Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robbie Swale, Founder of Robbie Swale Coaching, located in Evesham, Worcestershire, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a leadership coach, podcaster, and author. My work focuses on leading with honour, creativity, and developing the craft of coaching. And my customers fit into three main groups. First, leaders and entrepreneurs who want to positively impact their organizations on themselves and the world - but to do it in the right way, without compromising their values or who they are. That's where much of my coaching happens. Second, people who want to create something, whether writing a book, starting a business, or some other creative project, want to do it, but for some reason, they aren't. That's where my 12-Minute Method books and podcast come in. And finally, coaches who want to thrive as people and create thriving businesses - that's where The Coach's Journey Podcast and Community come in.
Tell us about yourself
In my previous work as a leader in arts and culture in the UK, I found myself asking a lot of questions about unfulfilled potential. How could I do the work I love, use all my skills, AND make the kind of contribution that I wanted to. In the end, that took me to working with people and to coaching, which allowed my creativity and entrepreneurialism out whilst connecting me to deeply meaningful work.
What motivates me the most is making the biggest contribution I can to making the world better, tilting it towards heaven and away from hell. What that means in practice is that I love every time I feel like I'm working in my zone of genius and when I feel that I'm supporting my clients to do the same, whether that's in their leadership, by helping them launch businesses, or something else.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Personally, I'm often motivated by the small stories: the person whose work catalyzed them to start playing the piano, which they'd wanted to do since they were eight. The person who had been thinking of starting a business for years and, after coming across my work, took the leap. The leader who had been paralyzed in presentations responded to them completely differently and saw great results. People's happiness and satisfaction about their lives shifted after our work together. But seeing my first book, How to Start When You're Stuck, above Tim Ferriss in the Amazon charts was really exciting, too!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The cycles we go through - surviving the boom-bust-boom-bust cycle that every business goes through. The times it gets so hard, we start thinking about getting a job. How running a business brings us up against the places we need to grow and learn.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The first thing is: start. We often wait for inspiration, or confidence, or the time to be perfect... but the time is never perfect, confidence always and only comes AFTER we have done things, and inspiration is all around, but it's only when we start that we let it in.
Next, shift your mindset from doing 'as much as possible' to doing 'just enough.' Make your business sustainable in the bad times as well as the good. The tortoise beats the hare, remember?
Lastly, slow down and think about what it takes for you to do great work. How can you develop your mindsets? How can you take action that leads to better work? And who do you need around you to help you thrive?
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.robbieswale.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbieswalecoachandauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbieswale/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobbieSwale
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbieswale/
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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