Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Bjelland, Founder of Sensitive Empowerment, located in Pleasanton, CA, USA.

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

I'm passionate about helping highly sensitive people (HSPs) excel without burnout. I have created online courses and an online Sensitive Empowerment Community (on a private platform, not social media) where we are a sensitive family that supports each other. We do live events, and I share tips for living with high sensitivity. I also support and mentor HSP healers, therapists, coaches, and educators in their businesses by providing directories and opportunities to write for The HSP Blog and be on The HSP Podcast. The HSP Podcast is currently in 169 countries and is in the top 5% for most followed and shared globally.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a Psychotherapist, Author, Consultant, and the founder of Sensitive Empowerment, The HSP Podcast, and The HSP Blog, specializing in the trait of high sensitivity found in 20-30% of the population. As a highly sensitive person (HSP) myself, I knew the challenges of having high sensitivity in a world not set up for us. I became fascinated with how we could train the brain to reduce anxiety and sensory overload and balance the nervous system with simple tools and techniques. Then, HSPs can access and share their many valuable gifts that the world needs. I'm changing and saving lives every day. I also provide full scholarships to Black HSPs for my courses as part of being the change the world needs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping to improve and even save lives. Every day I get messages from HSPs all over the world that something I have said or taught has helped them finally learn how to love themselves, know how to care for their sensitive needs, and truly thrive and excel instead of just survive.

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

Initially, I think it is the fear of not having a regular paycheck, not knowing if your business can support you for the long haul financially, and also paying for the cost of health insurance and high taxes! But, I've found that creating multiple sources of income and a lot of passive income (like through my affiliate program) is an important aspect of being successful in business, so you can still get paid when you take those self-care days.

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

  1. Believe what you are doing can help someone and know that it is worth everything.
  2. Do what lights you up, what you feel most passionate about, and know that sometimes we have to carve our own path to do it.
  3. Practice good self-care and boundaries, and make sure you prioritize wellness so you can have long-term success without burnout.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.juliebjelland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSP.The.Highly.Sensitive.Person/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsp.psychotherapist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieBjelland
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/highly-sensitive-juliebjelland/

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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