Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tammy Gooler Loeb, Founder of Tammy Gooler Loeb Coaching, located in Waban, MA, USA.

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

I am a career and executive coach, author, speaker, and facilitator with expertise in career transitions and leadership development. My clients are experienced professionals, emerging managers to executives, and small business owners, in many sectors and industries. I work with individuals, teams, and crossfunctional groups in companies and as privately engaged clients. I also offer online and hybrid courses for people seeking to make their next career move.

Since 2018, My weekly podcast, Work from the Inside Out, has showcased the journeys of people who made various work transitions during their careers to engage in more satisfying and meaningful occupations. Building on the themes from my podcast, I authored the book, Work from the Inside Out: Break Through Nine Common Obstacles and Design a Career That Fulfills You. My expertise has appeared in Forbes, Fast Company, The Boston Globe, and Harvard Business Review Ascend.

Tell us about yourself

I am on a mission to help as many people as possible find meaning and satisfaction in their work. After spending many years in and out of careers that were meaningful to me, I realized that it was critically important to be in the right situation, not just doing a job that seemed like the right occupation or the best way to make a living. I had many experiences in which I was miserable even when the work itself was fulfilling. Workplace research continually shows that approximately sixty percent of employees across industries, cultures, and generations are disengaged at work. I want to do everything I can to help people move into careers where they will feel engaged. Once I discovered the coaching profession 23 years ago, I knew I could use those skills to help people achieve more fulfillment in their work lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I cannot point to one accomplishment, as being a business owner is a continuum of building pieces to solidify my message and reach more people over time. My biggest accomplishment recently was publishing my book in 2022, Work from the Inside Out: Break Through Nine Common Obstacles and Design a Career that Fulfills You.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner is also the one that brings the biggest rewards, in my opinion: patience. Having patience with each process as one explores, plans, and implements new approaches over time. I have found that everything takes a lot more time than I ever anticipate, and patience enables me to see and learn things along the way that fuels my efforts in positive ways. Since I do not have a crystal ball to predict the future, most things do not turn out exactly as planned. I am always learning as things unfold and adapting to new circumstances as they arise, yet I bring all of my past experience with me to enable my efforts.

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

  1. Get a mentor or coach or engage with a community of people who are growing businesses -- or all of the above! The worst thing you can do is attempt to start a business in isolation.
  2. Don't give up your day job (unless you have endless financial resources). Build your business incrementally while still maintaining some baseline financial stability. I worked three days per week in a job for a few years before I became a full-time self-employed coach.
  3. It's a long game. Your mindset is critical to being successful, consistent, and steady wins the race. You never know when your efforts will blossom. Patience is a virtue.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.tammygoolerloeb.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TammyGoolerLoebCoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tammygoolerloeb/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammygoolerloeb/

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.