.  I can be completely creative, and still have the freedom to enjoy all the great things about family.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Dan Pavlik: The toughest hurdle is the same ‘ol story – getting started.  The only way to overcome it is good planning and hard work.  People think they are gonna get rich quick and enjoy self-employment.  Such a mistake. In the beginning, it takes working a side job to supplement your income, working long hours and missing out on lots of fun.  But the rewards are great!

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Dan Pavlik: Just like I said above, plan, plan, plan.  Have a reserve of cash and/or a way to pay your bills in the beginning.  Don’t take no for an answer, especially when people tell you “It can’t be done”.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

The internet. You can find any answer there.  Use email and ask a lot of questions.  Experts love to answer questions from up-and-comers!
More About This Company:
Founder: Dan Pavlik
Company Name:  Private: SouthPaw Productions; Non-profit: Educational Films of America
Products or service offered: Writer and Director
Website:   www.NominatedTheMovie.com
Additional contact information: www.twitter.com/nominated
Awards and special recognition received by Dan Pavlik: Multiple “Telly” award winner; semifinalist in the 2008 Nicholl Fellowship for Screenwriting

Thanks, Dan, for taking time to tell us about your goals to tell your own stories through film and to help others do the same. We know future film entrepreneurs will find your advice very encouraging!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Lorenzo Borghese

Lorenzo Borghese is a pet enthusiast who comes from a family of entrepreneurs and wears many hats as an integral part of several companies his family created.

In this interview, Lorenzo talked about his road to starting his business, and we hope you’ll be as encouraged and inspired as we were.

Lorenzo began his career in a completely different field, but six years ago, necessity led Lorenzo to creating his own job in an area where he hadn’t anticipated being an entrepreneur.

We love hearing stories of people who start a business as they work toward finding a solution to a problem that they face in their own lives, and we like what Lorenzo has to say about finding a void in an industry: “If you see a problem, fix it.”

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Lorenzo Borghese: Royal Treatment is a pet related company that I started six years ago. We sell pet toys, grooming products, supplements, bedding, etc.  I manufacture numerous private label cosmetic brands which are all manufactured in Italy.

Regarding cosmetics, we have about 20 different labels, including The Giving Tree, The Giving Earth, The Giving Sea and The Giving Bee which are made with 100% organic products and sold at Borders bookstores. I am also a part of my family business, Multi Media Exposure Inc. (MME), an agency that represents various products sold through HSN and infomercials .

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Lorenzo Borghese: MME has been in business for 14 years, Royal Treatment for 6 years and I have been a part of the private label cosmetics company for 4 years.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in ??? that is now the basis of your job?

Lorenzo Borghese: I worked at AIG for 4 years and hated it. After I stopped working there, I went to business school because I had an interest in working for myself. My family has been in business with their cosmetics lines since the 1950’s and I wanted to do something on my own, so I started my bath and body line for pets.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time… (What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?)

Lorenzo Borghese: Well, I never thought I would be involved in the pet industry. I had a black lab, and she had really dry skin. You could see the dandruff on her coat, and I tried regular dog shampoos and it just made it worse. I used some of our honey based Perlier products, and it made it better, but it didn’t cure her dry skin.

Then I started to research why dogs could only be bathed every two months and why their skin was so different from humans. I worked on formulating the products for 2 years and I contacted the manufacturers I was working with and told them what was wrong with the traditional pet grooming products.

People spend so much time and money dressing their dogs in outfits, but I realized that the multi billion dollar pet industry was void of bath and body pet products. The way I see it, any problem creates opportunities. If you see a problem, fix it.

I presented the concept to HSN and asked them to do a pet show. They were hesitant at first because they had tried selling pet products in the past it had never really taken off. But they agreed to give me 12 minutes to sell my products and I ended up getting a one hour show.

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Lorenzo Borghese: I used the internet and my cosmetic contacts.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job? (Or any really cool moments that made creating your own job completely worth it?)

Lorenzo Borghese: There are actually a couple of things.  1. When you get to see your products through from conception to completion, it’s gratifying. 2. Getting the testimonials from people who use the products. When people call into HSN and talk about how the products have changed their dog’s lives, it’s very rewarding.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Lorenzo Borghese: Tough situations happen every day. There’s always something new that happens that’s a problem. With running my own business, the hardest part is separating my personal life and business life.

I’m working 7 days a week.  AIG was Monday thru Friday, and I never had to think about it on the weekends. Even if I’m on vacation, it can be difficult to relax because I can never let go of my company. Whether I’m approving art work or ingredients, I’m involved with everything.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Lorenzo Borghese: Just do whatever makes you happy and do what you like. If you don’t like your job, you’ll never be successful. Do what you’re good at doing. If you’re not good at numbers, don’t be an investment banker. I would never try for out the Olympics because I’m not an athlete.

People who complain all day and hate their jobs are not usually doing something that they love. I have a friend who recently decided to open a car wash and now he can enjoy it and grow his business because he likes what’s doing.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

Lorenzo Borghese: The internet is the only tool you really need. There is so much information online. When I started, I went to the library to research as the internet was not what it is today . But now you can find just about anything online – all at the comfort of your own home.

More About This Company:
Founder: Lorenzo Borghese
Company Name: Royal Treatment
Products or service offered: Bath, body, grooming products and supplements for pets.
Website: www.getroyaltreatment.com and www.nuzzleplanet.com

We’d like to thank Lorenzo for taking time from his day to answer our questions and help encourage future entrepreneurs, even as he delves further into entrepreneurial ventures.

In addition to the products he offers now, in the very near future he’ll be launching a new and exciting pet-related website and we’ll update you with more details at the time of the launch!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Credit: andyrob; via Flickr

You’re the one people come to when they’re in a pinch. You run errands, house sit, edit resumes, give advice and remind people to do things that they’ll probably forget.

Not everybody has this type of aptitude for patiently guiding people through multiple processes of life, but you relish it.

It’s nice to be needed, but it’s even nicer to be paid to be needed.

Start collecting a paycheck for all of your care and concern when you read Create Your Own Job: 365+ Ways to Make More Money Now.