Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Earl Morrison, Owner of Leading and Learning with Character, located in Ada, OK, USA.

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

Leading and Learning with Character is a leadership development company that provides proven and effective leadership development courses, books, and webinars. While many of our customers are in supervisory positions in law enforcement, anybody in leadership, management, or supervisory roles will highly benefit from our courses and books.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been passionate about the importance of quality leadership development. I started my law enforcement career in 2000. Since then, I have served in a variety of roles, including Police Chief, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Detective, and Patrolman.

Before becoming a police officer, I was a correctional officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for six years. I also served for three years in the U.S. Army and three years in the Texas Army National Guard. I have held several leadership positions in my private life within the church community as a men’s group leader and church Elder and within the city community as Chairman of the Board for the city’s Employee Credit Union.

After years of experience in various leadership positions, I started my company, Leading and Learning with Character in 2017 out of my passion for quality leadership development. It started with writing my first book, Leadership Lessons Learned: Leading and Learning with Character. From this book, I developed several leadership development courses. I have now also written a second book, Mentoring for Life, and from this book, I have developed mentoring courses.

I get numerous emails and phone calls and have personal conversations with people from different leadership positions, from lower-level to upper-level positions, who thank me for the life-changing truths I teach in my courses and books. I love hearing personal testimonies about the impact that my teaching has on their organizations and personal lives. This motivates me to keep doing what I love.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the value in knowing that my courses and books are positively changing organizations and lives. This is my passion and mission!

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

The hardest part of being a business owner is getting started and being patient with the growth process. The growth process doesn't go as quickly as you think you want it to, but this is a good thing because it gives you time to learn the process and grow your knowledge and understanding of the business as your customer base grows. Being highly skilled in the content of what your business is selling or promoting does not mean that you are skilled in the running of the business. This takes time, patience, and a lot of research and studying.

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

First, don't be afraid to pursue your passion. Fear can stop a business before it ever gets started.

Second, make a five-year plan with overall goals, and then make a first-year plan with details of specific goals you want to accomplish. Stick to these goals no matter how tired you get or how hard things are to achieve.

Third, research and study business development, including website development, marketing, email platforms, other platforms that are relevant to your business, business finances, and anything else that comes up as you are growing your business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Be patient, and don't give up! Don't let naysayers and difficult people stop you from pursuing your passion and goals. Constantly reflect on why you are doing this and what you want to accomplish. Surround yourself with supportive people who will hold you accountable to keep going.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://earlmorrison.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3LEkESP
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlmorrisonleading/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndLeading
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/earl-morrison-mscj-lcc-751022b3/

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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