Ronna Belinky, Founder of Workflows by Ronna
Name: Ronna Belinky
Founder: Workflows By Ronna
What problem do you solve and for who?
I make planning simple for busy women by helping them create personalized systems and processes for their personal or professional lives so that they can manage their time and to-dos with clarity and intention.
What's your story?
In my careers in TV sitcom production and the nonprofit sector, I created processes and systems to get my work done. I was told what work I needed to do, but nobody taught me how to do it. So I came up with my own systems and taught them to the people who worked with me. With each episode or repeatable program, event, or fundraising campaign, we did the same things, so I created and implemented a repeatable process so that we weren’t reinventing the wheel each time.
I started Workflows by Ronna because I saw a big need to make planning feel less complicated and time consuming. I love teaching the processes that I use myself to help others simplify their work and stop wasting so much time.
Through hands-on Notebooks with Ronna workshops, private 1:1 sessions or presentations to groups and teams, my productivity and time-management tools will simplify life and help people be proactive. I build planning processes that work for each individual, minimizing stress and making more time for things that make us happy. I also create custom Workflows for personal and professional events and projects to ensure they are efficient, goal-oriented and successful. I coach people to create tools and processes custom to specific needs. I help make accomplishing everything we’re all tasked with more manageable with a proactive and not reactive approach.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Being a FoundHer is the first time in a very long time that I’ve put myself in situations where I’m completely outside of my comfort zone. I may seem very outgoing, but so much of this is new and scary for me. As a result, being a FoundHer has given me so much meaning and purpose. As I’ve experienced now, becoming a successful FoundHer means being your true, authentic self in every situation and surrounding yourself with other women who not only lift you up, but also give you honest feedback.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I really try to show up for other female founders and women in business, whether it is by attending their events, sharing their content or events, or being there for them if they have a productivity or time-management issue they need a quick solve for. I am so grateful for the support and encouragement that other women have given me, and I want to be the same support for other women.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
Dear FoundHer by Lindsay Pinchuk
Deep Questions by CalNewport
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
I really look up to Gretchen Rubin. She pivoted from being a lawyer to being an author, podcaster, and speaker who studies happiness, habits, and human nature. She believes that when we know ourselves and what works for us, we can change our habits and our lives. I’m a big believer in that.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
Shared my ideas with my husband and two of my closest friends to ensure the ideas were good
Started listening to the Dear FoundHer podcast
Asked the nonprofit I volunteer for if they would be my 1st client
Hired someone to create my website and logo and someone to take my branding photos
Joined a women’s networking group
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
Jill Rivkin of Jill Rivkin Communications not only wrote all of the content for my website, but she is also my thought partner. If I have a question, I go to her. She’s not only a partner, but she also uses the Notebook system I created and a lot of my tips and tricks to be more productive. She’s also my ideal client, so the advice she gives me is really invaluable.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
I still work ten hours a week at Northwestern Hillel. I have been there on and off for many years, and I love being a part of the wonderful team and the Jewish community.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
When I started my career in TV sitcom production, I had to learn quickly how to set up processes and systems so that I could execute more efficiently. I not only use that skill for my own business, but I’ve taught many small businesses and entrepreneurs that same skill. It’s different for everyone since everyone’s brains work differently, but I’m able to adapt to each situation.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I write it on my own and then Jill copy edits it for me. She understands my business intimately so she knows what I want to say, and sometimes I have a problem with brevity! The secret to making it successful is twofold: plan ahead and be consistent. I plan my social media a month ahead of time and although I don’t post often, I am consistent. So it appears that I post more frequently than I really do. The biggest challenge for me used to be coming up with ideas, and now it’s how to appear like I am confident in what I’m teaching but not arrogant. Before starting my business, I wasn’t really on social media. Putting myself out there is scary, and I never want to appear that I think I’m better than anyone. I’m just trying my best, have created some great processes and want to share them because I love helping people!
How did you land your first client?
I’ve been volunteering with Gratitude Generation since 2018, and Jill is one of the founders. As a close friend, she was one of the first people I approached with my idea. When I pitched it to her, it was mostly for nonprofits. I asked if Gratitude Generation could be my guinea pig, and she agreed. They’re still my pro bono client, and they are still using my Workflows!
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
Productivity tools and coaching can sometimes be very specific to a method or a specific tool, but I think that is very limiting and often intimidating. Since everyone’s brains work differently, I teach a method without a specific tool. I spend time connecting with my clients to figure out the right tool and make them feel most confident and successful.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
Even though I’ve pivoted a bit from what I originally thought my business would be, I wouldn’t do anything differently. If I hadn't started the way I had and then recognized the need to pivot, I would not have gained from the journey. I needed to find out what women wanted from a productivity and time-management perspective.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
1. I appear on podcasts.
2. I attend in-person networking events.
3. I present to other networking groups or small businesses so that they can learn about my business. When I can get in front of people and really explain what I do, people understand it much better.
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today?
For the first two years of my business, I was also working a 25 hour-a-week job at Northwestern Hillel. It took me a bit to figure out how to manage both jobs, but it was still incredibly challenging. Now that I’m down to fewer hours there, I’m able to get so much more done in my business.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
Get some trusted advisors, even if they’re just family or friends.
Be intentional about what you do and don’t do, and prioritize the most important things. If you think everything is important, nothing is important.
Get in front of people, whether it’s at live or virtual networking events.
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