Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tara Elzingre, Owner of Parene, located in Carrigaline, County Cork, Ireland.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Parene offers coaching and mentoring services for parents who want to create business success while enjoying the messy start to family life. It is an online platform that offers one-on-one coaching, mentoring & strategy calls, and a local in-person offering. Clients also benefit from courses and trainings designed for busy families. I typically serve moms with young families who have been impacted by a lack of working family services to help them continue in their careers. More often than not, they have had to ask themselves whether it makes financial sense to continue working.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Tara Elzingre; I'm a mom to three children ages 4 and under and a fur baby. My background is in retail and recruitment, where I have coached thousands of people into leadership roles. Academically, I have studied Philosophy & Psychology, Personal, Leadership & executive coaching, Parent coaching, Sales mentoring, GDPR officer training & Office Management.
My journey to starting my own business is similar to my clients. When I went to arrange childcare for my second child, I was met with the cost and restrictions. I hired a career coach who showed me my own limiting beliefs and empowered me to visualise a better future for my family and me. I knew I wanted to do the same. There is a lack of support and services to help moms set up themselves for a successful career while their kids are below the age of 5. I'm determined to create the facilities we need including better access to childcare, removing roadblocks to higher earnings, and helping people let go of limiting beliefs.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm about to hit the two-year mark in business and that itself feels like an incredible accomplishment. To see how Parene has grown, pivoted, and thrived in the past two years while supporting the best clients and growing a village of support. This year I am expanding on my services, growing my team, and seeking a new venture that seemed like a distant dream when I started.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Leaving aside your ego for the good of the business. When you are a business owner, it is so easy to get enthusiastic about all areas of the business, but it's often better to outsource it to a professional. We can become so passionate about a business idea and struggle to know when it's just not a profitable one. Having the courage to ask for help and being open to doing things differently is hard work, but the possibilities are limitless when we allow it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Create a vision.
Even if it is a blurry one, try to understand where it is you want your business to go. Use positive affirmations, action words, and the present tense to describe this vision and use it to communicate with your clients so they can see the value and your "WHY." This is part of your unique selling point, as no one will end up exactly where you will. - Establish your focus.
So many businesses fail because the owners try to be everything all the time. It's not possible, leading to burnout and focusing on actions that distract us from our goals. Create and limit your priorities. Set and communicate your boundaries. Build a FAIR routine (flexible, accountable, Intentional & Realistic). - The power of Self-Belief.
Business is 80% mindset, so whether you believe you are a success or not, you are right. If you have low self-confidence, work on that first before any marketing and financial plans. You can make working on your self-belief part of your daily routine by celebrating the small wins, manifestation, gratitude journaling, and tracking your progress. The biggest boost to self-belief is learning that you can do things scared, so start today.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.parene.ie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parene.ie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parene_solutions/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TElzingre
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parene/
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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