Find the Way Visually

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erin Gordon, Founder of WAYFIND, located in Alexandria, VA, USA.

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

WAYFIND is a professional facilitation and consulting partner that takes a holistic, human-centered approach to visually solve the complex challenges that matter most. Our primary offerings include meeting design, facilitation, and visual notetaking. We are increasingly recognized for our training, development, and coaching services specifically designed for leaders.

Our customers range from government and military to academia, commercial and international non-profits. While WAYFIND has deep experience working with the U.S. Government, our services readily extend to companies and communities of all kinds.

Tell us about yourself

My life's work is all about creativity on purpose. With WAYFIND, it's about the art of wayfinding to map the next move or a series of artful moves, whether it be with groups or individuals. Moves come in all forms: they may shape up as ways of being or working or as brilliantly crafted vision maps and strategies.

What motivates me most about wayfinding each day is twofold: the lasting impact realized by our clients as the way unfolds and the curious learning in continuously discovering how the path was already made for us all along.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Growing the WAYFIND brand over the last three years to become a recognized industry and thought leader in the fields of facilitation and creative leadership.

WAYFIND has been sought after to develop and train facilitation for leadership on behalf of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Online facilitation, virtual collaboration, and digital visual notetaking for Grove Consultants International.
Custom facilitation and leadership programs for multiple fortune 500 companies.
Facilitated strategy, innovation, and team development workshops across the whole of government.

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

Trusting your inner knowing of when and how to lean in or let go.

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

Ask yourself three questions:

1 - What's your endgame?
2 - Why does that endgame matter to you?
3 - Do you value the answer to number two enough to give ALL you've got?

If you can answer question three with whole-hearted affirmation, move out with your back-of-napkin strategy and be ready for anything. When you jump, the net will appear, but the timing of its appearance is unknown.

Be prepared to (1) dance with your inner critic, (2) constantly iterate, and (3) readily ask for help with grit and grace. The journey is not meant to be taken alone.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://thewayfind.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinicolegordon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/erinicolegordon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinnicolegordon/

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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