Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Valérie Danielewski, founder of Archibald Coaching, located in Huberdeau, Québec, Canada.

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

I have a coaching business, where the majority of my clients are women. They have followed the ''prescribed path'', they have a decent life, a job, a love life, and it still feels that their life lacks something that, despite all the positive, makes them dissatisfied. I help them reconnect with the human that they are, get aligned with their inner power and true self.

Tell us about yourself

I became interested in coaching back in 2016 when I started looking for a coach for myself. Being outgoing in nature with a direct communication style and a touch of sarcastic humour, I quickly realized that it was quite a challenge to find someone who understood and was comfortable with my kind of energy. Everything I was seeing seemed to be beige and tasted like vanilla. I needed more sparkles where I felt I could be myself and not tame me down to fit the couch in front of me.

After completing my studies in organizational leadership, project management, and organizational development, I realized how fascinated I was by human behavior.

If it had been so difficult for me to find someone to coach me, surely there were others in the same situation. So I created my coaching business with the goal of offering something different, with drive, where we speak the truth without taboos or judgments, where women feel supported in their projects, no matter how crazy that project seems to be. I become their ally, and I make sure they thrive cause in my world, the sky isn't even a limit!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Perseverance! At the end of this year, I realize that all the behind-the-scenes work I've been doing since day one is starting to shine publicly. Sometimes, I got discouraged, but I always focused on my goal and the fact that I want help other women... and it kept me going!

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

I'd say fears (I know, classic!) It can take different forms depending on our individual realities. But when you decide to enter the entrepreneurial world, you don’t know what awaits you or what you will find behind this fascinating door. So you gotta make sure that you are comfortable navigating in those grey uncomfortable zones.

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

  1. Take one step at a time, so you don't get overwhelmed by the mountain of tasks to do.
  2. Trust your gut, no matter what! Keep going, even if everyone else around you says otherwise. Only you know what to do and how to do it. It's your business, no one else's! If your plan A doesn't work, trust me, it doesn't matter. Go to the next letter and adjust the plan. There are 25 others that are generally underused.
  3. Get help from other experts around you! You don't know any? Find some! Get out of your bubble! Yes, it's your business, but you don't have to do and know everything yourself. Focus on your genius and accept help for the rest.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Find a way to be comfortable with the grey zones of uncertainty you will face. There will be many, they are often of different shapes, and they are frightening... But you need to figure out a way (your way) to slay those dragons that keep you from moving forward. Once you do, you'll gain confidence and recognize the signs... you'll get stronger for the next one!

Where can people find you and your business?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archibaldcoaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valérie-danielewski-2838085b/

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.