Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ellyn Schinke, Founder of Coach Ellyn LLC, located in Tacoma, WA, USA.

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

I am a burnout and stress management coach and speak for overwhelmed female high-achievers in business and business professionals. I help them to create sustainable success without stress and end the cycle of burnout in their lives.

Tell us about yourself

I first got started in my business because I had my own experience with burnout while I was in graduate school getting my Ph.D. My burnout was very emotional, and I remember how jaded, disengaged, and defeated I felt by it, which is so unlike me. Burnout turned me into a version of myself that I didn't like. I am actively working to help other women avoid that and realize that burnout isn't "just the way it is." Burnout and stress don't have to be our lifestyles. I am on a mission to help other women understand that and realize that, yes, burnout happens, but staying burned out is a choice.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I spoke at LinkedIn headquarters for an offsite for a team of managers in the Spring of 2022; that was one of the highlights of my professional life. Also, I became a featured speaker for Vistage and Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine.

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

The highs and lows and unpredictability of it. Especially for a high-achiever like me, I've always been someone with a plan. I've always liked knowing that if I do X, Y, and Z, I'll get where I want to go, and in business, there just isn't a guarantee. Plus, let's be honest, most entrepreneurs and business owners trade a 9 to 5 for a 24/7, so having the boundaries and mindsets in place so that you do not work yourself to overwhelm, burnout, and quitting is also really hard. Most business owners are passionate about what they do; being passionate doesn't prevent burnout. In my experience, it makes burnout more likely to occur.

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

Starting, running, and growing a business today requires 3 things from my perspective:

  • A sustainable mindset (meaning a mindset that will keep you going even when things are super hard!
  • Sustainable systems that can keep up with the demands of your business even as you grow.
  • Sustainable self-care because we are the most important asset in our business, and most of us put ourselves on the back burner.

These are the 3 things I encourage all business owners to think about FIRST and foremost in building a business because it's not about starting a business; it's about sustaining that business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.coachellyn.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachellyn/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachellyn/

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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