Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Scharrell Jackson, Founder of STJ Consulting Services LLC., located in Lake Forest, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach with 35 years of experience as a CFO and COO. My clients are Business Leaders that are ambitious, striving to grow their businesses and or themselves, or experiencing aggressive growth and struggling with an underlying fear of securing an opportunity and maintaining or achieving success. Many of my customers do not know that they are afraid and describe themselves as stuck and wanting to go to the next level, personally and professionally.
Tell us about yourself
I have worked in Corporate America for over 35 years as a Chief Financial and Operating Officer in male-dominated environments, and as an African American female, I experienced many hardships on my journey to success. I was able to live through making significant contributions to organizations that grew them from 3.5M to 400M and changing the lives of others, all while I was continually living in fear and raising three sons in a community that did not look like us. My courage to push past fear afforded me an opportunity to become very successful, yet battle with my internal insecurities that inhibited my ability to experience my success in a way that brought me joy. As I worked through my insecurities and learned to deal with my adversities, it was clear that although many leaders may not deal with the type of challenges I did, we all deal with fear. It was important to me that I move into entrepreneurship to help business leaders not only grow their businesses but shift as leaders and get clear on their destiny, and align every decision with their end game. What motivates me is to watch individuals not only achieve economic success but live with purpose and clarity and experience life with joy because they are able to be their authentic selves and make a decision in alignment with who they are. Creating impact is my primary motivator.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The biggest accomplishment in my life is my three Kings. Raising three young men as a single mom in Orange County, California, while running organizations was by far the most challenging experience of my life, and for each of them to be successful, thriving, amazing contributors to our community is a blessing. I am also proud of the individuals I have hired over the years who had no idea that they were capable of achieving greatness and having the privilege of creating opportunity, playing a role in shaping each of them as leaders, and watching them grow and accomplish career success beyond what they can imagine, have confidence and earn income well over their goals is quite a blessing. To hear the stories of others whose lives have been positively impacted because of the leadership I have provided in their life has brought me great joy.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner for me is the perception that I have it all and that there are no difficult times. Often there is a misconception that because I own my own business, I have all the answers and life is easy when I do not, and life can sometimes be hard. The key for me is to surround myself with a tribe of individuals who look out for my blind spots.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get a coach; no one can do it alone.
- Set up the infrastructure first, hire A-players, and do not compromise your bench strength.
- Get clear on your goals, not just financial but overall goals as a leader, and align your business with the life you want to live and the experience you want to have.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.scharrelljackson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadershipinheels
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadership.in.heels/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scharrelljackson/
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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