* What steps did you follow to build your business? Are you still in the process of planning your endeavor?
First step, conduct personality and vocational testing. I wanted to make sure my decision to leave my job wasn't an emotional reaction or part of a pre-midlife crisis, but a true calling.
Second step, with personality and temperament traits in tow, I explored a variety of opportunities that fit my uniqueness. Coaching revealed itself as the perfect fit.
Third, develop the necessary skills. I enrolled in two programs to gain industry-recognized training and secured professional certification as both a Certified Professional Coach and Business/Executive Coach. This was a two-year process.
Fourth, I built my business while working full-time and while participating in coaching training. By the time I earned my certifications, I already had several full-time clients.
Fifth, with all of the structures and processes in place, an existing client base and a sound business and financial plan developed, I left my full-time employment to run my business full-time.
* Please tell us about the resources you've used thus far and would recommend to others (or steer them away from). Take a moment to share your educational background (both academic and work-based) and point out things that have helped or hindered you along the way from that education.
Previous experience in business (both as an employee and entrepreneur) provided the base and ongoing learning and training helped build a solid foundation. What made the difference between succeeding this time and failing in two previous attempts more than a decade ago was knowledge, patience, and the creation of a strong support system made up of mentors, coaches, and experts in various fields. Another big contributor was the foundational work that revolved around personal growth and changing my belief systems. I also had to change who I surrounded myself with, the types of books I read and how I spent my time.
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