Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Donna Leyens, co-founder and president of Pumpkin Plan Your Biz, located in Chatham Township, NJ, USA.

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

At Pumpkin Plan Your Biz, we are on a mission to enable small businesses and their owners to create thriving companies and contribute to their communities. We offer business coaches and consultants training, certification, and ongoing support in our proven business growth strategy, based on the book The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field, by best-selling author Mike Michalowicz.

Tell us about yourself

I am truly passionate about the idea that entrepreneurship enables us to create our own destinies while using our strengths to contribute our unique gifts to the world. I started as an entrepreneur myself. After experiencing the ups and downs of small business ownership, I decided to become a coach and work with small business owners to get past the obstacles that hold them back from true success.

I co-founded Pumpkin Plan Your Biz with Mike Michalowicz in 2012 because I knew that I could have an exponentially bigger impact on the world if I could support other business coaches and consultants in getting great results for their clients as well as for themselves.

Knowing that I have contributed to someone else's success, that they are not only achieving their financial goals, but they're loving their work and their life, motivates me each day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Bringing together a community of business strategists as passionate as I am about supporting small businesses and helping business owners live better lives. Seeing the tremendous success in their own businesses while helping their clients do the same is extremely gratifying and fulfilling for me.

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

Staying focused on what is important and not getting distracted by shiny objects and problems that ultimately take you away from your goals and vision.

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

  1. Know who your target audience is. Be as specific and narrow as possible so that you can speak directly to them in a way that strongly attracts them.
  2. Do your homework before launching. Make sure that your "great idea" for a business is wanted and needed by a specific group of customers. Bounce your ideas off of your potential target audience and take their feedback seriously.
  3. Understand your numbers. Get real about what your expenses will be and how much you have to sell, at what price, to be profitable. And don't forget to factor in the value of your time as an expense.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

In my experience, it is important to understand why you are starting your specific business, and share that purpose, that "why" with your community. The mission, passion, and purpose behind your business will attract your ideal customers, promoters, and employees into your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://pumpkinplanyourbiz.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/38eMtlv

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/PumpkinPlanBiz
https://twitter.com/DonnaLeyens

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-wolf-leyens-mba/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pumpkin-plan-your-biz/

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.