Accelerate Growth-Eliminate Hustle -The Freedom Agency Coach

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Rudolph, Owner of The Freedom Agency Coach, located in Chula Vista, CA, USA.

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

I'm a business coach and help digital marketing agencies accelerate growth and eliminate hustle. Also, I'm a national speaker at digital marketing conferences. I have presented for companies like AgoraPulse, Sendible, Verblio, and Cloud Campaign.

Tell us about yourself

My first job out of college was as a strength and conditioning assistant for the Chicago Bulls, an absolute dream come true. In addition to working with the Bulls players and other pro athletes, I've had the privilege of working under legendary Chicago Bulls strength coach Al Vermeil.

Next, I headed back home to start my first business as a personal trainer. I started driving to clients' homes with a bag full of equipment in the back of my car. I did pick up a lot of clients right away, but working from 5 am to 8 pm every night, spending half the day in my car, yet not making the money I was worth, got old quickly.

So I started to put my dream of opening my facility to paper. Eighteen months later, I co-founded Core Athletic, a sports performance and rehab facility in Middleton, Wisconsin. I had lots of energy and enthusiasm, some good knowledge of the field, and no clue how to run a business.

Now what happened next is going to surprise you. Despite no business experience, Core Athletic grew from zero to over half a million dollars in annual sales in just four years. Along the way, I was fortunate enough to train some professional athletes and over 150 high school athletes who went on to play in college.

Everything on the outside looked like a dream come true. Still, other than our dedicated staff, few people saw what was happening behind the scenes. With a big fat loan and monster lease to pay for, I blew out my adrenal glands at least twice by micromanaging every little detail and trying to do it all. I had started the business to have more freedom, but it had turned into the opposite: a stressful and risky job.

Several years in, I experienced the painful reality of being an expert trainer, having a fantastic 10-person staff and over 200 clients. Still, I was on the verge of burnout. In pure desperation, I sought out business coaches and marketing experts, learned everything I could from them, and tried to model their success.

It wasn't an overnight turnaround by any means, especially with the economic downturn of 2008 thrown in there. Still, slowly and indeed, the business started getting good traction. The firm became more profitable with lots of learning, simple strategies, and sweat. It developed better systems (which cut stress levels).
Fast forward to our seventh year in business. I ended up selling Core Athletic to an up-and-coming employee for a nice 6-figure profit.

Looking back on it, when I struggled to make it, I didn't need more money to jump on the bandwagon of the latest fad or get another certification behind my name. What I needed was a coach. I need someone with experience in the trenches I could learn from, whose shoulders I could stand on to see a clearer picture of where to go next. I needed a guide to FREEDOM.

Eight years ago, I decided to start providing coaching for other business owners, which was what I wished I had in my first business. Seeing clients shift from being discouraged or exhausted to being encouraged and energized motivates me to do what I do daily!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is having business success while at the same time making time to be a devoted husband and dad.

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

Not trying to do it all yourself. No one will care more about your business, but there is no way you can provide everything your business needs and do it well. You need to build a team.

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

Narrow your niche down so far that only you can fit into it!
Focus on getting your ideal client/customer a fantastic result (and never lose focus on this).
If you chase two chickens, you catch none of them (solo focus is essential).

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://freedomagencycoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedombusinessfamily
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_rudolph_coaching/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FreedomBizGuy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolphchris/

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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