We ask the tough questions
Who, or what, is your biggest inspiration?
Any of my clients who have the courage to step out of their comfort zones, close the door behind them and stay there and a number of authors, such as Brene Brown, Michael Gerber, Ken Blanchard, Peter Drucker and my hero, Frank Zappa.
What's the best bit of feedback you've ever had?
To accept feedback when it is given.
What’s your favourite film, book and album?
Deadwood (TV series), The way of Transition by William Bridges (book), The Inivitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer (book), besides my own book of course and Buena Vista Social Club (music).
What’s the smartest bit of marketing you’ve ever done?
Write my book, The Ten Truths for Raising a Healthy Bouncy Business.
What’s the most obscure business request you’ve ever had?
To coach the madam of a brothel to become a better business owner.
What’s the most enjoyable element of your work? And the least enjoyable?
Being part of a client's journey is the most enjoyable thing I have ever done and the least enjoyable is when clients have engaged with me but they really just want a magic pill and they are not courageous enough to step out of their comfort zone. It is a painful because nothing happens and they blame me.
What’s the best thing about being a soloist? And the worst thing?
Doing exactly what I want and when I want is wonderful. It is also the toughest part, because you never have the luxury of palming any responsibility off on a boss. No one ever tells you what to do. I love that but I would sometimes also love it if someone could just tell me: do this today, don't worry about anything else.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
Learn to say no, closely followed by: don't ever do anything that is meaningless to you.
What would be your advice to aspiring soloists?
Buy my book. No seriously, buy my book or buy Flying Solo: How to go it alone in business, or get a great coach of some ilk, one that you can build a great working relationship with. It doesn't matter what their training or brand is, they have to be authentic, and you have to be able to build a powerful relationship with them. Finally: get absolutely totally 100% clear about the deepest reason, the deepest "why" of your business. Why does it exist, how is that connected to what you are passionate and excited about and why does that matter to anyone else.
What is the one regret you do not want to have in this lifetime?
I refuse to have any regrets. I am committed to doing what I believe is the right thing to do at the time, even if it turns out to be the wrong thing.
How would you describe yourself in three adjectives?
Opinionated, empathic/caring/considerate/compassionate, left of centre.
And now comes the plug!
What do you do? Who for? And how does it benefit them?
I am a small business coach in Sydney who works with small business owners who want to make a big shift in their business and turn it into a roaring success, on their own terms.
And where can we find out more?
- Flying Solo Directory: newperspectives.flyingsolo.com.au/
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