To Empower Entrepreneurial People

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ellen Donnelly, Founder of The Ask®, located in London, UK.

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

I help ambitious, entrepreneurial professionals decide and plan their next career pivot or business idea so they can feel clear and excited about their future. This is in the form of private coaching, content, and events that take individuals from feeling confused to clear, afraid to confident, and from staying still to taking sustained action.

Tell us about yourself

My past life was working as a recruiter and Head of Talent for startups when I noticed a theme among candidates. Those who were most successful, had the clearest vision, were decisive, and took bold action towards their goals. I realized just how many people were unsure of what lay ahead in their future; due to the ambiguous nature of startup and entrepreneurial life, people are often overwhelmed by options and need better answers. After going through not one but two career transitions myself, I knew just how little helpful, actionable and personalized advice existed for people wanting to get their entrepreneurial clear. I called my business The Ask® because I truly believe that better questions can help you find the right answers. That's what my coaching and content do: get to the heart of the true question at hand so my clients can find better answers and make really great career decisions.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm proud that I've been able to sustain a fully booked coaching business, grow my newsletter to 3,000 readers and hire a part-time team member in my first two years of operations. I am also super proud of the clients I coach: successful, smart, accomplished individuals working on important problems and leading very inspiring lives and careers themselves.

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

Managing the overwhelmed of all the things that you could be doing with your time and choosing what to do strategically will support both the business financially and me personally. Running a coaching business is about balancing my own energy - no one wants a burned-out, exhausted coach! I need to be strong and mentally clear for my clients, so this is a juggle. Systems and tools, and routine have really helped me here.

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

Invest in support. You can go so much further with the help of coaches, mentors, and therapists in your corner.
Focus. It's easy to get distracted, but you don't need to offer all the solutions or be on all of the platforms. Do what lights you up and get really good before you add layers of complexity so that you can build from a place of stronger foundations.
Start before you're ready. You'll never be 100% sure or clear, but confidence and clarity come from taking action, so get going!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://the-ask.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theask_co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenkatedonnelly

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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