Stoke member Peter Brigaitis owns and operates Indexing Pros with his wife. The business grew from the idea that the profession of indexing was most akin to being a full-time graduate student. Though perpetually remaining a graduate student might seem like a strange preference for some, this appealed to Peter & Marie, and it was a great way to continue learning new things on the job, (which remains true today, even after having been in business for over twenty years!)
Read on to learn more about the life of an indexer and how quite a niche (and neat) profession.
Tell us about what you do and what a typical workday looks like for you.
I write indexes on a freelance basis for a number of publishing houses and university presses.
What did it take to start your own business? Was there an “aha” moment or something similar (or completely different!)?
I was expecting it to take about a year of prospecting to cultivate a steady clientele to be able to leave my regular job. After about 6 weeks of prospecting, I had enough work to keep me busy. That was over twenty years ago.
What was your path into your business/doing the work that you do?
My wife is also my business partner. Not long after grad school (library science), she stumbled upon the freelance indexing field. It was described as the way to earn a living most akin to being a full-time graduate student, a proposition that resonated with us both. We laid the groundwork to begin transitioning away from our corporate jobs soon after.
How do you feel about the coworking environment at Stoke and what it’s like to be a member here?
After years of working from home, it is a nice change to be surrounded by people who are focused on their work every day. It helps me stay on task for longer stretches.
What are your measures of success?
Success for me is largely a matter of finding a healthy balance between my work and other interests. I am an active sailor and being able to control my own work schedule to take advantage of nice days to be on the water is a huge plus of being self-employed.
What has been your biggest business/work challenge or most difficult project to see to completion?
My typical workflow has remained relatively unchanged for many years. But recently I have had a client implement new procedures due to the growth of electronic book publishing that has prompted me to retool my work processes. This transition has been… challenging.
On the other hand, what has been a memorable, enjoyable part of what you do?
The most rewarding part of my work is the constantly changing nature of the types of books that cross my desk. One week I will be working on a biography of a historical figure, the next week a physics text, and the following week a sports book. Variety helps keep things interesting.
Do you have a favorite app that you use lately?
YNAB (You Need a Budget) has been a game changer for tracking our personal finances.
What are essential traits that an entrepreneur should have or work to develop?
Skill number one for me is to always be able to put myself in the shoes of my clients and figure out what I can do to make their lives easier. Production editors are notoriously overworked, so being the person they can count on to get a project done with a minimum of fuss is a key skill.
Do you have any advice or insight that you would offer to someone starting out on their own entrepreneurial endeavor?
Keep an open mind about how your business will evolve. Listen to prospective clients about what they need, rather than just what you are currently providing. Be ready to learn new skills as new opportunities present themselves.
What are you looking forward to in the future for yourself or your career?
My business is well developed and pretty much on autopilot. So my hope is to be able to produce the same amount of work in less time and use the extra time to keep my eyes open for new opportunities.
Favorite coffee/restaurant/bar in Denton? What do you get? (Optional! But fun!)
I’m a fan of jazz, so I like to go to Sweetwater a couple times a month for live music. Also, Paschall Bar usually has a good set of jazz on Sunday nights and they serve a great Sazerac.
Is there anything else that you would like for us to know about you?
I’m always on the lookout for people that would like to learn to sail and am always happy to take people out on the boat when the weather is nice.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Peter!