We recently connected with Thomas Allard and have shared our conversation below.
Thomas, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I have a quote stuck in my head that reads “You don’t have to have confidence; you just need courage!” It is based on the fact that confidence comes from life experience and learning from when things go right or wrong. Courage is a willingness to try, even if it means failing. I have adopted that as my motto for my business. When a new opportunity comes along, I muster up the courage and say, yes. Then I learn as much as I can about the topic and become more comfortable through research and practice. Photography is a great example. I was a wedding photographer when I was younger but never included it in my list of ways I could help my clients. Along came a new client that needed photos for their site, and I was able to pull from my past experience, study up on the latest techniques and provide photos that brought their website to life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a website designer and a small business consultant operating under Need it Write, Inc. I have a website with a complete bio at www.needitwrite.com. I help entrepreneurs build and develop their business by getting them on-line and visible to their customers or clients through websites, Google ads, business profiles, social media, business cards, etc. Working with small business owners it the most exciting part of my business. I absolutely love learning about my clients’ passions, ideas, history and stories. I learn about the many creative ways individuals overcome obstacles and follow their dreams to success.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
During my journey as a small business owner, I found that listening is the most important skill in growing a business as well as in life. It is vital to truly understand what my clients are telling me so I can better understand their expectations, goals and desires. It is what enables me to produce an end-product that my clients are truly happy about. Along the same lines is being open-minded. It’s easy to fall into a routine of looking at only one way to do something. Exploring other options and finding a new creative approach is what sets me apart from others. Another important quality is being bold! I have to stretch myself to take on clients, projects and endeavors that I have not done before. It’s only in the trials and struggles that I truly grow and realize I can do far more than I have ever given myself credit for.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, (and it happens a lot) I break my responsibilities down into smaller buckets. I take a day to reflect on the many tasks at hand and try not to tackle them all at 11:00 at night. In the light of day, the list of smaller tasks seems much less daunting. I also take some time for exercise. Getting away from the list and exerting energy gives me life and confidence. It is a way of clearing my mind and going at it with a fresh start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://needitwrite.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom.allard66/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055716585807
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-allard-aba92821a/
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