Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicky Bevan, an emotional resilience and life coach based in Radstock, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a certified Life Coach helping working mums and badass businesswomen build their emotional resilience. Although I also work with men, I mostly work with women who are overeating, procrastinating, not getting their shit done, and struggling to clear the clutter in their lives (physical & emotional). My clients have it 'sorted' in some areas of their lives but can't quite figure out how to get control of their sugar cravings, weight, time management, and life.
Tell us about yourself
I discovered life coaching about 4 years ago when we were renovating. We were living in upstairs of our house, the smallest bedroom was our kitchen, the dining table was next to the bed in my room, and we were washing up in the bath. We lived like that for a year, and my husband was stressed and pulling his hair out. But I was totally chill. I could have lived like that forever. Why? Because I'd learnt that I had a choice. I'd learnt that it was my thoughts that created my emotions, not my circumstance. That's not to say we always want to feel happy and positive, but we do ALWAYS get to choose. I've done so much work working with my emotions instead of trying to avoid them or fight against them that I've built a really solid emotional resilience.
This makes growing my business so much easier because I really feel like there is nothing that can stop me. After all, the worst thing that will ever happen is an emotion, and if I can deal with any emotion, I can deal with anything that happens in my life or business. BOOM!! I really want to teach other working women that they also have a choice. It's the most powerful position to be in when you KNOW you have a choice. You may not always like your choices, but you do have one! In every situation. And it's my mission to empower others to create this strength within themselves.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Keeping going. Whilst I've been learning to build my emotional resilience muscle, I had periods of feeling really shit. I'd beat myself up if I didn't reach my goals. I'd be really mean to myself when I was feeling self-doubt or self-pity. I generally made myself feel like I was doing it all wrong and was completely worthless because of it. It felt rubbish, really rubbish. But I kept going. I kept going, and I didn't stop because I knew what I teach can help so many others. And because I didn't stop, I'm passed that now. Of course, I still feel self-doubt, nervousness, and fear, but I don't make that mean that something has gone wrong or that I'm wrong. I'm simply a human who's going outside of her comfort zone, and my gorgeous primitive brain is freaking out a little bit. AND THAT'S OK. I'm feeling the fear and doing it anyway!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I think the hardest thing is that it's all on me. But, then again, this is also the best part because I'm the only one I can control, and I know I won't stop until it's done. Also, community. When you're working in an office or for a business, you're part of something. I do miss the Christmas parties and chatting in the kitchen with my colleagues. I couldn't go back, though 😉
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get a coach. Find someone who will lovingly show you your mind and call out your bullshit without judgment. You can't change or control, what you don't know, and the only thing that will ever stop you is your mind and emotions. Getting coached will help you with both of them.
- Get comfortable being uncomfortable. If you've never started or grown a business, it's going to push you outside of your comfort zone. You'll experience moments of self-doubt and fear. Learning how to deal with these emotions and doing what you need to do anyway is absolutely vital.
- Know when you need to rest. I'm still learning this one for myself. But, when we put ourselves first, we are so much more available to help others. If we're stressed, burnt out, or sick, we can't help anyone. So learning how to rest is crucial.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://nickybevan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Emotional.Resilience.Coach
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.emotional.resilience.coach/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-bevan-b1b705b6/
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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