Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching and public speaking but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Leighton Robinson, Founder and CEO of Leighnibor Academy, located in Burnaby, BC, Canada.

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

Leighnibor Academy is a digital platform for self-development and storytelling. We inspire people to see the greatness in themselves. We connect with self-driven individuals seeking help to reach their goals, and we provide them with the guidance, support, and tools for growth and self-development, which gets them to their goals sooner and ultimately find fulfillment and happiness.

Tell us about yourself

I remember one day someone asked me... if there was anything in your life you would have changed, what would that be? I thought about the question for a while because as much as I feel my life is going great and I am happy with the person I have become... There is one thing that I would have changed if I could. In fact, it is the one thing that was missing from my life while I was growing up, and I feel it would have made all the difference in my life. It would have guided me along life's journey and helped me to achieve my goals much, much, much sooner.

I believe that if I had a mentor while growing up, I wouldn't have struggled the way that I did, and I wouldn't have to be trying to "reinvent the wheel" every step of the way. Later in life, I realized that it doesn't matter how great you think your life is... having a mentor would make it better!

And that is what I would change in my life... I would get a mentor. And that is what I want to do for others. I want to create mentorship programs that mentor people from all around the world. I want to help people who are searching for inspiration and guidance to help themselves find their own greatness, improve their lives, and achieve their goals sooner... and in the end, I want everyone to find fulfillment and happiness.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I inspire millions of lives throughout the world.

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

Get out of your own way... Passion drives us to do what we do, but the same passion can hinder us from excelling in business. There is always a difference between what we want to do for others and what others want us to do for them. Therefore, we always need to put our passion aside and answer three questions in our businesses:

  1. What problem are we solving?
  2. How many people are forking out their money for the solution?
  3. Do I have the solution that people want to pay for?

It took me many failures to see my business in this light.

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

  1. Before you start a business, make sure to find a problem that people are willing to pay money for the solution, you have the solution, and you know where to find these people.
  2. Don't start a business until you have proof of concept. Proof of concept is when people pay you for your product or service. Then you create a business around that market research.
  3. It takes about seven years to create overnight success... be in it for the long haul. Believe in yourself and never give up!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

One of our pilot programs is a real interview program called PROFILE. PROFILE is an interview program where we share success stories of "A Hero's Journey: the little person who rises up and defeats all odds to achieve their goals." Our guests include successful entrepreneurs, people who overcame adversities, and those who are making a positive impact in our communities. We look at their journeys, challenges, lifestyles, and successes. We also delve into the tools, resources, training, opportunities, mindset, and motivation that helped them to achieve their goals. These stories are used as a tool to inspire and guide our viewers to find their greatness, improve their lives, and achieve their goals sooner. The program runs between 20 - 30 minutes in length and is hosted by Leighton (Robbie) Robinson, the founder of Leighnibor Academy. You can follow this program on YouTube at: https://bit.ly/3xzAdo8

Where can people find you and your business?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/leighniboracademy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobbieGeniuss
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LeighniborAcademy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leighniboracademy/

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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