Interested in starting your entrepreneurial journey in personal development, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Angela Braun, of Angela Nicole Coaching Inc., from Calgary, AB, Canada.
Tell us all about your business...
My business is a coaching and advisory practice that supports overwhelmed female entrepreneurs to simplify their business model and get the support they need. It incorporates mindset, strategy, action, and habit building.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
I retired from the corporate space because I was passionate about coaching. I hired my first coach at the beginning of 2016, and it completely changed the trajectory of my life. I then took my coaching certification in 2017 and never looked back. My value system is that time is everything, and although I get a bit of an eyebrow raise when I say that, “but Angela, what about health and what about love?”. The truth is we need time to invest in those things, so creating a healthy relationship with time is where it all begins. As cliché as this sounds, it’s not about doing all the things; it’s about doing the things that garner the most impact and being in integrity with what we stand for in life.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Balance, bar none. I have permitted myself to do my business my way and never have fallen into the trap of the hustle and grind. Have you ever looked up the definition of hustle and grind in the dictionary? It’s not pretty. Because time is my thing, I have held steadfast to incorporating joy and freedom from the onset.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
Self-doubt and thinking you are behind schedule. You try to make up for it by doing everything you think you “should” be doing. The thing is that you will feel like you’re behind the eight ball and fall into the comparison trap, but your journey is your journey, and this business that you’re building is just as much a personal journey as it is a professional journey. You will get there if you keep going, slow and steady, one step at a time. Trust in yourself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
Follow your heart and create a vision that you can hang on to. It will be the life raft that will keep you going when it feels hard. Please don't do this alone, whether it's finding a supportive colleague, a mentor, or a coach. It's normal to get in our way (we all do it), and having someone who can help you see past your stuff can help you get results, whether it's the business results you seek or even sometimes the personal transformation that comes with taking your path in life. Create some structure. This one was hard for me when I first became an entrepreneur as I initially rebelled against it, but construction creates freedom. When we stand in integrity for our dreams, it will boost our confidence.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I would say that you will be your most significant investment, so take care of yourself. It’s imperative to find balance in life. If success is inevitable, then you get to enjoy the journey the whole way through.
Where can people find you?
Website: https://www.angelanicolecoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelanicolecoaching/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelanicolecoaching/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
