Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with John Coyle, Founder of The Art of Really Living LLC., located in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

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

I am an international keynote speaker - which is to say, I get paid to travel the world and go to parties. My customers are medium to large companies who are putting on events where they want their employees to learn how to be more creative, innovate, to solve old problems in new ways.

Tell us about yourself

I was telling a story in a business meeting about eight years ago, and someone suggested it would make a great TED talk. I said, "well, I have no idea how to do that..." Well, fast forward, and a year later, that first talk led to me quitting my job and becoming an international keynote speaker. I've done 4 TEDx talks now... Oh, and there are those little other things - prior to all this, I was an Olympic speedskater and cyclist and won a silver medal in the winter Olympics.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Speaking to audiences of more than 600,000 people in more than 15 countries around the world with a message that inspires hope and possibility - and - includes the tools and mindsets to achieve breakthrough performance.

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

Prioritization. There are always so many "bright shiny objects" to chase - a new book idea, an article, a podcast, changing the website, the newsletter, the LinkedIn article, client follow-ups, sending thank you letters...

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

While there are ups and downs and risks to running your own business, the ability to be the master of your own time is priceless. No one owns my time except me - this is the ultimate form of freedom. As I heard someone say once before, and I subscribe, "I would rather be homeless than ever work for someone else again."

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My next book is around the notion of "time poverty" - that a lot of successful individuals that have traded their time for money have failed to realize that the two are fungible and that there comes a time when trading your money for time is the more important transaction. "You can't take it with you."

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://johnkcoyle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnkcoyle/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coylejohnk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coylejohnk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkcoyle1/

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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