Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alona Shaked, Founder of Alona Shaked Coaching, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a women's executive and career coach. I teach women executives how to thrive through major life challenges, clarify their purpose and create balanced, fulfilling careers.

Tell us about yourself

I am a former lawyer, executive, cancer thriver, IVF mama, writer, & women's health activist. I started out my career as a lawyer at an AM100 firm, working 80+ hour weeks, feeling lonely, exhausted, and uninspired. After I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28, I promised myself I wouldn't live my life that way anymore.

After beating breast cancer, I quit my job. I moved abroad for 5 years, where I transitioned into non-profit management and founded my own non-profit to provide cancer support to English-speaking women living abroad.

While taking a sabbatical from non-profit management in order to go through fertility treatments and build my family, I trained to become a women's executive coach. I've now helped dozens of clients across the globe thrive through life's challenges, succeed and grow in their careers, and build fulfilling, values-driven personal lives. I moved back to the US in 2018 when I married my wonderful partner and now live in Philadelphia with our miracle baby and awesome Labradoodle.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building a coaching business while going through a difficult pregnancy, maternity leave, and now motherhood as the primary caregiver was a challenge! Luckily, I've been able to use my own coaching tools to be productive, energized, healthy and successful. Having the right mindset, prioritizing self-care, and knowing some key time-management hacks have been invaluable on this journey.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Fear of failure. Inconsistent income in the beginning. And definitely, being a mompreneur... when your kid is home sick from daycare, you don't really have PTO!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Clarify your purpose and priorities before you start. It's important to have a "soul compass" to light your way on this journey.
  2. Have a resilient and positive mindset. If you truly desire success and believe that it is possible, you will get there! But you may need to persevere during the hard times.
  3. Invest in yourself and your business. Don't try and reinvent the wheel when someone else can mentor or coach you and save you tons of time (which in the long-run = tons of money!)

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If there's anything I've learned, it's that life is short. But while we cannot control how long we live, we can control how well we live. Don't wait for something like cancer to give you the kick in the butt that you need to start living your dreams.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.alonashaked.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alonagshaked
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alonagabrielle/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alonametz/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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