Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Claudyne Wilder, CEO of Wilder Presentations, creator of TorchMetrics, located in Montgomery, AL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am in the business of coaching people on how to Get to the Message, then stop talking. People go on too long and forget to make their key points. I have been teaching my Get to the Message Workshop for decades in companies like CVS Health, Abbott Labs, Moderna, and The Nature Conservancy. Whether a presenter is an executive, manager, or individual contributor, they each have the same goal. They want to engage their listeners, convince them of something, and feel confident and credible while doing this. I’m your coach for this!
Tell us about yourself
I got started in the business because I realized that everyone, not just presenters, should speak clearly and concisely with passion and presence. So, I’ve spent my life writing books and articles, teaching classes, coaching individuals, and creating my app, TorchMetrics, to help communicators be successful. I love watching the transformation from a shy and scared presenter to a confident and prepared presenter. Many presenters dramatically change. They have a new self that is excited to present and feels prepared and confident. I love coaching people to become their best selves!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have done business for myself. I have had some ongoing clients for over ten years. I also managed to do pro bono work for organizations I admire. I employed several people on the way. And I created an app called TorchMetrics.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
In the training business, you have to be marketing when you are working. It’s hard to do both. I can be totally busy with my clients, but at any moment, one client changes their strategy, their goals, and my workshops are dropped from the plans. So how to keep marketing even when I have too much to do is always the dilemma.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You have to love the business and know you are good at doing it. Also, know what you are not good at, and delegate those tasks to someone else.
- You have to find the right people to help you and not be afraid to keep looking. Do not settle.
- You have to take time off. In the time off, you get a different perspective, and ideas come to you.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Yes, in the last several years, I created a unique presentation app called TorchMetrics. Imagine having your own coach watching each one of your presentations and advising you each step of the way.
TorchMetrics offers best-practice presentation questionnaires that enable each audience member to evaluate a presentation. TorchMetrics tabulates and prioritizes the results; then, it provides tailored action steps, so the presenter knows exactly how to improve. There are over 85 action steps! TorchMetrics is your online presentation coach. It’s all my learnings over the years in one place.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website:
https://www.wilderpresentations.com/
https://www.torchmetrics.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudynewilder/
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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