Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bethany Jeffreys, CEO and Founder of Pivot Management Group, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

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

Pivot Management Group is a comprehensive Career Development & Coaching agency dedicated to individual career growth from various angles. We recognize that career advancement is never as simple as a resume, so we work to identify root problems and strategize for better future outcomes by means of creating custom career plans based on peer-reviewed data, scholarly research, and previous case studies (So we KNOW it works, we don't just HOPE it works).

Due to our niche expertise, our clients typically see the most success if they work in the Business Field (Sales, Marketing, Operations, Accounting, Finance, etc.), Human Resources/Recruiting, or Education. Additionally, we have a special 8-week program geared towards Christian women that combines business principles with Biblical truths and generates fruitful future careers by engaging in a total transformative process with other like-minded individuals.

Tell us about yourself

Hi! I'm Bethany, a Career Coach advocating for the lucrative success of anyone I connect with! I never wanted to be a business owner, but here I am, at 28 years old, doing what I felt undeniably called to do. My tumultuous career journey consisted of 1) Working for a company that filed bankruptcy right out of college, 2) Quitting a company participating in illegal business practices, 3) Being out of work for six months, 4) Being the product of a corporate-wide layoff three months after starting a job, 5) Taking a short-term contract just to do SOMETHING, 6) Working at a job where I was vastly overworked and underpaid 7) Working for a cruel, dangerous, and narcissistic man.

How is it that I managed to double my salary to over $100k, become a director, buy a house, and gain ownership in a firm, all by the age of 26, despite all of this turmoil? I couldn't shut down those fiery thoughts that woke me up at 2 AM for months, and as much as I didn't want to give up my fancy corporate job, I knew there was a better way for me to serve people; hence I started Pivot Management Group.

While I'll work with absolutely ANYONE who needs my services, I have a special place in my heart for Christian Women who are struggling in their careers due to burnout, lack of financial freedom, lack of flexibility, a toxic work environment, or anything else that is hindering them from better serving others and pursuing their dreams. I rewrite resumes, develop strong personal brands, spearhead change, challenge mindsets, create strategic career plans, and remind each person that every season of life has a purpose.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is learning creative ways to build income while also offering free value to others! I started rigorously networking and providing insight to everyone possible, and from there, I have generated referrals and learned so much about new mediums to grow my business. With each interaction, I aim to help in some way, shape, or form, and that practice has led to a 10X ROI.

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

I am among the 2% of the population which possesses the personality type ENTJ (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging); this essentially means I thrive on organization, structure, strategy, and quick decision making. Unfortunately, when you start a business, there is zero structure, an unclear path forward, no organization, and a multitude of decisions to be made. This tends to make my head spin sometimes, but now that I've started to divvy out one task at a time, it's become easier and more manageable.

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

  1. I wish I had been told this sooner, and I really wish I had listened: "There's never going to be a good time to do this." You're never going to have so much money in the bank that you can fund your entire salary for a year or more. You have to take the risk; that's what building a business is all about.
  2. Not everyone will like your product/service/business model. Don't sweat it; there are over 7 billion people in the world, so if someone is rude, ungrateful, or not interested, move on, and don't waste your time being upset over it!
  3. Don't limit yourself to one stream of income. You're now an entrepreneur, which means you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Stay focused on your vision and end goal, but if someone doesn't pay the full premium for something, think about ways to make it less expensive (Perhaps you give them perspective on how to make something better for a lower fee, rather than you doing it for them). Think, how can your product or service save someone time and money or make their life better? How many different ways and angles can you sell your own product? Get creative, and don't be afraid of failure! It's simply a learning experience!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you're struggling in your career and need someone to chat with, please reach out! If you want to talk strategy, networking, resumes, or anything else relevant to your career path or our potential to collaborate, I'm open to connecting. There's never a bad connection, and I'm honored you took the time to read about my story about Pivot Management Group.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://thepivotcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepivotcompanyllc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepivotcompany/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanyjeffreys/

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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