Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Vande Hey, Founder of Light of Love Coaching, located in Prairie du Sac, WI, USA.

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

Holistic Transformational Life Coach - My clients are folks that want to rediscover who they are and reclaim their power after a painful life experience so they can create change in the world, helping it to become a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous world for all.

Tell us about yourself

There is a lot that got me into the work that I do, but one specific event that was the catalyst for me was the death of my son and finding my way back to me after dealing with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I often share that being motivated is overrated, and I learned that while being depressed. Motivation wasn't enough for me. I need a burning reason why that is going to move me. One of my reasons for doing what I'm doing is that I learned to love myself for exactly who I was unconditionally. That is freeing, especially when you live with a lot of shame. I want more people to feel that freedom and peace of loving themselves because when they do, they will create the change that we need in the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Seeing the transformation in my clients. Two, in particular, stand out. The first was a client of mine that got off three depression medications that were no longer serving her. She is a shining light. The second was when a client of mine shared that a "chance" meeting with someone actually prevented that person from taking their life. My client said she wouldn't have been in a place to be that person for her had she not started my program and made loving herself a priority.

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

One of the hardest things for me as a business owner, and I would consider my personal biggest accomplishment so far, is that I didn't give up when I didn't sign on clients right away. It's hard to stay motivated(which is why I don't rely on motivation) when you get a lot of no's. When people say they can't afford you. Staying true to my value and not reducing my rates because of it. Know that it's them not being ready to value themselves that highly and not a reflection of my value.

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

  1. Stop doing so many things that don't bring you joy(even if you're good at them). I used to do bookkeeping as a teenager for my parent's businesses and even as one of my jobs after college, so I thought I didn't need to hire anyone to help me. It was sucking my energy, and I wasn't doing a good job of it even though I knew how to do it, and it was making my business suffer. I hired a bookkeeper before I was profiting in my business.
  2. Schedule self-care into your day like you schedule in everything else. If you're not taking care of yourself, you're not going to be taking care of your business in an optimal way.
  3. Treat every new product, service, launch, etc., like an experiment. Not everything is going to be a "success" like you expect. Know that when it feels like you failed, you've actually gained a lot of knowledge through that "failure."

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Surround yourself with like-minded people that can support you along the way. Being an entrepreneur can feel lonely because you're doing so much on your own, especially right away. Don't be afraid to invest in a coach or group that you can rely on for sound advice.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lightoflovecoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.vandehey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellevandehey/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vandehey/

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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