Inspirational Owners: January 2006
Freelancebyu
Freelancebyu.com is a website that provides information and support in ways to save time and money. Members of the website are known as “Freelancers”, a community of individuals from every socio-economic group who enjoy the thrill of a deal. Freelancebyu founder and web queen, Angie Henley, shares her inspirational insights.
Lovemarks: Why do you think consumers love your service?
Angie Henley: Freelancers love Freelancebyu because it shares a plethora of reputable and quality information and this sets us apart from the rest. We only promote the best sources, and what is shared is not driven by commission but by the quality of service, product and website. My heart is in my website business. My passion for what I do is contagious, and people like to have passion in their lives!
LMKS: Lovemarks is premised on the Love/Respect Axis and attaining both High Love and High Respect. How do you relate this idea to the way Freelancebyu works from day to day?
AH: Some Freelancers have gone through life never believing that they could afford to pay their bills, obtain items of “luxury”, give to their own families and well as charities or others in need. They quickly learn that not only is this possible with our tips and tools, but probable. Once this epiphany occurs they have plenty of respect, not only for our website, but for themselves. They share this respect and love freely among Freelancers and those in their communities on a regular basis as the effect of this practice is very rewarding.
LMKS: An idea associated with Lovemarks is the idea of Loyalty Beyond Reason. In thinking about Freelancebyu, how, in broad terms, do you define loyalty?
AH: Loyalty translates to ‘royalty’ in Freelancebyu speak. Our allegiance to our members and our focus on our mission helps people to achieve their own growth, and in turn, this helps us grow too. Our mutual loyalty makes us royalty on the web.
LMKS: Inspirational Consumers are people who take their Love of a brand very seriously indeed. Can you recall any encounters you’ve had where a customer gave you a new insight to the rational of both your business and your marketing?
AH: I have so many Freelancers that inspire me on a daily basis. I did get a letter from a fellow Freelancer once that truly did offer me a bigger picture and new focus for the website in the future.
The letter was from a stay at home mom with no source of income, who was trapped in an abusive relationship. She happened to see me on television and visited Freelancebyu to learn about what I do. She earned money from her computer and was able to save enough to leave her situation and provide her children with a safe atmosphere on her own. She wrote me a letter thanking me for the courage, resources and ability to develop the self esteem to change her life.
This letter provided me with the insight that I needed to quit my profession as a Social Worker and focus on the website so that I could provide Social Work, in another, alternative way, pursuing all my passions at the same time. This life altering event for this Freelancer also altered my own life. That mutual Love/Respect Axis we talked about? Well this was a prime example.
LMKS: What are your top 5 Lovemarks?
AH: Freelancebyu.com, BookCrossing, Splenda, TrueLemon, Geocaching