Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Valerie Le, Career Confidence Coach, based in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I am a career coach specializing in helping youth and early to mid-career young professionals from diverse backgrounds experiencing challenging periods of transition turn self-doubt into self-confidence by helping them see their unique brilliance so they can thrive in careers that are aligned with what they love. I do this by providing customized coaching, programming, and workshops that help participants identify, hone and own their unique skills, strengths, and stories. Think of me as your career hype woman whose superpower is magnifying your strengths and helping you believe in yourself!

Tell us about yourself

I started off in the field of Career Development as a client myself who was experiencing challenges with my career path. I was really lost and confused for a long time with little confidence in myself, and it was a Career Development Practitioner who guided me to see my unique talents, a life changer!

With a strong interest in personal development, helping others, and making a difference in the community, what motivates me most is being able to see the before and after in clients' confidence and belief in themselves. I love being able to help people go from the bud to the blossom in a short period of time and experience life-changing shifts in the way that they see themselves. It is extremely gratifying to witness, especially after the client has felt challenged for so long, even on the verge of losing hope. For me, career development and coaching have always been more than about careers - it's about changing and transforming lives as well as the world at large. When clients can see what's truly amazing about themselves, they are able to move forward with living their purpose and sharing their gifts with the world - which is exactly what the world needs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is being able to change and transform lives by the way operating in my unique zone of genius as well as having the creative direction and freedom to do what I enjoy most - making an impact on the community through coaching, facilitating, speaking, and collaborating with amazing mentors, coaches, and speakers.

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

The most challenging thing I've found being a business owner is consistently keeping my mindset positive and abundant. They say to work on your mindset more than your goals because all things stem from our beliefs about what we're capable of accomplishing. Entrepreneurship has been one of the biggest tests of mental endurance and self-belief! As we move out of our comfort zone and expand to greater heights, it's not abnormal to experience feeling vulnerable and wondering if we're truly capable. To that – I say keep going!

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

  1. Have self-compassion and give yourself grace – especially as you learn and grow. Entrepreneurship can feel a lot like flying a plane while building it. Whenever you start to feel Imposter Syndrome, creep in – remind yourself that you're capable. Know that it's okay to feel challenged when doing something for the first time as a beginner (which doesn't make you an imposter). This mindset shift alone is powerful to go from being hard on yourself to easing up and giving yourself major kudos for going for it!
  2. Everything is figure-out-able. You don't need to know it all, nor can you know it all; we learn through doing. Perfectionism can often stop us in our tracks. Taking imperfect, inspired action can cut through the analysis paralysis and get the ball rolling. Once you make one move, you'll know what to do next, and so on and so forth.
  3. Take time to celebrate your achievements. Don't wait until you achieve the big "goals" to acknowledge yourself. Celebrate and acknowledge your wins daily! Our brains are wired for negativity out of survival – acknowledging our accomplishments builds new neuropathways in the mind that strengthens and uplifts us. The more we celebrate, the more inspiration and wellbeing follows.

Where can people find you and your business?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-le-career-confidence-coach/

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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