Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Victoria Scott, Founder of Victoria Scott Coaching, LLC., located in Fairfax, VA, USA.

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

I'm Victoria Scott, a Certified Professional Coach. I work with experienced professionals – high potential employees, new managers, senior executives, seasoned experts, and everyone in between.

I work with clients who’ve had career success but know there is more out there – a better career or organizational culture where they can feel appreciated; a better way to manage, lead, engage employees, build trust, and be more effective; a better way to communicate, manage time, delegate, and mentor; and a better way to manage stress, difficult situations, and emotional burnout.

I work with my clients to build awareness about themselves and their thoughts, feelings, and actions through an intake process that includes assessments designed to understand their personality better, the way they approach work, and the differences between the way they view and approach situations normally versus when they are under stress. We leverage this awareness to build meaningful goals designed to achieve targeted results. We build action plans and take action while I support them in addressing challenges and refining their action steps as they go, maximizing their ability to achieve success and building skills that will help them support themselves and others in the future.

Tell us about yourself

I was inspired to become a coach after I was lucky enough to have a coach when I was working in a toxic environment. My coach helped me realize just how toxic my supervisor really was, that it wasn’t my fault and that there was nothing I could do to change it. That was a huge gift for a high-performing person like me who hadn’t dealt with a culture like that before. I wanted to help other people the same way my coach helped me. Now I'm paying that gift forward in my own coaching practice, helping others achieve their goals.

With over 20 years of professional experience, I have literally been there and done that. I’ve taken formal training on the coaching that I’ve been giving instinctually throughout my career. I’m certified by one of the best coaching schools in the world and through the International Coaching Federation, the globally recognized organization that sets the gold standard for coaching.

I’m motivated to do what I do each day when I see my clients making progress, achieving their goals, and leading more fulfilling lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is finding a job that gives me the flexibility to take care of my family the way I want, and that’s also in alignment with my values and lets me do things my way. Lots of coaches/consultants have a set program with set steps, but I don’t coach that way because each client is an individual person with unique needs who deserves coaching that’s tailored specifically for them. I also make videos with different tips people can use to be their own coach as my own way of giving back to the community.

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

The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner for me is not having a steady, predictable income and adjusting to the idea that there will be thinner and thicker times. But with a good coach and good financial planning, that is something that’s pretty easily overcome.

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

I recently helped a client set up their own business, and my first tip is to get a coach to help make sure your business is in full alignment with your purpose and values so that it will be sustainable for you long term. Without that connection, it’s a lot easier when things inevitably are difficult and don’t go according to plan. A coach can also support you in setting goals and action plans and moving past challenges.

My second tip is to get an Energy Leadership Index™ Assessment through a certified coach like me to help you understand how you respond to situations normally versus when you’re under stress. Since setting up a new business can be very stressful, an ELI will help you better understand yourself and work on strategies with your coach to help you respond to stress in ways that serve you better. One of my clients recently called this her favorite part of working with me because her outcomes were so valuable.

My third tip is to remember that you don’t have to do everything all at once. You can do a lot of the starting, running, and growing before you leave your full-time job so that you maintain financial security while you’re growing your business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I have recently extended my hours to provide space for even more clients, and I offer a free 60-minute so we can see if working together would be a good fit for both of us. All you have to do is fill out the “Contact” page on my website to schedule yours and discover just what’s possible for you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.victoriascottcoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoria.scott.coach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoria_scott_coaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-scott-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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.