Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Darin Harm, Founder of PowerPlay Coaching & Consulting, LLC., located in Baltimore, MD, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
PowerPlay Coaching & Consulting was created to help introverted professionals navigate the complexities of living in a world that worships extraversion. As a Board Certified Professional Coach, I partner with early and mid-career professionals to transform their introversion into a leadership asset rather than a leadership liability.
My coaching process is rooted in best-in-class coaching techniques, combined with over a decade of experience as an operations consultant and organizational change management professional.
Making positive change is hard. If you feel like you’ve hit a plateau in your career, partnering with a confidential thought partner who brings clarity, insight, and accountability to your unique situation will be a game-changer!
I also design and facilitate engaging and interactive team coaching and workshop experiences for groups of all sizes. My workshops are particularly impactful for groups operating in a remote or hybrid environment. Each engagement equips participants with actionable skills and techniques (e.g., how to tell more persuasive stories) while simultaneously building trust and group cohesion!
Tell us about yourself
After 10+ years of playing it safe, I took a hard look at my career and came to a realization. I was making great money as a consultant, but I disliked 75% of my job. The 25% of my career that I loved was related to coaching, mentoring, and developing others. I made the decision to take the leap into solopreneurship, and now I spend 75% of my day building a business and community that continually engages and inspires me! It’s not a career; it’s a calling.
The most motivating aspect of my business is having the privilege to work hand-in-hand with incredible leaders who are taking bold action and challenging themselves to grow. I also love novelty and problem-solving, both of which are never in short supply!
I’m passionate about teaching and performing improv comedy, going on hikes with my wife, and serving as a mentor for my “Little Brother,” Shawn.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The accomplishments that have been most transformative for me are the times when I went from “Oh s*&^ I’m in over my head!” to “Oh s*&^ I’m really good at this!”.
I was asked to design a ½ day workshop from scratch in one week. Having almost no time to prepare forced me to trust my instincts in a way that I hadn’t been comfortable doing before. Following the workshop, several people reached out to share how impactful the experience was - it was one of the most pivotal and affirming experiences of my solopreneur journey thus far.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The Learning. Curve. Is. Steep. As a solopreneur, you’re the CEO, as well as the head of HR, marketing, sales, finance, technology, and the list goes on.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Outsource the Work you Hate. You didn’t start a business to be miserable. For example, I don’t enjoy web design, so I outsource that work to someone who loves it.
- Never Stop Experimenting. Failed experiments can be just as valuable as successful ones - both provide valuable data. When considering whether to test something new, follow the “10-10-100” rule.
- Will the experiment take less than 10 hours of your time?
- Can you run the test within 10 days from now?
- Can you run the test for less than $100?
If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then just do it! - Community is Key. The entrepreneurial journey can be lonely at times. Joining a supportive community will help you manage the peaks and valleys of running a business and can serve as an outlet for stress relief and emotional support during periods of doubt and discouragement.
- Most importantly - have fun!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.powerplayleadership.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darin-harm/
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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