Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Aaron Solly, Founder of Engage Coaching Group, located in Surrey, BC, Canada.

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

To enrich and support the mental wellness of 1 million people by 2026. Currently, our clients are men over 30 seeking help with an unfulfilling career, relationship challenges, or high stress.

Tell us about yourself

At 37 years old, I found myself overwhelmed and in a deep depression in the basement of the townhouse I owned at the time. I was searching online for ways to help me get out of my depression. I was working in the financial services industry, feeling stressed out and not happy with my career. My first marriage was failing. My world felt like it was falling apart all around me. On that day, I decided to shift my perspective from "Why is this happening to me?" to "What is this for?" I know there are other men who may be in a similar situation as myself and not know how to cope with things. I want to be able to show them that it is possible to get on the other side of a stressful workplace or relationship conflict.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My book, "Engage, Connect, Grow," is an Amazon best seller.

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

I am a solopreneur. I didn't realize the amount of effort it takes to operate a successful business and all the responsibilities you have to take on as a business owner. I definitely have learned a lot over the past four years.

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

  1. Get really clear on the clients you serve and the problem you solve for them.
  2. Reverse engineer your goals and focus only on the key activities to reach them.
  3. Find communities, groups, associations, etc., where your target audience is, and attend meetings and events consistently.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

There is a quote by the famous psychiatrist Carly Jung, "Those who look outside dreams, those who look inside awakens." Whatever challenge or struggle you may be going through, spend time on understanding and transforming your thoughts, beliefs, values, etc., vs. focusing on things outside of who you really are.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://engagecoachinggroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/engageconnectgrow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronsolly/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/engage-coaching-group/

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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