Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Janice Chaka, Introvert Leadership Coach of The Career Introvert, located in Boston, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At The Career Introvert, I provide a safe space for introverted leaders to thrive and grow. Through my coaching, courses, and content, I empower introverts to understand how to navigate the workplace, get a promotion, or start a business. It's so important for introverts to know their worth and to have a strong voice in the workplace. My goal is to help introverts succeed in their careers or businesses and feel confident in their abilities. We created our leadership coaching, courses, and content for introverts because we want to help people who may not feel like they fit the traditional mold of a leader. We want to help them embrace their introverted nature and find their own path to empowerment.
Our goal is to help people feel not broken but whole, powerful and capable. We want to help them manage their energy so they can put their best foot forward every day. We believe that when people feel good about themselves, they're able to do amazing things. The results my clients have experienced range from a significant reduction in impostor syndrome, to increased productivity, to promotions, to starting their own business, to doubling salaries within a couple of months while increasing their fulfillment and energy in life daily.
Tell us about yourself
My background is in HR, and I saw first-hand how company culture and hiring practices are aimed toward people who are more extrovert-leaning. This, coupled with the fact that there is a lot of misinformation about what introversion is, leads to a lot of people not feeling cut out for their job.
Eventually, I realized I could use my skills as a recruiter to help introverted professionals like me interview for their dream companies, get the role, develop confidence, kick impostor syndrome at the same time, and negotiate a high six-figure salary as well. As an extension of that, I have started working with organizations to make their hiring process more inclusive so they can really get the best talent.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The biggest is so subjective, and to be honest, most of the biggest things I think about have nothing to do with my business. It could be finishing a cross-stitch pattern after seven months or finally nailing a stollen recipe. I guess I could ask my clients, my friends, or my accountability buddy. But in all honesty, my biggest accomplishment is having a business for so long that has helped tens of thousands of introverts live life on their own terms.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not going with every cool idea you have. Pick one and iterate. If people don't want it, scrap it and start a different thing. Most business owners get stuck on the fact that they have picked a thing and so need to stick with it to the bitter end, even if it is not working. This just stops you from getting and listening to feedback, which means your clients are not your focus. Your ego is, which is no way to run a business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Prioritize your personal development—you don't know what you don't know. Getting a coach and an accountability partner was one of the best things I did for my business.
- Build your business around what you want your life to look like, not around what you think it should look like due to outside influence.
- You can't do all the things all the time, so pick your focus carefully.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thecareerintrovert.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerIntrovert
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareerintrovert/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicechaka/
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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