Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Sheehan, owner of Sara Sheehan Consulting, located in Dallas, TX, USA.

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

Sara Sheehan Consulting LLC helps clients adopt change, whether the client is navigating a big business transformation or the client is increasing the performance of individuals or teams based on business results. We provide human capital consulting and executive coaching services. The business transformations we support include strategic or growth initiatives, mergers, acquisitions, organization design, digital transformations of any kind, and outsourcing. Our ideal client is a company with $100 million dollars in revenue or more up to a couple of billion dollars in revenue. I’ve been working with clients in this range since the beginning of 2022. Clients in this range are gaining critical mass and have a real need for human capital expertise. Although startups or large multinationals are not called out as part of our ideal client profile, we look forward to working with them if one has a need and wants to pursue a business relationship. Truthfully, we would love to serve organizations that want to perform highly in all they do.

Tell us about yourself

After spending 25+ years working for large consulting firms and fortune 100 clients, it was clear that now was the time to create my business. At this point in my career, I clearly understand my ideal client, what business challenges they face, and how I serve clients. Now, I am focused on building my brand and creating thought leadership to attract the right clients to my consulting and executive coaching practice. This is a significant undertaking when you have worked under the veil of large organizations. However, I know that I am fully prepared.

My motivation and drive are extremely strong. I am willing to learn, grow, and try new approaches. This year I am leading with courage and authenticity to create a platform for others to share their success stories in how they created, scaled, and transformed businesses - whether small or large. So many transformation stories need to be shared so that other generations can learn from them and thoughtfully apply them. If you are a business leader with a story to tell on how you built and scaled a successful business or transformed a larger enterprise, I’d love for you to share your story in an interview on my podcast, Transformational Thinkers, and for you to write a chapter in a collective book Transformational Luminaries: Lessons From Leaders With The Power, Fortitude, and Creativity to Transform Business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My greatest accomplishment as a business owner is still yet to come. I have had some notable recognition recently, being recognized by Ragan Communications as one of the top women in wellness and HR in 2022 and one of the Brainz Magazine 500…I’m in a tremendous growth phase, and I know there are opportunities ahead that I have not yet uncovered.

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

When it’s your business, it’s all up to you. You need drive and determination to succeed. Over time you can bring in other resources to support you, but you have to be able to create value for clients. Accomplishing goals and delivering business results are in your hands. The good news is that no one can take credit for your accomplishments, celebrate your hard-earned success, or enjoy the rewards of creating a profitable business. It’s all up to you.

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

  1. Start with an idea, service, or solution that offers a clear business opportunity that meets a real business need with a strong value proposition.
  2. Secure expert financial advisors, including an accounting specialist aligned with an accounting solution that fits your business, such as QuickBooks Online, a CPA that advises you on how to minimize your tax exposure and save more profits, and a wealth manager that helps you grow a portfolio that increases your impact and your territory long term.
  3. Become a lifelong learner and practice making sound, informed decisions based on guidance from mentors, lessons learned from others, and your own reading and research. After all, it’s all up to you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://sarawsheehan.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-sheehan/

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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