1. Who are you and what is the story behind your business?

My name is Deborah Valentine, my own story is too long and convoluted to convey here, suffice it to say that I hold a Canadian and Dutch passport and have been an ‘international’ my whole life – here and in many other countries. The story behind my business? Well, this is also a little convoluted. In reality my business started by mistake. While in the process of looking for employment I was approached 4 years ago to Project Manage the Feel at Home in The Hague Fair. In order to accept the opportunity I had to establish myself as a business in The Netherlands – which was surprisingly straight forward. I never considered myself a business person, and yet I have managed to keep ‘a hand in The Hague’ going since. Granted, in those four years I have done many varied projects – making it hard to pinpoint my niche, but it has stayed alive.

In the last year and a half or so I have focussed on one area, namely writing, and have made the decision to build my business on this skill, and passion. Apparently I am good at it – and I enjoy it – and people are willing to pay for it. Seems like a straight forward formula! – even for a non-business person!

Writing is a broad category, so perhaps it is worth elaborating on this. I am no budding author, there is no novel waiting to pour out of me. What I enjoy, and am good at, is finding a unique something in others, or businesses, and weaving a story around it that makes getting to know that individual, service, product appealing. It is marketing writing if you will – though I am not happy with the term copy writing. Given that I speak several languages I am able to do my interviews and or research in the native language of my clients allowing them to express themselves in their own language, and then find the words to express their message in my language, English. This also applies of course to native English speakers who struggle with the written word. It is for this reason that I say I help people find their voice in English.

A secondary, but no less interesting arm of the business is editing material written in English by non-native speakers. Often clients have prepared something themselves in English, a presentation, a project proposal, web texts etc., which needs tweaking. Again, because of my languages I am able to distil what was meant and ensure that the language is used correctly to capture and convey the intent. Since I am fluent in Dutch, and have lived here a long time, this is a skill I am particularly adept at when editing English written by a Dutch person. Sounds unusual, but I do enjoy the challenge of finding what was meant and ensuring it is said.

2. When and why did you start blogging?

Ha, seriously? I started blogging because you told me to . When? Almost 2 years ago – though not at all consistently.

3. How much time do you spend creating content, do you have any time saving tips for others?

I rarely create content – rather ideas pop into my head which I try to retain – usually on bits of paper – and then develop in my blog. More often than not it is a comment from my children (who are more Dutch than Canadian and allow me to see the world around me a little differently) which sets me off on some subjects: though I have been asked by one of them to no longer include them (even without a name) in my blogs!

I am becoming more comfortable with Word Press which has made this process much easier – I can start a blog whenever the idea strikes me and publish it when it feels right … I need to develop a pattern, this is true. As Claudia Hulshof said earlier – establishing a pattern so people know when to expect something is crucial.

4. How do you stay inspired?

Looking around me, listening, reading, talking to people. There is always something to write about – always something which strikes a chord in me, which is why I think I am also good at what I do – I can always find a hook. I have noticed a trend though: my blogs tend to be about women/international community at large and individuals in general – not so much about what I do. Does that make sense?

5. How has your blog influenced your business, can you give an example?

Too early to tell really. It does provide me with an opportunity of sharing who I am while at the same time being a showcase of my style of writing which is kind of important if you think about it. J I do know that clients’ who were enquiring about my services, after reading an entry or two did respond back saying they liked my style – and then hired me – or referred me.

5. Looking back, what are the lessons you have learned about blogging?

What held me back was wondering what on earth I had to say which would be of interest to anyone. It was only when I started to think of my blog as part of a conversation with a friend, or new acquaintance, that I realised it was a way of engaging with people – letting them get to know me, and I them, through their comments. I consider it an extension of the networking I do, and enjoy. It allows me to be me.

6. What advice would you offer to others looking to take their business online?

Same advice I try to give myself – keep it simple! And, the blueprint for your business is in your hands – if it needs to be redrawn, just do it.

Deborah thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I look forward to seeing how your blog has developed in a couple of years.

