Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Noonan, Founder and CEO of Julie Noonan Consulting LLC., located in Orlando, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Julie Noonan Consulting, LLC is an executive coaching and change strategy company working with senior leaders to stay relevant even in constant change and chaos. I work with large organizations providing change management expertise and resources for disruptive business initiatives like mergers & acquisitions, reorgs, digitization, process reengineering, culture change, etc.
In addition, I specialize in coaching mid- to late-career executives, many of whom are sponsoring these types of initiatives in their companies, to adopt new behaviors and mindsets that better position the upcoming generations in the workforce to succeed, thus leaving a solid, successful legacy when/if they decide to retire.
Tell us about yourself
I have always been fascinated by stories, myths, and legends and studied English Literature in both undergrad and grad school. When I graduated and determined that becoming a college professor wasn't for me, I entered corporate America and began watching the same stories play out in the workplace. After all, what is the study of English Literature but the study of human beings living their lives in various situations...
I found that I excelled at seeing the connections between the work and the people, the goals and the behaviors, and, finally, I found a discipline that put it all together from a business context - change management. After four layoffs throughout my career, I decided that it was finally time to take things into my own hands and start my own company - so that's what I did.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being able to provide for my family by doing something that I love to do - coaching and consulting - is my biggest accomplishment. My grown daughters have always been proud of me, but I believe that they are both inspired by my courage, as the main breadwinner of our family, to try it.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner is the added layer of being your own safety net and having to fund your own healthcare, honestly. Being extremely disciplined also comes to mind.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't try to go it alone - get help when needed.
- Loosen up - there is no "right"; there isn't enough information/data out there to take away the risk, so just do it - make mistakes and learn.
- Stand in your power - the thing that I, frankly, struggle with most is self-sabotage - doubting that I'm smart enough, doubting that I'm credible enough or that my experience is good enough to be an executive coach. This kind of energy turns prospects away. So, stand in your power, be confident in yourself and HAVE FUN!!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'm an avid connector and networker, so I would love to hear from others on this journey!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jnoonanconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnoonanconsulting/
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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