Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Aashi Arora, Founder of iRISE Executive Coaching, located in Yorba Linda, CA, USA.

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

I am an executive coach who guides healthcare professionals who want to RISE in leadership. Most clients come to me during times of the 3 T's - transition, trajectory, and trouble. Clients in times of transition are undergoing a difficult change in the workplace, maybe at a crossroads in their career or maybe coming into a new role. Clients in times of trajectory may be climbing the corporate ladder and want to build on their executive presence to get noticed for job promotions. Clients in times of trouble may be having difficulty with their working relationships and exhibiting signs of burnout. I support growth in all of these areas and lead my clients in the process of goal creation and fulfillment.

Tell us about yourself

I had been an executive leader working in healthcare administration for over 20 years when I one day realized that the operational and financial aspects of my career were no longer engaging and motivational. Having had a coach and hired coaches many during my corporate career, I knew that it was the right fit for me, and once I took the plunge, I have never looked back! It's because each day, I get to do work that I enjoy, speaks to my strengths, and creates so much impact in the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am most proud of facing my fears of being a solopreneur and launching a successful business starting the pandemic year! I didn't let the slow-down of 2020 stop me from doing the deep work on myself, learning about the needs of my clients, connecting with my network, experimenting with social media, and never stopping, even when some months business was slow. I have continuously worked on the business and not let rejections or slow-downs stop me. Tenacity has been my biggest business strength.

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is setting boundaries. It's very easy to get caught up in working all the time and every day, assuming that the more time you put into a business, the more you will get from it. I early on found that I was a natural executer (in the CliftonStrengths terminology, this is a leadership style) and had to be intentional about being strategic with my time and energy. I can fall easily in the "doing" mode rather than the "planning" mode, and more hours in the business has not been equivalent to more success. So, as a business owner, remember to make time for your well-being, recharge your energy, and be strategic about where you will expend it. This philosophy has greatly increased my success in my business today.

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

  1. Don't do it all on your own. Just because you are great at your craft or your service doesn't mean you need to be an expert in every part of your business - marketing, finance, scheduling, customer relations, and operations. There are experts out there in all of these areas, and seek support services out so that you can spend more time doing what you do best.
  2. Create KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for your business and look at them at least monthly but preferably weekly. Greg Faxon is my business coach, and this has been the greatest lesson I have learned from him. Don't assume, even as a solopreneur, that you can track or remember all aspects of your business. Get the metrics in a format and be consistent with reviewing them - leads, sales, hours worked, client data, etc.
  3. Hire a coach - You will have moments of impostorism where you will doubt your abilities in being a business owner. You will have times when you hold back in taking risks. You will have times when you want to give up and go back to the misery of the job before. A coach will be the support person to get you through these tough times and help highlight and bring out what's great in you. They will also show you how to channel your strengths into your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.iriseexecutivecoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aashi.irise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aashi.irise/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Aashi_iRISE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aashiarorairiseexecutivecoaching/

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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