Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. LaShandra Batiste-Manary, Founder of LBM Coaching and Consulting, located in Calabasas, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is LBM Coaching and Consulting. The mission of my company is to transform the way ambitious women operate in their day-to-day lives, so they can communicate better, connect deeper, create more harmony, and confidently build a life and relationship/marriage that makes them happy and fulfilled by teaching them to empower themselves to take action to accomplish the vision they have in their lives and achieve massive results. Our motto is LIVE better in your life, LOVE more in your relationship, and THRIVE in your purpose.
Tell us about yourself
I got my B.A. in Psychology in 2011 and knew I loved helping people. In 2012 I went back to school, and in 2015 I earned my master's in counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. In being in my new role for years and working in a toxic work environment, I knew I wanted to do more and help in a deeper way, so I started my business and worked with a few clients here and there. In 2020 I got serious about building my brand and wanting to make a big impact in my community by helping women empower themselves to be leaders to change their lives and create activities to receive massive results, which made me have a passion for women's empowerment. Also, I had years of challenges in being in an unhealthy relationship. I had to learn the skills to create a healthier, happier relationship where I am more fulfilled, and I have been driven to help women do the same.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Overall, my biggest accomplishment so far within my business is to be able to start the business because there are so many women who don't because they feel like they lack the skills and would not teach themselves; they recognize they may not have the support, or they are not really sure if their idea will work out, so they don't even try. Even though this journey has been hard and challenging, the more I have developed in my business, the more I have grown, and the more my business has grown as I started to recognize who my ideal client was and the impact I want to have.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is being able to grow your business and have income coming in consistently because, as the owner of the business, some months can be better than others. You have to be your biggest fan and your biggest advocate because, at the end of the day no one is going to care about your business as much as you care about the business. In addition, I have had to learn how to balance my family and my business dynamics because building a business from the ground up takes a lot of time, effort, and energy because you are wearing so many hats. I must remember that I still have to give time to my husband and my family, even though I value the business I am building and the mission that my business has. Even though a few things are hard with having a business, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the impact that your business can have on society.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- The best thing you can do is start because someone most likely needs what you have to offer.
- No one will care about your business as much as you, so be your biggest fan. If you need support and motivation, find a group, coach, or network to connect with. Don't get mad that your family and friends may not support you as much as you like because they are not the same entrepreneur as you and might know how to best support you, especially if they don't see the same vision as you.
- When things get hard, don't give up because if you keep pushing through and reevaluating what is working and what is not working, you will see your business grow.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://lashandrabatiste.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLaShandraBatiste
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlashandrabatiste/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drlbatiste
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lashandra-batiste-manary/
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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