Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Charlene Walters, MBA, PhD, author based in Charlotte, NC, USA.

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

I am an author, consultant, business mentor, and corporate trainer. I provide consulting for entrepreneurs, writers/authors, universities, and businesses. I offer one-on-one coaching/mentoring and engage in project-based work such as curriculum development, writing/editing help, branding, personal branding, and business strategy. I also provide corporate training about work-life integration, excelling in a remote environment, team building, innovation, developing an entrepreneurial mindset, preventing burnout, and more.

I work with a variety of corporations, aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, and universities. Contact me to discuss your needs: https://ownyourother.com/.

Tell us about yourself

I have a background in Business, Sales, Marketing, and Higher Education. I have an undergraduate degree in English, an MBA, and a PhD in Business Admin./Marketing. I am a published author who wrote a book on entrepreneurial mindset (Launch Your Inner Entrepreneur- McGraw Hill): https://www.launchyourinnerentrepreneur.com.

I've also developed and led a number of entrepreneurial programs, am a featured expert on Quora's Business, Society, and Education spaces, teach at UCONN and the University of Alaska, am on UCONN's CCEI advisory board, and am featured among other authors, celebrities and CEOs on the BAM Network. Additionally, I'm the host of Launch with Charlene Walters, a TV show that streams on Roku, Amazon Fire, AppleTV, and more (DB TV). I'm also a frequent media contributor (Thrive Global, Apple News, Forbes, Entrepreneur, etc.) and also write a weekly Medium article.

I am very passionate about business, writing, branding, entrepreneurship, and helping others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishments are related to the accomplishments of those I work with, such as when I create something amazing, whether it's a successful training for corporations, an innovative curriculum, a high-quality book, course, or workbook, or when I help someone with their business or brand. I measure my success in comparison to those I work with.

I'm also really excited about and proud of my book (Launch Your Inner Entrepreneur- McGraw Hill), the articles I've written (Thrive Global, Forbes, Apple News, etc.), and my TV Show- Launch with Charlene Walters (DB TV).

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

One of the most challenging things about being a business owner is finding enough time to do everything that you want to do and organizing your time, but you can develop a system to turn your goals into a reality. I have done it for myself and helped others with it as well.

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

  1. Do research before you jump into launching your business (product research, target market analysis, customer segments, etc.).
  2. Start as a side hustle until you gain enough sales traction to justify the viability of your business.
  3. Don't underestimate the power of networking and personal branding (both online and off).

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am so happy to help and work with other entrepreneurs and organizations that want to grow their businesses and inspire their employees.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ownyourother.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharleneWaltersPhD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlenewaltersphd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CWaltersPhD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlenewaltersphd/

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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