Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sierra Collins, founder of Sierra Learnership Collaborative, located in Winchester, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
When choosing a name for my business, I chose the term "learnership" to reference the need for effective leaders to participate in continuous development as lifelong learner. Sierra Learnership Collaborative brings to life my belief that a balance of effective leadership skills and lifelong learning are critical to one's success. Growth, leading, and learning is collaborative processes. I am able to share my passion for growth while inspiring others to push past their limiting beliefs and grow stronger as an individual, a team, and an organization. My vision is to create a community of effective leaders and lifelong learners that positively influence the lives of others, and I am proud to watch that community and its level of impact grow each day.
Tell us about yourself
For the first ten years of my career, I was an elementary and middle school educator and focused my attention on growing America's youth one classroom at a time. As I took advantage of a variety of leadership opportunities, I found that I enjoyed working with adults just as much as youth and began providing professional development to colleagues at the school and district levels in order to expand my influence. My transition from education to the coaching that I provide through my business was truly a seamless one. I realized that I was coaching my students and peers all along, and this role as a business owner has only opened up the pathways to reach more people.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, I feel my biggest accomplishment has been taking my idea of "learnership" from one individual client in Winchester, VA, to a concept that has allowed me to support the growth of individuals, teams, and businesses locally, nationally, and internationally. That's a big concept for a small-town girl raised in rural West Virginia in a town of less than 300.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
There are so many opportunities that present themselves each day. I have always been a "yes" person and have had to learn that saying "no" to some, though challenging to do, allows me to give my best to those to whom I get to say "yes!"
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Build a business based on your passion and purpose, and the foundation will be strong.
- The moment you stop pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, you stop growing. Get comfortable being uncomfortable and take advantage of opportunities to grow daily.
- A healthy culture is key. Every individual that joins the team must properly align with the mission, vision, and core values that you have set forth for the business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.sierralearnership.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sierralearnership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sierra-w-collins/
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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