Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rosie Guagliardo, founder of InnerBrilliance Coaching, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

I've loved being a certified life and career coach since 2007 and the founder of InnerBrilliance Coaching. I'm a beauty-seeking, lover of life, Italian-American (who wears "Rosie-colored" glasses) while also being pragmatic, purposeful, and results-oriented. Combining these qualities equips me to help high-achievers discover a way of living that infuses passion with practicality and balances pleasure with meaning. This approach to life inspires people to aim for success in their lives and careers while experiencing more joy and ease every step of the way. My approach combines leveraging your awareness + intuition + intention by infusing psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality. With this approach, you exude relaxed confidence as you go for everything you desire in life. You radiate your best self to experience your desires more fully, get results quicker (with less struggle), and become more productive daily — with a lot more fun!

The process starts with you…who you really are, and who you’re being. With a deeper understanding and acceptance of your real essence, you’ll have greater confidence in how and when to share it with your world. These qualities translate into expressing the best version of yourself and a compelling life vision that draws new opportunities that you’ll be excited and passionate about pursuing.

Ultimately, you can navigate life more gracefully and experience your deepest wishes. (Plus, your 80-year-old self will have stories that you’ll be proud to tell!). What I love most about this approach is that you don’t necessarily change. You become more yourself as you enhance your life. When you live your life in alignment with your truth, you’ll be more energized. It’s a perfectly-inspired life created in a whole new way naturally and organically, and it’s designed and customized to move you forward with your right next steps that support your life vision!

Tell us about yourself

I've always been a hard worker, aiming to achieve my goals but often feeling a lot of stress and struggle along the way. In my late 20's, I felt like my hard work had finally paid off. I was married, had a fun job in advertising, and lived in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago - Old Town. But, I was exhausted as I continued to work hard to chase more goals. And, I thought, how will I keep this pace going? That's when I knew I had to make changes in my life.

I realized I was focused on doing what I thought I "should do" versus what I wanted to do. I wasn't living in alignment with my deepest desires. And honestly, I didn't even know what I really wanted. So, that is when I set out on a path to explore how to have a life I loved - one I was inspired to live daily!

I began to connect with my real, true self. I learned more about my strengths, values, and desires. I shifted my focus to what I wanted and who I wanted to be versus all the "shoulds" in my life. I started putting more of my best self out into the world. And, I began attracting people, situations, and opportunities aligned with my deepest desires. For example, I received a sample coaching session from a dear friend. And I loved it!

So, I enrolled in coaching courses while working in my advertising job. Then, I started my business in 2007 (and the recession hit). I chose to stay in my day job as long as possible and built my coaching business on the side for six years. It took a lot of effort, but it was the perfect way for me to grow and learn. The best part is that I found a new way of living — one where I pursue goals I'm super excited about while enjoying every step of the way to achieving them. I learned how to create a career I love, wonderful relationships, and a balanced life. I wanted to share this approach with clients. That's when I developed a program that helps high-achieving people attain the results they desire more naturally and organically — with less stress and a lot more ease and joy. :)

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My greatest sense of accomplishment comes from my long-term partnerships with clients and business partners. I get to work with clients throughout various life stages, from career promotions and transitions to letting go of relationships and finding the partner of their dreams to create a family and help them stay energized and healthier.

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

My business has been growing since I started it in 2007, and I've loved every minute of connecting with my clients. For me, the hardest thing is deciding what the next best step is to progress the business that serves my clients. But I love trying to figure it out.

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

  1. Take small steps to determine what you'd like to do, remembering that confidence comes with action.
  2. Create and refine a vision for your life and consider how your business will fit into that overall vision.
  3. Believe in yourself so you can boldly move forward and attract your desires.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.innerbrilliancecoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnerBrillianceCoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerbrilliancecoaching/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosieGuagliardo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosieguagliardo/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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