Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erin Baer, Founder and Owner of Beaten to Badass, located in Broomfield, CO, USA.

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

Beaten to Badass is dedicated to empowering those who have been beaten down by life to become the badass they were always meant to be. Whether it be by domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying, abandonment, infertility, or however life beats you down, Beaten to Badass is there to start the conversation, raise awareness, give back, and implement change.

Tell us about yourself

Writing my first book, From Beaten to Badass, showed me how much healing can happen when you find your own courage within your own story. While writing my book, I knew that a portion of the proceeds would go back to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault through a local shelter. However, I wanted to start giving back before the book was complete, and I wanted to remember my WHY for writing the book in the first place. My why was to help others by sharing my own personal story. I wanted others to understand that they are not alone, they are not defined by their circumstances, and they too are a badass. They just had to get back up.

I wanted to stay motivated, so I created a bracelet, added purple to it because it is the color for domestic violence survivors, and put it on my wrist. I called it wrist motivation. Every time I thought about quitting or doubting my reason for writing my own book, I could look at it, and the motivation to write was found once again. I decided to hold myself accountable, and I posted a picture of my beautiful "wrist motivation," and the requests to buy one came flooding in. I decided that's it, I am starting a business behind my purpose, and the business was born with a bracelet and sales of bracelets with purple in it. From there, I was able to start giving back financially to a shelter here in Colorado.

Every day I remind myself of my why. I think it is important to have a Mission and a Vision that keeps your big why at the forefront of your mind. If I stop sharing my story and stop encouraging others to share their story, then I am being selfish, and it's a disservice to those who need the road map on how to find their voices, share their stories and impact others in a positive way.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have two accomplishments that I am most proud of. The first accomplishment is how I have been able to create a social enterprise with my organization Beaten to Badass and my first book, From Beaten to Badass. It happened before I knew that I had created a social enterprise. It is called The Make an Impact Mission.

In 2020 - I had a goal to put a copy of, From Beaten to Badass in every shelter across Colorado while expanding nationwide in the USA, to give others hope and show them that they too are a Badass! Now that it is 2022, that goal continues.

My book, From Beaten to Badass - My journey of broken blessings and how I became my own hero, was released on October 25, 2019, during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in honor of all the victims and survivors of domestic violence/abuse and sexual assault. As a survivor myself, I promised that if I were ever able to give back, I would! I have made it my mission to do that and more. With every book sold, a portion goes back to organizations dedicated to empowering victims and survivors of domestic violence/abuse and sexual assault. In Colorado alone, 59 organizations provide domestic violence programs at some level, and within the United States and Canada, there are 2,859 organizations.

To date, we have been able to sponsor over 680 shelters in the USA and two shelters internationally. Twenty-four states are fully sponsored, which means every shelter located in that state has received a copy of the book.

The second biggest accomplishment I am most proud of happened this year. I wanted to help other women find their voices, share their stories, and make a positive impact. I decided to create a book anthology with fourteen amazing and badass women, including myself. The book is titled The Badass Within – Stories of Strength, Hope, and Courage and launches on September 29, 2022. The stories that are shared are personal, real, and courageous, where you will witness sadness, joy, and strength. It is in their sharing that they release the chains of the past and unleash the badass within.

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

Most days, it's easy, fun, exciting, and even rewarding. However, there are some days the negative self-talk can creep in and cause you to get in your own way. You feel what you are doing is not enough, or you're failing in some capacity. Those are the days you have to remember why you started, what you are passionate about, and that there are people that need what you offer. You have to keep going! For me, I remind myself of my purpose, how I needed a "me" in the past, and that there are people looking for my help.

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

The first tip in starting your own business has to be a personal decision because there will be days when you ask yourself what it is that you are really doing. You need to be really clear for yourself and be able to answer the following:

  • Why did you start your business?
  • What is the Why within your business?
  • And what will happen if you stop?

Second, you must be passionate about it, enjoy and love it. If you do that, it becomes your purpose. For me, there are times I feel like I am not enough or that I am not doing enough for my business. Then I remember my big why, why did I start in the first place? Because my passion and purpose are one within my business, and that is to empower others to know they are a Badass!

And the most important thing when you are "in business" for yourself is to never compare your progress with anyone else's. It just gets in the way of your own progress. There is only one you; you are the only one who can do what you do, like you.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

To learn more about what I do, how to get involved, and get a signed, personalized copy of my books, you can visit my website, you can find the link below.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://beatentobadass.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinbaerbadass/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatentobadass/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beatentobadass
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinbaerbadass/

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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