Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in consultancy but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Theresa Fesinstine, Founder of peoplepower.ai, located in Norwalk, CT, USA.

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

Hi there - My business is peoplepower.ai, a consultancy with a clear mission - to make artificial intelligence (AI) accessible and comprehensible for non-tech professionals.

Tell us about yourself

Hello, I'm Theresa Fesinstine, a LinkedIn Top Voice in AI and the Founder of peoplepower.ai. Beyond my 25 years in HR leadership, I'm a certified trained Chef with a passion for flavoring innovation in every role I take on. I'm a culture builder, a community leader, and a creative soul with a curious mind.

My journey has always been about enhancing workplace cultures, fostering employee engagement, and driving business operations. Now, I'm on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence (AI) because I believe AI should be accessible to everyone. Armed with certification in AI for Business Strategy from MIT and as an international keynote speaker, I'm here to flatten the AI Learning Curve for non-tech professionals.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I received an invitation to open and keynote an international conference of data scientists, Ph. D.s, and other technology leaders in Luxembourg in 2023. While speaking isn't new to me after many years in L&D, being recognized as a voice with an audience of such prestigious attendees was so validating that I am on solid ground with my unique perspective and background in this space.

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

As a solopreneur, I take on the challenge of doing everything without the inherent resources of an organization. While I embrace the hustle, the first year can be quite demanding as I constantly refine my message and conduct A/B tests to determine what resonates and what doesn't.

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

  1. Don't fret if all your marketing tools aren't in place just yet.
  2. Prioritize exceptional follow-up. With so much to do, it's easy to get sidetracked, but remember that following up with clients is paramount.
  3. Embrace the freedom of running your own business. After working in-house for 25 years, it took me a while to realize that I no longer needed to feel the Sunday Night Dread. Now, I'm the boss!

Where can people find you and your business?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peoplepowerai
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplepower.ai/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresafesinstine/

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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