Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Devon Brooks, founder and CEO of Sphere, located in Whistler, BC, Canada.

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

Sphere is the place for entrepreneurs to ask life's big questions. A female-founded & BIPOC-led digital platform on a mission to support humanity by democratizing personal and professional coaching experiences. With an ecosystem of 400+ coaches worldwide to help you step up and into your highest self.

Tell us about yourself

I started my first category-defining business, Blo Blow Dry Bar, while I was in university at 20 years old. I was catapulted into a leadership position as our business grew to over 100 locations worldwide. Having been raised by a coach and co-founder in my first business, my mom — coaching was a huge part of my whole approach and vocabulary for leadership and self-governance. Naturally, coaching becomes the backbone of the culture of Blo. When I sold that business, I started my own practice focusing on creators and entrepreneurs who were just getting their start.

Once I had my own coaching practice, I became much more aware of and frustrated by the entire space. Coaching was exclusive, expensive, ethnically and culturally homogenous, and just totally outdated. But it worked and needed to be reimagined to have a bigger impact. The new wave of self-employed people that will drive the future of our economy is going to need this scientifically vetted tool to help them thrive. I had to build something that would make that possible. So I started Sphere from my home, the mountains of Whistler, BC, where I live with my two young children. Whenever entrepreneurship or life feels like a struggle, I am moved toward taking the next step because we are also building something in service of humanity's highest good. That's a dope reason to get out of bed.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building businesses that are purpose-driven, impact-focused, and really right for me and what I want to see more of in the world. It may not be obvious, but my first business wasn't really about hair - the purpose was about supporting women and elevating confidence. Good hair was the vessel. And now Sphere, it's not just about reimagining coaching - coaching is the vessel for helping people align their beliefs and behaviours every day — and that? That has a net positive impact on families, communities, wildlife, and the planet. We are building a system for transformation.

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

It's always about focus and decision-making. Are you moving the right things forward at the right pace and time? Are you able to discern quickly what needs to be held closely and what can wait? Are you managing your own energy, so it's that beneficial and serving others and being both circular and sustainable for you? Are you asking the right questions? These are some of the things I pay attention to and are often the subject of my weekly coaching sessions.

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

More questions.

  1. Can you concisely explain why you are the right person for this idea?
  2. Do you have a support system to ensure your continual growth, well-being, and personal transparency?
  3. How can it have a net positive impact on people and the planet? (otherwise, it's not future proof)

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

No seasoned entrepreneur will tell you this is easy. The truth is doing a good job will take everything you've got. Make sure you are clear on your vision and have your own deeply personal definition of success (so you don't get caught up in other people's stories or headlines). Whatever you do, stay true to yourself and your values - then, even when you screw up, you'll have no regrets. Every wild success has its peaks and valleys because that's what epic adventures are made of.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://sphere.guide/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sphere.guide/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sphere.guide/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spheredotguide/

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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