Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Christiansen, CEO of Leverage U, located in St. Catharines, ON, Canada.

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

Since our inception in 1997, our mission has been to leverage people, groups, and organizations into radical, positive, lasting change. We offer consulting, public speaking, books and resources, and small press publishing.

Tell us about yourself

I started my career as a mental health worker and realized there was a lot of anger and not many ways to help clients resolve it or to create real change in their mental health status. I developed a 10-week program to help clients work through and resolve their anger and realized I had stumbled on something amazing. I revised and developed the program until it was scaleable. Now it is the best, evidence-based alternative to traditional anger management. All of my work is rooted in the Anger Solutions philosophy, and I am most motivated by seeing the transformation that comes when clients engage with my products and services. My personal mission and vision are to help individuals and organizations to create radical, positive, lasting change, and I live that mission every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the millions of dollars of content I have created over the last twenty-plus years. As a client-focused business, I embrace creativity in order to bring them the content that will serve them best.

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

One of the hardest things for a business owner is self-doubt because it leads to second-guessing decisions, fear of failure, and hesitating on choices that could build the business.

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

  1. Don't try to go it alone. Seek out experts and mentors who can show you how to be successful.
  2. Trust your instincts. Do it afraid. Everything you want is on the other side of fear.
  3. Learn how to ask for the sale. Price to value, and then learn to ask for the price.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We are in an amazing time in history where technology makes it possible for anyone to start and run a business for low investment and with unlimited possibilities. Get clear on your mission and vision, and craft a plan to execute your dreams and goals. Find your tribe and run with people who are on the same journey as you but who are further along so they can guide you!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://leverageu.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julz.christiansen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julz_christiansen/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theangerlady
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliechristiansen/

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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