Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Holly Grassl, Founder of Hollgrafix, located in Whitby, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is all about helping passionate business owners step into their power by building their personal brands. I create visual brand identity, develop a brand strategy, and do one on one brand coaching with my clients in order for them to show the world their unique talents and superpowers!
I use design and strategy with my clients to help them own their uniqueness, create a brand that exudes their passion, and build an online presence that connects with their ideal clients. I am all about helping soul-led entrepreneurs in creating a brand that exudes their unique passion and purpose.
My specific client base is focused on passionate business owners who want to make an impact and create a business led by desire. I typically work with creative service providers and coaches in the digital space. I work predominantly with women, but as long as my clients are super passionate about what they do and want to truly help others, I am open to collaborating with a wide range of entrepreneurs.
Tell us about yourself
I have always been a creative and expressive person. I am sensitive, bold, and intuitive. I use these unique traits to help drive my business and to connect with my audience. I completed my bachelor's in Child and Youth Studies, which I enjoyed so much. I learned a lot about the world, human development, and psychology. Although I switched career directions to find something that really lit my soul on fire, leaned into my creativity and desire, and ended up starting my design business and never looking back.
Every day I wake up so thankful that I do what I do. I truly believe that you are worthy of loving what you do and that you should truly enjoy the process of the work that you spend your days doing. The impact that I have on my clients and audience really keeps me motivated every single day. Just knowing the impact, I have on others and that I am able to help entrepreneurs step into their power, own their uniqueness, and show up more confidently in their business and life is honestly such an amazing feeling.
I am so passionate about the work that I do, and I truly believe that my passion drives everything that I do and that it is a huge source of why people choose to work with me.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
How far I have come. The fact that I started out completely unsure of myself, my direction, and my purpose…constantly doubting myself and not feeling confident at all… to putting in the hard work and dedication that has brought me to where I am now such an accomplishment.
I am more self-assured, confident, inspired, and authentically myself than I ever thought was possible for me. I am so proud of how far I’ve come both in my business and in my self-ownership. I know that I will always remember this feeling of accomplishment and gratitude for how far I’ve come.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Trusting in yourself is definitely such a difficult part of running your own business. When you’re in charge, it is only you… only you can make the change, can move you forward, and only you can also hold yourself back.
Being able to self-reflect and recognize that you are the main thing holding you back is a huge challenge in entrepreneurship. Being able to trust yourself and choose to keep going even when you don’t see immediate results is a huge challenge. Learning to have confidence and trust in yourself will bring you so much closer to your goals than you’d ever think possible!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Lead with passion, and the results will follow! If you are super passionate about what you do, and you infuse that passion into everything that you do, your clients will feel it, your audience will admire it, and you will feel more fulfilled than you ever thought possible. When you lead your life with desire and passion, instead of doing what you think you “should do,” you will never live with regret.
Have a “why” that is stronger than any excuse. If you have a strong why that you can ground yourself back to whenever things get tough (because they definitely will), then you will be able to persevere and keep pushing forward no matter what comes your way. If you LOVE what you do and why you do it, nothing will stop you from creating the life you want. If your why is strong enough, no difficult time will ever keep you from moving forward.
If you really want something, there should never be a plan b. If you want to make this business work, you will do anything you can to make it happen. You will know, trust, and believe that it will happen. If you want that thing, go out there and make it happen. No “what if” no “if it doesn’t work, I’ll do this” and no “plan b’s.” Take chances, make risky moves, and choose to do things scared. You will never fail if you are passionate about making that thing happen. Any “failure” will be a lesson for you to approach life with, moving forward wiser than you were before.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
It is never too late to live the life you’ve been dreaming of. Life is too short for you to live your days feeling unfulfilled and with regret. You are the only one in charge of your life, and the life you’re dreaming of is possible. You hold all of the power. So, if you want that thing, you want to start that business, or whatever else it is… get out there and make it happen!
You will be so forever grateful that you chose to take the leap!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.hollgrafix.com/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/hollgrafix/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollgrafix/
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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