Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Williams, Founder of CLWill.com, located in Woodinville, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am Leadership Advisor who works with senior leaders and directors in C-suite. I help them become better and smarter leaders by offering them advice and perspective from my decades of experience building and leading teams.
Tell us about yourself
I have over four decades of experience from the factory floor to the executive suite. I've written software, built and led teams that created groundbreaking products, and even been the VP of HR at Microsoft. Since then, I've wanted to share that experience however I can. That led me to create my consultancy, where I work closely with leaders worldwide to help them grow.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
After almost a decade of trying to get traction for sharing my ideas, from writing posts, sharing on social media, and creating a well-received podcast, I could not get any significant visibility for my ideas. Then I started sharing videos on TikTok. I went from zero to just under 200,000 followers in about six months, a stunning pace. From that, I've earned a spot writing for a major publication, have been on numerous podcasts, and even had a full-page interview in the leading Swiss financial newspaper. Amazing.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Being discovered and respected as a consultant and advisor requires a small industry. I have to build a personal brand, website, mailing list, and newsletter. I have to develop courses and products, appear on podcasts, interview, and run ads. Then there's the work of managing users and working with technology that many large businesses can otherwise outsource.
On top of all that, there is a need to incessantly stoke the social media engine with new content or risk being forgotten. All the while, I actually have to do the consulting. The thing I came here to do. It's exhausting and virtually impossible to do well on all fronts.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Whatever you do, do it well. Don't half-do things that will misrepresent who you are. You are the only one who controls your "brand," don't let it be half-baked.
- Sometimes, you have to know when you're not the right person to do something. Even if it costs a lot, have the sense to know when to have an expert do something for you.
- You can't do everything well, so rather than doing something halfway, narrow down what you do. Pick a niche. Own it, be proud of it, and be the best in that world.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.clwill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theclwill/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theCLWill
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theclwill/
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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