Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maggie Perotin, Founder of Stairway to Leadership, located in Ajax, ON, Canada.

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

I'm a business and leadership coach. I help service-based solopreneurs, and small business owners exceed their goals without overwhelming them.

My clients fall into three categories of service providers:

  1. Professionals (ex. Therapists, Bookkeepers, Photographers, etc.)
  2. Home Services (ex., General Contractors, HVAC mechanics, Plumbers, etc.)
  3. Online Business Support (ex., Virtual Assistants, Graphic Designers, Social Media Managers, etc.)

Tell us about yourself

The idea of my own business came about four years ago when I went through burnout in corporate work that put me on a path of high-performance habits. This changed my life profoundly. It made me decide that I am going to create a life where I am fulfilled professionally, make good money and at the same time have time and freedom for myself and my family. That's why three years ago, I started my coaching business on the side while pursuing an executive MBA and still being in a corporate leadership role but with calmer and ease than ever before.

I left my 6-figure corporate career of 13 years to fully focus on my coaching business (business and leadership coaching), something I love and am passionate about. During those years, I have successfully led multiple teams going from a Team role through middle management to the Director of Operations, leading 30 people who were a heart center supporting the operation of a 450-people department in North America.

In my corporate career, I have done a number of things: operations management of 24/7 critical teams, facility management, project management, process and quality, business intelligence, and a few others. What motivates me every day is the passion for what I do and the Vision I have.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping my clients double their businesses (and more) or leave their 9-5 safely without overwhelming while having more time to live their life.

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

The roller coaster of emotions. One moment you feel on top of the world, and things are working, only to feel defeated the next day. Learning to manage such up and down in your emotions and direct your thinking and decisions to places that serve you is a key skill every entrepreneur must learn.

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

  1. Make sure you have a financial plan to pay the bills and cover necessary expenses while you're growing your business. Don't put the pressure on only our "baby business" to cover all of that for at least a year. That's why starting a business on the side and growing strategically is so helpful.
  2. Grow your network. Don't expect friends and family to buy from you just because you started a business.
  3. Grow your business skills. It takes a professional business owner to grow a successful business. In the same way, it takes a professional athlete to win championships.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StairwaytoLeadership
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3DvAOLK

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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