Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gena Cox, Ph.D., CEO of Feels Human, LLC., located in Clearwater, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an organizational psychologist who works as an executive coach and speaker to advise business leaders who want to be more influential and impactful. As a speaker, I focus on two areas: conversations about the nuances of workplace inclusion and conversations about career optimization in a disrupted world.
Tell us about yourself
I started working on this business because I want to improve workplaces for all employees. I noticed that employee experiences differ significantly depending on who is leading and on the culture of the team in which the employee sits. In other words, managers determine employee experience. I am delighted to be part of the solution of helping leaders learn effective behaviors so all their employees can thrive.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I count my accomplishments in terms of impact on my clients. Without a doubt, my biggest accomplishment was when a client CEO implemented my recommendations for how she should start talking directly to all employees rather than focusing her communication disproportionately on the external media. This change helped her build connections with employees and humanized her leadership. She became more effective because she became more trusted. I could see the direct line between my guidance, her actions, and this positive outcome.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a small entrepreneur, I know that more business does not necessarily mean more profit. It is difficult as a service provider to decide which services to offer, how to price them, and which to avoid because they will never be profitable. Some of this is trial-and-error, but the trick I have learned is to always have a clear, long-game vision (as Dorie Clark would say) of what I am trying to accomplish and only do the things that complement that vision.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start small and iterate. Most of what you think you know before you start a business will turn out to be wrong. You must be prepared to modify your initial ideas very quickly.
- Do not design your service or product offerings based on your desires. Involve potential clients in your offering design, and you will create something the market really wants.
- Think bigger. I don't mean this in terms of spending more money or having a flashy launch. I mean being clear about your ideal client and the revenue necessary to sustain the business. It would be best if you were both ambitious and realistic. If you set your goals too low, you run the risk of barely scraping by when you want to be fabulous!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://genacox.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genacoxphd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/genacox
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genacox/
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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