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Jamie hired me to help her with her brand messaging and content strategy a few years ago. Jamie runs a consultancy that helps improve something that touches all of our lives: customer service. She works with a variety of hospitality-minded businesses to improve training programs and processes, and also hosts workshops that encourage impeccable customer service.
I immediately connected with her, not just because I have an appreciation for dealing with customer service (my husband avoids it at all costs!), but also because we were both balancing running businesses with preschool drop offs and general mom duties. Like me (and maybe you?), Jamie is trying to have it all.
Jamie Cooperstein: J. Cooperstein Hospitality Consulting, LLC
1. What is the name of your company and what do you do?
J. Cooperstein Hospitality Consulting, LLC. I help organizations enhance the customer experience, I assist leaders in creating a customer-focused and team member-focused strategy, and I motivate employees to create memorable moments.
2. How long have you been in business?
8.5 years
3. How did you decide to launch your own business?
I always knew I would open something. My mom ran her own business for a considerable amount of my childhood and it was inspirational. From 2007–2014 I worked for a small management company that needed someone to step up and lead staff meetings, trainings and employee onboarding. I raised my hand for the job. I was subsequently working as an adjunct professor at a local community college and I realized that not only did I enjoy teaching/coaching/training, but I was good at it. Getting married in 2013 gave me the financial security to finally go for it and blend my love for training and service excellence.
4. What challenges did you face in the process of launching your business?
Easy to “get off the ground", but what was hard was getting used to being alone, working alone and not having an office environment. I no longer had co-workers. As a very social, extroverted person I no longer had the casual banter that comes with an office environment and I didn’t have anyone to bounce ideas off or have anyone to proofread things.
5. Did you feel as though there were resources available to you, specifically as a woman business owner?
I actually feel like there are a ton of resources, to the point where it is confusing to me which organization I should consider joining. I was tipped off about 3 years ago about getting certified as a “Woman Business Enterprise” and the organization that I applied for certification through (WBEC: East) has proved to be the best so far!
6. Do you have a mentor?
Sadly, I do not. I feel like I have turned a corner in my career where I now mentor others, but I definitely think I could still benefit from mentorship as well.
7. Books you recommend?
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Generating Business Referrals Without Asking by Stacey Brown Randall
8. What do you love most about running your own business?
I love how I am fully accountable for all decisions and I don’t have to answer to anyone. I love how I can make my own schedule, doing what works best for my attention span and for my family's schedule. I love how I am continuing to build something that I’m super passionate about.
9. What is your least favorite aspect of running your own business?
Accounting (accounts payable and tax preparation). Chasing new business, especially when you take hours to craft a proposal (that they asked for) to never hear back from the prospective client.
10. What is your best piece of advice for other women who are thinking about launching a business?
There will be lows. There will be mistakes. There will be hurdles. But being your own boss is empowering and exhilarating so go for it! As long as you have the financial savings to fall back on and/or family support, go for it!