Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brooke Write, Business Mentor & Coach of Behind the Biz, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Overall, my business is public speaking and coaching. I get hired to train and teach about building brands, building a personal brand, marketing your brand, and monetizing your brand. I work with fortune 500 companies, charities, and entrepreneurship incubators/accelerators/programs. I also operate a business that helps Public Speakers build their brands and get booked, which is similar to a talent agency but specifically for Speakers. Then lastly, I coach service-based entrepreneurs on how to build niche brands and profitable businesses.

Tell us about yourself

I always wanted to be in business since I was a child, but I never knew what that looked like. I remember having so many ideas, but because I wasn't in the right environment, I didn't have the knowledge, mentorship, or guidance on how to take my ideas and turn them into realities. So, I didn't really start anything until I was about 19 years old. My first step into entrepreneurship was working in the music scene as an Artist Manager. But that didn't last long because I got pulled into the survival side of life, having to focus on bills and whatnot. So there was a lot of trying things out between 19 and 25 until I officially started my social media management boutique. Officially, I got started on the entrepreneurship journey after being fired two days before my birthday in 2016. I was on my way to work when I got the call that I was fired. I was extremely frustrated with my life at that point, but instead of wallowing in the bad news, I made a decision that day to take control of my life and finally start a business. That same day, I put together a folder of items to represent my skills and experience in marketing and decided that I would start a social media management business. I put the folder together and started pitching to businesses on Kijiji and Craigslist that were looking for social media managers. The next day, I got a response from a marketing agency, we had a meeting, and then I got my first client on my birthday. I have never looked back since. I've been a full-time entrepreneur since 2016, with many ups and downs, highs and lows, but because I'm so dedicated to the legacy I want to build, no challenge gets in my way. Nothing stops me from continuing on my path and trusting the process. I motivate myself. The life I want to build motivates me. My mission in life motivates me. My dedication and passion for what I do motivate me. My nieces and nephews motivate me, and even thinking about my future family motivates me. I want to be able to have something for them that they can own and operate when I'm no longer able to.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Finally, making six figures. Now, six figures are like the new $10k, but to me, it's still a big deal. Again, I started my entrepreneurship journey in 2016 but finally made six figures just recently. That's my biggest accomplishment, and it's not only because of the money but the actual strategy that helped me get there. I'm all about helping entrepreneurs find their niche and learning how to monetize it because there are riches in the niches, and reaching the six figures was just proof of that.

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

For me, right now, I would say the balance of work and play. You tell yourself it's important, and you know deep down it is, but when you're in building mode, sometimes it can feel "hard" to balance it all out - and not just work and play but work and family, work and friendships, work and relationships, work and taking care of your body, etc. You have to be really intentional and dedicated to balancing it all out, and sometimes, it can feel really hard to do, especially when you're a small team or just a team of one.

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

I'll break it down into the three categories I love talking about the most:

  1. Mindset: Make sure that you're working on your mindset just as much as you're working on your business and your brand. They go hand-in-hand.
  2. Business: Niching down is key to building a profitable business because the riches are in the niches.
  3. Branding: As you're building your brand, remember that the name of the game is to make an impact because when you make an impact, you can make some income.

Where can people find you and your business?

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

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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