Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with David Shar, Founder of Illuminate PMC, located in Baltimore, MD, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the president and founder of Illuminate Performance Management Consultants (Illuminate PMC). I help organizations improve their company culture and leadership by providing evidence-based keynotes, workshops, trainings, and full-scale consulting. I primarily work with HR and other leaders, from frontline supervisors to the C-Suite.
Tell us about yourself
I began my career as a serial entrepreneur, where I ultimately became the managing partner of an ice cream franchise in Baltimore, MD. While I was excited to work with ice cream, I had no idea how much I would learn about leadership, company culture, and human motivation along the way. Most of my crew members came from the inner city of Baltimore, and we're faced with incredible daily challenges, yet they were fully engaged in their work, even showing up on their day off. When one of my teenage crew members came in to work only hours after finding out that her boyfriend had been shot multiple times and left for dead, I tried to convince her to go to be with her family or friends... But she insisted on staying as "I need to be here. I can only be here. This is my happy place." That moment was incredibly impactful for me as I realized that I had accidentally created a culture where my employees felt safe, valued, and seen. They found meaning in scooping ice cream. In the meantime, many of my friends, who were doctors, lawyers, and teachers, dreaded going to work on Monday mornings. Since that moment, over a decade ago, I have been on a mission to learn and teach as much as I can about human motivation and how to build meaningful work, and how to create work environments where everyone is passionate about their mission and work. That's what gets me out of bed in the morning. That's what lights my fire.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When my clients or even a keynote attendee take the time to reach out and describe the impact that my talk, training, or consulting had on them and their teams, those moments keep my fire burning.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a speaker, consultant, and academic, so much of my day is spent learning and teaching. Between you and me, I love that part of my work so much that I would do that for free! But running a business means managing my sales, marketing, and finances… that's the challenging part. Thankfully, most of my business comes from referrals, which means I don't need to cold call too often.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Always add value. I consistently provide value through social media, my newsletter, and through mentoring others. It feels good to help others and call it karma or whatever, but when you focus on helping others, people will want to do business with you.
- Build yourself a network. Owning a business can feel like you're on a lonely island. It is so important to have other business owners (if they are in the same industry, even better) to run ideas by, commiserate with, and support. This requires you to get past that fixed-pie mindset. Stop looking at all of your competitors as your enemies. There is enough business to go around, and you will be stronger with a supportive network than if you are navigating this journey alone.
- Your business should be a part of your identity but not consume your identity. When we become obsessively passionate about our work, we will eventually burn out, or the rest of our world will burn down around us. To be successful and happy, you should be passionate about your work, but you also need other outlets. You need to take time to recharge
to be with family, to be out in nature, and to explore your hobbies. Turn off your cell phone for 24 hours... I promise the work will still be there for you when you turn your phone back on, AND you will feel better, refreshed, and energized for the rest of the week ahead.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.illuminatepmc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IlluminatePMC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshar/
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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