Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Miriam Gunn, Founder of LeaveBetter Coaching & Therapy, located in Hyde Park, UT, USA.

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

I am a transformational business coach. I work with business owners, founders, C-suite leaders, and non-business high performers. I champion your genius toward the healing of our planet. I.e., I help you remove your roadblocks, so you can be the best you possible and then share that greatness with our world.

Tell us about yourself

I have always had an affinity for listening to people and helping them. If you talked to my friends in high school, I was the one they were telling about their boyfriend problems, and we would scheme together on how to solve and fix things. When I was in college, I got involved with a campus group that mentored students in their faith. Here I learned public speaking skills and small-group leadership skills.

I eventually became employed by that organization, and through working with students for 25+ years, I realized that sometimes therapy really helped these young people move forward. After years of going with them to their appointments, I eventually decided to get the degree myself. Several years after that, I found that I really liked coaching methodologies and became dual-certified as a coach, and began working with businesses and high-performing individuals.

What I think is interesting—within each era, I was utilizing the same skill set, just in different contexts. Listening, helping the person find out where they were stuck or self-sabotaging themselves and then how to work through that roadblock and reach their next level. First, it was with peers, then it was as a mentor, then as a therapist, and then as a business coach. I absolutely LOVE seeing people step into their better selves. It is very motivating to help someone have an insight that changes the trajectory of their thinking and actions.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Creating a service-based business that has increased in revenue and scope every year for a decade. I'm proud that I employ people, that I'm flexible, and that I have a great life. I'm proud of the number of people we have helped go on to lead better lives themselves.

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

The transition from trying to do everything to learning how to let others do things for you. The transition from working "in" the business to working "on" the business. In the early phases, the owner has to do everything; however, in order to grow and scale, you HAVE to learn how to systematize and how to delegate. You can't grow otherwise. It is a mental shift, and it takes people a bit to wrap their heads around the skill set that this requires.

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

  1. Find a way to get the support you're going to need. A coach, a mastermind, and other friends in business.
  2. Start with the end in mind. What is it that you are chasing? (Money, success, for what?) Sometimes, you already have a really good life, and starting a business can wreck that. Know what you would like the end result to look like, and chase that now. (Freedom, flexibility, kindness, service to others, etc.).
  3. Make your business about something that you can be proud of. There are a lot of people making a chunk of money, but they are wrecking our planet to do so. They are creating garbage products that no one really needs. They are destroying their relationships with their kids. Have some higher goal and purpose than just success or money. Because as you age, that stuff matters less and less. You want to end your life with pride for how you served humanity and made something better.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.leavebetter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leavebettercom/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leavebetter/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leavebetter/

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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