Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susan Barber, Founder of Susan M Barber Coaching & Consulting, LLC, located in Lake Villa, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an executive coach, consultant, author, and podcast host of The Visibility Factor. I work with business leaders at all levels to coach them to play bigger, increase their visibility, and help them learn how to show their value and talent to elevate their workplace position. I also work as a business consultant to advise senior leaders on the company's strategy, operations, and human resource areas to design solutions for challenges and ensure business goals are met, and engagement is strengthened.
Tell us about yourself
I spent over two decades of my career in the corporate world. I was an Information Technology Director for a Fortune 500 company, where I led global teams, implemented strategic programs, and founded the women's employee resource group at my company. Although I had success in my roles, I was given feedback that I needed to be more visible. My journey to learn how to be visible after I received that feedback changed everything for me. I didn't want to be someone who bragged, so I learned how to be visible in my own authentic way and wanted to help others do the same.
When I left corporate in 2015, I started my own executive coaching and consulting business. My goal was to help leaders learn how to show their talent and be visible, navigate the leadership challenges they face, and help them reach their potential in their own authentic way. This mission led me to write my book, The Visibility Factor, as a guide to help business leaders create their visibility plan, understand the derailers that can get in the way of their success, and navigate the challenges that leaders face today.
I am so grateful that I get to help the leaders that I coach to make some amazing transformations. They have increased their confidence, and how they lead themselves and their teams are inspiring. My motivation is to help as many leaders as possible to learn that they can be the leaders they were meant to be. Writing the book and creating my podcast, called The Visibility Factor, helps me spread the message to inspire leaders to take action to show their value and be recognized for their talent.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I learned to trust myself. When I started the business, I didn't know any better and tried to "copy" what others were doing. I assumed if it worked for them, it would work for me. I spent a lot of time and money, and it wasn't working in the way that I thought it would. I took the time to re-evaluate things. I simplified or stopped things that weren't working where I could. I focused on my strengths, what I cared about, and where I could help people. I stopped comparing myself and my business to everyone else. I discovered that my intuition and trust in myself were the only things that I needed to listen to so I could do the best things for my business. My confidence grew when I saw myself in this CEO role. My business didn't have to look like anyone else's business. Once I did that, everything shifted in how I saw myself, how others saw me, and how my business increased…simply by trusting myself.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Staying focused has been the biggest challenge for me. There are so many opportunities that are available when you are an entrepreneur, and you have to make some tough decisions about where you spend your time and money. As a first-time business owner, I wasn't prepared for how to deal with all of these opportunities that might come my way. If something new shows up now, I go back to the reason that I started the business and what my goals are to decide If it is worth putting my time and attention there.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Starting a business requires money to start and maintain it. Unless you have another income source in your family, you also have personal financial commitments to support as well. Ensure that you have enough money in the bank, so you don't put pressure on yourself to get each and every client you talk to. They will feel that pressure that you need them instead of feeling the confidence from you that you can help them.
- Maintain boundaries with your time, so you don't burn out. Leave some open space so you have time to take care of yourself, plan and be strategic. Hire help as soon as you can, even if it is an intern, so that you can delegate to others.
- Be around other business owners, so you have a supportive community. Some of them may be ahead of you and can connect you to other people or refer you. It also helps you to have new ideas and share wins and challenges with people who understand. Not everyone will understand what it is like to be an entrepreneur, and you need people who do to keep you motivated.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://susanmbarber.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanmbarber29/
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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