Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christina Weber, Leadership & Career Development Coach of Christina Weber Coaching, located in Seattle, WA, USA.

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

I am a Leadership and Career Development Coach. I work with clients to deepen their understanding of who they are, help them operate from their areas of strength, and grow or mitigate their areas of opportunity. My clients are new leaders or leaders who are ready to level up or make a change in their careers.

Tell us about yourself

Up until two years ago, I followed a very linear path. I graduated high school, went to college, and pursued a degree in Business Administration, then worked in corporate roles for roughly 25 years. Throughout that time, I assumed that would be the path I would stay on. Work my way up the corporate ladder and find things outside of work to feed my soul. It wasn't until I was placed in a role I didn't choose and didn't leverage my strengths that I realized I needed to make a change. I had a few choices 1) stay with my current employer but find a new role, 2) pursue a role outside of the company, or 3) figure out a way to feed my soul as a career. I started to think about where I got my energy from and realized it was from other people. Specifically, helping people develop and grow and leverage their strengths. It was from that place that I considered coaching as a career. I interviewed other coaches to learn more about what path they took, then decided to sign up for the Fundamentals course with CTI (Co-Active ® Training Institute). That first class had me hooked!

Over the next few years, I completed my coursework, along with an intensive certification program, and earned my CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) and my ACC (Associate Certified Coach) through the International Coaching Federation. The funny thing is, someone practically had to grab me by the shoulders and shake me in order for me to realize this path meant I was going to be an entrepreneur (solopreneur). It was NEVER a path I thought I would take, but I'm so glad I did. It is an incredible honor to get to witness and be a small part of someone's journey.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Coaching isn't a regulated profession, but it meant a lot to me to pursue my certification, which includes an exam and commitment to ICF's code of ethics. That felt like a huge personal accomplishment. As a business owner, the biggest accomplishment so far was simply taking the leap to begin!

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

After all those years working in a corporate environment, I was clear on what I had to accomplish and what success looked like, and I have been compensated accordingly. Now, I can work around the clock, but not 1) get paid for it, 2) know if it was worthwhile, and 3) receive accolades for it. (Here, "work" is all the behind-the-scenes components of running a business). It's been a huge mind shift!

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

  1. Find and use resources to help with the ins and outs of establishing your business (a mentor, the library, books, the internet, etc.). I live in Seattle, WA, and my husband bought me a book titled "How to become Self-Employed in Seattle." It had a ton of useful information about license requirements and taxes that I found extremely helpful.
  2. Being a solopreneur can be isolating. Find groups to join. This can include peer groups within your industry, as well as networking outside of your industry.
  3. Understand your finances or meet with an advisor.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.christinawebercoaching.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3YLAfW6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chriwe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-weber-cpcc-acc-9a67452/

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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