Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ginger Duncan, Founder of Ginger Duncan Leadership Coaching & Development, located in Nashville, TN, USA.

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

Executive Coaching & Leadership Development. I work with those currently or transitioning into leadership positions and/or those identified as having high potential within their organization. I also work with leadership teams as they seek alignment in building culture and becoming high performing.

Tell us about yourself

My mother owned a leadership consulting business when I was young in my career, and I worked with her and her business partner to learn about the business. Part of her advice was that I needed to work internally within an organization to gain the experience I needed to be successful in this role, so I took an HR corporate training position within an organization. That position led to the head of talent, giving me the experience I needed to understand corporate politics, successful leadership competencies, and the struggles of those moving into leadership roles.

I am motivated by helping others succeed and by being a psychologically safe place for people to come to when they need help strategizing, building competencies, sharing derailing stories, discussing behavioral triggers, solution finding, etc. Growth can be scary, and having a trusted partner in the process is extremely important and valuable.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have built a very strong company based on reputation and client referrals. My biggest accomplishment is the results and testimonials I have received from my clients and the fact that they trust me enough to pass along my name to others. My job is to help others be successful in their career as well as help them meet their future career goals. My accomplishment is tied to their accomplishment.

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

Business development and singularly managing the entire business. I am a one-person show, and I plan to keep it that way. That autonomy is wonderful and why I chose to start my own company, but it can be difficult at times and causes me to prioritize the type of work I accept, making sure it is closely aligned to only the coaching & development pieces of Human Resources type work.

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

  1. Do the research on the needs that fall in your area of expertise. Interview others in this type of role to align your skillset with needs in this space. Look for pain points you can address and solve with your business.
  2. Networking & Relationship building on steroids. Put yourself out there. Join clubs, invite people out for coffee, etc., to learn about this space and make the connections that may lead to future business & support.
  3. Be feedback curious and driven. Ask for feedback as you get started, listening and adjusting as needed. Look for consistent data points/consistency in messaging and adjust. Blindspots are very normal and can be derailing for careers. Stay curious and not defensive or judgmental with the feedback you receive. Seek to understand, not shut down.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.gingerduncan.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gingerduncan/

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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