Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lia Suzuki, Founder of Aikido Kenkyukai International USA, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

I coach people who want to start an online business and work less.

Tell us about yourself

I divide my time between teaching martial arts in person, offering online martial arts training, and now coaching those who would like to make an online business and work less. I launched my first “virtual dojo“ in 2017. Many martial artists told me I was crazy and that no one could learn martial art online. However, I found that there was a demand for my online courses and live trainings and that this actually benefited martial artists. Then in 2020, with the COVID lockdowns, many martial arts teachers started researching how to teach online. Some have looked to me for guidance and instruction in building their virtual dojos. Now I’m expanding my coaching business to help people in ALL fields build their online businesses.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment in my coaching business is to have helped and guided people around the world to launch and develop their online businesses. I specialize in automating your online platforms. So my clients find that there are systems that can help them make more money and, eventually, work less.

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

For Solopreneurs, one of the hardest things about being a business owner is having to think about ALL facets of the business yourself at first. Until you get to the point where you can build a team, this can be a lot of work. But I like to think that it’s worth it. At least, in my case, that’s true.

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

  1. I think that many people give up too soon. They are unrealistic with their timeframe often. If they don’t see the monetary gain they expected within the timeframe they calculated, they stop. Oftentimes, they stop just before their business is ready to really take off.
  2. It’s natural for people to ask for advice from friends, family, and colleagues. Oftentimes, the advice we get is very helpful and valuable. However, I often see people taking advice from others who have ZERO knowledge or experience around the topic. Only take advice from people who have achieved the results that you also want to achieve.
  3. AUTOMATE as soon as possible. In the world of online business, many people continually have big launches. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as there’s also an evergreen income stream system in place. Remember, the goal is to improve your life. So don’t set up a business that holds no promise of reducing your work hours.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.liasuzukicoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liasuzuki
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liasuzuki/

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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