Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Catherine Neville, CEO of Catalyst Performance, located in Toronto, ON, CA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am Catherine Neville, CEO of Catalyst Performance. My team and I partner with C-suite leaders of purpose-driven organizations to help them develop and implement effective strategies for transformational change. Acting as a sounding board, trusted advisor, and strategic partner to the executive team, I collaborate with leaders to improve their company’s performance and obtain meaningful results. We do this by guiding our clients on the critical elements of a successful organization:
- govern more effectively.
- identify and mitigate risks.
- build and execute effective strategies.
- document, assess, and improve processes.
- optimize human resources.
Tell us about yourself
Twenty years ago, I left a leadership position in the corporate world and began working directly with clients as I saw a real need to support other organizations in improving performance. I have never looked back.
I am most inspired by the good work that purpose-driven organizations do every day. This motivates me to assist CEOs, and their teams achieve their vision through meaningful and pragmatic advice. In the last ten years, my work has evolved to a focus on governance and the effective implementation of strategic and operational priorities through strong human resource practices.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am very proud of my work supporting CEOs of performance-driven organizations to achieve meaningful results. And while I have worked with many companies over the past two decades, I find it particularly rewarding that more than a dozen of those organizations have turned into long-term clients, continuing to work with me as their priorities and strategies evolve.
In addition, I feel it is a great accomplishment to have stayed the course over the years of business up and downs, including surviving Covid when in-person consultation, training, and facilitation were not possible!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It certainly is challenging to “go it alone.” As many of my c-suite clients have learned, it can be lonely at the top, especially during times of massive change, as critical decisions and challenges often fall to the leader or business owner. I have found this also to be true of being a consultant with a small team. As such, I look for opportunities to develop and maintain supportive relationships with business colleagues, bounce ideas off, and vent during particularly challenging times. On the other hand, being a sole business owner can also be the best thing! Setting priorities and executing strategies based on personal values and principles is enormously rewarding.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do your market research and then plan and prepare well before you begin.
- Ensure you have a year of salary in the bank before you begin.
- Hire someone to help you promote your business using the latest technology, but ensure you can update it yourself.
- Be resilient and be prepared for the ups and downs – don’t give up!
Well, that’s four – but I think all are critical!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Being a business owner and leading teams isn’t always easy, but it can be extremely satisfying. The following are my top tips to be a successful leader.
- Lead by example.
- Nurture trust, seek input, and share information.
- Live your organizational values and don’t tolerate those who don’t.
- Build an effective team through feedback, enablement, and empowerment.
- Stay true to your strategic role: stay out of operations.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.catalystperforms.com/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3yYbqMj
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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