Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elis Salamone, Owner of The Entrepreneur's Source, located in University Place, WA, USA.

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

In the current economic environment, many people are in the midst of, or thinking about, career change. For some, self-sufficiency may be the best alternative. As a Career Ownership Coach, I work with people in career transition to explore self-sufficiency and reach a point of clarity about the next steps in their careers. I help them discover how to leverage transferable skills and past work experience to make a different career choice -one that provides them with more control over their lives than what Corporate America offers.

Tell us about yourself

After a successful 27-year military career, I retired from the Air Force as a combat Veteran, Nurse Practitioner, and Lt. Colonel in 2014. I believed that the world was my oyster. I was well educated, highly trained, experienced, and a hard-working professional. After working for several civilian health care organizations, I realized I needed to do work differently because, after about 6 months in each job, I started feeling restless and burnt out. I had always dreamt of business ownership but had only come up with one great idea I had no idea how to start or develop. Through a mentorship program, I came across a coach that helped others learn about entrepreneurship through franchising, and I thought, "I can do this." I have been mentoring and doing career coaching my whole professional career, so why not utilize this skill set to help others learn about business ownership? What motivates me is truly changing people's lives and mindsets and providing the opportunity for clients to realize there are other ways to become business owners that don't require that big cool idea or all the heavy lifting of a new start-up.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is helping my clients control their destiny and become successful business owners.

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

There's so much to learn; there are some really hard days of insecurity, second-guessing yourself, the lack of a regular income, and trusting yourself on the path and journey you're on. If it were easy, everyone would do it, and you have to keep remembering your "why."

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

  1. Do not be afraid to ask for help and admit you have no idea what you're doing
  2. Never stop learning
  3. Take care of your health physically, spiritually, and mentally...two more things -  believe in your journey and abundance.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://esalamone.esourcecoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEntrepreneursSource
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissalamone/


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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