Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jana Beeman, Founder of Create Your Dream Practice Business Coaching, located in Carrascal, Leiria, Portugal.

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

My business is in transition, so I'm doing a few things. I still do business coaching, where I help highly sensitive business owners get out of their own way, find their strengths and value, and make a bigger impact in their market.

I'm also now doing transformational coaching for highly sensitive people, helping them define what they are looking for, own their gifts, and live a less limited, more fulfilled life. Most of my clients are women on a healing or spiritual path.

Tell us about yourself

I've been in business, self-supporting, since I was 12, so business is as much who I am as what I do, and I've been blessed to have been able to make a living doing so many things I love: photography, dance, music, natural healing, working with animals, helping businesses, and just helping people. I am a creative healer and connector by nature. I just found a way to get paid for the things I already do every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've won some awards and been acknowledged in many different ways, but the thing I've loved most over my career is teaching. I love helping people see how their thinking is blocking them from being all they can be and showing them the way to move past it without decades of therapy or the frustration of the "try and fail" method. Working with groups helps me empower them to support each other and grow deep connections. I love that.

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

There are several things that often get in the way of my clients and students—having to manage the business of business probably being the biggest one. Most people want to do what they do but don't want to market it. For me personally, over the past decade, the biggest challenge has been working while dealing with my husband's failing health.

He was hospitalized many times, unable to work, and everything fell on me. When he passed, there wasn't a whole lot of space for me to grieve, and I was actually teaching classes two days later.

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

  1. If you are a practitioner who just wants to do and not market, acknowledge that from day one and find a marketer to partner with. Be smart about it—make them put some skin in the game—but knowing what you are and aren't capable of doing well is the key to leveraging your time and energy.
  2. For first-time entrepreneurs, really think about how you won't have a fallback if you are sick, injured, or unable to work for some reason. Entrepreneurship has been made to appear so cool. Work from anywhere! Work in your PJs! Work when you want and make millions! But it's not really like that. It's hard work. Working from home takes tons of discipline. Being in charge of everything is not for everyone. Really do your research if you decide this is a path you'd like to follow. If you're not sure and want to talk it through, email me. I'm happy to do that for you at no charge.
  3. Be willing to do the research. There is no "if I build it, they will come" anymore. Dive deep into your market. This is essential for a new or growing business.

Extra tip: BE YOURSELF. I've seen so many new business owners try to "wear a hat" and present themselves in a different manner than the person they are at home or anywhere else. While being professional is great, being human, honest, and accessible is key to long-term success. Playing a role won't get you there. Building connections will
One more thing: don't play small. Don't be afraid to make the big leaps. I've done it all my life, and amazing things have happened to me over and over again.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://createyourdreampractice.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreateYourDreamPractice
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BalancedLifeTdy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-beeman/

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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