Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathy LaDonna, Founder of Soul In Vibration, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.

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

I am a certified self-awareness coach. I help people take their power back. My customers are independent and creative people that have lost their way or just feel stuck.

Tell us about yourself

I've been a licensed hairstylist for over 15 years. I've been a salon owner for most of those years and an independent contractor for all of them. I love creativity and expressing myself; I see myself as an artist. When I was in the salon, I saw my clients as canvases, and together we would create art. Being in the salon exposed me to different personalities and helped me to open up and become a better communicator over the years. My clients felt vulnerable in my presence and would open up and share the things they were going through. I love helping people solve problems. My clients always left the salon looking glamorous and also feeling lighter. They would always say to me, "I didn't think of it that way; I feel so much better now." Some of them would come back way before they needed to just so we could talk. Over the years, I realized that I am passionate about motivating people by helping them to become more self-aware. Self-awareness is a superpower. The only thing getting in the way of happiness and one's definition of success is a lack of self-awareness. As I got bored with doing hair over the years but became excited about helping my clients to solve problems, I realized that I am passionate about coaching; it's something that I do naturally and often don't even realize I'm doing it. In 2016 while I was living in California, I got certified as a life coach in San Francisco and started building my business right away.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have been an entrepreneur for 20+ years. My biggest accomplishment is creating freedom for myself and being able to live life according to my own terms.

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

The hardest things about being a business owner are the unknown and the responsibility. Working a 9-to-5 is predictable and feels safe. You know exactly how much money you will make each week if you show up for your 40 hours. As a business owner, you don't have the luxury of someone providing the work for you, and all you have to do is show up and do it.

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

  1. You have everything you need to get started. Fear of not having enough resources or experience is a distraction. The thought of failure or disappointment feels equivalent to death, and the mind will trick you in order to protect you from getting started.
  2. See your business as a newborn baby. It will require commitment, a lot of patience, and energy. Depending on the business, having another source of income will be helpful. This way, you won't put unnecessary pressure on your business. Assume that it has given up right before it takes off.
  3. Keep records of everything pertaining to your business. This will help you to see what areas you're progressing in and how to better nurture your business when you can go full-time and live completely off of the business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://soulinvibration.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulinvibration
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulinvibration/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soulinvibration
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIwqNBF29pyMNslLrUbxpnQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-ladonna-387164230/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.