Alignment · Courage · Belonging

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michael Gregor, Founder of Inclusive Leaders, located in Oakland, USA.

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

I'm a leadership coach, DEI consultant, and organization designer. I know what it's like to go against the grain—and I work with bold leaders who have a hunger to change how their organizations collaborate and work together. These are the agitators and visionaries who know a better future is possible and are willing to put in the work to get there. I help leaders intentionally choose how to show up and what to focus on to achieve their goals.

Tell us about yourself

I started my career in activism and community organizing with a deep desire to change the world. I learned what it's like to galvanize passionate groups of people toward strategic change. And I learned that relationships and trust matter most when doing the hard work of transformation. These early experiences flow through everything I do—leading with equity, inclusion, and plenty of laughter.

During the COVID pandemic, I decided to create an independent practice after years of working as part of small consultancies. I'm inspired every day by the vision and brilliance that my clients bring to the world and to their employees. And I'm motivated by a desire to keep expanding the freedom and liberation of all people. For me, work is a spiritual practice that is about creating the future I want to see.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building the skills and confidence to get to this point in my career. I'm so proud to have worked with dozens of clients and made a positive impact on how leadership teams work. I'm at a point where I'm really clear about what I have to offer; I know how to make an impact on every client project, and my work is tightly aligned with my values. Just getting here through many struggles and setbacks—and while raising a small child—feels like an accomplishment!

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

The unpredictability of the future and the responsibility to figure it out. I love my job, and I don't always know what revenue will look like in the future or which potential clients will end up hiring me. So it takes a lot of trust in myself and faith that I will make the right connections with the right people. It's so different from just being a salaried employee—but it's also exhilarating and freeing.

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

The first is to find your niche—get clear about what you're great at and focus on that. Most people are looking for a solution to a specific problem, so be clear about what problem you can help with.
The second is to be persistent and consistent in your business building. In my experience, those who are great at their craft and stick with it are successful over the long haul. There are ups and downs, of course, but those are usually temporary.
The third is to get crystal clear on what your personal values are and then figure out how to apply them to everything you do in business. This is easier said than done and can take lots of iteration. But that's part of the fun! When you're acting in alignment with your values, your customers and employees can feel it, and the work is more sustainable for you as a leader.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://inclusiveleaders.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael.gregor.coach/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelagregor/

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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