Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rosie Zilinskas, Founder of No Woman Left Behind, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

'No Woman Left Behind' was established to help women unlock their career-earning potential by learning to articulate their worth with massive confidence, conviction, and clarity. The "No Woman Left Behind" brand includes the "No Woman Left Behind" podcast, career-building services such as individual and group coaching, Professional Resume Services, and Professional Speaking.

My clients are women struggling to advance in the corporate world. Their ages range from 25 to 45, and they are tired of spinning their wheels and getting nowhere. We provide education, empowerment, training, and tools for women helping them recapture money left on the table. Our core mission is elevating women's self-confidence and capabilities, thereby elevating their potential. It will be amazing once we eradicate the gender gap in the corporate world.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been passionate about career advancement. I've been in the corporate world for 30+ years, and every three years, like clockwork, I start getting antsy thinking about the next step in my career. I made a massive mistake in my career that was the catalyst to 'No Woman Left Behind' coming into existence. I waited too long to communicate my career aspirations. I thought the leadership team would simply notice my hard work, but they didn't. Once I started advocating for myself, things started happening.

Once my kids were in high school, I found myself with extra time on my hands. I recognized that I had knowledge and expertise that could help women advance in their careers, so I wanted to pay it forward. I initially started by volunteering and discovered that women needed encouragement to advocate for themselves.

Creating content and motivating women to advocate for themselves is what motivates me. I attended the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and our Alma Mater statue has a saying that I think of often: "To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings." That resonates with me tremendously because I think of so many incredible women from that past that worked hard for future generations. I won't be famous, but if I make a difference to just one person in the present or the future, that will be enough.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm so proud of the 'No Woman Left Behind' brand. My biggest accomplishment is my 'No Woman Left Behind' podcast show which is out in the world and making a difference for women in corporate. The content delivered in the podcast is designed to help corporate women unlock their earning potential by learning to articulate their worth with massive confidence, conviction, and clarity. I have published 60 episodes thus far, and going strong!

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

One of the hardest things is to prioritize your goals and stay focused. Chasing the shiny object syndrome is a real thing. I have to keep my daily objectives in mind and redirect myself to stay on task on a daily basis. I write down the top 3 things I need to accomplish that day and work on those items first.

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

  1. Create a vision for your business. Take the time to identify your goals and objectives. Create a simple business plan with phases that build upon each other. An entrepreneur does not realize all the different components that need to be worked on simultaneously. Get free business mentoring through https://www.score.org/.
  2. Create a vision for your clients. Take the time to build a customer journey. Customer service must be top-notch, and the only way you can do that is to really know what your client's problems are and how you will solve them. Interview your potential ideal client before you launch your business because that question will come back over and over.
  3. Have a backup plan. Building a business takes time. I have been working on my business framework since 2019, and the branding and messaging have evolved over time. In 2022, I finally established my brand, and I haven't looked back. But it took me time to really land on the brand that felt 100% right.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://nowomanleftbehind.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosieCareerCoaching/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosiecareercoaching/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RCareerCoaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosiecareercoaching/

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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