Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stephanie Middaugh, CEO and Founder of Phoenix GTM Consulting, located in Saratoga Springs, UT, USA.

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

Now more than ever, teams are being asked to do more with less, and those companies that invest in their teams and the foundation and strategy to support them will come out on top. Our team specializes in building Enablement strategies, executing against those strategies, and measuring the impact of the initiatives we help implement.

Whether you're a small start-up with only a small handful of go-to-market employees or a large organization with thousands, Phoenix GTM Consulting Group can help your teams become more productive and efficient and hit important business goals, and rise above the rest.

Tell us about yourself

I have been doing Enablement and Operations at B2B tech companies for over 12 years now, with a proven track record of building impactful and scalable programs and training at companies that have successfully IPO'd and been acquired during my tenure.

I love to break the mold and push the boundaries of what training and Enablement typically look like. My LEAST favorite phrase is, "We've always done it this way." I enjoy trying new things in order to consistently keep my programs fresh, informative, FUN, and on the cutting edge, all while making a significant impact on the businesses I support.

I started Phoenix GTM Consulting out of my love for building Enablement programs and initiatives in order to support go-to-market teams and ensure they can achieve their business goals. Enablement is such a new function, and my passion is to ensure that companies know how to best leverage this vital function and support Enablement professionals to tackle the business issues facing these companies.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is becoming a business owner. Growing up, my mother was a part-time bank teller and a stay-at-home mom. My father was a security guard and mechanic. I never thought I would, or even could, own and run my own business. Getting started was one of the biggest hurdles so far in this entire process - the first step is always the hardest.

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

For me, one of the hardest things about becoming a business owner is the knowledge that I don't know what I don't know. My profession requires me to think about and identify gaps that could prevent us or the business from accomplishing our goals. This new journey of entrepreneurship is showing me all of the gaps that I didn't even know to look for. On the flip side, all of these gaps are opportunities to learn, and that's how you get just a little better each day, which is what I'm aiming for.

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

  1. Trust yourself. It's one of the most challenging things you can do when you're just starting out, but it's almost the most important thing you can do for yourself.
  2. Everyone will want to give you advice - take all of it. But that doesn't mean you have to implement all of it. Decide for yourself which advice makes sense for you and your business.
  3. You'll hear a lot about the hustle and the grind and how it's a right of passage that every entrepreneur must go through. And while I agree with that, it's also important to take time to rest and recharge. Spend time with family and friends, and disconnect when you can. You'll come back refreshed and able to tackle the problems that you need to with a clearer head than if you just pushed through.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.phoenixgtm.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjmiddaugh/

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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