Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tristan Thornburgh, Founder of Tristan Thornburgh Coaching, located in Portland, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm an ICF-certified career coach, so I work with driven professionals at all career levels who are hoping to make a change in their work lives. I work with people through work changes of all sizes, from small (e.g., résumé updates, cover letter writing, one-off conversations through easier problems) to medium (e.g., learning how to handle difficult colleagues or feeling stuck, uncertainty about how to move forward, or experience with burnout) to large (e.g., I need to change my career path fully). All of these scenarios require me to take a different approach and work creatively to help my clients find satisfaction and purpose in their careers.
Tell us about yourself
I became interested in career coaching after working with a career coach myself. A friend of mine is a coach, and I reached out to her when I was feeling uncertain about my path forward. After about four sessions with her, I said, "I think I want to do what you do." Four months later, I'd quit my job to start my own career coaching business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting ICF-certified at the ACC level was a big accomplishment for me. It requires dozens of hours of client time, class time, and some rigorous evaluations before you can become certified, so it took me almost a year. I was really proud when I officially got that certification, if only for the validation.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I'd say the lack of guidance. I was lucky enough to have some mentors, but you're really on your own to figure out how everything will work. And if it doesn't work out, you have to be able to move on, assess what you learned so you don't do it again, and then push forward.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Remember that failure is part of the process. If you're not failing in some capacity, you're not trying hard enough.
- Look at everything as a learning experience. If you can keep a growth mindset and try to approach every experience as a learning one, you'll never stop getting better.
- Your network (i.e., friends, family, former colleagues, and other professionals in your field) probably would love to help you! It can be nerve-wracking to ask for help, but it's worth it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.tristanthornburgh.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tristan-thornburgh-coaching/
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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