Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michele Dillinger, creator of Crack the Leadership Code, located in Midlothian, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I teach leadership skills to individuals starting their careers, moving into positions as "managers and above," and people looking to switch careers.
Tell us about yourself
I've always loved helping people. I grew up in a capitalist society where I followed a traditional path: education, then higher education, then entry-level jobs, rising through the ranks, and so on. 20-ish years into my career, I realized I wanted something different in my life. I knew I wanted to help people and make a difference in the lives of others, but I didn't know what I had to offer. This led me to look inward. I realized there's some benefit in knowing how to climb the corporate ladder. Knowing how to network at an event, knowing how to write a professional email, knowing how to lead a team - these are all skills that can be taught, and they were skills I had. This led me to create my online course "Crack the Leadership Code," which teaches people to transition into leaders/leadership roles. Today I regularly write about business topics and interview leaders in a variety of fields.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been overcoming the fear of failure and realizing that I can use my voice to influence positive change in the world. When it came to following the traditional path, my biggest accomplishment was realizing that I could break free of that mold and be whatever and whoever I wanted to be.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest parts of being a business owner is wanting to serve everyone but knowing you're never going to make everyone happy. I'm a Type A perfectionist, and I want everyone to benefit from the information and instruction I'm providing, and that's just never going to happen. It's hard to learn to be ok with that.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be persistent. Rome wasn't built in a day.
- Don't be afraid to change. If you decide you want to do X, it doesn't mean you can't change your mind later. Nothing in life is set in stone.
- Do something different. No one ever grew from doing the same thing day after day. In order to grow as a person and as a business owner, you have to be willing to do something different and new every day.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://micheledillinger.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturecoach1/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-dillinger/
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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