Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emily Rogers, Founder of The Leap To Lead, located in Auckland, NZ.

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

I am the founder of The Leap to Lead and a transition and leadership coach for individuals and organizations ready to show up the way they have always desired. Whether women in leadership positions or stay-at-home mums who put their careers on hold for their families, they wonder if there isn't more they ought to be doing, and they're ready to take the leap to lead the second act of their lives. Drawing on my experience and the frameworks developed as a senior HR leader across multiple industries, I now empower women to be leaders in their own lives.

I have been featured in various media, such as Inc. Magazine and ABC News Australia, sharing my insights on how to lead our lives and careers through changing environments and transitions. As a mum who gave up my career to focus on my family as we moved countries and subsequently launched my own business, I understand the multiple demands that can lead to feeling overwhelmed and a loss of confidence. I am passionate about providing clarity, developing an action plan, and getting things done to see you finally living the life you want.

Tell us about yourself

When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them, "I coach women who want more from life." But what I really want to say is, "I work through the issues that all women, especially mothers, experience, supporting them to create and live their best life" And what I really, really, really want to say is, "I change the lives of women so that they can live their life with purpose, fulfillment and amazing connection with their family" I'm Emily Rogers, and as you've probably already guessed, I love working with my clients! I love asking questions that cause them to pause and rethink what they've always assumed. I love seeing them grow in themselves, become more confident, and at the same time, become better parents. People come to me when they feel exhausted by their lives, frustrated by the humdrum of errands, and desperate for something more. Together we rediscover, get clarity and create a path they can take to have more finally.

Whether it's supporting women who have given up their careers to support their family and now the kids are a little older and more independent, they find themselves wondering, 'is this it?' Or supporting women who have returned to work but are now wondering if there isn't more they ought to be doing. As we get older, our purpose changes, and sometimes the career we started doesn't fit where we are now or where we want to go. My professional career was in Human Resources working with some big companies in many different industries until we moved to Asia, and I could no longer 'work.' I often joke and say I now provide HR support to mums who frankly need it more. I regularly serve over 2,000 people with advice on career, life, wins, and challenges, as well as how to have more. I have been featured in podcasts such as the high-ranking Tandem Nomads, as well as online summits and guest articles.

At heart, I'm a country girl. I was raised in rural South Australia, and there is nothing I love more than being outdoors, walking, and exploring. If I'm catching up with friends, it's a walk together around the hills or the park. Even in the megacities of this world, I would find space to walk and explore. When hubby is working late, which can be quite often in the hotel industry... I love tinkering on my piano (although I have to learn to sight-read music again). While living in Chongqing, I learned Chinese Ink Painting with a group of friends, and now my daughters and I can often be found sitting in the sunshine with our paints, listening to music and chatting about anything that crosses their minds (you know what tweens are like!?!). The weekends will always involve someone coming over for a drink or a bite to eat; that's when we're not running the girls to hockey or tennis, or dance practice! Life hasn't always been easy, there have been loads of stumbling blocks along the way, but I have become an expert in finding silver linings and just moving on. I am living proof that it's never too late to make your dreams real. Work hard. Play hard. Don't worry about what other people think. Just focus on yourself, and be the best you can be.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Yes, I've won awards. But what I'm most proud of is the change I see in my clients. My clients call it the "Emily Effect"! I have a unique perspective that allows me to cut through the fog and the crap that life throws at us and reign in on the true heart of an issue.

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

As a woman and business owners, we struggle so often with self-confidence. We oscillate between two pillars - doubt and guilt. We doubt that we have the capability, we doubt that we have the energy, we doubt that we could do anything bigger or better. Then guilt that we want more, guilt that we invest time and energy outside of the family, guilt that we are not satisfied. These two pillars keep us confined to what we have always known and often prevent new ideas. To overcome these challenges, we need to focus on our strengths. Get clear on what our strengths are and how we want to use them in our lives. Then use this clarity to carve our own path and take action.

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

  1. Know your strengths, know how you want to use your strengths, and always focus on this. The journey will have its challenges, but remaining clear about your strengths will support you through this.
  2. Get the balance right from the start. I have seen so many women business owners burnt out, trying to do everything for everyone. Get clear on your time, your energy, and how you want to use it. Allocate it in your diary and stick to it.
  3. Most importantly, don't allow your fears to stop you, you have a unique offering, and there are people out there who need what you're doing. Just focus on the next right step, what is the next right thing for you to do, make that happen and keep going.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.theleaptolead.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theleaptolead
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theleaptolead/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theleaptolead/

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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