Lyra Joy Almoite shares the importance of communication in the workplace, productivity hacks and why she launched her business.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how Lyra Joy Almoite, founder of The Homebased Worker, gets it done like a boss.
Entrepreneurs we love: Lyra Joy Almoite
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
A little before the pandemic, I got pretty burned out in my job and quit with no plans. I thought I’d focus on my passion project, which was an online flower shop. But since the pandemic hit, I couldn’t push that project forward and I got stuck in a different country. I knew I had to go back to working online but I needed a new niche other than agencies. Something that fulfils and aligns with me.
I happened to come across women coaches and they just fascinated me! They’re fueled with passion and purpose and I wanted to work with them. I always knew I had a knack for business operations and execution, so I started offering online business management and that’s how the business has been rolling since.
Previously, I was working with agencies and dealing with projects they sent my way. It’s lovely that now I have the liberty to pick the team and clients I want to work with and how I want to work with them. It feels so empowering to have that liberty in creating the kind of work and life that works for me.
What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?
Honestly, it’s working with different people (both the team and the clients). I’ve come to realise there’s no such thing as one size fits all. How you deal with one client is different from the other, and the same goes for team members and contractors.
I put more importance on communication so we can all manage and communicate our expectations. I “tailor-fit” how I deal with people based on that. Sometimes, it also means saying no and finding another workaround so we can reach a happy medium in working together.
But yes, it takes time and dedication to put so much emphasis on communication and I feel like this is something most people often overlook. It’s so easy to not communicate and just do things ourselves or do it the way we want to. But that’s often when the issues happen and burnout starts.
How do you keep stress levels low?
I manage my workload based on energy levels. It sounds silly sometimes, but there are weeks when you can be extra productive and weeks when you have to drag yourself out of bed. You need to be realistic on those days and definitely plan around them. I believe these come in cycles and there’s no ‘hack’ for it. Planning a full day on the days you barely want to do anything will lead to nothing but frustration.
I think that’s the hack, actually – go all in when you feel productive. All the creative work, the important decision-making, the tasks that need to utilise all your brain cells, and so on! Really double down on it. But let yourself rest and recover on the days you feel your energy is low.
You also need to be comfortable with delegating so the ball doesn’t drop when you don’t feel like doing anything. You still get these things done and allow yourself to rest.
How do you deal with self-doubt or criticism?
Document your achievements and your little successes, celebrate them, and make a big deal out of them. Documenting your successes is really helpful in not feeling bad about yourself.
Always take the time to know the root of your self-doubt and criticism. Does it come from a lack of knowledge of something? Study it. Does it come from something that you don’t have? Plan how to have it or achieve it! Knowing where self-doubt and criticism originate also helps you identify what you can do about it.
Favourite places to work?
I love working in cute and charming cafes as well as co-working spaces. WeWork is my current favourite.
Can you share a work ‘mantra’ that you use?
Be so good they can’t ignore you. It sounds cheesy but I believe in doubling down on your strengths and becoming the specific solution to people’s specific problems.
One thing you can keep talking about for hours?
Business systems and how it helps your scale. How business is a series of systems.
Your go-to self-care activity?
Sleep, long warm baths, massages, and getting my lashes done.
One piece of advice to your younger self?
Just keep going. You’ll figure it out someday and you’re gonna be so great at it! It can feel like you’re throwing spaghetti at the wall sometimes, but you’ll figure it out. You always do.
Get in touch with Lyra Joy Almoite online.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!