Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Helen M. Ryan, a Content Creator, and Podcast Host, based in San Diego, CA, USA.

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

One of my businesses is a walking self-help podcast. It's geared towards anyone who wants to improve their overall health by moving more throughout the day while opening their minds.

Tell us about yourself

My main business is a design & communications studio. I had side hustles for 15 years as a spinning instructor and personal trainer to get me away from my desk and move my body. When the pandemic hit, the gyms closed. By December 2020, people were in a rut, frustrated, and out of shape. I came up with the idea of a coached walk/motivational podcast to help people reduce the negative health effects of sitting too much. It melded my love of teaching with my love for helping people.

What motivates me each day is knowing that people feel connected to me and the podcast. I'm someone who knows how hard it can be to stay consistent with exercise and someone who has made her fair share of mistakes in life.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm not sure there's one big accomplishment that I can point to. As an owner of multiple businesses, I think that my accomplishments overall are:

  1. Having been able to survive the ups and downs of entrepreneurship for well over 20 years.
  2. Hearing from people who've read my books or listened to my podcast how much they feel helped and supported.

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

Managing time and energy. It's easy to feel that you're the "only one" who can do the different tasks it takes to run your business, leaving little free time and can sap your energy.

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

  1. Don't invest in software and courses/programs you don't need. It's easy to take course after course or coaching program after coaching program, thinking that the next one will be "the one" that will get your business off the ground to help it scale. Often, you're just spending money you don't need to spend to avoid the actual work of getting clients (been there, done that).
  2. Realize that you are good enough. Don't doubt yourself so much. If you take a deep dive into people you admire who are successful on the surface, they may not have more going for them than you. They just have more flash and better sales techniques. You know enough to help people. Go easy on yourself.
  3. Start small. Don't quit your day job if you can't afford it. If business slows down, pick a side hustle or two. There's no shame in being a ride-share driver, doing food delivery, or teaching group exercise classes to bring in money during slow periods or even when just starting out.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://walkingandtalking.show/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.ryan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realhelenmryan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenmryan/

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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