Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Caitlin Donovan, Motivational Speaker, based in Little Falls, NJ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My amazing customers are brave corporations and associations that are willing to look at their employee wellbeing initiatives and make some positive burnout-proofing changes. I work with them through consults, 1:1 coaching, and, most frequently, keynotes and workshops. My favorite place to be is on a stage or in a filled-up Zoom room!

Tell us about yourself

I started working with burnout after, you guessed it, going through burnout myself. At the time, I was practicing acupuncture full time, and I loved my job, so I didn't understand what was happening to me. It took me a couple of years to recover, and as I applied Chinese medicine concepts to the burnout research I was reading, I realized that I could help so many people if I could just get in front of big groups.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment this year is building a podcast that has reached over 250,000 downloads and 90+ countries. FRIED. The Burnout Podcast has become this amazing resource for anyone experiencing burnout to feel seen, heard, and validated so they can get on with the business of healing. It has also been used in companies as their initial burnout recovery program. Companies listen to episodes as a team and then have discussions - so cool!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Riding the income waves that come in the beginning years. Being a business owner requires a lot of trusts and a lot of good financial planning. There are definitely months that feel rock star-ish and months that you're spending lots of extra time looking at grocery store prices. After the first few years, this becomes easier, and the difficulty becomes: Where do I grow next?

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Build the business the way you want it to run. If you're planning on building a business so that you can work just three days a week - you should build it working three days a week. I have not met too many people who could shift down once they were full force involved.
  2. Look for resentment. Resentment will guide you back into alignment and show you where boundaries need to be set up. It's an extremely powerful tool for entrepreneurs!
  3. Get support. Masterminds, groups of friends, Facebook groups - anything, as long as you aren't DIYing it all. You need support, and there are tons out there!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

You have a dream for a business for a reason. Money might be part of it, but there's probably a problem you have a solution to - and someone is out there searching for a solution right now. Go for it. We're cheering you on.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.caitdonovan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/friedtheburnoutpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitdonovanspeaks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cdonovanspeaks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitdonovan/

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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