Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Denise Hill, founder of The Communicator Incubator, located in Washington, D.C., USA.

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

Lack of communication is listed as a top three reason for divorce
behind infidelity and finances. Since 2020, the number of people who identified themselves as having anxious and/or depressive thoughts increased by 25%. Even more so, a quarter of Americans identify public speaking as their top fear. Communication involves how we talk to ourselves, impacts our relationships, and affects how we are perceived professionally. Yet, communication education is primarily limited to one fundamentals class available only to one-third of the population fortunate enough to attend college.

This leaves most to think communication is just about talking or being heard. It is so much more. Lack of communication skills makes individuals who show up in relationships, industries, and society ill-equipped to participate effectively in an ongoing process that permeates every aspect of life. The Communicator Incubator is an education hub. Whether you watch a video, grab our books or journals, or utilize one of our coaches or corporate trainers, we offer elite communication education to ensure personal and professional success.

Tell us about yourself

I am a 30-year veteran of the communication and media industries. I have served in the world's top markets as a radio/TV personality, voice-over artist, keynote speaker, author, and communication professor. While I value these experiences, perhaps my battle with depression was most impactful to my work and continues to fuel my drive to bring communication education to the masses.

For years, negative and toxic self-talk kept me unhappy and suicidal. Even as I reached tremendous milestones in my life and career, I still had a voice telling me that life was not worth living. Ultimately, I identified the voice as my own and realized controlling the conversation in my head was the key to finding success in all areas of my life. I became better able to impact others once I mastered communication within myself first. I make the lessons I learned and communication strategies I developed available to others in my book, "CTRL ALT DEL: How to Reset Your Life," and use these insights to guide the work done through The Communicator Incubator.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have had awesome opportunities to be mentored by and share the stage with some legendary communicators. Among them are Dr. Willie Jolley, Dr. Eric Thomas, and Hall of Fame Speaker Les Brown. As Les Brown sought to expand his legacy, he launched the now Les Brown Institute as a vehicle to train aspiring speakers. I joined as a Founding Member in an effort to continue to gleam from him. But, my communication and media expertise was quickly identified, and I found myself serving as one of his instructors and curriculum content creators for his institute. Today, I continue to use some revised versions of the speaker training content I created for Les Brown's institute.

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

Work-life balance is one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner because your business is a vital part of your life. Designing life so you can be present for and effective in other roles while being a successful business owner is a challenge. Mom-guilt, for example, is very real, and it is hard. However, with proper planning, a good support system, and prioritizing the key components of your life, it is possible to overcome the challenge.

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

  1. Have a clear vision for what you want to accomplish for the market you serve.
  2. Whether affiliates, expansion, or use of technology, find a way to duplicate your efforts without having to duplicate you.
  3. Marketing the product is as important as creating the product. Budget accordingly.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

The communication you have within yourself about your business will show up in your business among your team, your products, and how you serve your customers. You set the standard, so always speak life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://denisehill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDeniseHill
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedenisehill/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedenisehill/

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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