Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessica Murphy, Co-Founder of Flint Consulting, LLC., located in Elk River, MN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Flint Consulting works alongside businesses, government entities, and schools to become healthy, thriving, and inclusive communities. We utilize data collection tools to create a tailored plan based on research in trauma and equity-inclusive practices and our SAFE Framework. Our services include:
- Consulting; Individual and group coaching packages to grow leadership capacity.
- Professional Development.
Me and Dr. Melissa Erickson’s expertise are in cognitive coaching, professional development, responsive instruction, restorative practices, literacy, communication, and leadership development for capacity building. In order for individuals to thrive and learn, they need to feel safe, accepted, and part of the community. Trauma and equity work are pathways to ignite transformational communities.
Tell us about yourself.
Our friendship began with a shared passion for education and a desire to support strong educators who make a difference. We were doing this work separately in our own respective districts and wanted to work together. We chose to invest in our doctorates and take the opportunity to build a consulting firm that highlights our passion and expertise. I am a list-maker, color-coder, in-the-box-liver, linear-thinker to Melissa, artistic, white-board-mapper, box-expander, and big-picture thinker. Our approaches may be different. However, we are better together than we are apart.
After 20 years of classroom experience, we are motivated to make space for people to work and learn in ways that embed inclusion & address trauma from a healing space. People are their number one best strategy for growth. Too often, we look outside ourselves for change. Our hope is to create healthier communities and workplaces.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Professionally, we are working with school districts in the following ways:
- Embed trauma-responsive classroom practices.
- Create an integrated honors program.
- Support Safe Space teams to embed restorative practices to reduce racist, homophobic, and ableist language in schools.
- Facilitate the development of a 3-year inclusive practices professional development plan along with district leaders & teachers.
- Work with district peer coaches to make actionable, culturally responsive teaching strategies in their practice.
Personally, we get to live a life-first business approach. That has meant a more flexible schedule, the ability to get groceries in the middle of the day, time to draw and paint, and the ability to work from anywhere to spend more time with family.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of our biggest challenges has been learning how to find expertise in owning a business and asking for help. It has been tough to figure out the right questions to ask. Also, leaving a reliable income for the unknown has taken quite a bit of courage.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn the difference between working IN the business and working ON the business.
- Just get started. You can pivot and tweak as you learn more.
- Lean into the possibilities of your talent & perspective: the world needs what you have to offer.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://flintconsultant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Flintconsultant/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flintignite/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlintConsult
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flint-consulting-637221211/
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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