Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Catrin MacDonnell, an executive & business coach and facilitator based in Bristol, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a coach for individuals and teams in businesses and organisations. I work with entrepreneurial and established management teams, directors, and CEOs who want to tackle specific problems such as communication challenges, lack of strategic planning, difficulty in managing people as well as people development in general. I also get approached by other coaches who have launched recently and feel at sea with getting started - how to get their first clients, what to charge, how to create coaching programmes that bring value etc.
Tell us about yourself
I am a director of two businesses - Papadeli, a food and catering business established over 20 years ago, and Jones & Modha, a natural fragrance established more recently. I am fascinated by business, what success means, what holds people back, and how to overcome challenges. I worked with a coach and found it transformational and so I decided to train as a coach myself to work with others and share my experience and insights. I love listening to people's thoughts and ideas and watching them make sense and grow.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having a food business that is still here 20 years later! In my coaching, every coaching programme is a privilege, just working alongside brilliant people who are prepared to share and reflect and find creative ways of approaching problems. Just spending time in coaching conversations and sharing my insights is an honour.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner, to begin with, it's necessary to do the actual thing you set up to do, as well as find clients or customers, communicate with them, and do all the business admin alongside. This can be very challenging, and I usually suggest people hire others so they can concentrate on the main focus of the business.
Another challenge is the isolation. Even if you have teams or people around you, you can't necessarily share your innermost concerns and worries. Having a coach to talk to and share your thoughts with can be a great solution. Keeping an eye on the financials is imperative - too many seemingly successful businesses find themselves in dire straits as they didn't prioritise this.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do your research to ensure you have a market.
- Draw up a business plan with financials to ensure you are focused on bringing money in as well as spending, and spending can get out of hand quickly (I see this a lot in small businesses, unfortunately).
- Be confident - tell everyone about your business and ask for help if you are struggling!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.catrinmacdonnell.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bristolbusinesscoachingandtraining
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/green.jones/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/catrinmac
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrinmacdonnellexecutivecoach/
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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