Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Wendy Glass, CEO of Ignite Leadership & HR Consulting Group, located in Christiansburg, VA, USA.

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

Ignite Leadership is an executive coaching and leadership advisory practice that helps leaders execute on strategy, using proven approaches that ignite the passion of those entrusted to their care as leaders, and propels organizations to success. We serve high-performing leaders and organizations of all sizes across many different industries who seek excellence.

Tell us about yourself

My background is in Human Resources. I spent over 17 years in the profession, with the last ten years of my career in Corporate America with a Fortune 500 company. As a people leader, my priority is aligning the people agenda with the strategic plans of the organization. I did not grow up dreaming of being an HR executive or business owner, but once I arrived, I knew I had found my place. In 2021, I made the decision to step away from Corporate America. I knew there had to be a better way of living, and from that, Ignite was born. We chose the name Ignite because we believe to succeed, organizations must ignite the passion of their people.

I am grateful I found a path to continue doing the work I love, but on my terms. I get to coach high-performing leaders and help organizations succeed by developing their leadership capability and competency without having to work 50+ hours a week, without being on-call 24/7, and without giving up any more of the precious gift of time. I had missed so much of it with my family throughout the previous ten years, and Ignite gave me back that gift. If I can have even a small impact on the people within organizations by helping their leaders serve them better, then I know I have succeeded.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Honestly, I think just founding Ignite was huge. It took some courage to walk away from a stable and growing career. I did not have a Rolodex of clients just waiting for me to launch a coaching and leadership advisory practice, but with a lot of faith, a willingness to work hard, and maybe a little luck, I am finding success as an entrepreneur.

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

Learning things that are not my area of expertise, like Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Marketing overall. But in my field, the best form of marketing is word of mouth, and we're doing some really cool things to get our name out in our business community.

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

First and foremost, believe in yourself! Know that you are capable of great things, then go for it.

Second, be crystal clear on why you're doing what you're doing, and more specifically, why your business is THE business customers and clients need to work with you.

Finally, do not let fear hold you back. I truly believe that if you want something you've never had, you must do something you've never done, so if you want something, ask for it! If you don't, the answer will most certainly be no.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

When organizations partner with Ignite, they get a boutique feel with Fortune 500 experience. We get to know our clients and their needs, then deliver solutions that work for them, and we don't just claim to be experts in the field; we have the credentials to back up. As the founder, I am a Certified Executive Coach through the Center for Executive Coaching (an International Coaching Federation accredited training program); I hold two HR Professional certifications and am certified with TTI Insights to deliver validated assessments to help high-performing leaders become even better leaders.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.igniteleadershipcoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IgniteLeadershipCoach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igniteleadershipcoach/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Q1igaa

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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