Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tom Paine, a Certified Life Coach based in Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK.

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

My business is a life coaching practice that helps STEM professionals (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) overcome career burnout. I typically work with high performers who've lost their way and want to rediscover their motivation. This includes rebuilding their confidence and self-belief whilst also helping them to discover what their purpose is in life. So many people find themselves working in jobs that don't fulfill them anymore. My job is to help them to take control of their lives so that they can reach their true potential.

Tell us about yourself

I worked in the fast-paced world of recruitment for 10 years, and back in 2018, I burned out pretty hard. I was losing sleep all the time and under pressure to perform. I started to question my purpose, was the hustle culture right for me anymore? And so I spent the next 2 years searching for answers, and I decided to retrain as a coach.

I wanted to help other high performers who were experiencing burnout the same way I did. I wanted to create a business that gave people the opportunity to talk to an external coach when they felt at their lowest. Nobody should feel like they have nowhere to turn. I really don't like seeing people waste their true potential in jobs that don't satisfy them. There's so much value coaching can bring to people's lives, and that's what I try to do every day in my work.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping to change so many lives. I've worked with people who've set up businesses after always working for other people for 20 years. Through coaching, they were able to change their mindset, something they thought was impossible. Beforehand, they didn't have the confidence to follow their dreams, and after coaching, they were able to make the changes to their lives that they didn't think were possible. It's so rewarding to see the personal growth of my clients in the time that we work together. That is the biggest accomplishment I've made in my business.

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

As a solopreneur, the hardest thing is being in every part of the business. So, I am the coach, the legal person, the marketing, and the admin. You have to play many different roles, which is exciting but also challenging at the same time.

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

Ensure you only commit to opening up a business that you are passionate about. Don't get into a business start-up that you're not 100% sure about. On the bad days, that passion for what you do will motivate you to push through challenges.

Also, test out your ideas before giving them a go. If you can't make money in the test phase, then why would you even think about switching careers totally? Make sure there's the right trade-off for your efforts and potential for growth in what you plan to do.

Finally, read. Read as much as you can from people who've walked the path you want to go on. Oh, and hire a coach too! Coaching support, especially in the early days, is worth its weight in gold.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://tompainelifecoaching.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tompainecoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tompainelifecoaching/

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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