Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Akhtar Badshah, Founder of Catalytic Innovators Group, located in Kirkland, WA, USA.

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

We provide consulting services to organizations — companies (large and small), government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academia to develop leadership by helping individuals craft their purpose statement, articulate their strengths and values, and align it to the work they do. We also help craft purpose statements for the organizations/group to increase alignment. The goal is to have every individual in the world to discover their 'why' they exist in addition to 'how' they exist so we can all move from the focus on the 'me' to the 'we' and extend the common good.

Tell us about yourself

I have had a very long journey starting off as an architect and teaching architecture at MIT and then moving into the nonprofit space when we focused on using entrepreneurial approaches to help bridge the digital divide. I then spent ten years as the head of Microsoft Philanthropies, where I was responsible for investing the company's money into social causes as it pertained to improving technology access to the underserved community all over the world. CIG is what I launched to work with organizations with strategic development and leadership development.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is to transform people's lives for the better; through my work, writing, speaking, and art, I help people become successful in what they do.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner is to provide continuous value to the client. There is a balance between service and value and trying to get new projects, especially in a consulting business where my personal knowledge and acumen are what the client wants.

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

Today we ignite movements rather than create a business. Movements allow you to bring people on board, so they are joining for a higher purpose. Focus on:

  1. Why you are doing what you are doing versus how you are doing it.
  2. To ignite a movement, you need to learn to be a conductor and synchronizer rather than a manager.
  3. It is not about doing things the right way but focusing on the right thing to do.
  4. It is not about solving a problem but about creating possibilities.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Purpose is your inner light, and for a business leader, it is important to have a purpose as the inner light and the ability to turn it on at all times.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.catalyticinnovatorsgroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akhtar.badshah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akhtarbad/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Akhtarbad
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhtar-badshah-6250105/

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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