Using Personal Experience to Create a Meaningful Business
As entrepreneurs, some of our best ideas don’t come from some grand vision or master plan. Rather, they come from a personal struggle. When we face challenges on our own and begin searching for solutions we quickly realize not only that the solution doesn’t exist, but that we might be the perfect person to create that solution. That’s exactly how Suzanne Thelen came to create Divorce Squad. She took a deeply personal and extremely difficult situation and turned it into business that helps countless other women navigate divorce knowing they have all the answers at their fingertips.
When Suzanne went through her divorce, she realized that she had no close friends who had experienced the process before and therefore, couldn’t offer the kind of support or resources she needed. Google searches left her overwhelmed and the vast amount of unvetted services was almost too much to comb through. It wasn’t just about legal representation either. Things she hadn’t thought about like finances, real estate, credit cards, insurance, all had to be untangled. Knowing that there were thousands of other women who were dealing with the same dilemma she created Divorce Squad: a free and easy to access platform designed to connect women with trusted professionals, expert advice, and the support system they need during and after divorce.
We share this story because so many of you are entrepreneurs looking to create something meaningful, and many of you already have. But if you’re looking to start that next venture or looking to create even more impact with your mission and business, here are a few lessons from Suzanne’s journey.
1. Start With Your Own Experience
Most of us have faced our own unique challenges and struggles and find ourselves without a satisfying solution. And if it’s happened to you, it’s happened to others as well. So ask yourself: What problem did I experience that lacked a good solution? How did I work around it, and is there a way to make that process easier for someone else?
2. Make your Product Accessible and Reliable
People want information, but they also want peace of mind and ease. Suzanne made Divorce Squad free and accessible so women could get the help they needed without additional stress. The word then spread through word of mouth, social media, and Google searches (we know, we see the irony too) letting people know where they can come to get what they need without the hassle. This doesn’t mean your product has to be free but making it easy for someone to purchase your product or sign up for your service goes a long way. Making sure all the businesses who contribute to the site and the blog are reputable and reliable is another way that Suzanne ensures that the women who are coming to her site are getting the very best information. Providing social proof, case studies, or research on your website is a way to make sure your clients know that you’ve already done the research so they don’t have to.
3. Offer Value to Your Partners
For businesses joining Divorce Squad, it’s not just about getting clients—it’s about becoming a thought leader in their industry. By being part of the platform, professionals can showcase their expertise without needing to build an entire resource hub themselves. Make it easy for others to partner with you by making sure the benefits are clear. This is a great way to create a symbiotic relationship where both of you can make the maximum impact on your ideal clients.
Many of the best businesses come from a simple realization, “I wish this had existed when I needed it most.” The beauty as entrepreneurs is that we can see the problem and, instead of waiting for someone else to solve it, we can create the solution ourselves. Making life easier for all those who come after us.
So if there’s been a time where you’ve thought, “I know I could make this/do this better,” now might be the perfect time to try it!
WOMEN’S BUSINESS LEAGUE (WBL) IS A COMMUNITY WHERE POWERHOUSE WOMEN CONNECT, GROW AND PROSPER.
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Melissa Gilbo
Founder and CEO