Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gerovani Blackshear, Founder of Conscious Choice Coaching LLC, located in Jacksonville, FL, USA.

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

Conscious Choice Coaching L.L.C. is my business, and my customers are those who desire to make changes in their lives but have struggled with taking the necessary steps to make those changes a reality. I am especially called to women and girls who are challenged with identity issues, those who may have never known or have forgotten how valuable and precious they truly are.

Tell us about yourself

I discovered Life Coaching as a profession after surviving my second divorce, which took me on a journey of self-discovery. It was then that I realized that most of the life-altering decisions I had made were made unconsciously. That I had either blindly followed the advice of others or allowed myself to be convinced that they knew what was best for me, better than myself. Hence the name Conscious Choice Coaching. I realized that if I was to have the life that I desired, I needed to begin making better choices for myself from a place of conscious awareness of what I wanted and what I needed in order to be happy and fulfilled. Once I began to do this, my entire life changed for the better. Having always been an encourager, I realized that I could help others to do the same in their lives. I sought out training, and in 2012, I became a Certified Christian Life Coach and launched Conscious Choice Coaching.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the effects that I have seen in the lives of my clients. My goal is to assist my clients in changing their lives for the better, one client at a time. In addition, I launched and hosted Coffee & Conversations, a safe space for women and girls to be able to relax and take a break to talk and be heard in a judgment-free zone.

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

For me, one of the biggest challenges of being a business owner was the nuts and bolts of "running a business." After my training program, the coaching part was easy, but nothing prepared me for all of the legalities and the financial management of running a business. As excited as I was about being "in business," I had to take a step back, realizing that I knew very little about being an entrepreneur. This has been a huge learning curve for me.

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

  1. Know your why. Why do you want to be in business? Is your why compelling enough to sustain you when times get tough?
  2. Know your industry. Understanding the field you are entering will go a long way to building your business.
  3. Know your potential clients. Understanding their needs and narrowing down your niche to reach those you most want to serve will help you to enjoy greater success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://consciouschoicecoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consciouschoicecoachingllc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerovani/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerovani-gigi-blackshear-50130831/

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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