Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Osborne.
Hi Lori, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been in technology for over 25 years, have a degree in business management, have owned two small businesses, and have worked in many small businesses. I have worked in a variety of technology roles, including project management, testing/QA management, training, technical writing, documentation, business analysis, and more.
In 2015, I was diagnosed with a meningioma, a benign brain tumor, that was sitting on my pituitary gland and pushing on my optical nerve, causing massive eye drooping. When they did the MRI, they also found I had recently had a mild stroke, which explained some language issues I was having. They could not remove the tumor because it has become part of my carotid artery, but they did do surgery to get it off my optical nerve.
Unfortunately, when they did, they nicked the carotid, causing a brain bleed, and partial blindness in my left eye. Following two surgeries and 5 weeks of radiation, I was left with frequent, horrendous headaches and very low toleration for stress so the idea of returning to a full-time stressful high-tech job just wasn’t an option. I was also incredibly self-conscious about struggling for words when communicating, So, instead, I decided to pursue something I could do on my own time when I felt I could handle it and that would not require constant interaction (like the project management and testing management job that I recently left).
I was very involved in website design and website testing in my previous role and absolutely loved that aspect of technology so I started taking online courses to expand my website development and marketing skills. In May 2016, I decided to make a business out of it and have continued to develop my skills and expertise in this area ever since. I honestly never thought I would be whole enough to make it a real business, but I found some amazing help through Slainte Chiropractic in Jacksonville, which has literally changed my life and ability to function.
Over the past 6 years, the business (BizBolster Web Solutions) has grown dramatically and almost exclusively through referrals! I have brought on a team of contractors and we now produce 3-5 websites per month plus offer ongoing support services, SEO services, opt-in/landing page packages, a reputation management program (Bolster Reviews), and more! We focus on small businesses and non-profits and build websites they can easily update themselves if they choose.
We also focus on building great-looking websites that truly INCREASE the clients’ business through solid SEO, operating off the philosophy that “just because you build it, doesn’t mean they will come!”.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The brain tumor and related trauma have definitely been a struggle and a hurdle to overcome and deal with. It was also a challenge moving from Denver, Colorado to Yulee, Florida in 2017 when we did not know a single person in the area! But I joined a local networking group and made it my point to get to know as many people as possible in the Jacksonville area, resulting in an incredible referral network.
I also joined several online, national networks to build our national business. Other struggles have been typical new business struggles – figuring out what to charge, what to offer, and where we should truly focus our efforts. I have realized over the past 3+ years how important SEO is, and how uninformed the average small business owner is when it comes to SEO so I made it a mission for me and my team to become SEO experts so we can truly meet that need.
Building websites is still the core, but now we can build websites that truly increase traffic and business for our clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I help busy, frustrated, and/or overwhelmed small business owners improve their digital marketing solutions in order to catapult their business success! I do this through building and improving websites, reputation management, designing and implementing opt-in pages, and SEO services. Ultimately, I use my 25+ years of experience in technology and small business background to take the digital marketing and technology woes off busy business owners’ plates so they can focus on what THEY love and do best!
I LOVE what I do – it literally gets me up in the morning! “If you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t feel like work” is truly how I feel. Through website development, I have been able to unleash my creative side that I never before used professionally, while also using my business, project management, technology, and client support skills. I also get to help other entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level through beautiful websites that are truly the hub of their digital marketing.
I am known as a happy, upbeat, reliable, and helpful PARTNER to my clients. I am also known for my expertise in small business websites and SEO as well as my integrity, professionalism, and creativity, At the end of the day, though, what I feel sets me apart is my willingness to go above and beyond. I am not happy until my clients are happy. I don’t limit revisions, I work on issues until they are resolved no matter how long it takes (even on platforms I have never touched before), and I help my clients with just about ANY technical issue that comes up, often fixing issues caused by someone before me.
I truly do what I love so my clients can focus on what they love! As small business owners, we have to worry about everything in our business. When I’m doing my job, digital marketing solutions is one less thing my clients have to worry about!
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people who meet me and many who work with me have no idea I have a brain tumor or that I had a stroke.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@bizbolster.com
- Website: https://www.bizbolster.com
- Instagram: https://www.instragram.com/bizbolsterlori
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bizbolster
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriaosborne
