Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jackie Appleby, Owner of Diligent Assistant, Inc., located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

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

Diligent Assistant Inc is a business management company that supports professional coach practitioners running their own small businesses with operations management and coaching.

Tell us about yourself

After running a home salon for three years, I learned that I enjoyed the back-of-house operational tasks more than the front-end client interactions. My past corporate background allowed me to use my administrative, organizational and operational skills to create services that supported other business owners.

Having niched into working only with coaches and being very active in the global coaching community, I am honoured each day to be able to support the world of coaching, where many coaches are exceptional at what they do but don't always have their ducks in a row when it comes to business operations.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

After five years in business, I am proud to be running a six-figure company that has survived a pandemic and several recessions.

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

Putting on the CEO hat means seeing things from different perspectives, taking ego out of the equation, and doing what is right from a business perspective can be a hard balance to maintain.

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

  1. Planning is your security, your future, and your ability to deal with tomorrow. Ensure that you are always planning for the business you want.
  2. Don't follow the crowd. Just because everyone else is on ten social media platforms doesn't mean you need to be. Make your business your own and do what works for you. It's what will set you apart.
  3. Adopt the profit first methodology, and ensure that you are building profit into your business as an expense!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Running a small business is incredibly hard work, don't kid yourself that there is any shortcut or get-rich-quick scheme, but it is also incredibly rewarding and, if set up correctly with supporting systems and processes, can 100% support your desired lifestyle.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://diligentassistant.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diligentassistant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diligentassistant/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieapplebyDA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackieappleby/

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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