Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brianna Coon, Founder of Limitless Impact Virtual Management, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
As a virtual business consultant and social media strategist, I provide business owners with impactful services to make their work-life more enjoyable. Assisting them with all aspects of their day-to-day operations as well as building a social media and marketing strategy specifically tailored to their goals. Many business owners who are starting out or are in the middle of a growth period where they are not ready to hire a full-time employee but still need help with the overwhelming tasks leans on me to continue to push their businesses further! I have been able to grow my business from just me to 8 other subcontractors under me, 75+ clients around North America, and continuing to grow every day!
Tell us about yourself
Being in business for myself and being a young entrepreneur gave me the sense of control and purpose that I was looking for in my life. When it comes to explaining my "why" or the "purpose" of my business, it is so much more than that. Yes, I went into business to make money, but I also was looking for a sense of fulfillment and self-recognition that I was so longing for. I love being able to help fellow entrepreneurs around the world grow their businesses, reach their goals and be a part of their teams and their success! THIS is what gets me out of bed in the morning or work those extra hours because I know I am achieving my DREAM but helping others achieve THEIRS! Being that person others look up to and think, "if she can do it, so can I," is the most rewarding feeling. Educating other young entrepreneurs on how to create a future for themselves without having to work for a company that views you as a number or as replaceable and being the person, they can ask those questions they think are "stupid," knowing I won't judge them. When it comes down to the core values of my business, I am here to educate, support, be the cheerleader, the shoulder to cry on, and help my client's businesses exceed what they think it is capable of.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having been in business since December of 2019, there is a lot I can say is my "biggest accomplishment," such as being a featured author in The Female Entrepreneurs Playbook, being a monthly guest on a global radio show, Being nominated for the 2021 & 2022 Annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, etc. But my biggest accomplishment is all of my clients. Seeing how far they have come as individuals and the growth their businesses have experienced in the time they have worked with my team and me. Those are the accomplishments that I cherish and care most about, as that is what my passion is!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When I started my business in December of 2019, I had no expectations of how it would perform. I knew I wanted to be the one in control, make the rules and decide what was going to happen. I reached out to the people in my network who I knew needed support but weren't quite at the point where they needed full-time or even a part-time employee but needed someone to help take some tasks off their plates. Once I started getting positive feedback, and the word started to spread about my business, I was taking on clients left and right. I sold every hour of my day to help my clients. I was working 14–18 hour days trying to keep up with the work that was coming in. Don't get me wrong, I loved the work because I was passionate about what I was doing, but I noticed it was starting to take a toll on my personal life and my health. I was taking on clients for who I had those little red flags pop up in our initial conversations, but I ignored them. I was allowing my clients to tiptoe over the boundaries I had set and not correcting them when they did. This is such a common mistake new business owners make because they want to keep up with the momentum and not say no. The biggest mistake I see fellow entrepreneurs making, myself included, is not allowing themselves to say no to new work or clients who are disrespecting their boundaries. Once you allow these clients or anyone else involved with your business to treat you like this, it is hard to correct it later down the line. Make sure always to stay true to the rules/policies/boundaries, whatever you prefer them to, as this can be harmful to yourself and your business in the future.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
When you decide to take the leap of faith and start your own business, it can be scary and incredibly overwhelming! It is okay to feel like you have no idea what you are doing because you don't have to be an expert in everything to be a business owner. Once you realize you don't have to be "in charge" and take on all of the tasks of being a business owner, it truly lights a huge weight off your shoulders!
My top 3 tips I would share with a new blossoming entrepreneur are:
- Consistency is Key - Consistency in all aspects of your business. From social media and customer service to the management task of running your business, such as bookkeeping. Form your routine and habits early in your business so you can maintain growth at any speed and be able to handle all of the success that comes your way without burning out or feeling like you are drowning.
- Outsource - We all have the same amount of hours a day, and that doesn't mean you have to allocate every minute to your business. I made this mistake, and it caused so much burnout during the beginning stages of my business. Learn to delegate tasks by outsourcing to subcontractors such as myself to help you with different areas of your business.
- Take Time for Yourself - It's easy to say "I don't have time" or "I'm just too busy.." to take a day off, visit friends or treat yourself to a self-care day, but it is so important to take the time to recharge your batteries. If you don't take the time to do so, you are at higher risk for burnout, which can be hard to recover from if you let it go too far. By scheduling the time for yourself in your calendar, you are doing your business a favour! Remember, you are the BOSS, and you can do what you want!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I started my business in January 2020 (Just before sh*t hit the fan), and I knew that I was strong, intelligent, brave, and capable enough to handle everything that would be thrown my way the first year of running my business... but what I wasn't prepared for was imposter syndrome. I have friends, family, clients, and strangers who tell me all the time how amazing I am at what I do and how creative and smart my business is... (and I don't say this to brag) ... but when I hear those words for some reason, my brain turns into mush. I just don't know how to comprehend and truly receive the kind words they are saying. I know I am not the only business owner or young entrepreneur who battles this feeling.
There are so many blogs and other influencers that post tips and tricks about tackling this feeling, but no one really talks about taking a moment and truly sitting with the feeling and appreciating what you are experiencing at that moment! When I have those moments, I sit there, reflect, and remind myself why I am where I am and how I got there.
- Worked my ass off to grow my business to a team of 8+ subcontractors, consistent 5-figure months, and 75+ clients across North America.
- Putting myself out there, reaching out to podcast creators and other business owners to potentially partner with, and being told NO but still putting myself out there. Being nominated for the 2021 & 2022 Annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards presented by Women of Influence under the category of "Ones to Watch," multiple podcast feature interviews, a monthly radio show, and guest speaker at networking events.
It is OKAY to sit in this feeling and give yourself the time to feel like an imposter truly but remember you are the BADASS business owner who got yourself where you are today! You are worthy of all the success coming your way! Believe in that!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://limitlessimpact.ca/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3PG9MoD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limitlessimpact/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-coon-/
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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