Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer L'Heureux, Founder of Citrine Synergy, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Citrine Synergy is a Change Management and Leadership Development hub. We work with people, teams, and organizations to ensure you evolve in your changing environment and continue to positively impact the future.
We offer talent development, business, and cultural architecture, and customer-focused design services. We work with organizations to design and facilitate customized experiences to create sustainable change at the individual, team, and organizational levels.
Our objective is to support your organization's successful evolution by developing your future leaders and transforming the environment. Through creating accountability, we help your company become the best version of itself and ready to take on the next challenge.
Tell us about yourself
I learned very early to embrace any opportunity that gives you a chance to learn and grow. I have worked and volunteered throughout the world, cultivating experience in North and South America, Europe, and Africa. My travels have given me first-hand experience of how the diversity of thought and expertise makes us stronger. Living outside my comfort zone also forced me to develop and embrace change in ways that would not have been possible otherwise.
My career path is a Venn diagram. I have spent my career working in large organizations, GE, ABN AMRO, CIBC, and the Government of Canada. I have led global initiatives in Business Continuity and Emergency Preparedness, large change and transformation projects, designed and delivered leadership programs, and I am now a design-thinking coach – change being the common element. When I bring these disciplines together, my success formula is innovation plus accountability equals results.
With my “stronger together” approach, I enter every situation with an interactive style that quickly brings out the energy of every individual and group, inspiring a new way of thinking and a unique approach to the task at hand. Combine interactivity with a bit of tough compassion, and participants see that the only limits we have are the ones we impose on ourselves.
It’s time for you to achieve your goals. Together let’s embrace what is coming and develop the mindset and skills needed to get there. Let’s be “stronger together”!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Hmmm, well, one part of me wants to say helping various companies achieve their goals. I helped one company produce their Employee Value proposition Statement and another redo how they onboarded people, to name a few. It is great to see your work help produce the results people want. The other part of me wants to say, making money :) doing it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, it's not having a direct team. Everything feels like it's all on me. I love working with people, and I do interact with others on a daily basis; sometimes, I wish I had a team of people. Though I am hopeful that it will come.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your tribe. Working on your own can be tough. When you can, surround yourself with a community to keep you motivated and provide support.
- Do not be married to a plan. Know what you want to be successful; however, be open to how you get there.
- Enjoy it. It can be stressful. I have something to be anxious about every day. However, I love it, and I feel like I get to make the impact on the world I want to now.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.citrinesynergy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrinesynergy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlheureux/
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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