Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elizabeth Bishop, Founder of Elizabeth Bishop Consulting, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I offer consultation, coaching, and training services for organizations in healthcare, human services, and education to support their efforts in high-quality service delivery by focusing on the high-quality experience of the service providers. I work with individuals, small groups, and larger organizations to elevate personal wellness, team dynamics, and organizational culture.
Tell us about yourself
I began in human services when I was a teenager, always feeling a sense of being called. Later, I became more involved in adult education with people preparing to enter human services-related fields. Motivated by my own direct experience in service delivery, my personal bouts of burnout, and the gaps that I noticed both in the academic preparation of those going into service-related vocations as well as the organizational challenges they faced in their careers, I engaged in the process of personal growth and spiritual discovery that I then integrated with academic research to more deeply understand what I was going through and what I noticed to be so common among my colleagues.
I was convinced that burnout was not an inevitability and that the inspiration I felt at the beginning of my career could be reignited. That journey began over 25 years ago and continues to unfold today. I am motivated by what brings me meaning in my life ~ and that evolves over time ~ I am inspired to remain curious, intentional, and connected not only with other people but also with myself. When I walk that walk, I remain motivated because I am in touch with my personal sense of joy and fulfillment.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment over my career has included the many relationships I have been blessed with and honored by. I believe it is a gift to be invited into witnessing others' journeys, and I am humbled by that. My own process of self-discovery has also been an ongoing accomplishment, one that never ends as long as we are invested. Publishing my book this year with Hazelden Publishing has been a dream come true. It is called Conscious Service: Ten Ways to Reclaim Your Calling, Move Beyond Burnout, and Make a Difference Without Sacrificing Yourself and it can be found anywhere you love to buy your books.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It can be an isolated journey and one that is very unpredictable financially. I've always continued my work in education simultaneously to ensure I had a sense of some financial stability. I also found it challenging, at times, to find high-quality guidance and genuine resources. Networking with a variety of people has been really important.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Lead with what brings you a sense of joy and fulfillment ~ something you really believe in and are committed to. Be sure to reach out and seek support and guidance from people and resources you trust. Embrace your freedom and flexibility as a gift, and stay curious.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
For me, it has been important to continually practice from a self-connected space in order to show up with authenticity, transparency, and presence. I think the soft skills required to be self-responsive and relational are very important in today's world, no matter what field of business you're in.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://elizabethbishopconsulting.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethbishopconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eabishop46/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/askelizabethb
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethbishopconsulting/
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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