Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gemma Perkins, Managing Director of The Self Leadership Initiative Ltd, located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Self Leadership Initiative helps leaders and aspiring leaders become their best selves by providing coaching and training workshops in leadership, communication skills, conflict resolution, teamwork, and well-being tools.
Tell us about yourself
I consider myself a bit of an accidental business owner. When I was sixteen, I had the privilege of participating in a youth leadership programme that totally transformed me. I learned who I was, gained confidence, and got motivated to reach my goal of becoming a teacher. Throughout my studies, I kept on volunteering and learning how to train and coach others. I qualified as a teacher and spent a measly year in school before I realised it wasn't for me. The restrictive curriculum and intense workload meant that I didn't have space for the things I really wanted to teach people emotional intelligence, how to explore their identity, conflict resolution, and the tools for good mental health and well-being. So I took the plunge and started my own business, determined to spend my time teaching people the foundational skills that really matter in life. Since founding The Self Leadership initiative in 2014, I've had the pleasure of working with young people in colleges and universities, head teachers, community groups, political activists, charity leaders, corporate professionals, refugees, and third-sector organisations.
What motivates me every day is my driving mission to give as many people as I can the sort of valuable lessons that helped me to inspire and empower people to be the best versions of themselves. Because if more people brought their best selves to the table, the world would be a brighter place.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Designing and delivering week-long leadership development programmes for international audiences in India and Bahrain.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a small business owner, you are responsible for all parts of the business. My personal expertise is training delivery and helping people on their growth journey. I'm also pretty nifty at bookkeeping and accountancy. However, thinking about the website, marketing strategy, and back-end admin that goes with running a business takes more mental energy because it's not my strong suit.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a strong vision. Running a business is hard work, but it's totally worth it if it is for a cause that you love and believe in.
- Know when to outsource. Doing everything yourself is usually unrealistic, so learn to bring in trusted providers to do the work that takes up your mental energy. That way, you can focus on your areas of expertise.
- Build an authentic reputation. It is important to be consistent about who you are, what you do, and what your mission is. Over time, this becomes well known. Some of my most exciting opportunities have come along from people I met years ago who were happy with their experiences.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thesli.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Self.Leadership.Initiative
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfleadership1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SelfLeadership1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bespoketraining/
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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