Simone Morris is CEO of Simone Morris Enterprises LLC, a certified minority women owned business providing consulting, training, coaching, and educational keynotes. The company’s mission is to empower women to succeed. Simone holds an MBA from University of Connecticut and is a certified life coach and also a certified project management professional. She will soon add author to her list of accolades with her book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I seized the opportunity to switch from a predominantly technical path into a Human Resource path primarily focused on Diversity and Inclusion. The opportunity was short-lived and when faced with option to return to an Information Technology role, I opted to leave Corporate America and carve out a new direction for myself. While on that path, I embraced motherhood and took some time off. Thereafter I founded my company in 2015.
Tell us about your business.
Simone Morris Enterprises LLC provides the following services:
- Motivational keynotes (most popular is The Power of Owning Your Career and the Secrets of Successful Action Planning)
- Custom project management training and delivery
- Leadership workshops
- Goal setting and planning retreats
- Idea tank consulting for leveraging diversity and inclusion
- High performance career coaching
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
10% discount off my 6 or 12 month mastermind group for 2018!
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- Certified Minority Business Enterprise
- Certified Women Business Enterprise
- Certified Project Management Professional
- Certified Professional Co-active Coach
Where is your business based?
Norwalk, Connecticut.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
- My business was registered as a LLC with the Secretary of State.
- I took advantage of training offered by the Small Business Administration.
- Brainstormed on ways to build my credibility and brand.
- Invested in training to build out my professional capabilities.
- Joined non-profit boards and secured a leadership position.
- Joined organizations relevant to my business.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Networking! Get out from behind your computer and start networking to get the word out. For building relationships as well as your brand, I believe LinkedIn is a great untapped opportunity as well.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenges were:
- Really making the mental shift that entrepreneurship was truly my path and embracing it instead of running back to get a job.
- Also becoming savvy at business development and realizing that is a core skill to have as an entrepreneur.
How did you overcome these challenges?
It’s a journey so I wouldn’t say it’s totally resolved. I realized that I needed to do things differently to get different results. One thing I did was invest in a mastermind to immerse myself with others on the journey of entrepreneurship. It’s given me ideas for revenue streams I hadn’t previously considered.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
Listening to Joel Osteen always makes me feel better. Recently I’ve found a few groups on Facebook targeted at women entrepreneurs that’s really kept me inspired and motivated. Own It Crush It and Biz Chix are two examples.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I had to reframe my perspective and control the desire to constantly compare my company to others further along the path. One way I did this was to embrace the realization that we are all unique and we all bring something different to the table. Also giving myself permission to continue to educate myself and refine my niche and offerings has been useful.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
A coach recommended changing my writing strategy on LinkedIn and changing my website to better speak to my audience and solve their problems.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
- Don’t give up even though you may want to.
- Continue to swim with the uncomfortable feelings that you don’t have it all figured out.
- Celebrate every win to fuel you to continue the journey.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
- LinkedIn – It keeps me connected.
- Evernote – It allows me to keep an extensive library of information.
- Podcasts – To keep me inspired and motivated.
- Upwork – Affordable outsourcing for improving efficiencies in your business.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It wasn’t my first time reading it, but it’s worthy of the reread to remind myself of a good framework for everyday living.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
There is much work to do and I need to continue defining multiple streams of revenue goals.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
- Offer more customized public training
- Do more keynote speeches
- Expand my writing reach to higher visibility vehicles (Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, Success Magazine)
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @simonemorrisent
Twitter @simonemorrisent
Facebook www.facebook.com/simonemorrisenterprises
Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/simonemorrisenterprisescommunity
Website www.simonemorris.com
Email smorris@simonemorris.com
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris
Hashtags #simonemorrisenterprises #mylifemywayretreat #achievementunlockedbook