Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Nguyen, Founder of She is Julie, located in San Jose, CA, USA.

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

I help scale and position individuals, leaders, and organizations for success while helping them achieve their financial goals through strategic coaching focusing on Career Alignment and Consulting.

Tell us about yourself

The Past: I was raised in Silicon Valley; My family experienced the hardships of poverty, physical abuse, and Welfare assisted-living such as food stamps and Section 8 housing programs. As a teenager, things shifted drastically for me on record. I was marked by truancy, placed into a continuation school, became a young mother, and became a high school dropout.

The Lesson: When I became a young, single mom in 2005, I learned the responsibilities of a provider, which taught me grace, patience, strength, and the importance of survival. Given my educational background and upbringing, I found myself fighting and facing adversity. I was able to overcome those battles with resilience, facing every obstacle that came my way…

The Why: To provide for my family, I entered the workforce at an early age and had to put my education on hold. During job interviews, it was difficult for me to explain why I didn't have a high school diploma. Strategically, I had to figure out how to obtain a stable job with full benefits and perks. For the first two years as a new mother, I took on flexible, short-term, and temporary positions. Fortunately, one temporary position landed me onsite at Google as their contractor/consultant through an agency.

The Outcome: In 2007, I started my career in the Administrative field as a receptionist for a small doctor's office. Each year after that, I climbed up the corporate ladder mastering my craft from a small office receptionist to an Administrative Assistant and ending up as a corporate Executive Assistant. Before transitioning out of the Administrative field in 2016, I obtained an associate's degree in 2013. Sadly, two months later, my father passed away, and I became the primary caretaker for my mother (who was diagnosed with Psychotic Depression).

Fast forward to 2015 - I attempted to apply to the bigger tech companies, such as Amazon, PayPal, and Google, which were at the top of my list. The professional timeline showcases my perseverance and tenacity in my career; you may find it here.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I help individuals, organizations, and leaders transition and transform through thought leadership and strategic approaches. I've worked with some of the world's most iconic tech companies, like Google, where I was recognized year after year for my ability to deliver results. I have over a decade of experience supporting corporate executives, meeting their key performance indicators (OKRs), developing organizational processes, and implementing governance structures. My clients appreciate my no-nonsense attitude and ability to cut through the noise to get things done...

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

The hardest thing is reaching an audience who has not seen the value in having a mentor/coach who can help elevate them to the next level and are afraid of taking the first step.

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

  1. Don't be afraid of your own success.
  2. Success also does not happen overnight - If you fail, try again.
  3. Be confident in your expertise and product, as you are the brand.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sheisjulie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategiccoachjulie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheisjulie_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnguyen11/

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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