Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tanis Roeder, owner of Elevate Your Communication, LLC., located in Fort Collins, CO, USA.

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

I help people own their brilliance every time they communicate in front of 2 or more people. We all have to do it, and I figure we might as well make a fabulous impression and have a positive impact when we do! I work primarily with companies looking to help their team members be more confident and effective when communicating. This can include focusing on the physical communication skills, diving deep into how a team is or isn't communicating, or even learning specific words you can choose that will help you guide your conversations in a particular direction.

Tell us about yourself

My 9th grade English teacher encouraged me to enter a speech contest, and the rest is history! I fell in love with speaking and communicating and have never looked back. After graduating with a Speech Communication degree, I worked for a few different companies doing sales, marketing, event planning, and PR. I would take every opportunity that came my way to speak and teach the skills I was learning in my everyday work. I even spent a few years speaking to High School Students for Monster.com as a side job.

After many years of dreaming about starting my own company, I was finally brave enough to take the leap just over ten years ago. The best part was that a week after I launched my business, I landed a huge client - funny how sometimes you have to close one door for another to open.

Ever since that day, I have been closing doors I worked hard to open in order to walk through even bigger ones, no matter how scared I might be. It doesn't feel like work to me because I love what I do. Every time I work with someone and I see a lightbulb go off or see them glow with confidence, it reminds me that I am right where I am supposed to be.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

A few years ago, I had a CEO I did communication coaching with approach me after one of his all-team meetings. He was absolutely glowing and couldn't wait to tell me that his team members actually talked to him after his presentation. Helping him with his confidence and eye contact changed how he interacted with the entire company from then on. It's these types of situations that remind me why I do what I do. It isn't about me, it is about helping others confidently own their brilliance!

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

Accepting the fact that sometimes you need to let clients go. Maybe they are taking up too much of your time and not paying you enough money, maybe the work is out of your scope, or perhaps they are simply jerks. Regardless, the faster you can find the right clients, the better off (and happier) you will be.

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

  1. Remember, if you aren't making money for yourself, you are making it for someone else. That was a big motivator for me when I finally took the leap. If I could sell someone else's services, why couldn't I sell my own...
  2. Have money saved up so you can focus on building your business and not spend time worrying about how you will pay your bills.
  3. Trust yourself. You are brilliant, and if you are being called to start, run and grow a business, then do it. Give it all you've got, be ready to work harder than you ever have before, and never look back!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://elevateyourcommunication.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanisRoeder
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanisroeder/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TanisElevates
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/communicationspeaker/

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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