Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Apryl Schlueter, CEO of The Cheerful Mind, Inc., located in Northbrook, IL, USA.

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

My business consists of a life coaching practice, running an online community, and authoring books. My customers are those who seek self-improvement, especially in the areas of career transition, work-life balance, and productivity.

Tell us about yourself

I first started my business after transitioning out of a high-stress role in an organization where I was unfulfilled, unappreciated, and overworked. The tipping point for me was when my health sent me the message that I was overstepping my personal limits by way of an autoimmune disease. Since then, I have had to transform the way I live in order to prioritize my health, which meant learning how to manage stress, learning about and leveraging my strengths, and maximizing productivity in order to be successful. I am a constant work in progress and am personally working on the same things my customers are. Watching people shift their lives to an intentional, focused, and fulfilling life keeps me going day after day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have been working diligently at my business for almost 8 years and have never felt bored - I'm consistently engaged in the work I'm doing!

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

Realizing that this can be harder than working for someone else. All decisions need to be made by YOU, and sometimes it's just easier to be told what to do.

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

  1. To Start: Find a service/product at the intersection of what you love and what you're ridiculously good at.
  2. To Run: Business doesn't need to be complex. Stay focused and disciplined on the things that bring the most return. If you're not sure what that is, try things, but not all at the same time. Do things in a way that the business can run in a stable way.
  3. To Grow: Have no shame about promoting yourself to the people who would most benefit from your business (of course, in a non-icky way!). You are your biggest cheerleader!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://thecheerfulmind.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecheerfulmind/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecheerfulmind/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprylzschlueter/

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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