Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Natalie Sinisgalli, founder of Embolden, located in Rochester, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I show women how to be bold and succeed in business through strategic coaching. I work with women that already excel at their craft and have been professionals in their field for several years. Sometimes they want to level up their existing business (scaling up, hiring employees, generating more profit, adding a service offering), or they are transitioning from having a job in their chosen field to starting their own business. I work with mission-driven women who want to create change while generating their income. My coaching topics include branding, service offerings, profit analysis, marketing, sales, and growth strategies.
Tell us about yourself
I started a photography studio (nspstudio.com) at age 22, which I still run to this day. A few years into running my business, I hired a coach and shifted my identity from "photographer" to "business owner." I quickly took to business and marketing strategies and realized the impact I could create in my community with a successful brand and business. I work with predominate women at NSP and have the opportunity to create a relationship with my clients where they share their hopes and dreams. After seeing so much untapped potential in so many women who were good at their craft but lacked the business acumen to enjoy the success they deserved, I launched Embolden as a resource for these women. I believe when women help each other and create a community, we are able to achieve unimaginable success.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
While I have received several international awards for both of my businesses (and had the opportunity to photograph many celebrities), my biggest accomplishments by far are always when my clients or employees win. One of my Embolden clients recently quit her job at a hospital that was undervaluing her to open her own private surgical practice where she treats hundreds of women each year for chronic pelvic pain conditions. She is able to dramatically alter the quality of life her patients are able to experience through her surgeries. Seeing my client's success and knowing the immense change she is able to create in the lives of her patients brings me immeasurable joy.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, it's the financial responsibility that comes along with having employees. It's one thing for me to make a mistake that could affect my own income, but for something to have the potential to affect my employees is a different level of stress. The pandemic was particularly challenging for me in that way. My service-based photography studio was unable to shoot during the height of the pandemic, and the feeling I had of responsibility to be able to provide for my team with extremely limited means to do so was crushing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My podcast "Own Your Bold" features success stories and struggles, tips, and resources shared by badass women who are changing the world. It has a lot of great tips for anyone looking to start, run and grow a business.
To be concise, my top three would be:
- Get clear on your mission (hint: it's not to make money).
- Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- You might never feel "ready"... start in small steps and keep the forward momentum going.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.ownyourbold.biz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nspstudio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emboldenbiz/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-sinisgalli/
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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