Jessica Wan is an Executive and Leadership Coach, and host of the Ampersand Manifesto Podcast. After starting her career in the arts and working in marketing roles at technology companies, Jessica decided to pursue her interest in coaching and building her own executive coaching practice.

During this conversation, Jessica shared how her background in marketing and leadership paved the way for her coaching practice, and how she validated her new business idea using principles from lean startup and product design. Jessica also shared her insights on building a diverse client base, the importance of aligning with your values, and her approach to patience and resilience as an entrepreneur.

Links

• Website: https://www.jessicawan.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamwan/
• Podcast: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-ampersand-manifesto-multi-4820144

In this episode of The Business Breakdown, Al Dea sits down with Kassy LaBorie, corporate trainer who left the corporate world to build her own virtual training business. Now, Kassy is in the middle of another transformation as she evolves as an entrepreneur to focus on keynote speaking. During this conversation, Kassy discusses her entrepreneurial journey and navigating seasons of change.

Kassy shares her experiences of transitioning from corporate roles to building her own business and the challenges and rewards that come with it. She dives deep into her decision to step into professional speaking, candidly reflecting on imposter syndrome, the discomfort of self-promotion, and the importance of staying true to her authentic self. Finally, Kassy offers valuable insights on building a successful and meaningful career on her own terms. This thoughtful conversation explores the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and how embracing discomfort can lead to growth.

Links

• Website: https://kassyconsulting.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/

Kathy Oneto is a solopreneur, podcast host, and Founder of the Oneto Agency. After working in branding and marketing for large companies, Kathy decided to go off on her own, and to pursue a portfolio career that better aligned with her interests, values and aspirations.

During this conversation, Kathy reveals her thoughtful approach to business model design, emphasizing how solopreneurs can find alignment between their values and business strategy. She also discusses building a portfolio business and the importance of relationships in entrepreneurial success. Kathy also shared her insights on branding, sustainable ambition, and the lessons she’s learned as she transitioned from corporate life to running her own agency

Links

• Website: https://www.theagencyoneto.com/kathy-oneto
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-oneto/
• Podcast: https://sustainableambition.com/podcast

Kelsey Ley is an expert in manager development and the founder of a training company that focuses on enabling managers. During this conversation, Kelsey shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting from her background in dance education to launching her business focused on manager coaching and training.

Kelsey also discusses how she got started in her own business as well as how she has focused on evolving her offerings over time. Finally, Kelsey also spoke about the importance of business model design, and lessons that entrepreneurs can take to ensure the design of their business model matches their goals.

Links

• Website: https://www.kelseyley.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseyley/

In this episode of The Business Breakdown, host Al Dea chats with Matt Gjertsen, founder of Better Everyday Studios. Matt reflects on his journey from leading training and development at SpaceX to launching his own leadership development firm. He shares his gradual transition into entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of freedom and building a business aligned with his personal values. Matt also dives into the creation of his Leadership Accelerator sessions, a unique program designed to help new leaders in tech develop essential management skills. With insights on scaling a business, learning from early successes and failures, and the critical role of iteration in product development, Matt offers invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs looking to grow and evolve their businesses

Links

• Web: https://bettereverydaystudios.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgjertsen/

Mark Heydt is a Co-Owner of Stoke Leadership, a leadership development firm. After 2 decades in corporate HR and leadership development Mark made the leap to start his own business, focused on "building better bosses." During our conversation, Mark spoke about how he was able to go off on his own, first as a solo leadership development business owner, and then pivoting to forming a partnership with his co-Founder and starting Stoke Leadership.

Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-heydt/
• Website: https://stokeleadership.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markheydt/

Stephanie Movahhed is an Executive and Business Coach, and the Founder of Stephanie Movahhed Coaching. In her coaching practice, Stephanie works with leaders and executives to improve their mindset to achieve their greatest goals.

During our conversation, Stephanie shares critical lessons she’s learned along the way in building her executive coaching business, including emphasizing the importance of saying no and the need to overcome scarcity mindset as an entrepreneur. She also highlights the value of using your network to grow your business and shares personal stories of how her network connections led to opportunities.

Links:

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smovahhed/

Website: https://www.stephaniemovahhed.com/

In this episode of the Business Breakdown Podcast, Al Dea interviews Andy Storch, keynote speaker, author, and facilitator and Community Builder. During the conversation, Andy shares his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he's learned, and how he built his business through thought leadership and personal branding.

The conversation covers various topics including his career pivot, the importance of self-reflection, and how he managed to run his own business successfully by leveraging his strengths. Andy also delves into how writing books and building a business around his strengths has helped him develop his business as a keynote speaker, corporate trainer and facilitator, and Leader of an Online Community.

Links

• Website: https://andystorch.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/