Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Blouin, a Certified Professional Coach based in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.

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

I'm a leading voice in the personal development and coaching industry. As a Certified Professional Coach, I help high-achievers balance their careers, health, and relationships for overall success and fulfillment. My expertise in empowering individuals, groups, and organizations has made me a sought-after speaker in the corporate world.

In addition to my coaching practice, I am an International Bestselling Co-Author of two books, and I am currently writing my third book, "A Journey of Riches: The Attitude of Gratitude, Messages from the Heart, and Live with Passion." My writing is deeply personal and relatable, and I use my own experiences to inspire and empower others to live their best life. I have also written hundreds of articles about careers, health, and relationships.

My magnetic and radiant presence as a motivational speaker has made me a popular choice for special events, and I lead courses for customer service, sales representatives, and senior management to boost productivity and sales and increase happiness in the workplace. My approach focuses on promoting mental health and reducing employee absenteeism, which leads to increased employee retention. As a recognized expert in the field of empowerment, mindset, and business coaching, I am frequently featured in interviews on TV, radio, podcasts, magazines, and summits. With my unique blend of personal experience, professional expertise, and motivational speaking, I am a powerful force in the coaching and motivational speaking industry. I am dedicated to helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.

Tell us about yourself

Healing and Life coaching have always been my passion. From a young age, I have always been drawn to helping others navigate through their challenges and live their best life. It all began when I was just four years old when I would remove my sister's or my friend's headaches or tummy aches. At six years old, I started coaching my Cabbage Patch Kids in the basement at the "School of Life." I would not teach them about math or science; instead, they would learn how to navigate life effectively.

At the age of 16 years old, my life took a sudden and painful turn when my brother passed away, and three months later, I moved away from the family home. I was devastated and struggling to cope with my grief, but I shortly after discovered coping skills. At school, my friends were asking me how I was able to cope, so I found myself naturally coaching them on resilience and how gratitude can assist in coping with grief. This experience was a turning point for me, as it solidified my passion for helping others navigate difficult times. At that time, I didn't realize that this was the start of my journey as a life coach, but as I grew older, my passion for helping others continued to grow. I went on to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences to study psychology and human behavior in order to gain a deeper understanding of the human mind and how it shapes our actions and decisions and to understand how to make a positive impact on people's lives. Once life coaching certifications were introduced, I became a certified professional coach, but I have been coaching my entire life. I am also a Certified Reiki practitioner, but I have been healing people my entire life as well.

One of the things I love most about life coaching is the ability to help my clients see things from a different perspective. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to help someone see a solution to a problem that they have been struggling with for years. In my experience, healing and life coaching are not just a job; it's a calling. It's something that I am deeply passionate about, and I feel incredibly fulfilled when I am able to help my clients achieve their goals. I believe that everyone has the potential to live a happy and healthy life, and it is my mission to help others unlock that potential. It brings me great joy to be a part of that journey for others. Whether through one-on-one coaching sessions or group workshops, I am dedicated to helping others live their best life. I wake up every morning with a grateful heart that I am able to live anywhere in the world and have a thriving coaching business helping people live their best life.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

One of my biggest accomplishments as a business owner has been taking the leap, letting go of fears, and packing a suitcase to leave Canada for Costa Rica. I have been here for four months already, and it has been an incredible journey so far. Making the decision to leave my home country and move to a new place has not been easy. I had to overcome my own fears and doubts about leaving behind the familiar and venturing into the unknown, but I knew that in order to truly live my dream life, I had to take the risk and make it happen.

I have been able to experience new cultures, meet new people, and gain a new perspective on life. The change of scenery gave me the opportunity to focus on my business and take it to new heights. I am now able to offer my clients a unique and personalized experience, as I am able to work with them remotely from a different part of the world. I am also in the process of organizing possible retreats in Costa Rica, Peru, and Mexico.

I am grateful for the opportunity to live in a beautiful and vibrant country. I am excited to continue to help my clients reach their goals and live their dream lives. I believe that by sharing my own personal experiences and struggles, I can inspire and empower my clients to take the necessary steps to make their own dreams a reality.

Overall, I am proud of myself for taking the risk and making this move, and I am excited to see what the future holds for my business and my clients. The experience has been challenging at times. Not all suppliers I deal with make it easy to contact them from abroad. The internet connection can be spotty at times. Also, Spanish is the only official language in Costa Rica, so the language barrier can be challenging at times, but my Spanish is getting really good. I'm really proud of myself that I was able to pivot my life and my business to make my dreams become a reality. Anything is possible if you are willing to take a leap of faith and pursue your dreams.

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is learning to say no to opportunities that may seem attractive or exciting but ultimately do not align with your business goals or values. This can be difficult because, as a business owner, you want to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way in order to grow and succeed, but this approach can lead to spreading oneself too thin and not being able to fully commit to any one opportunity. By saying no to certain opportunities allows you to focus on the ones that are truly beneficial for your business. It can be challenging to say no to potential clients or partnerships, as it may feel like you are turning away potential revenue. On the other hand, saying yes to opportunities that align with your business goals, even if they make you uncomfortable, is essential for growth. It allows you to take risks, try new things, and explore new markets or opportunities that you may not have considered before. It also helps you to stay competitive and adapt to change.

Ultimately, being a business owner requires a delicate balance of being selective about the opportunities you take on while also being open to new possibilities that will help you grow and succeed. It can be a challenge to obtain this balance, but with careful consideration and a clear understanding of your business goals and values, it is possible to make the right decisions and move your business forward.

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

  1. Vision: Having a clear vision for your business is crucial to its success. This means having a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you plan to get there. It's important to continually revisit and refine your vision as your business evolves. Also staying agile and adaptable is also important. The business world is constantly changing, and the most successful entrepreneurs are those who can adapt and evolve as needed. Whether it's shifting market trends, new technologies, or unexpected challenges, make sure you're always on the lookout for ways to improve your business and stay ahead of the curve.
  2. Patience and determination: Starting and growing a business takes time, hard work, and dedication. It's important to be patient and not get discouraged by setbacks and slow growth and to be determined and persistent in the face of challenges and obstacles. This means staying focused on your goals and on the long-term vision for your business and not giving up, even when things get tough.
  3. Hire a Life or Business coach: A coach can help you stay on track and accountable to your goals, help you identify areas of improvement, and provide guidance and support to help you overcome obstacles and achieve success. A coach can also provide an outside perspective and identify blind spots, which can be invaluable as you work to grow your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://julieblouin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.blouin.71
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie_blouin_coaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-blouin-/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julie.blouin

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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