Website: ahandinthehague.com
Blog: ahandinthehague.com/blog
Twitter:twitter.com/ahandinthehague (not yet active – NEXT step)
Facebook:Deborah Valentine
LinkedIn: Deborah E Valentine

In my mind, any way you cut it CRAVE is about opportunity. For a two page spread including tailored photos (taken at no extra cost) and a text describing your business, CRAVE The Hague could well simply be considered an advertising opportunity – but there is a catch, in your favour! This is an advertising opportunity with the chance to cover your costs AND expand your exposure AND/OR provide you with a unique gift for your preferred clients. Seriously, benefits are multiple.

Here is how it works: you sign up, agree to buy 50 copies of the book (@500 euros), provide editors with information for text on your business, make an appointment with a professional photographer provided by CRAVE partners to have you/your business photographed for the book, agree to attend a ‘buzz’ launch party with all the other participants in the book and for two years benefit from the exposure – exposure provided by each and every participants own network.

The books which you ultimately buy at cost price (your 500 euros to be in it), can in fact be sold for a retail price which means, in fact, to cover your costs you only have to in fact ‘sell’ half of the books you have purchased. The others you can give away, use as PR material, display, give to family members, whatever. Seriously, how many advertising opportunities are out there where ‘earning’ the investment is in your hands? There is more: everyone in the book has a ‘different’ network, a different and varied group of people with whom they share the book – expose you, and you, them. And social media support links and feeds are added to the investment of your participation: logos and links on the CRAVE homepages; twitter feeds; facebook pages … you name it, varied exposure is guaranteed!

It is about Girl Power! That is why I have signed up to be in CRAVE The Hague – and I look forward to meeting more people like me, in the book or at the buzz party!

For more information about the CRAVEparty phenomenon and the books from across the US, Canada, and now Europe – visit CRAVE. To be a part of The Hague CRAVE buzz, and reserve your double spread in the book, contact suzy(@)craveparty.com.

(a) remember me
(b) can be a service or assistance to someone I know
(c) broaden my horizons – personally & professionally

HOW do I do it? I mark my calendar a head of time, book the sitter and as the time approaches make a plan. Networking takes up time but is essential for building your network as small business owner. On the WBII website is a a list of upcoming events for entrepreneurs in and around The Hague.

Do not forget while networking for yourself we are ALL behind you, so do not forget your fellow members and put in a good word for them. Looking for someone to go with? Check with the WBII to see who is going. Do you need WBII cards – let us know. Want a badge with your name and that of WBII – we can also help. Remember, there is strength in numbers and sometimes being part of a bigger whole gives YOU an extra boost. That is one of the reasons you joined, right?

Deborah Valentine
a hand in The Hague

As a member of the Steering Committee I guess you could say I am not only an addict, but a dealer. I want more and more women to be part of this den of business acumen and inspiration. I want more drugs – more inspiration – more members. So, at the last Steering Committee meeting I volunteered (yes, that is another of my ‘addictions’), to write a follow up of a workshop I had signed up for ….. my addiction drove me, I had to do it – tell others what we experienced.

It was not my intention to write a piece to make people feel sorry for what they had missed – I simply wanted to share what we had gained, those of us who were there. But, sorry gals, you did in fact miss something – an opportunity that was handed to our members on a silver spoon free of charge or obligation – to make their businesses the best they could be. It was an opportunity which was offered to us, and only us. Why? Because we were MEMBERS of the WBII!

Syntens – an initiative of the ministry of Economic Affairs to stimulate growth and innovation sent us one of their Consultants. He was there to assist us in scanning and evaluating new directions for our business. Innovation is change; change is adaptation to opportunities; opportunities are what we ALL need to be aware of and look for …. HOW do we do that? Well, he had no answers, nor professed to have them – what he did was release among the members present the answers we all had – for ourselves AND for one another. The interior designer got an idea from the learning and development consultant; the networker was inspired by a thought from the photographer and the coffee entrepreneur; the business coach had insight for the career development coach …. I LOVE my drug and cannot understand why more of my fellow members are not as addicted as I am to the WBII and what it can facilitate for its members!

I won the Womens Business Initiative Entrepreneurial Award for Networker of the Year. To have won it from my peers, friends, colleagues and associates was indeed the most gratifying part of it – and yet being recognised for something that is ‘part of me’ feels uncomfortable …. that is my problem of course, the unease. Fact remains I will continue doing what I love, and now I know from others that I apparently do it well, and it is of benefit to others. THAT is gratifying, and for that I am leaning to say, ‘thank you’ … and am developing a business idea based on it. More to follow on this development …