Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lidiya Kesarovska, Founder of Let's Reach Success, located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I teach people how to start a blogging or digital product business so they can serve their purpose and provide epic value while living their best life. I'm a blogger, course creator, podcast host, author, and business mentor, and with anything I do, I aim to inspire people to unleash their potential and build an online business so they can live life on their own terms and help others at the same time. My target audience consists of aspiring /beginner/intermediate bloggers and course creators, but also anyone interested in online business and personal growth, as I cover these topics in detail with my content.
Tell us about yourself
I started my blog back in 2013 when I knew nothing about blogging or business. But I had the desire to write and share my message with the world, and I also knew what my niche was - personal growth. It all began as a passion project, but thanks to years of hard work and focused energy, this same blog turned into the foundation of my business, allowed me to move to my dream destination and start a new chapter, and have all the freedom I craved.
The things that kept me going (and which still do every day) include the desire for freedom and independence, wanting to work for myself and not answer to anyone else, following passion and inspiration and working on what feels right, wanting to help and inspire others and show them what's possible.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
It's hard to say, as I do many things on many platforms. What feels most satisfying, though, is any time a student of one of my courses experiences a transformation and shares it with me. But also, any time a podcast listener or blog reader reaches out to thank me for a piece of content they just stumbled upon and which inspired them in some way or helped them make a decision or take action on their goals. This is a real impact, and it's what matters to me the most.
Other than that, some accomplishments include features in big publications, such as TIME magazine and Yahoo! Finance, hitting big numbers in terms of blog traffic, holding a paperback version of my book, etc. But these don't come anywhere close to the fulfillment I feel when someone shares how my content affected their lives in a positive way. That's when I know that what I do matters and goes beyond me.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Facing your doubt every day, feeling inadequate any time you start a new project, reach another level, aim higher, or take up a new skill. Imposter syndrome - it comes back no matter how much you master your craft. Comparison - in weak moments, all entrepreneurs compare themselves to someone who's doing it better, has it easier, and is just at the next level of their business. The lack mentality - it's tempting to focus on how much more you need to get done and achieve, how far behind you are, how much your income isn't growing, what you lack compared to other business owners, etc.
And what a business owner does every day from the moment they wake up is deal with these thoughts and beliefs and replace them with empowering ones so they can do their work from that mentality. While strategy in business is crucial, it's the mindset and resilience that keeps you going long enough to actually see results.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take control of the things I mentioned above - the lack mentality, the negative thoughts, the imposter syndrome, the comparison trap, perfectionism, feeling unworthy, etc. Become aware of these thoughts and notice them when they show up, then get to their core and see why that belief exists in the first place. Then work on reframing it.
- Take messy action as often as possible. Your first business doesn't need to be your last one. Your next launch doesn't need to be your biggest one. The platform you're building now might not be the main channel on which people find you, and your first few digital products might make zero sales. That's okay as long as you keep learning and keep moving.
- Don't forget to have fun, enjoy the ride, and actually love your business at any stage. Because you might end up building a profitable one but end up miserable and overwhelmed. Maybe it's better to build a lifestyle business, one that focuses only on what you love doing the most, earns you enough to sustain your lifestyle and creates an impact for like-minded people. If that will make you sleep peacefully and actually enjoy your days, then that's what you truly want.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://letsreachsuccess.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsreachsuccess/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lidiyasblog
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidiya1/
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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