Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lana Walsh, Sleep Expert, Insomnia Expert & Speaker, located in Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a sleep and insomnia expert. I have B2B and B2C clients. I offer one-to-one coaching for career-driven executives and entrepreneurs whose sleep is affecting their ability to perform at their highest level. These clients tell me they have difficulty focusing, making good decisions, coming up with creative ideas, and being productive. I offer lunch and learn workshops to businesses so they can improve mental health, job satisfaction, performance, and revenue while reducing stress, turnover, and absenteeism. In 2016, RAND Research found that lack of sleep costs the US economy $411B each year. By talking to their staff, they can learn about various sleep disorders, how it affects their life and performance, and tips and strategies to help them get better rest.
Tell us about yourself
I love this work because I struggled for decades to sleep through the night. Most nights, I would lie awake in the middle of the night for hours, frustrated and angry that I couldn't sleep. In the morning, I'd be so exhausted that I would have to convince myself that I had to get up and live my life. I was so grumpy that my family knew not to talk to me, or even look at me, before my first cup of coffee or I might take their head off. Everything became about tomorrow. I'll sleep better tonight, and tomorrow I'll finish that project, start that exercise program, or join that class. But tomorrow never came.
For 30 years, I coped with my daily exhaustion, and during this time, I tried everything from pharmaceuticals to banana peel tea, and nothing worked. What made all the difference was a specific process of behaviour change that completely transformed my life. Now, I sleep consistently through the night, and instead of feeling exhausted, I wake up rested, energized, and motivated to do what I need and want. I'm passionate about educating people on how sleep impacts life and how just a few weeks can transform your life so you can wake up rested and motivated to achieve all of your goals and dreams.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I made as much money in the first quarter of 2022 as I made in all of 2021!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The isolation and aloneness of making decisions. I now have a great group of business owners and entrepreneurs to share information and bounce ideas off of, which has made a tremendous impact in making me feel like part of a community. It's also great to get feedback and share fears and worries.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, find a good coach you align with. This can be hard as I've had three different coaches - the first ones taught me a lot of stuff I had to unlearn. The second one was not helpful. The third one has been tremendous. Get recommendations from the people you trust.
Second, find a group of like-minded people to network and connect with. Your family, friends, and strangers will all think you're crazy, say you can't do it, etc. They will not understand your passion, nor will they believe in your lofty goals. They may support you, but when you say, "I'm going to make a million dollars!" they'll probably think you're nuts.
Third, work on your mindset. This is one of the things I'm working on with my third business coach. Your limiting beliefs about your abilities, your communications, your knowledge, and everything else are the death of most business owners. Being confident in what you do is essential to being successful.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.lanawalshcoaching.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LanaWalshCoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lana_walsh_coaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanamwalsh/
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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