Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Caitlin Hudson, founder of Tend Athletics, located in Portland, OR, USA.

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

"They" say running is a mental sport, but it's so often treated only as a physical endeavor. I believe your mindset matters more than your miles. I'm a running coach for your mind just as much as your body. Intuition, courage, patience, confidence, humility, curiosity … These mental skills are much harder to develop than strong glutes.

I coach individuals and groups in their running pursuits - whether that be starting to run for the first time, trying to run their first marathon, or trying to simply enjoying running and appreciating the process. I work mostly with beginner runners or people who haven't had a "serious" running background. My coaching is really a fusion of life coaching and running coaching because nothing in life exists in a vacuum. The stress you feel at work affects your running. Likewise, when you're feeling fulfilled in running, this positive energy will seep into other areas of life - your relationships, work, hobbies, etc.

In addition to 1-1 coaching, I host The Runner's Mastermind - a first-of-it's-kind small group coaching program that's all about growing mentally as a runner. I am the host of the Mind Over Miles podcast - a show about the mental lessons learned and practiced in running and life. I am the coach of Team Athena - Portland's only women's track club. And lastly, I am in the process of writing a book about the mental lessons shared between running and motherhood.

Tell us about yourself

I started coaching in 2017 after being unable to run for nearly four years. I keep coaching because I love how pursuing an athletic goal can elevate all areas of your life - your relationships, your career, and your mental well-being. Running is supposed to make us feel good, yet training often becomes a source of stress or gives us more reasons to feel bad about ourselves. As if we need that!

I've gone through periods of underperforming for fear of "trying too hard," of faltering under the precarious nature of success, of crying through years of injury, and of seeking perfection in everything I do. I'm still working on that last one …perfection; why can't I just have you?! Everything I do as a coach comes from something I've had to learn in my life or from something I'm currently practicing. We're in this together y'all. And if you're still wondering, but who are you really? Then let me tell you, I'm obsessed with Taylor Swift; I love talking about the books I'm reading (and in fact - I have another podcast about that! "Don't Talk To Me Unless It's About This"), I have no problem with walking on my runs, and my retirement dream is to be an old lady comedian.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Some of my proudest moments as a running coach include coaching over 100 runners, being the head Coach of Team Athena - Portland's only women's track club, since 2019, talking to Olympian mothers for the Mind Over Miles podcast. The little moments every day where I see a client believe in themselves, do something they're proud of or learn something new about themselves.

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

The hardest part about being a solo business owner is being in my head all the time. I don't have coworkers to talk ideas through with or a team to celebrate milestones with. It can drive me a little crazy at times, but I've recently joined a business "mastermind" of sorts that is bringing me a sense of community and provides opportunities for feedback.

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

  1. Don't quit your day job for as long as you can. Allow that work to remain meaningful in that it will allow you to test out ideas for as long as needed before you jump in full time.
  2. Figure out the simplest ways to test out the ideas you have. The fancy business word for this is finding your "minimum viable product." Don't strive for perfection - strive for ease and speed in testing out an idea and then making it better with the feedback you get and lessons you learn along the way.
  3. Don't go it alone! Find opportunities for collaboration or a community of like-minded business owners who you can share ideas with and learn from.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://tendathletics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tend.athletics/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tend.athletics/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tendathletics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-hudson-39242818/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.