Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Candace Olusola, Founder of First Paso Media, LLC., located in Lexington, KY, USA.

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

I am an international motivational speaker, life coach, podcaster, and YouTuber. I use my platform to help empower people to live their most fulfilled life for the rest of their life. My ideal target audience persona is the one who is struggling to find that breakthrough to a life of perpetual contentment and complete joy and has reached a point in their life where they will do anything to fight for that dream to become their reality, no matter what.

Tell us about yourself

I am a pharmacist by trade with a public health background. I am a first-generation black female who grew up in white suburbia in the south. I dealt with stereotypes, racism, traumas, low self-worth, and the likes growing up. I chose - yes, chose, not hit - my rock bottom and went on an intentional 10-year journey starting back in 2011 to find out if I could truly be someone of any significance in the world, if I was worth being loved, and see if the hope of that being possible could lead me to live a better life. By April 2020, I had what I call my "redemption morning," and every day since then, I have walked into the message I share today. It was summer 2020 when I launched my first podcast, First Paso Podcast, and started landing many speaking gigs. I eventually started doing one-on-one and group coaching with others as my message began to resonate with people I spoke to through my podcast, social platforms, and talks.

The life-changing impact of the work I put in to reach my breakthrough has driven me to want to help people expedite that process to embrace wholeness, unlock purpose, and walk free to live their most fulfilled life so it doesn't take them ten years as it did me. Seeing how what I've learned has already made a difference in those I've spoken to or have coached encourages me daily to keep pushing forward because something is resonating. It even motivates me to remember that there's still so much more beauty to unlock in my own life, so I'm constantly on the hunt for greater love, greater joy, greater peace, and greater hope, not just for me, but for those I get to share those lessons with as I continue to discover them. I want others to be unlocked and released into who they truly are instead of who they perceive themselves to be, and I'll do anything to see a chain reaction of people being set free to be the truest versions of themselves.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I could say it has been some of the speaking opportunities I've had globally. I could say it has been the size of the checks I've gotten to be paid to speak. But, to be honest, my biggest accomplishment has been believing in myself enough to have taken this plunge as a solopreneur full-time. I was doing much of this on the side while working and going to school, but I had a desire to do more talks and share my message with the world with greater flexibility. I'm now living that reality, and each day I get up to work toward more goals is another day that I've made a big accomplishment.

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

One of the hardest things about being a solopreneur is consistency. Consistency in how you structure each day. Consistency in asking questions that you need to know to make sure you're doing things right from a legal perspective. Consistency in landing paid gigs and having clientele. Consistency in sharing what you do. Since the height of the pandemic, there have been a lot of people out there trying to share their "get rich quick" tactics, especially in the life coaching world. It can make you feel behind or that you're doing things wrong if you haven't gotten high-paying "I'm now a millionaire in 30 days of starting my business" results yet. But that's the other part of consistency that is challenging but worth reminding yourself of: consistency with your why. My "why" is people, not money. Yes, money keeps a business going, and financial freedom is a goal of mine. However, if at any point my desire for money takes precedent over my desire for people to live fulfilled, I've lost credibility. Not getting sucked into the bombardment of financial desperation messaging is difficult. You can learn from others, but don't lose sight of yourself in the process, especially if your goal is longevity and not brevity.

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

  1. Ask as many questions as you have. Do not be embarrassed because you want to make sure that you are doing things correctly by the law, as well. It's not just about bringing in funds but also doing correct legal aspects of your business to stay a business long-term.
  2. Create a plan and set goals. It should involve you why as the "topic statement," so everything else you write down flows from that space. Revisit your why and your plan often in case updates need to be made. When you set tangible goals, don't be disappointed if those goals need to adjust as you go along. You're learning and growing, so extend grace to yourself. But having goals helps you to keep yourself focused on progressing in your business.
  3. Take a Sabbath. Rest is crucial but counterculture in the entrepreneurial world. We're told to grind and hustle 24/7, or else we're not going to get certain results. But if we're not here to see the results because we didn't take care of ourselves, then what was the point in working ourselves to death? I keep the seventh-day Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), so I silence my text messages, ignore my socials (for the most part), only take personal calls to connect with loved ones, and go to church. The last thing I want to do is cause myself to be burned out when I've just gotten started. Your health matters, not just once a week, but every day. What you eat, how you exercise, the sleep you get, & the boundaries you set will all matter in the long run with your business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you are looking for a dynamic motivational speaker for your next event, or are in need of a life coach, go to www.CandaceOlusola.com for more information on how we can with together. I would be happy to connect with and serve you and your community!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.candaceolusola.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandaceOlusola
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CandaceOlusola/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CandaceOlusola
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-olusola/

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.