Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sandra Zimmer, President and Founder of Self-Expression Center, located in Houston, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is helping leaders shine when they speak in groups, meetings, presentations, interviews, and videos. Most of my clients are leaders in professional organizations. They are brilliant at what they do but struggle with speaking in front of group situations.
Tell us about yourself
I have degrees in psychology, acting, voice and speech, esoteric philosophy, meditation, and self-awareness. For many years, I taught acting and speaking voice, yet, I too, struggled with stage fright and fear of public speaking.
In 1985, while acting onstage in front of 200 people, I had an accident onstage that triggered me into a flow state or zone where I was in a profound state of presence, comfort, confidence, and connection with my audience. I performed in a way I had never been able to perform in front of other people. That flow state experience inspired me to learn how to get there on purpose while acting in front of audiences. That eventually led me to create the Sandra Zimmer Method for guiding people with public speaking anxiety to transform their fear and tension into a presence that radiates confidence while speaking to groups.
I have now facilitated hundreds of groups and thousands of individuals to learn to shine when they speak to groups. After over 30 years of facilitating my method, I am still thrilled when I see leaders who are tense and anxious open up to speak from their hearts.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishments in my business are keeping the doors open since 1992 and supporting thousands of leaders to speak in a way that inspires others. What is special about my method is that each person develops their own style of speaking based on who they are as a person rather than who they think they should be as a speaker.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, the hardest thing has been separating my professional and personal lives. I love what I do so much, and there is such a thrill in receiving new clients that I sometimes work too much. As I have aged, I have learned to limit the amount of time I work so I can spend time with my husband and have time for myself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't have a Plan B. Love what you do. Know that you are going to succeed, and there is no option to fail.
- Learn about marketing. Especially SEO. Hire the best web marketing expert you can afford. You have to know how to market and sell your work. And you need help. My first web marketer was 15 years old and a genius at web marketing.
- Build systems. When things go wrong, blame the system, not the employee. Fix the system. I recommend Michael Gerber's book E-Myth.
- Learn how to take care of your team members and your clients. Be humble and admit your mistakes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.sandrazimmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.zimmer2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sandrazimmer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrazimmer/
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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