Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in consultancy but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Asfa Malik, Founder of Growth Minded Consulting, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

Inclusion is great for business! When your employees feel valued, your clients will too!

GrowthMinded Consulting was born from a need to create transformational mindsets and skillsets to achieve business goals. By working with C-Suite, HR, Learning & Development, and other Senior Executives, we collaboratively develop strategies that bridge the needs of a company with those of its employees.

My practice is centered around developing leaders to be inspirational and inclusive. I help leaders infuse inclusion into everything they do, from hiring to inspiring. At its core, my consulting and leadership development programs help leaders evolve as the needs of their businesses and employees evolve.

Tell us about yourself

My career has been molded from 28 years in Corporate - mainly in the Consumer Packaged Goods and Retail industries - the first half of that was spent selling consulting and services to manufacturers and retailers. That first part prepared me to pivot into Learning & Development and truly find my niche. I started Growth Minded Consulting through that passion for developing others to reach their goals and beyond. To help leaders inspire their teams to do the same. Knowing that I get to pave the way for others to create a legacy for our future leaders inspires me to do this every day! My clients inspire me to keep doing it even on the toughest days.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is being recognized as Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) DEI Influencer for 2022! Learning & Development leaders are usually in the background coaching others to success, so to be recognized by a large organization such as SIA has been an amazing experience and gives me the confidence that I am doing something right and that I am making a difference!

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is that I do everything alone. Business Development, marketing, social media, consulting, development, facilitation, follow-ups - all is done by me alone (hopefully, for now!) - it can be overwhelming and takes up any downtime. There is always something to do that it can take a toll on me…but then I remind myself of my greater goal of creating inclusive workplaces, which makes it all worth it!

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

Overall, create a network and support group for yourself to share your goals and get advice…

  1. Be open to sharing and listening - share your goals with your network and then listen to their advice - and get lots of points of view so you can make sound and informed decisions. But, never forget your ‘why’ - your mission and vision!
  2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help - this is a big one for me - there are loads of people out there that are dealing with your same fears, so be vulnerable and ask for help when you need it! There are entrepreneur organizations that are there specifically to provide guidance, resources, and tools to support business owners - reach out and use them.
  3. Wow your customers every time! Repeat business, testimonials, and referrals are crucial to business owners, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs - word of mouth will fill or empty your pipeline - so act with integrity and do your best…and then ask for feedback - what went well, and what could have been better - then take the feedback and apply it!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Going it on your own is a tough process but incredibly gratifying! You have a dream and goals - don’t let the voices in your head stop you. You will fail, you will make mistakes - that’s a given, but ask for feedback, help, and get back up…make sure you employ a learning attitude from every mistake and success! We got this!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://growthmindedconsulting.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growthmindedconsulting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmindedconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthminded-consulting/

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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