Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cassie Feld, CEO of Upcycled Adulting LLC, located in Birmingham, MI, USA.

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

Upcycled Adulting is a full-service personal development business, including a blog, live webinars, courses, and much more. As an Intentional Living Course, I teach others how to create healthy habits, manage daily life and relationships, identify, accomplish, and maintain goals, and how to overcome stress and overwhelm and cultivate a growth mindset. Essentially I help people bring purpose to apathy and clarity to chaos so they can begin each day feeling purposeful and end feeling proud. My community and client base are extremely inclusive and comprised of people from all walks of life by design. However, most of my clients are busy moms over 40 who want to create well-crafted lives and set that example for their children.

Tell us about yourself

I've spent many years and invested a sizable amount of money in personal development only to find that it just didn't work for me. Despite my commitment, it seemed it was designed for those with far more advantages than I had and made assumptions that I was prepared in ways I was not. As the mom of 5 children (2 with disabilities), who struggles with mental illness and an autoimmune condition, is neurodivergent, and has a minimal support system, I found that most of the instruction and guidance simply doesn't fit into my real life. I began creating my own methods and systems (including my exclusive Small Step Method), and before long, others started asking me to mentor or advise them as well. People began experiencing incredible and lasting results from implementing what they were learning, and word started to spread. This led to my starting a blog and later teaching in live events and courses. I absolutely love what I do. Seeing my work's impact on others and their families is incredibly rewarding. It's been such an honor to see my clients grow, learn their worth, identify and pursue their purpose, and create a rewarding intentional life.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is utilizing my own methodology to face a challenge I believed to be impossible, building my website. It was extremely important to me to do this myself as evidence of the power of the method. Prior to starting my business, I was terrified of technology. I could barely open an email, had panic attacks simply thinking about turning on a computer, and truly believed I would never be able to improve in this area. Up to this point, I could simply avoid technology, and honestly, I could've just hired someone to build my site, but I wanted to prove that the impossible was possible by utilizing my method before I began officially teaching it to others. Not only was I able to build my site on my own, but I noticed a profound ripple effect in my business and also my personal life as my confidence grew. I've experienced many successes as a business owner, including retiring my husband (who now works as my COO), but this particular one stands out because it's an accomplishment I'd never even been able to imagine prior.

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

One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is the isolation. Even if you have a team, it can feel like a lot of pressure and be a bit lonely. Having a coach, therapist, mentor, or community can be very helpful.

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

These are the top 3 tips I'd give to anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business. They apply and are hugely beneficial regardless of what industry you're in.

  1. Take small steps and celebrate your wins. Being a business owner can be both overwhelming and exciting. It's easy to slip into the habit of going hard, hustling harder, and lose sight of the importance of small, consistent progress. Focus on the small steps, even the mundane and monotonous, and give yourself credit for them. Success in business is more reliant on these small, consistent activities than the big flashy stuff, so keep your attention there.
  2. Don't skip the internal work. The internal work is what makes it all worthwhile and what will give you the fortitude to face the big challenges, the clarity to make the right decisions, and the ability to learn from mistakes and failures. Create the space to nurture yourself, practice affirmations, meditate, journal, and allow yourself to rest.
  3. Get support. Building your own business can be overwhelming and isolating. While you may do many things well, you can't do it all. Hiring a team or even an individual person to free up your time and energy for the things only you can do or that require your special touch pays off. In addition, consider hiring a business or personal coach or finding a mentor. This will help facilitate the internal work and growth necessary for ongoing success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://upcycledadulting.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upcycledadulting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upcycledadulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Upcycledadultin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassie-ann-8001bb188/

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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