Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Aaron Thomason, Founder & CEO of LVL Three, LLC, located in Nashville, TN, USA.

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

At LVL THREE, we are devoted to helping each business and individual unlock their potential. We trust that success is achieved by partaking in activities, practices, and partnerships that generate enthusiasm, passion, and excitement. Our expertise in organizational change management, as well as leadership development, will ensure the best performance for all our clients leading to improved productivity and profit margins. At LVL THREE, we strive to be the catalyst for the transformation all our clients require. We are fueled by an unwavering fervor and exist solely to assist companies and individuals in locating, Leveraging, and strategically Launching their passions in order to realize both business objectives as well as personal ambitions.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up in Detroit, MI, as the oldest of three children held a great responsibility that I had to look out for my brother and sister. During the 1980s and 1990s, sports and academics became an escape from all of the commotion around me. Even though speaking wasn't particularly one of my strong points—as I was regularly made fun of due to being tall or always attending church—the people still saw me as a leader. This attitude followed me into college, where I was a leader at Oregon State University's basketball team and a captain of Valparaiso University's squad. At Valpo, being in the national spotlight, I started learning what I now know as situational leadership. I learned how to push the right buttons for each member of the team to bring out their best. Little did I know that this skill would be needed when I entered the corporate world and became the basis of my business. In 2015, I started LVL Three, LLC in response to a three-day leadership summit that I conducted on the fly. Someone said, "You need to start a company. You're really good at this." I had to admit that I was having fun. The people responded, and transformation took place, so I decided to give it a shot. I am motivated each day to help individuals and businesses find their "it." Once they unlock the "it," their lives and business will never be the same.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was being able to take my largest revenue-generating year in 2019 and maintain that same revenue of the new business in 2020 when the world shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

The hardest part about being a business owner is knowing every decision you make won't be the right decision but what you learn from that leads you to the right destination for you and everyone around. Learning as you go and not getting down is the toughest thing about being a business owner.

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

  1. Do the work on the inside - each person is so eager to work on their business, but the first thing you need to work on is you. Being in business will bring up a bunch of stuff you didn't know existed. When it shows up, you have to deal with it, and it can be an impediment to your business.
  2. Belief - belief is magnified by your actions, so if you believe you can, then don't stop because it doesn't look like it's working right now. Don't stop because someone looks like they are winning, and you are not. Believe and run your race.
  3. Ask for Help - Don't be afraid to ask for help. Many times we want to do it alone, but most of the time, we fear someone is going to hold us accountable, and it's just easier to keep it to ourselves.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.lvlthree.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askaaronvictor/

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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