Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lori Vande Krol, Founder of Life Made Simple, LLC, located in Des Moines, IA, USA.

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

As a productivity consultant and owner of Life Made Simple, I work with busy professionals and growing businesses to implement systems to increase efficiency and success. I love to partner with leaders and business owners who have big dreams and big goals but may be drowning in the daily deluge of information, requests, and ideas. I help them to get clear on who they are and where they want to go, and then to create a plan and systems to get there. We do this through better management of time, space, and information.

I work with individuals through productivity consulting and coaching and offer training and consulting to teams and organizations. Some of my specialty areas include time management coaching, email management training, office organization, and systems implementation.

Tell us about yourself

As a child, a few of my favorite things were solving puzzles, playing "counselor" to my friends, and organizing the family toy closet. My best subject in school was always math, so I decided to pursue a degree in Mathematics at Iowa State University. After graduating, I began a career in actuarial science and set out on the long-term goal of earning my FSA (Fellow of the Society of Actuaries) designation. Several years and many actuarial exams later, my Fortune 500 employer made the decision to sell the subsidiary in which I worked, resulting in career evaluation and a lot of soul-searching. This, along with having one child and one more on the way, spurred me to research other career possibilities. Sometimes it takes a big life transition to realize your true passions and goals, and I had come to realize that a career in actuarial science wasn't truly my lifelong passion. I wanted to be able to work with and help people more directly. In addition, I was finding that balancing a career with a family was difficult, and I saw others dealing with this same challenge.

In May 2005, Life Made Simple was born. I began the business with a creative partner and modeled after TLC's "Clean Sweep." Our goal was to make life simpler for others by creating organized, beautiful spaces for them. Over the years, I determined my background, skills, and passions better served my clients in the business world and therefore transitioned to a full business focus. Now, I work to make life simpler for busy professionals by not only helping them to create organized spaces they love working in but also by helping them manage their time and resources so they can reach their goals and have more time for the things and people that matter most.

I believe all of these steps and experiences – 13 years as an actuary and risk manager in a Fortune 500 company, my personal role as wife and mom to three girls, community roles with various organizations, and my experience as a productivity consultant and coach – have provided me with a great understanding of how an organized and productive environment can impact all areas of life. I've heard you should look at what you enjoyed as a child to see what your true calling in life should be. I feel blessed to have found a career where I get to solve problems, counsel/coach my clients, and use my innate organizational skills to help people throughout the country.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say my biggest accomplishment is seeing the tools and processes I have built over the years create change in my clients. I have watched clients reach goals they never thought they could, clients that were able to stop taking medications because of improved health due to lower stress and overwhelm, and clients that have adjusted entire lifestyles after reflecting on priorities and learning how to better manage time.

Through working with these clients, teaching them, and learning from them, I have created the ProAction Process(TM), a 5-step process incorporating big-picture visioning, goalsetting, reflection, and planning. Last year, I developed the ProAction Planner(TM), which is a weekly planner utilizing the 5 steps from the ProAction Process in a simple and cohesive way. It provides clients with a simple tool to gain control and perspective, work proactively, and live with intention. I hope to continue to grow this part of my business so that I can reach more people and potentially change more lives.

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

It can feel lonely being a business owner, especially as a solopreneur. We face new challenges every day, and the success of our business relies on our ability to overcome them, sometimes on our own. I am thankful to be a part of like-minded groups where we can share our ups and downs and learn from each other. Being a business owner means we have to be good at many things but also be willing to admit when we should ask for help. I am still working on this, but getting better at utilizing my fellow business owners to help in those areas where they excel.

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

First and foremost, you have to be passionate about what you are doing or selling. It will be more work than you expect, and you will have days where you want to throw in the towel. If you don't believe in your "why" and be willing to work for it, it will be difficult to grow any business.

Next, I recommend connecting with other business owners through networking groups, masterminds, chambers, and industry groups. Learn from them, support them, and grow together.

Finally, put in place the systems and processes to be efficient and effective early. How will you manage your information (paper, digital, email, photos, notes, client info, etc.)? How will you manage your tasks, projects, and time? What are your guidelines and boundaries? What can be automated? What processes can be developed and documented? Your systems can change and grow with you, and it will save you a lot of time, energy, and money in the long run if you spend the time and resources now.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.alifemadesimple.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeMadeSimplePro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifemadesimplepro/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lvandekrol
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorivandekrol/

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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