Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in consultancy but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paul Dubal, Founder of Perfect Balance Consulting, located in Oakville, ON, CA.

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

My business is focused on emotional intelligence (EQ) and how it can be used to improve every aspect of your life, from building relationships to better decision making, developing a learning mindset, stress tolerance, and resilience, and generally finding balance and being happier in life. My corporate background, allied to my extensive studies and as an EQ practitioner, has equipped me with the skills to help executives and mid-career professionals improve performance and create a better work-life balance (hence the name of my business - Perfect Balance Consulting!). However, the benefits of EQ apply across the spectrum. I have provided talks to schools on EQ-based parenting and to specialist ethnic groups on using EQ to combat racism in the workplace. Emotional intelligence, correctly applied, can make a profoundly positive impact on society in general. The world needs more guidance on EQ. My mission is to help develop more compassionate leaders and spread an appreciation of EQ wherever possible.

Tell us about yourself

After spending 25 years in corporate governance in the UK, Caribbean, Middle East, and Canada working in various leadership and senior roles, I founded Perfect Balance Consulting to combine my extensive corporate governance experience with my coaching and emotional intelligence accreditation to provide coaching, consulting and training for the next generation of leaders. I have had some great mentors in my career, and I felt the time was right to give back. I am also fascinated from a psychological perspective by the attributes of the greatest leaders and how EQ is fundamental to that. What motivates and drives me every day is the desire to influence and help leaders develop new ways of thinking to become leaders with empathy and compassion who are committed to developing their teams to become the best they can be and to build a culture of loyalty and engagement. I am passionate about using EQ to help leaders create this. I have been fortunate enough to work with business owners, senior executives, and boards of directors in many parts of the world to support their leadership vision. A culture of integrity, strong governance, and good reputation are universal attributes that any leader and their organization should aspire to.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There have been milestones along the way and plenty of learning opportunities and activities that took me out of my comfort zone. I would not say it was an achievement, but the thing that took the most courage was leaving a well-paid job in the corporate world to pursue a belief that I could use EQ to improve the lives of individuals and their organizations, to help build cultures where people love coming to work because we spend most of our lives there. In terms of achievement, it was impactful to talk to 200 people in and around Mauritius about using EQ-based exercises and habits to build a better life for themselves. My most satisfying achievement, however, was the publication of my first non-fiction book, EQ for the Governance Professional, a labor of love combining my two 'superpowers' to provide a practical guide to my industry on how to use EQ to develop influence in their role. It was a lot of unpaid, hard work, and patience to see the bigger picture of getting the book out there.

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

There are many challenges, lack of security, inconsistent revenue, self-doubt, and long hours. These are probably true of any new business. However, the hardest aspect for me is perhaps unique to my business. Selling the concept of EQ coaching and training is not easy because it is intangible and does not have a direct and measurable effect, at least not one obvious. The people who need EQ training the most are the most resistant. Getting in front of the right people and having them listen can be challenging. Sometimes I doubted whether I was offering the world something that it didn't want (even if needed!). I have been fortunate that the people who have invited me in have seen transformational growth as people and leaders, which keeps me motivated and passionate in what I do.

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

  1. Think carefully about your product offering, market, target clients, and a strategy to reach them. It took me a while to figure this out, and while I loved the variety, I found myself pulling in too many directions.
  2. Be resilient and believe in what you do. I have had many proverbial doors shut in my face, and it takes strength to keep going. Learn to pick yourself up.
  3. Use every day as a learning opportunity. Even if things do not go your way (and there will be plenty of those days!), reflect on what you learned from the experience, and always keep the goal in mind. Remember why you are doing this.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

You can find my book "EQ for the Governance Professional" here:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09L9GDGPK

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://perfectbalanceconsulting.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perfectbalanceconsulting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectbalanceconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldubal/

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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