Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Karen Jacobson, Founder & CEO of Dr. Karen Jacobson Enterprises, LLC, located in Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I work with organizations to develop leaders and high-performance teams with more focus, better engagement, and improved productivity. Business clients range from small to medium businesses in industries such as finance, technology, healthcare, and real estate. We offer services such as team development, benchmarking, and new talent acquisition, as well as executive coaching. Our speaking and training offerings are both live and virtual, ranging from keynotes for corporate and association conferences to customized leadership programs.
Tell us about yourself
One of the main reasons I started my consulting business was a result of a Television show I was part of for over a year and a half. During my time on the show, I had the opportunity to provide our team with coaching and develop effective business communication skills. Watching the impact this had on their businesses prompted me to shift my business from running my chiropractic practice to business consulting. I was motivated by the idea of being able to contribute to organizations at a higher level. It was about playing a bigger game and having a bigger impact by transforming the mindsets and skills of more people.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been my ability to overcome adversity and persevere. My transition from Chiropractic was not an easy one. From the loss of my business sale in a down market that leads to major financial ruin to having to redefine and recreate aspects of my business during the COVID lockdowns. Despite all that, I managed to develop a new platform, become a published author, and establish myself as a professional speaker with an international reach.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the most challenging things that come with developing a business is a shift in the target market. In my previous career as a chiropractor, I was direct with consumers. My current market is B2B Business to Business. In addition, being able to build a business as a solopreneur requires a lot of juggling, and at times before being able to scale the business, one must wear many hats and prioritize tasks properly to avoid burnout.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be Mindful - Take time to properly figure out your business, your unique skills, your market, and your offerings. Study your peers/colleagues and learn from their successes and failures.
- Be Agile - Be willing to modify/reinvent yourself yet stay true to your core while listening to customer needs. Know that if something does not work, it may not be a failure but rather an opportunity to learn and improve.
- Find Your Tribe. - an entrepreneurial journey can be a lonely one. Create your own Advisory Board - a team of experts to support you. Include an accountant, an attorney, a mentor/coach, and a couple of industry experts that can serve as sounding boards and accountability partners. Perhaps join a Master Mind group or local association.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://drkarenjacobson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKarenJacobson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkarenjacobson/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drkarenjacobson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkarenjacobson/
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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