Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Isabelle Mercier, Co-Founder of LeapZone Strategies, located in Nanoose Bay, BC, Canada.

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

In a nutshell, LeapZone Strategies is a brand positioning and business growth coaching agency dedicated to helping people build extraordinary lives, businesses, and brand experiences. We deliver no-nonsense strategies, tools, and advice for passionate couple-preneurs, entrepreneurs, and heart-centered leaders of fast-growth companies. Our mission is to empower 10 Million entrepreneurs to operate and live by design, not by default, as well as deliver their “genius” in a simple, impactful, and differentiating way.

I teach people how to charge more for their genius by activating and owning their X-Factor. I help people differentiate themselves so that their prospects and clients say: "I would be a fool to work with anyone else but you, regardless of price." I do that through business strategy, coaching, and brand alignment. Basically, we are a branding, marketing, and business coaching organization all in one.

Tell us about yourself

I was born and raised in a family of entrepreneurs. I absolutely loved working with my mom in her hair salon after school. I learned so much from serving people day in and day out. Making life better was not only our objective; it was our pleasure. Every morning, my mom would say, "It's a beautiful day to make life better! Who will you wow & delight today, girl?"

Here's what I learned at a really young age. I learned to listen to the unsaid. People say A LOT in between words with their energy, body language, and actions. I learned to always look for ways to wow and delight. I learned what it truly means to serve with love, attention, and intention. I learned that the energy we operate from matters and that the little things make a big difference.

Today, I am known as the Simon Cowell of Brand Positioning and Business Growth, and yes, I choose to take this as a huge compliment because this guy can sure spot and catapult talent forward. I am just a hell of a lot kinder and, let’s face it, more fashionable! And the one thing I know for sure is that most (if not all) business owners start their entrepreneurial journey because they want to make life better for themselves and others while doing it their way - Am I right, or am I right? However, the reality is that most business owners are feeling totally overwhelmed, overworked and undervalued, which is not a fun combination and a far cry from their original vision.

Why is that? Because most business owners don't know how to position their brand (products or services) in a way that has their ideal clients say: Where the hell have you been all my life? And they are unclear as to how to implement the right business architecture and internal culture to allow them to create the freedom, impact, and sustainable growth they have been craving to create all along. And that gets me up in the morning because my genius is to help entrepreneurs play to WIN rather than play not to lose.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I started my first business right out of my teens. I was full of piss and vinegar and eager to change the world! Looking back, I smile because I have grown so much over the years. I am a much better human being, therefore, a much better leader.

LeapZone has also evolved and grown in many ways over the years, and one of the biggest changes by far is when we created Trailblazers Estate back in 2016. A magical 5-acre equestrian property on Vancouver Island, designed to help business leaders accelerate their success through breakthrough branding, positioning, business, and personal growth retreats. We incorporate horses and equine facilitated coaching into our strategic approach, which has allowed us to not only help business leaders and their teams with the outcomes they want to achieve but also to help them to overcome the challenges, blocks more effectively, and limiting beliefs in their way to getting there. At LeapZone, we truly believe in the importance and value of taking time out to work ON your business rather than IN it.

We have also been creating massive ripples with the creation of Build To Rock, which is an exceptional brand positioning and x-factor building online program designed specifically for small business owners. And bridging the gap between OUTCOME (results) and OVERCOME (obstacles) by leveraging the power and wisdom of the horse to help entrepreneurs create businesses and brands that truly reflect their badassery and make life better.

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

For me, life/work balance. I am a very accountable and responsible person, and often to my detriment. Learning to deliver excellence while creating and respecting boundaries has been a journey that has taught me and continues to teach me valuable lessons.

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

  1. Now that I know what I know, what would I tell my younger self? I would say trust your inner guidance, get out of your own way and learn to delegate early. Becoming a bottleneck for the people and processes in your business can be detrimental to success, growth, and happiness.
  2. I would also say invest time and energy in uncovering what makes you the first, the best, or the only because positioning can be the difference between massive success and inching forward.
  3. And most importantly, treat your own business like you would treat a million-dollar client. See, if your own business (and needs) always come last on your priorities list, your opportunity for sustainable and fulfilling growth will be massively affected. At LeapZone, we invest a minimum of half a day per week as well as every 8th week in working ON our business, meaning to take the time to eliminate, automate, create and innovate to help us and our business grow and keep things simple and effective.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://leapzonestrategies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isabelle.mercier.turcotte
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapzone.strategies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leapzone
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leapzoneleader/

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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