Honored to be featured in Go Solo, a digital magazine by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.
What’s your business, and who are your customers?
My business is all about building great leaders and teams by discovering and developing the natural talents in people. I primarily work with entrepreneurs and small businesses, though my clients include the US Army, various universities, multi-national corporations, and many non-profits, both large and small.
Tell us about yourself.
I have always been a student of communication, especially public speaking and leadership. After touring in bands for a few years, I started training musicians to be better communicators and leaders. I eventually earned a Master’s degree in Communication and Leadership as well as certifications in CoreClarity, Action Learning, Sherpa, and Positive Intelligence. One of my first clients was the leadership team of a US Army battalion. That helped me to believe that I could have my own business.
Now, after developing curricula that are used around the world and seeing people and teams grow exponentially, I am motivated by the belief that every person is uniquely amazing. I love helping people see their own brilliance. I love seeing leaders treat their teams as humans rather than things. We all deserve respect, and when we are respected, we perform at our best. To accomplish this, I tap into my maverick tendencies to provide creative solutions and challenge hidden assumptions. So, if you are tired of the same old same old and know there is a better way, we can find that path together.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I consider paying my bills my biggest accomplishment. It is not easy to forge out on one’s own. So, it is deeply gratifying to be able to pay my bills, give generously to my favorite charities, and help people realize and capture their own brilliance.
What’s one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I teach people to know their design and then do their design. That is where they will succeed. If you are a Ferrari, don’t go off-road. It’s not going to go well. If you are a Jeep, don’t race a Ferarri. It won’t go well. When we do what we are designed to do, we are exponentially more successful! The research bears this out. When I’m training, coaching, and presenting, I am at my best. When I have to do marketing, sales, and administration, it doesn’t go well. Those are the hardest things for me.
What are the top tips you’d give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find out what you do best and do it.
- Hire someone to do the business stuff that you aren’t good at.
- Develop resilience by knowing your “why” and growing your mental fitness. Without a strong “why” and a clear long-term goal in mind, it will be very difficult to weather the lean times and difficult tasks. Mental fitness will keep you focused and give you the ability to overcome challenges and setbacks.