Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rick Lozano, Founder of Unlock & Amplify®, located in San Antonio, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
As a speaker, facilitator, musician, and consultant, I help leaders and teams unlock and amplify the potential and talent around them - and within them. I incorporate music into my work as a source of connection, inspiration, and engagement. My clients have ranged across multiple industries, from healthcare to banking to technology, and also include non-profits and associations.
Tell us about yourself
I had a successful career in leadership and talent development and loved the work I did. Everything changed, though, when a leader inspired me to bring my guitar to work. I started using music in my presentations and finding connections in music that could be used to help people grow as leaders and individuals.
From there, I began working on the side as a keynote speaker and facilitator, taking vacation time from work to - work! I finally started my own business, and I'm continually excited to see what I can create that can help others. Every day is an opportunity to refine what I'm doing and help people further while drawing on a source of inspiration for me - music.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I wrote and published my first book, Acoustic Leadership: Develop a Leadership Culture That Resonates, last year, and I'm currently working on my second!
I also earned my CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation from the National Speakers Association, a credential held by only 12% of the thousands of professional speakers in the industry.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Creating consistent revenue streams is one of the first challenges a lot of entrepreneurs face. There are months when your calendar is jam-packed with work and other months when there is none. Finding diversified revenue streams so that you aren't entirely reliant on one aspect of your business helps build some consistency.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The second you begin working for yourself, you have to realize this is a sales job. You have to not only be comfortable selling but have clarity around exactly what solutions you have and be confident in communicating them.
Do fewer things. So many entrepreneurs, myself included, find themselves overwhelmed with all the aspects of running a business, often over-investing in technology and additional platforms that ultimately don't get used or take the focus off your main work.
Finally, working for yourself is lonely. Find your community, join a mastermind, and surround yourselves with others who do similar work. They are your lifelines, support systems, and advocates. Don't go it alone, even when you work for yourself.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
One of the best pieces of advice I received when starting out - do the work that generates revenue. There are so many things that can distract you - social media, content marketing - and, while important to a certain degree, those usually aren't the things that are directly generating revenue. Figure out what this is for your business and spend more time doing that.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://ricklozano.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricklozanoamplify/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rick_lozano
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-lozano/
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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