Ask Kelly About Entrepreneurship

 

Sponsors.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting the Ladybug Podcast! Interested in becoming a Ladybug Podcast sponsor? Head over to our Sponsorship page for more details.

 

Sanity.io is a platform for structured content that comes with an open-source editor that you can customize with React. Sanity.io also comes with tooling that lets you build with structured content in React, Vue, and other frontend technologies like Svelte. It also has powerful APIs for reading and writing so that you can use the same content across any device, channel, or product. You also get powerful APIs for querying your content, you can even listen for changes in real-time, and use the write APIs to patch and make new documents from code. You can get started for free on the standard plan, and add a credit card to pay as you go for usage over the generous standard quotas. If you need advanced features like SSL and Single-Sign-On you can find all the prices and details on Sanity.io's fully transparent pricing page. Listeners of the Ladybug Podcast get an extra special plan with double the usage. Go to sanity.io/ladybug or use "ladybug" where you fill in the coupon code.

 

Have you taken time off from your career as a software developer? Get back into it with Welcome Back by Shopify. If you’ve taken extended leave for sickness, parental, or personal reasons, Welcome Back by Shopify will help you re-enter the tech industry with confidence. Refresh your software development skills and get hands-on training with this immersive, 3-month paid program…built by Shopify’s Engineering team. Welcome Back also rebuilds context gathering, cross-team communication, and problem identification muscles to help developers reenter the workforce at a senior level. This program is available in Shopify’s Ottawa and Toronto offices but if you’re interested in visiting Canada and coding, be sure to apply! Who knows, maybe you’ll unlock a new career in a new country! Experienced software developers can apply before September 13th by searching Shopify Welcome Back or visiting shopify.com/careers.

 

We want to tell you about the JAMStack Conference, happening Oct 16-18 in San Francisco. So what’s the JAMstack? Chris Coyier got to the heart of it when he said the explosion of new APIs and tools are providing front end developers with full-stack superpowers. We call this new approach the JAMstack.

Hear from Chris, Mandy Michael, Katie Sylor-Miller and more at this two-day event covering topics from web performance to static site generators to modern build tools and workflows. On day three you'll have the option to join hands-on workshops about serverless functions, front end adventures, and more.

Podcast listeners can save 10% using the discount code “ladybug” when you sign up. You are also encouraged to apply for a diversity scholarship by August 23rd. Hurry—the last two JAMstack events sold out. All the details are at JAMstackconf.com

 

Show Notes.

  • 0:34 - Kelly's backstory

  • 1:35 - What made you transition from freelancing to business owner?

  • 2:39 - How did you find your first clients?

  • 4:23 - How did you get into Shopify and the e-commerce space?

  • 5:51 - Do you think it's important to have a specialization?

  • 6:39 - What's the biggest piece of advice you would give to someone who's afraid of starting their own business?

  • 8:54 - What's the biggest thing you don't like about running a business?

  • 10:10 - What are the different types of businesses you can establish?

  • 12:04 - Sole proprietorship or LLC?

  • 13:08 - What's the biggest thing you wish you knew before starting a business?

  • 13:58 - Do you still get to write code?

  • 14:32 - How many hours a week do you work?

  • 16:36 - Do you always want to run your own business?

  • 17:35 - Can you explain the origin of The Taproom?

  • 20:15 - Do you have employees? If so, how did you hire them?

  • 23:04 - How do payroll and taxes work?

  • 24:01 - How do you foster healthy relationships with remote workers?

  • 25:01 - How much revenue do you take vs. re-investing?

  • 28:10 - What books do you recommend for those wanting to learn more about business?

  • 30:17 - What's the hardest part about being a manager?

  • 32:16 - What does being a Shopify Plus Partner mean?

 
 

Transcript.

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