Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Danielle Roberts, a fulfillment coach based in Saint Petersburg, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I help millennials change their relationship with work and make living their full-time job by helping them turn their self-sabotage into self-advocacy.
Tell us about yourself
It all began when my mom died in 2013. I was only two years out of college, pushing 60+ hour weeks working in advertising and trying to make a name for myself in social media. I was getting ready for work one day when I got the call that something wasn't right, so I rushed home to bring her to the hospital. A cancer diagnosis, nine weeks in the hospital, a funeral, and three days of bereavement later, I was back at my desk. I threw myself back into work and continued to overexert myself as a distraction. I did that for years, and my hard work was rewarded with more work and longer hours. I changed companies a couple of times, thinking a change of scenery and more money would help with how stuck and unfulfilled I felt inside.
Even though I was working on building side hustles and knew I wanted to work for myself one day, my full-time career had always been my identity. I didn't know who I'd be without it because I had worked so hard to get there. I used to think the greatest risk was not having a steady paycheck and abandoning everything I worked so hard for until I realized the bigger risk was not taking a chance on myself, staying chained to a desk and shackled to an old version of myself I had already outgrown.
After getting laid off during COVID, I finally had time and space to figure it out. Since then, I've rebuilt a totally different career and life, and it's been the most amazing and rewarding journey. What started as a transition to more work-life balance in my career and therapy to deal with the grief of losing my mom turned into a now decade-long deep journey of self-discovery that I wouldn't trade for anything.
Now, my mom's death motivates me in a different way: I want young people to redefine what success and happiness mean to them so they can make the most of this one precious life that we get. I believe that when each of us steps into our power, we can dismantle the systems that keep us stuck in the first place and create a world that works for us.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The best feeling ever is seeing each client have a breakthrough, build more confidence, and step into their self-worth. It's amazing to see the light come back into their eyes.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Keeping things simple. As a neurodivergent business owner, it's easy to generate a million ideas and want to build a bunch of products or offers or try all the fun new content ideas on social media. That's a quick way to feel overwhelmed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stop thinking of your pricing in terms of an hourly wage and price yourself based on the value you provide.
- Outsource before you think you need it. Time is money. Invest what you can in experts so they can complete the work for you in half the time. It's okay to ask for help and to give up control. Start with a VA or someone who can help you set up your backend systems and automations. When you're making enough, also outsource marketing support like copywriters. You can't do it all!
- This journey of being a business owner is more about your mentality than figuring out a strategy that works. There are a million successful ways to run a business, but what will hold you back the most is your level of belief in whether or not you believe you can succeed. Other people will offer what you offer, but there is only one YOU. Trust that you're enough, invest in your personal growth, and keep showing up.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://darngoodcoach.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darnroberts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleroberts/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darnroberts
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.