Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kim-Adele Randall, CEO of Authentic Achievements, located in Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK.

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

Authentic Achievements is established four years ago. We believe that business owners have the power to change the world. We're here to help them do just that by providing expert coaching and advisory services based on our 25 years of experience in corporate life.

We believe that business growth is about having the courage to build something unique and being relentless in your pursuit of success. We take a proven methodology and track record and empower business owners, build brave belief, have unstoppable sales, and turn their leaders into talent magnets for guaranteed sustainable growth to build the business they always dreamed of.

Tell us about yourself

I am inspired by so many things in life. My little girl is my north star; watching her curiosity, growing confidence, and thirst for knowledge tackling all the world throws at her with a sense of wonder at the journey rather than the destination helped me understand the importance of optimising the present to accelerate the results. I've also been very fortunate to meet some amazing individuals, and the constant has been that it isn't the mistake that defines us; it's what we do with that mistake, and by taking it as a lesson, we use it as the springboard to our future.

I believe in the power of people and am on a mission to show organisations that the secret to success is People First. Once we understand what is important to our colleagues, clients, and company and how we can help them to achieve it, we become unstoppable. At the heart of every successful business are people who believe that we are all fundamentally human no matter how much technology advances. When our colleagues, clients, and company are listened to, understood, and respected, a kind of power that can't be ignored is created.

Understanding the importance of these values creates an environment that makes us genuinely unstoppable. It fosters an atmosphere built on authenticity, trust, honesty, and engagement. This approach is not only a positive formula for success but also builds strong relationships where everyone feels like they belong.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Perhaps one of the most pivotal moments in my life is one I share in my recent TEDx entitled Turn Your Fear Into Hope - Building Brave Belief. In it, I share that I was at one of the lowest points of my life when I was given the gift of swapping judgement for curiosity and of realising that whilst we believe that we tell the truth, we, in fact, tell a truth and the opposite can also be true, it has been one of the most invaluable lessons teaching me that there is always more than one way to look at the present and the lesson has enabled me to do things I never dreamed I could achieve and more importantly has given me the knowledge to help others to achieve what they thought might be impossible. I've been able to take this knowledge and use it to help businesses break through their barriers, seeing one organisation that we're struggling to get through the half-a-million-a-month barrier now achieving twice that with ease. It's such a joy to see the impact sharing our beliefs has on others.

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

Entrepreneurs get stuck because all roads seem to lead back to them, and they end up so busy firefighting they can't get to the strategy of building the business. Sadly 50% of businesses fail in the first five years, with over half putting it down to a lack of an appropriate business model, leaving the owners drowning in the details. I've been there too. I used to be stuck working in the business, not working on it, leading teams that didn't seem to understand the challenges or look for opportunities to succeed.

I changed that by implementing the systems, infrastructure, and team development that gave me growth, profitability, and control whilst removing the day-to-day dependency on me. Imagine being able to run your business in a few hours a week and develop your people to do the same, resulting in guaranteed sustainable growth – now you can make it your reality.

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

Starting and running a business today can be daunting, but you can set your enterprise up for success with the right knowledge and resources. Here are my top three tips to get you started:

  1. Have a clear vision and mission. Building a successful business starts with clearly understanding why you're doing it – what is the purpose of your business, who will benefit from it, and how will it make an impact? A well-defined vision and mission statement will give you direction and focus as you move forward.
  2. Focus on customer needs. Every successful business must know its customers – what they want and need and how you can serve them better than anyone else. By understanding customer needs and wants, you can tailor your products or services to meet those needs more effectively.
  3. Invest in yourself and your team. Growing a business takes hard work, dedication, and passion – but it also takes the right tools and resources. Invest in developing yourself and your team by attending workshops or seminars that can help improve skills in marketing or finance or by joining industry organizations that offer valuable connections to potential partners or customers.

By following these three tips, you'll be well on your way to starting, running, or growing a successful business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.authenticachievements.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimadelerandall/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimadele10/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimadele10
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimadele-businessgrowthconsultant/

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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