Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christine Cristiano, Founder of Ideal Career Services, located in Halton Hills, ON, Canada.

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

Ideal Career Services offers a broad spectrum of Resume, Covering letters, and Job Search and Career Coaching Packages to help job seekers of all experience levels, occupations, and sectors to navigate their career path and the job search journey.

Tell us about yourself

My passion for all things career-related evolved when I was hired by a national paper to pen articles on careers and job search topics. From there, my interest in the sector was piqued, and I sought professional training in resume writing and then returned to school to complete my diploma in Career Development Foundations. After a couple of years working in the non-profit sector, assisting with various government-funded self-employment programs for youth at risk, adults, and persons with disabilities, I decided to venture into self-employment myself, and Ideal Career Services were born. Currently, I balance working with my own private clients and my role as a Vocational Instructor delivering career development and job search instruction to individuals re-entering the workforce.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One of my accomplishments as a business owner is that I was able to make the shift from traditional employment to self-employment, and I love the work that I do. However, my biggest accomplishment is my client's success when they land their dream job, and I was able to provide some support, motivation, and clarity to their career journey. When I started thinking about my business idea, I was drawn to self-employment because I was looking for more flexibility in my life. However, my business vision was very vague. I really didn't know anyone else running their own career coaching business; however, I was knowledgeable of the challenges and obstacles from years of assisting with the delivery of self-employment programs. I sought the help of two business coaching colleagues, who helped me to define my initial business idea. Over the years, I have had to emerge from my comfort zone and learn and adapt to new challenges to be able to effectively support and serve my clients within the business community and pivot my services accordingly.

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

One of the hardest aspects of being a business owner is wearing many different hats, some of which I lack experience with, and all on the same day. My expertise is in delivering career and job search information and resources; however, I have also had to learn about ongoing marketing and branding of my business, bookkeeping, and client management, and all this can be challenging at times.

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

  1. Create a business plan that outlines your business, services, processes, and target market. Get it out of your head and put it on paper! Then it becomes more of a reality.
  2. Don't let the process of creating your business plan paralyze you from moving forward. Many great business ideas didn't get off the ground because they got stuck at the business plan stage.
  3. Your business idea and plan are going to evolve constantly as you gather more knowledge, skills, and experience in planning your business, so don't get too attached to it. Be flexible and willing to change it up if you need to. Many business ideas come to a halt because the entrepreneur couldn't decide on a business name! Don't be that person! Pick a temporary name if you have to, and move on until you figure out a better name.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Business ownership is probably the hardest career you will have, but the rewards are immeasurable: financial independence through your own self-employment. It is hard work, but it is 'you' that is directly benefitting from your hard work - not a Board of Directors or employer. Lastly, do not let anyone tell you that you can't do it; many successful business owners were told that their business idea was not viable, and they went on to great success, including Sam Walton, aka Walmart!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://idealcareerservices.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealCareerServices
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JobCoachGenius
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccristiano/

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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