Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jamy Bechler, President of Bechler Leadership, located in Barberton, OH, USA.

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

We help people maximize their potential so that they can be successful and help those around them also be successful. We mainly work with students, coaches, administrators, educators, and leaders. Our focus is primarily based on the athletics and educational spaces, but we do work in the corporate world as well. Everybody can be a better teammate and a more positive leader.

Tell us about yourself

Leadership was a passion of mine even as a college athlete, but then it grew more as I was involved in organized athletics for two decades as a college basketball coach and high school athletic director. Five years ago, I jumped into the deep end of the pool with both feet and started my own consulting company to have a wider reach than just the one team or school where I happened to be employed. Helping people become better is what motivates me each day. I've learned a ton during my career - good and bad - and those lessons can help other coaches and leaders better impact the people they interact with.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Five books in five years (with a sixth on the way), a podcast ("Success is a Choice") still growing after five years, and the implementation of an online leadership curriculum (TheLeadershipPlaybook.com) for students and coaches. At the end of the day, though, receiving emails or notes from students, coaches, or leaders talking about the impact something I did had on them is what it's all about. I remember a lady from England telling me that her husband had committed suicide a month earlier and that my message on that particular day was exactly what she needed. Those are the things that make it all worthwhile.

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

Finding the balance between helping people and running a business. I'm a work in progress in sales, and when it comes to asking for certain speaking fees. Many schools and organizations are sometimes amazed at my prices because I'm not trying to gouge them. Yes, I have to run a business and support my family, but I'm also in this for a bigger purpose. If possible, I don't want money to get in the way of a positive message that students (or leaders) need to hear.

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

First, don't quit your day job too early if it aligns with the business you will start. Keep that job for another 12-18 months while you learn the ropes, establish a strong potential business, and create a well-thought-out plan. The networking, resources, and knowledge you have with your day job can be beneficial to your new business. You lose that when you terminate your employment. In other words, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I probably should have stayed one or two more years as an athletic director while growing my side business so that it was more developed and ready when I launched.

The second piece of advice is to be very coachable. There are plenty of people out there to learn from (both good and bad). Learn from them all. Don't be arrogant or try to act like you know it all. You don't. Be a great learner.

The third tip is to know where you want to be five or ten years from now and work backwards as you reverse engineer your path to success. Play chess and not checkers when it comes to your planning. Don't do things now that pay the bills today but don't get you closer to your goals. Keep your eye on ultimately what you're trying to accomplish and put a plan in place to get to that destination.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jamybechler.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamyBechlerLeadership
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbechler/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachBechler
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamybechler/

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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