Inspirational Women Q&A: Rachel Weinhold, Grow Traffic

Rachel is a director and leader at a specialist search engine optimisation company, working with companies across Lancashire and Yorkshire. Rachel shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.

What does your business do?

We are a specialist search engine optimisation agency. We provide the full range of digital marketing services, but always with an SEO focus. Our end goal is always to grow the traffic to our clients’ websites.

Why did you start your own business?

I was medically retired from my role in the NHS due to a long-term back problem. I needed a job I could do around my pain levels. I initially became a freelance SEO copywriter, which naturally morphed into a role at the SEO company my husband had set up a couple of years previously.

What has been your biggest business breakthrough?

Building a business that works. I had no idea how to run a business when we set out, and no real intent of even building a business. I just wanted a livelihood. But we learned on the job and grew organically, and now employ ten people. We have achieved what we set out to do: to build a business that we would want to work for.

What has been your proudest achievement in your business?

Our team. We have an amazing company culture, where we nurture and invest in our staff. All their opinions and ideas are valid. Because of that, we have an enthusiastic team, despite the challenges remote working since the Covid pandemic has brought. I am very proud and know that we can send them out into the world and they will represent our company brilliantly.

What is the most effective support or guidance you have received?

We have had several rounds of business mentoring from various sources, mainly provided by Boost. All of these have proven invaluable. As we came to the business as SEO professionals, not business experts, we had a lot to learn. Practical business support and advice has enabled us to scale and grow effectively and efficiently.

What keeps you going when things are tough?

The belief in what we are building. And the knowledge that no one else would employ me now!

What are your best 3 tips for maintaining your wellbeing?

1. Schedule downtime; whatever that looks like to you, make sure you have time away from work where your brain can relax and your body can breathe.
2. Delegate. If you have a team, split the jobs. If you don’t, employ people to do the things you can’t do or don’t like. Ask for help if you need it.
3. Believe in yourself. You have got this far; you are capable of more than you believe.

What advice would you give to a female entrepreneur starting a business?

Do not let the imposter syndrome take over. You deserve to be in that room. You know your stuff. You can do it. If you don’t know HOW to do something, then ask someone who does. If you need support, reach out to your network. If you don’t have a network, build one. But you are capable of more than you think, so just do it. Website: www.growtraffic.co.uk

Would you like to see your business grow? So would we. To speak to someone from the Growth Hub about business support, contact Boost online or call 0800 488 0057.