Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lona Spisso, Owner of Elite Leadership Training LLC, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a coaching and leadership development company that has been helping people achieve personal transformation for almost two decades. We assist teams and individuals from private, small business, corporate, healthcare, military, and professional sports industries in building cultures of accountability, positioning leaders and businesses for growth.
Tell us about yourself
I am an executive coach and leadership development expert with a psychology and social work background. A former military officer and combat Veteran with previous roles in both civilian and military sectors mentoring, coaching, and training people in many aspects of life. My exit plan from the military was always to continue pursuing my passion for helping others. I weaved my compassion and empathy from my psychology and social work background into my coaching. I also blended my discipline, accountability, and gift to motivate and influence with ease from the military to develop both individual and team coaching blueprints to help clients reach their highest potential regardless of the challenges they face both personally and professionally.
I’m motivated by new opportunities to lead clients on their professional and personal journey to overcome adversity and transform into influential leaders while creating a greater quality of life for themselves and their teams. My reward comes when I witness clients progress through my coaching program with increased mental toughness, resiliency, and the courage to make positive changes in their lives. Quality of life and wellness are in top demand across the global workforce; my blueprints facilitate this transformation.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a company owner is that we’ve been able to deliver quality services that exceed our client’s expectations consistently. Our programs are not cookie-cutter; they are custom tailored to the individual and the organization’s needs because one size fits all solutions simply don’t work. The key to our success has always been results. Results will always produce good word-of-mouth referrals, which is a key ingredient to a self-regenerating viable business.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Looking back, there were so many challenges; however, initially, dealing with unknowns and fear of failure was a constant thought for me. Business is not always predictable, no matter how prepared you may think you are. Work-life alignment for me was probably the most challenging in the first few years of business and during our growth. I look back now and laugh at the irrational fears I had starting the business. With experience comes wisdom, and I believe everyone’s journey is different. My journey has been life-long, and I’m excited to hit the next challenge head-on.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Network as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. Two of the best mentors in my life were in the coaching and training field for over 30 years. Always find people smarter than you who will give you sound guidance for future-proofing your business.
- Do your research. Is the market saturated with the service you want to provide? Are you willing to commit the time and energy to differentiate yourself from your competitors?
- Hire a coach or find a successful mentor who has surpassed where you are and is willing to spend enough one-on-one time with you to make a difference.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.eliteleadershiptraining.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Y2gU2P
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leadership_trng
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonaspisso/
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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