In this episode we hear from Olivia DeRamus, Founder and CEO of Communia: a social networking app empowering women, transgender and non-binary individuals to share experiences, seek advice and make new connections. 

Olivia created Communia after surviving a serious sexual assault. Through the social network, Olivia now facilitates a community to support those who have overcome similar situations on topics including mental health and wellbeing. 

Olivia shares with us her advice on defining your vision and audience at the outset of your startup journey and the importance of clarifying the legal aspects of your startup. 

Olivia’s advice:

• Start off with a clear vision of your goals
• Don’t be afraid to start, but also don’t be afraid to take your time to formulate your aims thoroughly
• Outsource if necessary and, when beginning, network with freelancers rather than employ full-timers
• Use a good small business lawyer to check out your trademark among other things
• Structuring your day will make you more productive and also help keep you calm
• Instagram and LinkedIn are useful ways to find staff
• Make sure you market your business to new talent as its competitive 
• If you need refreshing mentally, try a change of scene, change your surroundings, exercise, take a break
• When making requests of others, remember they have needs and deadlines too, with which you may be able to help

If you’d like to contact  Olivia you can reach her via [email protected] 

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

FF&M recommends: 

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

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