Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Isabel Lehoux, Founder of ISA, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.

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

ISA, The Institute of Storytelling for Actors, offers high-level training for professional and aspiring actors who want to become extraordinary storytellers. We translate all the technical language of filmmaking into acting terms so that our actors can keep the freedom of working intuitively and creatively. Stories have the power to transform, transcend, bring hope, and empower. And actors are the vehicle. More than ever, the world needs stories that inspire us. And it takes extraordinary storytelling to accomplish that. It's ISA's honour to be a part of this journey.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a Brazilian-born Canadian actor, director, and acting coach. As far as I can remember, stories have played a significant role in my life. I always felt the need to tell stories. Before I could read, I drew comic books. Once I learned how to read, my favourite pastime was writing stories and reading books. Still, as a child, I repeatedly watched my favourite films. I knew all the lines in the movie and then acted the scenes alone or with my friends.

I started my career as an actor in my late teens back in Brazil and moved to Canada in my early twenties, where I tapped into directing and coaching. A few years later, I co-founded a company called Straeon Acting Studios with acting coach Jock MacDonald, who also shares my incurable passion for storytelling.

ISA was born out of my desire to serve clients even further. Coaching actors is more complicated than it seems! No technique fits all. Each one of us is unique. The human being is the instrument actors who use their own body, mind, and heart to get themselves out of their comfort zone to take us on a journey that will change our lives, which requires extreme courage and vulnerability. Therefore, methodologies and techniques should constantly evolve because we are always changing as a species and individuals. Our mission at ISA is to provide actors with intuitive and innovative training so that they can reach their potential and become extraordinary storytellers because we believe stories are essential to the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Witnessing my clients achieve their dreams is my biggest accomplishment, from booking their first auditions to booking roles in feature films and TV series or seeing them become directors and producers. I'm humbly honoured to be a part of their journey.

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

Having the courage to keep growing. Creating a business out of nothing can be daunting, so many entrepreneurs stop growing once they reach a comfort zone or a certain status within their industry. Going toward a new challenge can be scary. But as entrepreneurs, we are, by nature, creative people. As William S. Burroughs said, "when you stop growing, you start dying."

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

  1. Go into business for the right reasons. You will only find the motivation to keep going if your why is a burning desire that comes from your heart and serves others in your community.
  2. Break it down into smaller steps. Your dream will be big because those are the only ones worth following. But I know how overwhelming it can be. So break your vision down into smaller doable steps, and remember to celebrate even the tiniest milestones because they're the building blocks to something bigger.
  3. Believe in yourself and find mentors who will build you up. Some people will not understand why being an entrepreneur is important to you and may try to discourage you. No matter how well-intentioned they are, don't let their perspective dictate how you live your life. You are unique
    your path has never been walked before. Stay true to it, and you will live the life of your dreams.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.isa-actingclasses.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISAactingclasses
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isa_actingcoach/

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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