Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alica Panzer, founder of I Do Coaching & More, located in Kaneohe, HI, USA.

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

I am a Bridal Coach who helps brides go from bridezilla to bridechilla. Being a bride-to-be myself, I know how incredibly stressful and nerve-racking wedding planning can be. The wedding day will be one of every bride’s most important days in their lives, but most brides are so stressed with all the planning, anxious about how the day will turn out, or unhappy with the way they look in their wedding dress. If you ask any bride their number one regret, the answer is always “I wish I had let myself enjoy it more.”

My mission is to stop the anxiety and start the fun! Every bride deserves to enjoy not just their wedding day but the process leading up to it. The engagement phase is one of the most magical times with the partner, but often the wedding stress gets in the way of appreciating that special time together. I help my clients who are feeling overwhelmed planning their own wedding and everything that comes with it, such as self-doubt, anxiety, or body-image/weight struggles, to reduce those negative emotions and minimize stress. I help them say “I Do,” feeling and looking their best.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been a go-getter. I moved away from my home country Germany all the way to beautiful Hawaii when I was 18. I got my dream job as a tour guide and traveled the world. When covid hit, I felt completely lost because I was worried that I would never find a job that would fulfill me the way my guiding job did. I’ve always considered myself lucky, having work that truly got me excited, that I did not want to lose it. I knew I had to find something I was just as passionate about, if not more.

My personal development during Covid has changed me in ways I can’t even put into words. The confidence I gained over building my business was all due to mindset work, healthy habits, and self-belief. Getting certified as a Life Coach and NLP Practitioner was just a small part of the success I have seen within my business. To this day, I keep working on myself because any self-growth, authenticity, and true passion will help your business more than anything.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Many entrepreneurs measure success by how much sales they make, their monthly income, or the number of new clients they got. And yes, while those can all be seen as huge accomplishments, I like to focus on two things:

  1. My client’s accomplishments. Seeing them reach their goals, whether it was losing weight before their wedding day or handling the wedding stress with ease while enjoying their engagement, my client’s success is my success.
  2. My personal growth that I would have never experienced if I hadn’t gone on this hard but life-changing entrepreneurial path. This has also led me to launch my podcast, Hungry For More.

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

The hardest thing for me was not to let anyone else’s opinions about my business idea influence me negatively. Not everyone will understand what your vision is. Not everyone will support you. Even friends and family may not be the support system you had hoped for. As hard as that is, only you know why you want to launch your business. The most important thing is that you believe in yourself. The more you believe in yourself, the more others will believe in you too.

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

It won’t be easy. No, let’s be real; it will be extremely hard. But as long as you never lose sight of your goals, they will all fall into place. Building a business from the ground requires a very strong mindset. One that does not let you quit when things get hard. One that does not let comparison, self-doubt, or self-sabotage get in your way of making your dreams a reality. The top 3 things that have helped me not give up and reach my goals are:

  1. Know your why. Know your why before you get started. When in doubt, remember your why, and it will help you get back on track.
  2. Work on yourself. The more you work on yourself and your mindset, the more you will be equipped for any hurdles that may come your way.
  3. Get support. Whether it is someone going through the same thing, a mentor, or a coach, make sure you have someone who understands what you are going through. Someone who you can go to celebrate any of your small (or big) wins, ask for advice, and go to vent and cry.

Following these three tips will help anyone tremendously with their entrepreneurial journey.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I have had this desire to help more people and realized there was no better way than doing so with a Podcast. “Hungry for More” is a Health and Lifestyle Podcast that goes deep into all sorts of health and lifestyle-related topics such as physical and mental health, nutrition, self-care, goal setting, and more. My co-host and I chat about topics close to our hearts and share our experiences and knowledge while taking a holistic approach.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.i-do-coaching.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alica.panzer/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3O5Yk4N

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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