Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Meaghan Timko, Founder of Parallel, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

My business is Parallel. We are an international consulting agency that works with families and individuals living with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities (collectively, Neurodiversity) to make transition plans for a future of dignity and purpose. Our client base is international, and our work navigates complexities of culture, resources, and opportunity that differs widely across the globe. We also help corporate entities serve current and future Neurodiverse employees by training Neurotypical employees and working with leadership to create a more meaningful, inclusive workplace.

Tell us about yourself

I started Parallel at the beginning of the pandemic. A huge project I was working on immediately ceased with the shutdown, and I found myself wondering, what's next? As an experienced entrepreneur, I knew a thing or two about starting from scratch, so I asked myself, what is a problem that needs solving . . . now? My history working in the Neurodiversity services field stretches back over 20 years. My knowledge of this space and the needs of the client base is extensive, and I quickly ideated the services we currently offer at Parallel. What motivates me to do what I do? Other people. I do something that helps other people live a better life, and even on days when it gets overwhelming, I take a deep breath and think about what my clients would be doing if Parallel didn't exist.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Without a doubt, my highest achievement is the recent publication of Parallel's first book, The RoadMap Lab: A strategic approach to planning a future of dignity, purpose, opportunity, and independence for Neurodiverse teens and young adults. I co-authored this book with my business partner, Dr. Dana Zavatkay. The RoadMap Lab was written over the course of the last 15 months and details our consultation model with families and individuals. We decided to write the book because our capacity for individual clients is finite, but so many people need help. The solution of manualizing our process, making it widely available, and creating asynchronous supporting content allows us to reach more people, in more places, in less time, and it is extremely gratifying both personally and professionally.

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

When you own a business, you get the gift you never asked for. The feeling of "did I do enough today?" The truth is, at least for me, I can never get rid of that feeling because there is ALWAYS more to do. As I walk through this next iteration of my career, I'm certainly getting better at giving myself grace, time, and room to grow, which is the antidote for many of the problems I face. Will I ever totally feel like I've done enough in a single day? I don't know . . . stay tuned.

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

I mentor a lot of young people who believe owning a business is this luxurious experience where the sails never need adjusting and things just happen when they're supposed to. This is not true, ever. In this spirit, I often offer three tips:

  1. Humble yourself.
  2. Ask people for help and find a business mentor.
  3. Make a solid plan! A million things a day can cause you to guess yourself second, but if you have a plan for where you are now and where you want to be, it will make the experience of business ownership so much easier.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.parallelintl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parallelintl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parallel_intl_/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Parallel_Intl
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghantimko/

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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