Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shairose Lalani, Owner of Shairose Lalani Management Consulting, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have two businesses. One is my management consulting practice. My customers are businesses of any size that need help to build effective teams, develop leadership skills, manage change, or just work on improving.
My other business is The Bijoux Bar YEG. This is a business where I sell my handmade, one-of-a-kind jewellery - that I make from glass (that I torch and form) and silver. My customers for this are anyone who values beautiful handmade jewellery made with intention and love.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve held a variety of positions over my career, but it is when I have been in positions where I had seen the impact of poor leadership behaviour and organizational practices that I began to contemplate ways to help. An organization is nothing without people, and when people feel unappreciated, unsupported, bullied, or just plain lost, the organization they are part of will have an extremely tough time succeeding.
I decided to go out on my own after being treated horribly by two very senior leaders I worked with in a very large organization. These leaders said one thing and even spoke about building trust and leading by example, but their actions were the opposite. I was discriminated against for my gender, my ethnic background, and the fact that I had a child and therefore had commitments outside of work. I decided there and then that I would focus on helping those who wanted to be successful through their people and relationships with them… not in spite of their people or on their backs of them.
Every day I am motivated by a small but committed group of clients who really want to be great leaders of people. At the end of this journey, what we will be left with is the realization that beneath it all, we are all the same. We are human beings who need to feel like we matter. Some of us will have had the opportunity to help people feel like they matter through what we do on this earth. The big question is - what will we do with that opportunity?
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Helping clients see that they can be amazing leaders and having that realization result in positive impacts on the people they lead.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not becoming complacent. You have to believe in yourself, your business offering, and your ability to continually bring value to others. If you rest on your laurels, you might soon become outdated!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be clear on what your business will offer/focus on.
- Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for advice or help.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://lalaniconsulting.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebijouxbaryeg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shairoselalani
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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