Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrew Davey, Founder of CEO Reload, located in Miami, FL, USA.

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

Personalized one-on-one leadership coaching and development to help you. When you grow as a leader, so do your team, your company, and your results! We guide CEOs, founders, SVPs, managers, executives, and business owners to win the people game and leave their legacy as a leader!

Tell us about yourself

I truly believe our life leaves us clues. Experiences that leave us clues as to how we can purposefully live a fulfilling life and make an impact on the world around us. For years those clues were always there for me. I was the person through school that people came to seek counsel. A trusted source of guidance. A coach, if you will.

Attending my first Tony Robbins event at 19 years of age, I looked up at that stage and said, "That's what I want to do. I want to help people be the best versions of themselves." I had no idea how I was going to do it.

Fast forward to an entrepreneurial adventure through my 20s, I achieved what seemed like an elusive dream. A dream that came crashing down when a momentous occasion turned out to be a completely hollow victory. I bought a bright red Ferrari! It was at that very moment when I grabbed the steering wheel for the very first time, and a little voice inside whispered, "Is this it? Is this all there is?" A self-inflicted mid-life crisis, so to speak, reminded me of my mission to help inspire others. The coaching journey began!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

You would think achieving sales targets, financial freedom, growth, and funding would all be facets of what business accomplishments might highlight success, and for some, it may be, which is fantastic. For me, however, my greatest accomplishments come from witnessing what others can achieve as we journey together. One clear example is a coaching client I have worked alongside since he first launched his idea. Navigating the ups and downs of personal challenges, ready to sell up and throw in the towel, I now see him today, thriving in his business, employing staff to expand, and just receiving funding to build a SaaS platform that has the potential to completely transform and revolutionize the telecommunications industry. I share not to take credit but to remind everyone reading that as a business owner, when your clients succeed and that is your focus, it reciprocates ten-fold, financially and spiritually. It makes life truly worth living!!!

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

There are ALWAYS things in any business of any scale that we don't necessarily like to do. I'm not a details guy! Spreadsheets put me to sleep; however, these admin tasks also help me drive the mission. At some point, we do have to let go of the things that don't come naturally and especially when our time is better spent elsewhere.

The first business I started at 23, I did everything!! From advertising to admin, day-to-day running, it just never seemed to end. I remember how liberating it was when I hired a bookkeeper to take care of something that used to consume my one day off (Sunday!). By doing so, I had more time and energy to grow the business, and it flourished. At some point, you have to relinquish "things" that consume you and are not the best place to spend your time and energy.

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

  1. Starting a business? If you haven't started... START! Register the domain name, business name, or whatever small action that starts the snowball rolling. Simply remember from there on, it's just one foot in front of the other. Get a journal and start writing in it daily. Paint a vision and picture of what you would love to create. Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years. Don't ask me how, but that's when something magically starts to happen...always!
  2. Running a business? Don't let pride get in the way of asking for help and guidance. I left it too long in the past! There are so many wonderful and knowledgeable people that can serve you, have trodden the path, and help speed up your journey. Who do you respect in your industry? Contact them, send an email or LinkedIn message. You will be amazed at how many people who have achieved great things would love to help you do the same.
  3. Stay humble! Take moments to remember the very first clients you served. Are they still on your books? Contact them with gratitude. Make people feel special. One of the best examples of a thriving business that does this exceptionally well is chewy.com. I am a customer, and I have never seen anything like their empathetic and appreciative way of loving their customers. P.S. My first coaching client is a guy named Peter. That was 14 years ago. We are good friends to this day!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.ceoreload.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdaveycoach/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.