Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Barbara H. Smith, Founder & CEO of BHS & Associates, located in Hampton, VA, USA.

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

BHS & Associates is a corporate training, executive coaching, and consulting organization offering concrete business strategies to small businesses, customized corporate training programs to mid-sized businesses, and executive coaching and consulting to large corporations and government entities looking to train, retrain, and retain the culture of qualified human resources.

Tell us about yourself

An engineer by three years old, an instructor by eight years, and a race car driver by 16 years old, let me introduce you to Barbara H. Smith. I started putting together and taking things apart at age three and ended up in a 20-year career as a senior systems engineer. During that time, I always found myself teaching others what I had learned, just like I did when I was eight and my world was invaded by twin brothers. Eventually, being the eldest of 5, I was always instructing. I love to teach, and when my career in information technology allowed me to hit the proverbial glass ceiling, I created my own table, initially teaching the elderly how to use technology. After 10 years in business, we pivoted during the pandemic and continue to provide training and consulting services. My motivation comes from my desire to leave a legacy for my family, from my divine purpose of helping people expand their knowledge, and from having an insatiable thirst for knowledge that I can share with others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, and Africa, to develop and share business strategies and network with business owners on other continents.

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

The unrealistic expectations I sometimes place on myself for perfection.

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

  1. Starting a business is easy; staying in business is hard work. Make sure the reason (your WHY) is strong and is not just about the money because when things get rough or rocky (and they will), you'll need to draw on the strength of your WHY to stay motivated.
  2. Make sure your business is based on a problem you enjoy solving and create a unique solution.
  3. Get a coach or a mentor, and surround yourself with people who have done what you want to do. Staying away from the couchpreneurs (people sitting on their couches telling you they wouldn't do what you're doing the way you're doing it).

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://barbarahsmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachbarbarahsmith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealbarbarahsmith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/speakcoachtrain
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-h-smith/

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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