People have a finely sculpted image in their head of what owning a company is like. The world sees tech entrepreneurs set up in trendy offices, sipping coffee, and living a posh life. Many people hadn’t thought of owning their own business until they realized they didn’t have enough vacation days from their 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. But for those who are passionate about small business, you realize it’s so much more. You’ve thought about an idea, dreamed day in and day out, and worked tirelessly to create a company you are proud of.

You had this passion inside of you, so fierce that until you let it come alive, you couldn’t rest, stop or sleep. You now have this business and you work tirelessly to fine tune it, creating a life around the work you love.

Ever since I was a young girl I wanted to own my own business. I’d come up with hundreds of ideas and dream of the “what if’s”. I skipped the four-year college life so I could complete my bachelor in business marketing online while my siblings and I started my first marketing and advertising company.

We own and manage a digital advertising company based in Southwest, Florida and an outdoor billboard company in Dayton, Ohio. I have had the honor and privilege of working with hundreds of small businesses, hearing their story and choosing a marketing method that fits their budget and serves their clients well.

Over the next four weeks, I am thrilled to share some knowledge with you about marketing, advertising, and how it can help your local business. Because in the end, your company isn’t just a company.

It’s a vision, a worthy cause, and a solution to a problem. How will you communicate that to your customers?

Editor’s note: This is a series of five small business marketing columns provided to the newspaper that will appear in Saturdays edition.