Your Most Authentic - Kristen Hadeed
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kristen Hadeed, Founder of Kristen Hadeed LLC., located in Houston, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business centers on inspiring workplaces, teams, and leaders to create cultures where people come first. Our customers are people who believe in the power of a team and who want to elevate their culture and their level of trust. We work with customers all over the world in so many different industries, from healthcare and HR to pest control and tech.
Tell us about yourself
I started my first business, Student Maid, when I was just 19. I never dreamed of running a cleaning business, but it's the business that found me first! Over time, I learned that my true passion was in leadership development, company culture, and building teamwork and trust. Even though the cleaning industry was challenging and the work itself wasn't fun, it was these things that helped me and my team stay committed to the business and to the impact we were making on our people. Years later, we made the decision to close our cleaning business and focus solely on the leadership development and culture space. Now, what motivates me is helping other teams create what we were able to create on our team, which aligns with my vision of building a more human world.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is the impact our company has had on the people in it. People who cleaned with us at Student Maid years ago have gone on taking what they learned from us and implementing it in the teams they work with now. Others have gone on to run businesses of their own and hold sought-after positions, and many of them credit what they learned from our team as part of their success. The people on our current team have taken the work we've done to the next level, making us better communicators, helping us build better relationships, and keeping a strong foundation of trust not just among us but in our personal relationships outside of work. It's the ripple effect that our work has on every area of our lives that means the most to me.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is feeling like it's all on your shoulders: the responsibility of caring for people, and especially knowing that people depend on you for their livelihood. For a long time, I felt like I was the only one who could carry this responsibility, and if I ever asked our team for help or acknowledged how overwhelmed I felt, it would mean that I wasn't a good leader. But then I learned that the more I can acknowledge those things, ask for help, and invite people in, the better decisions we'll make, and the less we'll feel like we're alone. Today, our team makes decisions and builds the business together.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Remember that things don't go according to plan, and that is the plan! Still spend time thinking about your goals and how you might get there, but also think about how you can be adaptable and flexible in your approach.
- There will be setbacks and obstacles, and at times, you will feel defeated. In those times, write down what you're going through, how you're feeling, and what lessons you're learning. That's called a Resilience Resume. In the future, you can look back at it and be reminded of what you're capable of.
- Take care of yourself. You can't take care of others unless you're truly taking care of yourself. That's the foundation for being the best leader. Sometimes, we might sacrifice what we need to be at our best and put the business first, but if we do that too often, we'll reach burnout, which means we can't take care of our people and do what's best for them. So it has to start with us.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We have so many resources that teach the things we have learned as a team! They are exercises that have helped our team build trust, communicate better, strengthen our relationships, work more efficiently, and so much more. You can find them here: https://kristenhadeed.gumroad.com/. You can also subscribe to my weekly blog and my monthly Life Outside of Work newsletter by signing up on my website here: https://www.kristenhadeed.com/blog. (I'm not a spammer, I promise!) My team and I are here to help and support you! If there's ever anything we can do, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Help us build a more human world!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kristenhadeed.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekristenhadeed/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenhadeed/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristenHadeed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenhadeed/
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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