Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erin Sisko, Founder of The Elleiance Network, located in Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is called The Elleiance Network. We serve women entrepreneurs and ambitious women in business. The way in which we serve is through curated and facilitated private monthly group mastermind meetings. We also offer masterclasses, networking events, 1:1 business coaching, and a private online community.
Tell us about yourself
My business started as a passion project while I was a full-time corporate employee in finance. I started to get curious about why women weren't borrowing as much for their business and often weren't building businesses as big in revenue and people. I started spending as much time as possible with women entrepreneurs to listen to them and provide them with support and resources to break their own glass ceiling. I was also hearing from many women that the number one challenge they faced trying to grow their business was in making connections. Armed with knowledge, I decided to do something to address this. In 2019 I invited 20 women entrepreneurs to a meeting where I said we would meet 2 hours per month and talk about business, support one another, and share our information to make the journey easier. Ten women showed up, and most of those 10 are still with me today. In 2021 I left my safe corporate job to run The Elleiance Network full time. There are now five groups of 12 and many others who are not in a group but in The Network. It is not hard to be motivated each day to do what I do. I am just as internally motivated as I am externally. The results of the women in the network and their feedback about the impact their membership has provided on their business motivate me as much as the excitement, challenges, and possibility that come with building something out of nothing.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Serving and bringing all of my gifts with me each and every day for the benefit of myself and others is my greatest accomplishment. Taking the responsibility of uncovering and shining a light on my own power in order to better support others in claiming and fully stepping into their own has been such a blessing to me, one I do not take for granted.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner is also one of the best things about being a business owner. This is taking full responsibility for your outcomes and results. When things feel difficult, or you are navigating a difficult or uncomfortable situation, you have no one to shift it to, to blame it on. There is no one there to fix it; you can't hide from it, and you are forced to take radical responsibility. Sometimes this feels hard, but I wouldn't change it for the world. The lessons are far too valuable.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Choose something that you would do for free if you love it so much. Owning a business is a lot of work. Sometimes you will have to work very hard and very long hours. You can do this if you love what you do; you will quickly become resentful toward your business if you don't.
- There are no rules. Follow your intuition over everything.
- Be very mindful of your resources. Don't stretch yourself too thin in any one area. Yes, taking risks is important, but don't jeopardize the foundation to do it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.elleiance.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elle.iance/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-sisko-85456251/
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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