Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erica Harris, Founder of Purposefull Seed, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

I am Chief Purpose Coach for my coaching agency, PurposeFULL Seed. My work meets individuals at the intersection of career and life transitions. At the start of our engagement, our clients ask the more difficult life questions, primarily, "what do I want to DO with my life?" It's not an easy question to always answer. This is primarily because our clients already do a lot when we meet them. But they don't realize that it is not their DOING they must focus on first. The start of moving to the next level is analyzing and understanding their BEING and answering the question, "Who Am I?"

I coach professional women of color who are stuck and unfulfilled to dream again, reconnect with their joy and live in abundance by walking in God's purpose with my 7-week PurposeFULL You group coaching program. My ideal clients are no longer looking just for another job or promotion. Instead, they seek meaningful work and a purposeful career path that also gives them the freedom to live fully outside of work. It is my honor to support them on this path to seeing themselves clearly and discovering the life that they imagine for themselves.

Tell us about yourself

I am proud to say I am a native of Flint, Michigan. A blue-collar chic with a fierce work ethic. I was always an honor roll student and star athlete from the start. I had scholarships to attend the number one historically black college in Atlanta, Georgia, Spelman College. I graduated from the elite University of Chicago- Harris School of Public Policy. A superstar leader who climbed the ladder quickly and managed a 50 million dollar budget in the third-largest school district in Chicago before the age of 30. I've spoken in front of the US Congress as a student and education advocate. I have coached young leaders to serve at the highest levels for companies, nonprofits, and school districts. But in 2016, I was nearly 40 years old, and when asked, "tell me who you are," I could not answer the question.

Being successful was never my issue. Since childhood, I was told I was special and could impact the world positively. But still, at nearly 40 years old, I didn't understand WHO I was. I didn't understand my specific gifts, talents, and strengths. Others seemed to be able to see them. Yet, I couldn't identify the common thread that made ME, ME. In short, I was "Black Girl Magic" but did not know the ingredients of my magic potion. I knew God wanted to use me but did not understand myself well enough to be able to know HOW.

Here's where things took a turn. It was my moment of discomfort that led to my liberation!

I was working for an organization I loved as the Vice President of Programs for a non-profit organization. My boss and good friend told me that, given the organization's growth, the new leadership structure would focus more on strategy than implementation. In essence, it would pull me away from coaching young leaders, the very thing I loved most about my role as Vice President. For the good of the organization, and myself, I realized that, given this shift, I could not stay. By choice, I resigned right before my 40th birthday. With my wealth of experience, I fully expected to find a new job. However, instead, I went eight months without work. With a family of 5, you can imagine how hard this was. Sometimes I was unclear about how we would make it financially. And emotionally, I was a wreck. I was questioning myself, my experience, and my value. Why is this happening to me? Thankfully, God heard my prayers. He was teaching me something. In despair, I was forced to ask myself, "WHO AM I?"

I could no longer define myself by what I did, my title, and my organization. Instead, I had to identify for myself, who am I? What am I looking for? What do I want? What makes me special? What is my purpose?

Along the way, I journaled, talked to myself, and read everything I could about finding purpose. I realized that I was seeking something MORE. Not just a job, but a PURPOSE-FULL career. I said no to work that came to me because I knew my heart would not be happy. My family suffered. My finances and my credit suffered. But I found joy in the journey. And, in the process, I found myself.

Six months into my job search, I met regularly with people for informational interviews and noticed a pattern. Somehow by the end, I was coaching them on their career path. One day one of my mentees said, "you know people will pay you for this type of wisdom and support!" And through that small comment, "Erica, the Coach," was born.

My company PurposeFULL Seed is a coaching practice that leads with purpose and aims to help people align who they are with what they do. As a Black woman of Christian faith, my story empowers me to help people understand and find their truth, gifts, and purpose. And, like me, the goal is to align it with their career choices so they can find the joy I've found. I change the world, one person at a time, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to do so.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is helping my most skeptical clients go from self-doubt to self-confidence. From confusion to clarity. From directionless to knowing exactly who they are and what they want. When that lightbulb comes on, I've watched clients open businesses they had only dreamed of. Write their dream job description, and then be asked to fulfill that role. And model the light and brilliance inside of them to others. Nothing gives me greater joy than to see an individual walk in their purpose joyfully!

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

The first challenge to being a business owner was to accept that I had a vision that others would buy into. I had to defeat the limiting mindset I had that said that the only ideas worth building were ideas that came from others. I was always a STRONG number two or supporting cast in an organization. I had to be set on a path in the wilderness to learn that my ideas, my gifts, and my vision would make room for me and allow me to touch the lives of others.

I'm so thrilled I learned that lesson, so I can help my clients see things in the same way. Not that they must own their own business. But helping them know that they are enough, all by themselves, is my greatest joy.

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

Start by considering your mindset and beliefs about yourself. Whatever you believe about yourself, you are right. If you don't think you can, you can't. If you don't think you are enough, you won't be. But, the same power you have to NOT believe, you can flip and turn into a positive belief. Check any place in your mind that limits your potential, and DREAM BIG!

Second, choose a business that aligns with who you are and with your experience. People will follow you if they can see themselves in you. Be vulnerable by acknowledging your full life experience, the good, bad, and ugly. No one wants to follow someone who hasn't stumbled along the way. Be authentic and embrace vulnerability. Turn your tragedy into triumph. That gives people hope that they too, can be successful, even after life has thrown them a bag of lemons.

Finally, recognize that you do not have to do it alone. Even a solopreneur needs support from others. Find the experts that align with your values. Identify how to put the fundamentals of your business together. Don't just wing it. Build a business, not a hobby. That means getting incorporated. Have your books in order. Get a bank account not connected to your personal bank account. Get assistance from someone who has done what you're doing, and follow the path. That might mean getting a coach or mentor. Don't learn the hard way. Let their experience be your guide.

And most of all, when all is said and done, trust yourself. You are enough. You have everything you need to be successful.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://purposefullseed.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposefullseed
Instagram: https://www.secure.instagram.com/purposefullseed/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/purposefullseed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purposefull-seed/

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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