Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Hughes-O'Connell, Founder of Bamboo Leader Group, located in Jacksonville, FL, USA.

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

Bamboo Leader Group is a boutique consulting agency helping high-growth companies align their people strategy to their business strategy. We do this by helping CEOs reduce complexity in their people processes and partners to amp up their talent strategy to attract, develop and retain the best talent in the industry. Our customers are high-growth organizations that have become complex and are ready to shift their emphasis from sales to profitability.

Tell us about yourself

I have always been known as the high-energy girl with a can-do attitude. I started my career on Wall Street in NYC as a junior HR generalist supporting the trading desk at an international bank. I loved the work. I immediately resonated with the work of HR - figuring out what people are great at and aligning them to the right roles so that they could soar. My career in strategic HR lasted 23 years before I was ready to finally "bet on myself" and take the leap into entrepreneurship. When I made the leap out of corporate in early 2022, I was at the height of my career - Head of HR for a $1B tech staffing company, teams across the US and Canada, in charge of a competitive talent strategy....but something was missing. I could no longer ignore the pull to do something greater with my life and career...to decide on my own values and not work against them for someone else's company. When I left my job, I gave myself the gift of space. I took a solo trip to the mountains to clear my head (and calm my nervous system!) so that the inspiration for the business I would create had space to seed and grow. I named my company Bamboo Leader Group because I truly look at leadership as the bamboo tree: resilient, evergreen, thriving in the right environment. My mission is to create sustainable, healthy leaders within the companies I work with so that they can positively impact not only the bottom line financially but the lives and careers of those they manage. If we all had the benefit of working under a Bamboo Leader, the sky would literally be the limit! I'm motivated every day by the simple pursuit of achieving what I put everything on the line for - to become the most preferred talent consultant in my targeted market.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is simple: I got started. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu). Being a business owner and building a profitable business is hard work. I am proud to take a step forward every day, and I will never let the sun set without completing at least one activity I am proud of in pursuit of my business goals.

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

It's a lonely world being a solopreneur! I find the hardest part of being a business owner is not having people around me to advise, mentor and partner with on my day-to-day. That's why it's been important to seek out groups, forums, and communities of individuals to challenge me, provide guidance when I'm stuck, and cheer me on when things get tough.

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

  1. Have grit. A lot of it. It's you and only you who can make it happen, so get mentally prepared for the journey (and have fun doing it!)
  2. Find good advisors and mentors. Many people from your past will be more than happy to lend a hand, make an introduction, and give advice. Spread the word to everyone you've ever known that you're starting a business, and, with gratitude, take them all up on their help!
  3. Running and growing a business is sales. Pure sales. Embrace it and learn how to do it authentically.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://bambooleadergroup.com/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3W1JWPe

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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