Speaker & Certified Life Coach

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michell Barker, Author, Certified Life Coach & Motivational Speaker based in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I have a few businesses. I'm an author with a podcast that loves moving people from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset through self-development content. I'm also a marketing consultant that helps new businesses establish their online presence, so needless to say, I keep myself very busy.

Tell us about yourself

I had a difficult childhood, I was raised by a single mom, so I grew up very frustrated until I grew tired of muddling through life. When I turned 20, I started my self-development journey, and then I started sharing what I learned with anyone that would listen. And when I started working corporately, I wanted to help people with their business as well. Helping people gives me purpose. I've had nice cars and homes, and none of it made me happy. Seeing people succeed and learning to move on brings me joy.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the self-published book called "You Are Not the Only One." It took a lot of years to write and edit it, but it was completely worth it. Also, all the people I've helped have been my biggest accomplishment.

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

For me, being the one with the vision and having to believe that I'm not crazy and that things will turn out. The hardest thing for me has been following that still voice telling me not to give up. You literally go from milestone to problem to milestone to problem. I've wanted to quit so many times, and not to quit has been the hardest. You have to be resilient to be successful and learn the art of not quitting.

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

Don't quit; get help if you're really stuck.
Don't think that you're not good enough and that no one will help or support you because people will, even if they're strangers.
Don't settle on any aspect of your dream; figure out exactly what you want and then go after it. Don't let anyone talk you out of what you deserve and want.

You don't need a degree in order to be rich, all the information you need to succeed is available to you, and you have everything you need inside of you in order to make it happen.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://michellbarker.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellbarkercoaching/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellbarker/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michell-barker-540423188/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.