Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Judi Snyder, CEO of HomeStretch Financial LLC., located in Clearwater, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our customers are of all ages, as our practice now has three generations of clientele. Our financial services business focuses on the "power of zero" taxes in retirement planning. We are SOFA (Society of Financial Awareness, a non-profit organization) instructors and teach classes at the local university. In addition, I help the nearly and newly retired transition to retirement and specialize in "life purpose" coaching.
Tell us about yourself
An internationally recognized author, financial services professional, and retirement and transition coach, I help people nearing or in retirement find purpose, wellness, and financial certainty in their retired-ish years. I understand the unique challenges that come along with creating a new identity and purpose, completing my own transition from a corporate employee to an entrepreneur in financial services in 2004.
I became a Certified Financial Transitionist® (CeFT®), a Certified Professional Retirement Coach (CPRC), and a Certified Money Coach, expanding my tool chest to help clients navigate through both the financial and non-financial aspects of retirement, such as finding purpose, exploring spirituality, health and wellness.
I'm the author of Amazon Best Seller "Becoming Retiredish, A Guide for the Nearly or Newly Retired" book released in 2022. As an engaging and down-to-earth speaker, I leave my audiences empowered to take control and create joy in their retired-ish years.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Personally, it has been valuing my unique skills. We all have gifts, and when they are so much a part of who we are, we tend not to value them or believe that they are more common than they are. Recognizing my gifts was the difficult part for me. Building a few businesses around my gifts was the easy part! Incorporating my business acumen with my spirituality has allowed me to provide holistic planning and coaching for my clients. Having traveled down the "life purpose" road has also given me the insights and skills to facilitate others in their personal journeys.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Trusting your instincts and building a support team. As an employee, you always have a team to brainstorm and bounce ideas off, and when some of your decisions aren't working, they can help do the post-mortem and suggest alternatives. As a business owner, you have to build your team and trust your instincts, and for many, this is a new skill.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Run your business today like you must sell it tomorrow. That means pristine bookkeeping, building a team that can run the business without you, and charging what you are worth!
- Begin harvesting from today's cash flow from day one to create tomorrow's financial freedom day, even when you barely have enough to keep the lights on. Even setting aside five dollars will build your retirement-saving muscles.
- Have a mentor, build a team and review metrics often and cut out what isn't working immediately. Being open to new ideas will make you successful in business and in life!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.homestretchfinancial.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judi.snyder
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judijosephsnyder/
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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