Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Austin Holt, Principal of The Holt Company, located in Lee's Summit, MO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My "business" is adding to the lives of others through personal and professional transformation. This includes business coaching, life coaching, and marriage coaching. My customers are those who are unapologetic about creating the life they desire while elevating relationships, health, wealth, and Faith.
Tell us about yourself
Before I became a coach, I was an entrepreneur - I've been self-employed my entire life, all the way back to 15. I was able to create success at a very young age and quickly became discontent, to a degree, at my own accomplishments - I knew there was a deeper calling for me. When others saw my success, they came to me for advice. When I began helping others create success, discover their purpose, discover their Faith, step into their unique path and voice, etc., I discovered one of my deepest calling - adding to the lives of others and helping THEM create success in THEIR life and business. What motivates me each day is the thought that I can serve others and impact real change in their lives and in the lives of those they love, which immediately creates a ripple effect in the world that will outlive me and anyone who might remember me.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I created a business that allowed me to be at every single pregnancy-related, pre-natal, delivery, post-birth, and pediatric doctor appointment with my wife for our 4 children. Sure, I could list accolades that anyone in my position has. None of that matters if those you love become the cost of success.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Creating unapologetic WORK time and unapologetic PLAY time. It's learning to shut your phone off and be present with yourself and those you love.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Surround yourself with quality people who have done exactly what you want to do. There are tons of coaches and gurus who are just great at being a coach, which is a skill in itself, but there's a difference between repeating what you read in a book and having LIVED it.
- Do the least sexy parts first. Sure, it's fun to create a business card with "CEO" under your name, but that part won't move your business forward. Create proformas and financial projection models and study your market in painful detail to make sure you have both a market and a product they desire.
- Seek discipline over motivation. There will be days you don't FEEL like working in the business. There will be days you don't FEEL the passion you once felt for it. There will be days you don't FEEL confident. Discipline creates results, and even the smallest of results tell your brain to release dopamine, which makes you FEEL like doing more. Make sure you want where this business is going, really, really bad because it will test you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://austinjholt.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinjholtHQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinjholt/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinjholt/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
