Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in training and education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with NJ Lechnir, Founder of Leapfrogging Success, located in La Crescent, MN, USA.

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

Critical Thinking Skills Academy helps you learn more about critical thinking, communication, speaking, presentation, learning, and development skills by examining cognitive biases, cognitive distortions, cognitive tools, conspiracy theories, defense mechanisms, logical fallacies, myths, superstitions, types of intelligence and types of personalities within the school, academics, workplace, employment, and personal relationships. We live in a post-truth dystopia, whether we like it or not. Issues like viruses, vaccines, climate change, presidential elections, and every type of social tragedy have infiltrated our thoughts. Rather than let these things get to you, have fun learning critical thinking skills while quizzing your family and friends with bundled printable flash cards to spot and avoid flaws in reasoning, as well as help you develop strong philosophical arguments. We offer handy educational reference tools and resources, high-resolution printable flashcards, printable posters, printed posters, workbooks, videos, and learning courses. Our products are made with love and care with meticulous craftsmanship for your education, reference, and learning enjoyment by regular folks just like you who love to learn. These products are perfect for busy education professionals, teachers, trainers, corporate leaders, HR reps and managers, Diversity Equity and Inclusion advocates, team-building facilitators, non-profit groups, counselors, mentors, coaches, designers, developers, business managers, and Learning Development specialists.

Tell us about yourself

I'm NJ Lechnir, and I have many years of experience as a Learning and Development Administrator, Instructional Designer, Web Designer, Developer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. I also have extensive training with Toastmasters International as a certified advanced speaker and as a leader in Officer roles of Club President, Vice President of Education, Vice President of Public Relations, and Treasurer. I love teaching, training, and mentoring people in critical thinking skills and communication skills. I've always been a quiet, introverted, reserved, deep thinker on the inside. After developing my skills in public speaking and presentations, I have been creating learning courses, workshops, reference tools, and resources for busy education professionals. Our flagship learning course is called The LEAPS Method - 5 Simple Steps to Powerful Speaking and Presentations, in which we cover topics of growth mindset, learning, engaging experts, writing speech content, developing visuals, and the dynamic art of speech mechanics.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is taking the necessary steps to keep the business going and pivot where needed, despite challenges and struggles along the way, especially from the stress of primary employment and personal obligations. Also, being able to pass on business acumen to my children, which I learned in my experiences as a business owner, has been monumentally gratifying.

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

I find that it's challenging to find prospects in ethical ways that will truly benefit from our critical thinking skills and communication skills, references, and resources. It is extremely disheartening to see people fall victim to dysfunctional thinking and communication methods and not understand that it takes education and hard work to employ critical thinking skills and to properly communicate messages with positivity. Learning how to think and communicate clearly and avoid the pitfalls of distorted and delusional thoughts helps everyone be more mentally and physically healthy. This is why it's so important to teach critical thinking skills and communication skills to those who may not realize they need help.

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

  1. It takes planning, hard work, time investment, and perseverance to weather the storm of modern millennial social marketing and selling. If you believe in your product or service, don't give up. Success does not happen overnight.
  2. Listen to your prospects and customers. You should know when something is not working. Be willing to change and pivot quickly to meet the demands of your customers. They will tell you what they want.
  3. Avoid personal or emotional attachment to your product or service so that it does not blind you if it fails. Do not attach yourself to the outcome. Oftentimes, you will end up taking the most unlikely path to success. The path becomes clearer as you keep doing more and learning from your experiences.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://leapfroggingsuccessacademy.thinkific.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leapfroggingsuccess
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfroggingsuccess
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leapfrgsuccess
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-lechnir-acb-cpd-a770ba10/

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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