Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Chamblin, Chief Visionary and Productivity Coach of Visions Productivity Solutions, located in Dumfries, VA, USA.

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

I am an ICF Professional Certified Coach who empowers women leaders and professionals to connect, communicate and collaborate with confidence. When in training mode, I deliver educational but entertaining sessions to engage participants in building skills around communication, team building, leadership, and productivity. My class participants play a lot of games while learning about themselves and others. I deliver practical strategies and tips they can put in place right away.

As a coach, I work with leaders who are developing their executive presence, finding their voice, or improving on delegating without burning themselves or their teams out. My client base has included government agencies, local utilities, construction companies, non-profits, and service-oriented organizations.

Tell us about yourself

After ten years in the busy advertising and marketing industry and always being on the road, I had a strong desire to return to my roots in motivating others to thrive professionally. After dealing with burnout myself, I committed to learning how to be both productive and engaged at work, so I could have energy left over for my family. I wanted a life that allowed me to earn a good income but actually be able to enjoy it!

For the past 17 years, I've worked with leaders, professionals, and teams to empower them to connect, communicate and collaborate productively and with confidence. I love what I do and am passionate about helping others grow, work on their strengths and be more engaged at work so they can go home happier people.

I especially enjoy working with women leaders who are struggling with imposter syndrome and don't realize that they no longer have to fake--they've already made it!. Watching them find their voice and glide into their executive presence is very rewarding for me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm very proud of building a consistent, income-generating business that allows me to be present with my family, pursue my passion, and work with incredible clients. As a result of the intentional business I've designed, I was able to surpass revenue goals even while successfully undergoing cancer treatment. I am blessed to choose who I work with, when I work and how I engage.

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

As a solo-person LLC, it can be hard to separate your sense of identity from the business. Trying to wear all the hats is a daunting task that sets you up for failure. It can be lonely without alliances and partnerships. I have to balance working in my business serving clients with working on my business to grow my skills, be strategic, and develop connections. Because my business is built on my passion for helping others, it's easy to "always be in work mode." I learned this lesson early in business and know that I have to re-evaluate each time I level up. I outsource work and leverage strategic partnerships to create sounding boards and space, so I don't spread myself thin.

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

  1. Know when to pivot and let go of something if it's not serving you. You will need to make adjustments to respond to your growth, changes in the industry, or your client needs. Be nimble, agile, and ready to shift.
  2. Create partnerships and alliances. To quote an African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Even a solo business will need a team.
  3. Create your systems and processes, so you're running a business, not just a side hustle or hobby. If you don't take care of the back-end operations of your business, then your passion project will fail.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.nicolechamblin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleproductivitycoach
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolechamblin/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/visionsps
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/visionsps/

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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