Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Caris Ajuzie, owner of Accountability Lounge, located in Dallas, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called the Accountability Lounge, A peer-based community created to help match women from all walks of life with other women on similar journeys. With the intention of helping them stay committed to their quarterly life goals. Often times as women, we find ourselves giving and giving, having everyone's back with no one having our backs. The goal of the Accountability Lounge community is to make sure no one ever feels alone as we all try to figure out this thing called life.
Tell us about yourself
I started my business out of a need to help Fashion entrepreneurs. I wanted to create a space where they could get the resources they needed to excel at their business. What I realized was that these women knew what they were doing; they were making smart business decisions, but the accountability portion was missing. I had always been one to help people accomplish the goals they set for themselves, and I started doing that for the Fashionpreneurs in my community.
As I evolved, I realized I wanted to do more than just business. Just looking at my life and seeing how different people hold me accountable in different areas of my life, I wanted to be able to create a similar space for women who are in the pursuit of self-improvement in different areas of their lives to connect with others, create life long relationships, while achieving their goals.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment would have to be the satisfaction of seeing a dream come to fruition. A lot of times, it can be tough to see the end from the beginning, and it is the most beautiful thing to work with a client from start to finish and see them light up when they realize we finally reached the finish line and accomplished everything we set out to do.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner would have to be "consistency when you can't see the result just yet." With everyone going viral and looking around to see every other person looking like they are doing better, it can be hard to keep going when you don't know if the work you are putting in is making an impact. I'd say keep going; every little effort is better than nothing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be Crystal clear about what you want to do - Your vision is what will drive things when everything else seems bleak.
- Write out a plan, it doesn't have to be set in stone, but it will guide you when you find yourself battling with shiny objects syndrome; the plan will guide you on what needs to be added or eliminated.
- Know your target audience like they are your best friend. Your work will not resonate with everyone, so it is important to know who exactly you're serving and how to attract them. Even if you throw money at marketing, if you are showing that ad to the wrong people, you have fewer chances of conversion. So get familiar with your target audience.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://theaccountabilitylounge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theacclounge/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caris-ajuzie-accountability-n-clarity/
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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