Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elaine Atherton, founder of 2SummitUP, located in Wirral, Merseyside, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
As a Sales & Accountability Coach, I provide support to service-based businesses and help them find the missing pieces of their sales puzzle.
There are many reasons that people start a business which can be anything from finding a gap in the market, turning a hobby into a business, and everything in between. But the thing I hear most is 'I don't want to be pushy or salesy' - that is great news as your potential clients don't want you to be either.
I use a combination of coaching, training, and accountability to help them turn their expertise into sales in a way that is comfortable for them and very clear to their clients how they help them.
Tell us about yourself
Many years ago, I invested in a kit with a network marketing company. I was a mum at home and looking for something to fit around my family. I had no idea what lay ahead, but I loved it - my business which had over 1000 people in it, was the first in the company to achieve £4million in sales in a year. Yet, I never considered myself a salesperson; I just loved to help people make informed decisions.
It was a natural step for me to become a Coach as I've always been passionate about helping people fulfill their dreams and aspirations. I tap into my expertise and learnings to help them take it further by creating structure, plans, actions, processes, and of course, accountability which can be the difference between something happening or not.
There is no greater joy or motivator than getting feedback or testimonials from your clients when you've made a difference in some way to their business journey.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Just like many other business owners, the events over the past year or so prompted me to think about how I can support my clients in different ways. All of my business is now online, which works perfectly for all parties and provides more bespoke package options.
I also made the decision in July 2020 to start a podcast for small business owners. I have met the most incredible people who inspire me every day.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Being really clear on who you are helping, how and where you will find those people, and the outcomes you are providing. It took me some time to really identify where I brought the greatest value and my ideal client and creating my brand. When we are spending time in the 'wrong' places, it can feel so disheartening and demotivating as our business doesn't move forward as we had hoped. Getting clear on the foundations plays a big part in how I help my clients get clarity.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Keep close to your why. The reasons you started your business, what you want to achieve, who you are helping, and the difference you want to make. On the tough days, it's always good to remind ourselves of our why.
- Surround yourself with a great network of people. None of us are great at every aspect of running a business so having a great supportive network to lean on is so valuable. There is so much support out there; don't feel you need to go it alone.
- Be flexible and adaptable. Your goal may be set in stone, but the route may be set in sand - things can happen along the way, and sometimes we need to reconfigure how we get there and make some adjustments.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't let the fear of failure stop you from taking those initial steps. I've learned so much from my learnings curves that have been so valuable for my business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://2summitup.com/
Podcast: https://2summitup-pay-it-forward.simplecast.com/episodes/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2summitup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaine.2summitup/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaineatherton/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
