Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tracy Beavers, founder of Tracy Beavers Coaching, located in North Little Rock, AR, USA.

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

I am a business and sales coach. My passion is helping small business owners and entrepreneurs gain clarity and create a strategy to grow their businesses. Being an entrepreneur can be so hard, and my goal is to help my clients grow with ease. We create a roadmap of action steps they can easily follow step by step, day by day, to get to their goals. Eliminating the overwhelm for them, hearing them exhale after our sessions because they feel so much better....this is what fuels me.

Tell us about yourself

Life was VERY different before I decided to jump into entrepreneurship. I was raised to believe that you graduate high school, graduate college, get the W2 job (be super grateful for it), and spend the next 40 years working so you can retire with a gold watch, a pension, and a cake party. After being downsized, putting up with toxic bosses, and being passed over for promotions, I decided I needed to take control of my future. My close friends pointed out that I should be a coach. So here I am…and I am loving it.

Currently, I get to spend my days surrounded by the most inspiring and amazing clients. Each day is a fun mix of content creation, clients, and collaborations with my peers. I have my private practice as a business/sales coach, where I currently serve in a 1:1 capacity. I have plans to add a digital course and group coaching program in the first quarter of 2022. I also am a consultant with our local SBTDC (Small Business Technology Center….every state has one…ours is through our University). I am thankful for the trust the SBTDC places in guiding our state's small businesses to success. Is every day a breeze? Heck no…but it sure beats where I was before I dove into the deep end of the pool with my first business. Since starting my coaching business three years ago, I have been able to save up enough money that when my 9-5 job ended, I didn't have to go grab the next job I could find. My days have ease and flow. I no longer feel that I am running 150mph with my hair on fire. I can be more present in all aspects of my life without having to work nights and weekends. I believe I am finally using my gifts and talents in the way God intended…..to serve and lift up others as they chase their dreams.

My husband and I are the proud parents of two young adults. Our daughter is 22 years old and starting her career as a police officer. Our son is graduating high school and has his eye on college. Everyone's favorite child is our English Labrador, General Patton, who just turned 7.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being able to leave my full-time job and build a life that I love doing work that I love with clients that I love.

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

Ohhhh....just one?? There are so many :) It's lonely and scary sometimes. With a full-time job working as an employee, you get a job description, an office, a desk, a nametag, and a stable paycheck. You show up. You do the job as described, and you go home. As the owner of the business, you get none of those....you have to go get them yourself.....and the job description has to be created by you, by yourself. There is this yin and yang of excitement and happiness of chasing a dream mixed with that little voice in your head that says, "what the hell are you doing? and how are you going to make any money? and why do you think you are good enough to do this?" So many times, my clients feel like they are the only ones that feel like this....and they are definitely not. I do weekly training in my Facebook group. I say every single week, "Being an entrepreneur is hard, some days everyone wants to buy what you are selling....and other days...no one remembers your name.....and if you think you are alone...you are not." It matters not how successful a business owner is....even the wealthy still have days of doubt (and the ones that say they don't.....they are lying :) )

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

I have worked with several clients who have a vision and a dream but no roadmap, so this is a great question and one that I answer often.

  1. Do your homework. Make sure that the product/service you want to sell is in demand. Make sure you know what your target market wants. We don't want to build a business that no one wants to buy from.
  2. Become friends with and hire both a CPA and an attorney. When it comes to our financials, we must understand the best way to track all of our numbers as well as plan ahead for taxes. We must have a conversation regarding any legal protections we need to have in place. These are the professionals that can make sure your business is built on a strong, stable foundation with no surprises.
  3. Be realistic about how much time it will take to grow your business and realistic about the expense. Every business will have expenses, and we must be prepared and willing to invest not only our time and sweat but our money too.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

There has never been a better time in our history to chase the dream of being an entrepreneur. Does it take work? Yes. Does it feel scary? You betcha. Will it be worth it? Most definitely.

Ask yourself what do YOU want....how do you want the rest of your life to go? Are you truly happy with the ways your days are going?
If the tug of entrepreneurship is on your heart, then reach out to a business coach like me, and let's talk through your ideas. It is quite possible that a conversation like this will completely change the trajectory of your life. I will be here to cheer you on!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.tracybeavers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1029969944188688
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracybeaverscoaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-beavers-b650449/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.