Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Steve Steff, Founder of Transforming Leadership, located in Venice, FL, USA.

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

Through leadership coaching, I help leaders improve their effectiveness and, in turn, the point of those that report to them.

Tell us about yourself

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have worked with trauma survivors for several years, explicitly serving a couple of global organizations and working with their populations that have experienced an industrial accident, suicide, homicide, or natural disaster.

As a person who "specialized" in behavior, the leaders of those organizations urged me to work with their leaders in identifying ineffective behaviors and capitalizing on new, effective behaviors. That opportunity to work with a high-performing leader and help them become ever higher performing is enriching.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our coaching and consulting team is, by design, small. For example, we currently work with only eight organizations. However, we have worked with one of those organizations for 25 years. We've worked with one for ten years. And we have worked with other companies' CEOs or similar senior leaders for several years. So, my greatest accomplishment is our reputation with our clients, which has resulted in legacy relationships.

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

Balance. Even though I preach balance with my client leaders, I need help turning it on and off at will. I thoroughly enjoy what I do, and I thoroughly enjoy my relationships with each of my clients. That makes it difficult to "stop working." I'm always thinking about how we can have a more significant impact and how we might be more practical.

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

  1. Ensure that you sell a "product" that people want. Many "entrepreneurs" identify a need and set out to fill it. But find that people aren't willing to pay for their solution.
  2. Before you ever begin the sales process, make sure you can quantify the benefit to your prospect in a value prop that works for them, not one that works for you.
  3. Think big picture! The great idea you have today might not fit into the vision of your prospective buyer. Your solution may be the best, with the most significant impact. But it is only of value to someone if you can find a buyer. Identify their need from their perspective. Work to meet that need, and you can bring them around to recognize additional requirements that you can meet.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.tleadership.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransformingLeader/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevesteff
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssteff/

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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