Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tanya Jaklis, CEO and Founder of Tanya Jaklis Coaching, located in Fairfax, VA, USA.

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

I am a passionate and intuitive Life & Leadership Coach who serves mindful organizations and individuals who are creating cultures of well-being within their organizations. These organizations have a deep desire to set up their employees for success and to create cultures and environments where everyone thrives. I deliver facilitated coaching workshops and one-on-one leadership and employee coaching services within these organizations.

I also work with ambitious women leaders who are at a crossroads and looking to make their next decision from a place of calm and purpose. So many individuals/leaders are feeling stressed, overtaxed, and overwhelmed and are looking for a new way to live and work where they feel connected, energized, innovative and engaged. I love to help people (and organizations) step into mindful leadership so they can rediscover joyful engagement with their life and work.

Tell us about yourself

I absolutely love what I do! I get excited to wake up every morning to coach my clients, learn new things, and explore new possibilities. I started coaching professionally a little over two years ago when I found myself at a crossroads after having a job terminated. After 17+ years in the consulting industry, I was faced with the question, "what do I really want?" It was a transitional time in my life, and I got really honest with myself about how I wanted to spend my time and what kind of impact I wanted to have in the world.

I've always loved supporting and cheering people on to follow their dreams and live fulfilling and satisfying life. That led me to learn about the coaching industry. I then went on to get certified through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and started my coaching practice. Each day I'm motivated by the fact that we are all connected, each of us matters in this world, and we all deserve a well-lived life that has us feeling energized, connected, engaged, and fully alive!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is showing my daughters that I am a leader, a forward thinker, and a woman business owner. I want them to see and know how powerful that is. I'm also proud that I continue to hone the ability to integrate meaningful work, play, and rest into my life. Life has so many different layers to it, and I've learned different strategies to honor each season, and I love sharing them with my clients and watching them create an integrated life that feels good to them.

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

It can sometimes be lonely. I worked for 17+ years in large professional services firms working with teams and clients on some of the hardest organizational challenges. We worked together to come up with innovative solutions to address those challenges. Not having a sense of community to bounce ideas off of or brainstorm solutions to challenges can be hard at times. I've leaned on my networks and created communities of like-minded entrepreneurs and business owners to tap into. Those communities have been a game changer as a I continue to grow my business.

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

  1. Build an inner circle that supports you and cheers you on along the way. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and believe in you.
  2. Build your resilience and your capacity to learn from each experience. Entrepreneurship is a beautiful analogy for life. There will be ups and downs coupled with extreme emotions on both sides of the emotional spectrum, extreme joy, and extreme disappointment. See each experience as a gift and an opportunity to learn and grow.
  3. Invest in and nurture your relationships, both personal and professional. Make time for connection; it is essential to a fulfilling and satisfying life and a thriving business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Be present. It's easy for us to get caught up in "all the things" and to forget that this very moment is all we have. Be present for it in the best way you know how.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.tanyajaklis.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyajaklis/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyajaklis/

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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