Hannah Johnson knows that leaving corporate america and transitioning to entrepreneurship can be really hard and almost impossible to do without a Transition Coach by your side. To go from certainty to uncertainty, venturing from the known to the unknown… but it doesn’t have to be like that. You can set yourself up for success, prepare your next steps, and ease your transition. Read our interview with the lovely Hannah below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I’ve always had a desire to start my own business and in high school and college I started a house cleaning business that was WAY more profitable than doing a normal retail job like my friends. However, I went to school and ended up with a very successful career with a $3.5B (yes that is a B) company. However, the longer I worked, the higher I climbed and the louder the voice grew that I needed to move on. After a health scare due to the incredible amount of stress at work I decided to launch my business for real and begin choosing my life rather than letting it happen.
Tell us about your business.
I run a Transition Coaching business for the successful woman looking to move from her powerhouse corporate career into pursuing her dreams. I had to go it alone but took my executive facilitation skills, training development and process development expertise and have turned this dream of mine into a reality!
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
I have a free worksheet you can access here.
Where is your business based?
Greenville, South Carolina or anywhere in the world you want to connect with me on your laptop!
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
Self-assessment, financial inventory and the beginning of a clear idea of what I wanted to do. Some people can launch into anything without looking back. I had a husband, mortgage and familial responsibilities that wouldn’t allow me to do that. Not to mention that isn’t my personality to jump then look where I’m going later.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Networking! This is so hard to do when your business begins as a side hustle and you still have to put energy into your day job. Start out on Facebook, get into a couple groups and look for others like you. Connect with them because although some people have the same challenges everyone has a unique way of resolving and growing through them.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Not getting exhausted from life while I pursue my dreams. Girl, hustlin’ takes work! The last thing you want to do is quit and think “I wish I would have finished.” I really have to focus and move and remember to take care of me. You can’t be creative and all in when you’re exhausted.
How did you overcome these challenges?
After the health scare I’ve really begun to make self-care a priority and learn stress management. I’ve picked up yoga again and at the corporate job I have thresholds that I once I reach I stop. Before I would work 12 hour days at work then come home and try to work on my business. Not the best thing to do because it was guilt not passion based.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I am so blessed to have a husband who is super supportive and encourages me to pursue my dreams. Having a network of friends, parents or even your virtual friends encourage you will keep you going. When things have gotten too difficult, I give myself the freedom to take a sabbatical. That could be 4 hours, a weekend, or a month, whatever feels right and I come back incredibly focused and refreshed.
How did you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
The training I’ve received on developing processes around people and objectives sets me apart since I’ve created a personalized system for others to meet their goals. I have a knack for seeing through those who really don’t want to do the work and those who are so passionate but need a clear objective. I’ve lived it and breathed it and now I’m able to offer it up to others so they can have the same success.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Do everything with purpose. This goes along with my brand of “Choose Purpose”. It is a choice to move forward or stay where you are and it also helps you do actions that have a purpose not just creating movement.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Only you know what the voice inside you is driving you toward. Sometimes it is hard to verbalize and you may feel your dreams aren’t worth it. That is a lie. As you grow and your dreams become reality you will get clarity and others will see those dreams grow. The loudest voice may get attention first, but the purest voice will be remembered.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
Right now I love Canva & Tailor Made. When you’re starting out and still getting a feel for your brand and styling, it is so much better to be able to play with Canva for your social media posts and backgrounds. Tailor Made was where I had my logo made for Choose Purpose and I love it! The website takes your style and provides some options and you get to choose which logo works best for you. They also have packages you can select based on how the logo needs to be formatted (letterheads, social media, PowerPoint, etc).
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @choosepurpose01
Facebook Choose Purpose- Start living your dreams
Pinterest Choosepurpose01
Hashtags #choosepurpose #corporatecaptive #entrepreneur
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
Just finished Essentialism by Greg McKeown and highly recommend it! This book is such a great read for those who are burned out and stressed! It really put my mind at ease with saying no and that has helped my business tremendously since I now can focus on what matters and get rid of what doesn’t. Do yourself a favor and read it this weekend!
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Social media, for me, is such a beast and I am thankful for my business coach who is walking me through all the options. I personally am addicted to Pinterest and would love to learn how to use it more for my business. I’m testing some strategies out and will see how they do! I want to learn the analytics of social media and be able streamline that into my business strategy as well.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
I am currently on track to leave my Corporate job in January. My goals are to strengthen my online course and find a few more high potential clients. I’m creating more visibility and looking for opportunities to get my name out there like this one. Thank you, Elaine (ladybossblogger)!