Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Iggy Perillo, Founder of WSL Leadership, located in Portland, OR, USA.

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

My business is WSL Leadership. I work with leaders to help them amplify their impact using emotional intelligence. Recently I've leaned into giving entrepreneurial leaders who create courses the tools to be excellent educators so they can more quickly and easily share their wisdom with their audience of learners.

Tell us about yourself

I've been working in the field of leadership development and leadership education for over 20 years. By taking the step to start my own business, I've been able to apply all that experience to work with my ideal clients: I've coached rising leaders, worked with K-12 educators who want to bring emotional intelligence to their classrooms, and trained business owners and executive leadership teams. Currently, I'm focused on entrepreneurs who create courses. It’s easier to change the world (or change a single life) when you are delivering your wisdom in a way that your clients can understand and immediately put into action. I help course creators make this a reality.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm very proud of the projects I've accomplished with my clients. I worked with one client for over a year to help their entire organization manage conflict in a more community-oriented way. It was a huge cultural shift.

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

I find it challenging to include all of my areas of expertise in an inclusive way. I work with leaders to give them tools to integrate emotional intelligence into everything they do and also with leaders who create courses to help them be excellent educators.

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

  1. Just get started - Do you feel like you need a logo? Great, do that first. You feel like you want a website? Ok! Have at it! No matter what part you start on, you'll clarify your vision and the impact you want to have. Don't get bogged down in the details but do the things that seem important to you first - get an ok-enough draft on the books, then keep going.
  2. My dad's best advice that I still follow to this day: get a calendar with very small squares for each day so you can't put many things on your schedule. That's what time management is all about.
  3. When you find someone doing work you like, find a way to partner with them on a project of some sort. It will inspire and invigorate your work, and you'll create something that you couldn't have done alone.
  4. Doing work you love with exciting clients is possible for any entrepreneur. It's ok to say "no" along the way to stay focused on your path.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I created a quick guide for entrepreneurs who create courses to overcome the most common mistake I see course creators make. You can find the Roadmap Statement Guide here.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.wslleadership.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WSLLeadership/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WSLLeadership/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iggyperillo/

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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