The Good Guru - Ayeshah Parker

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ayeshah Parker, Founder of The Good Guru, located in White Plains, NY, USA.

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

In response to the disproportionate impact of oppression, ignorance, and hate, I launched' The Good Guru' to coach high performers who want to do as much good as they can while being true and good to themselves.

Doing and being 'good' can take a lot out of you. But it doesn't have to.
As the 'Good Guru,' I help individuals in the pursuit of 'psychological richness.' Whether it be Leadership, Personal growth, or Social Impact, my service is in helping 'do gooders' master their mindsets, shift their behaviors, and curate a life that is their own unique expression and gift to the world.

My sweet spot is in working with young change-makers - (Teens and up) who believe that you are never too young to explore how to put your passion to purpose.

Tell us about yourself

I am a leading change agent and the founder of 'The Good Guru.' As a coach and consultant, I stimulate individual and collective growth by challenging norms, nurturing innovation, and encouraging dialogue and reflection. Applying my relational skills and leadership experience, I guide clients to clarity, and intention around their influence, responsibility, and capacity for creating the conditions for themselves and their teams to contribute, grow and thrive.

I spent my nearly 2-decade career improving outcomes for marginalized populations and leading change within the spaces that aim to serve them.
Working within both the public and private sectors, I activate my mission to maximize professional potential and collective impact, as well as foster healthy normative work environments based on the principles of equity, awareness, and inclusion.

I graduated from Hampton University and Pace University and lived in Westchester County, NY, with my husband Brian and our four spirited young children.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I like to leave myself open to things getting 'better and better' - so I'd say that at this point in my experience as a business owner - the thing that I am most proud of is the space I have made to provide pro-bono services to those whom may lack in financial resource - but have no shortage of enthusiasm and drive for doing good. I plan to continue to provide pro bono services, no matter how successful my business is. I love coaching folx who inspire me - and so it's actually not just something I am proud to do, but I also feel so grateful to be able to do.

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is developing routines that nourish you and your business. The trick to finding what works for you is by trying different things and seeing what 'feels right .'As an example - what works for me right now looks like - 20 minutes of professional development (reading, webinar, etc...), moving my body, drinking tea, no meetings before 10 AM, 'deep' coaching/client/business development work between 10 AM - 2 PM, and 'admin'/loose ends work between 2 - 4, with a hard cut off at 4 PM, each day.

I try and give my family my attention between 4 - 8 PM. Between 8 - 10, I replenish myself by doing anything NOT business-related and head to bed no later than 10 PM. Again - right now, this is the routine that works for me. I remain open to revising this routine as my business and myself grow so that I make sure I am meeting the needs of me that are 'now' and not the ones from 'before.'

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

On starting: Find your tribe - I call mine my 'Board of Directors .'Basically, these are the people that you trust to be honest with you and pull your coat tail when needed, listen to your hopes and fears, cheer you on, and love on you when you need it most.
On running: Create your routine. You can only be as good in your business as you are to yourself. You don't have to do what everyone else says to do if you prefer a paper planner over a digital one - great. Suppose you prefer audiobooks over paper books, terrific. If you are better at answering emails at the beginning and end of the day, but NOT in between - because it breaks your 'flow state'... that's fine too. Just make sure that you create a structure that works and work it. Remember, a box is a structure - but a structure doesn't have to be a box.
On growing: Focus on the 'what' and the 'why' instead of the how. If you get stuck on what you THINK your successful business should/is going to look like, you just might miss out on an experience that trumps even your wildest dreams. And if things don't go the way that you think - you could miss the meaning behind why things are going the way they are. Hold close to 'why' you do what you do and the 'what;' or reason you are doing it. If you are aligned in mind, body, and spirit with your purpose - have no doubt that the universe will unfold in your favor - as it should.

In all things - do it the way it works!!!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.ayeshahparker.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeshah-parker/

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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