790 | The Realities of Entrepreneurship and Personal Growth with Carly Ottaway

Own Your Choices Own Your Life

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Carly Ottaway. Carly is the CEO of Web of Words, an award-winning boutique marketing agency that empowers entrepreneurs to amplify their online presence and grow their businesses. As a journalist turned copywriter turned agency owner, Carly thrives on helping people and brands articulate their stories with authenticity and purpose. Her passion lies in guiding entrepreneurs to lead from their intuition and embrace more flow in their growth journey. With a decade of experience scaling her business and expanding her family, Carly is dedicated to creating a business that resonates deeply and feels as fulfilling as it looks on Instagram.

Carly initially worked for a social media startup in Toronto while freelancing for various publications. A defining moment came when her boss presented her with an ultimatum: choose between her freelance writing and her job at the startup. This ultimatum ignited Carly's fiery spirit, leading her to realize that she could pursue both her passions and serve small businesses in a meaningful way.

Carly recounted the early days of her business, where she started with a blog and gradually built her agency. She shared the transformative experience of bringing her husband, Luke, into the business, emphasizing the importance of their complementary skill sets and the growth they achieved together. As they expanded their family, Carly reflected on how the business has supported them through significant milestones, allowing them to be present parents while helping other business owners thrive.

Throughout our conversation, we explored the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly the need to recognize when to grow a team. Carly shared her insights on hiring slowly and ensuring cultural fit, as well as the evolution of her role from hands-on work to stepping into a CEO position. She candidly discussed the struggles of balancing personal and professional life, especially during a tumultuous period when they faced a devastating house fire.

Carly's journey through survival mode revealed the importance of self-care and the necessity of asking for help. We discussed the stigma around vulnerability and how showing up authentically can create deeper connections with others. Carly emphasized that the path of least resistance is to be true to oneself, which resonated with both of us as we reflected on our own experiences in the online space. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 - Introduction and Background 00:01:00 - Carly's Journey into Marketing 00:02:30 - Taking the Leap 00:04:00 - Building a Family and Business 00:05:30 - Recognizing the Need for Team Growth 00:07:30 - The Evolution of Roles 00:09:30 - Challenges in Business Growth 00:10:30 - Prioritizing Self-Care 00:12:00 - Asking for Help 00:14:00 - Navigating Personal Challenges 00:17:00 - The Fire Incident 00:19:30 - Survival Mode and Resilience 00:22:00 - The Importance of Connection 00:24:00 - The Burden of Strength 00:27:00 - Finding Joy and Humor 00:30:00 - Authenticity in the Online Space 00:32:30 - Embracing Imperfection 00:35:00 - Future Vision 00:38:00 - Parenting and Business Connect with Carly Email: [e-mail]: Website:www.webofwords.ca Marsha Vanwynsberghe — NLP Storytelling Trainer, OUTSPOKEN NLP Coaching Certification, Author, Speaker, and Podcaster Download FREE “You Are Supported” Hypnosis and Subliminal Bundle HERE

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