Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maia Berens, founder of YOU University Coaching, located in Santa Monica, CA, USA.

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

I help women like myself who have experienced some level of abuse in their lives. I teach them and give them tools to heal their emotional baggage and discover who they are under all of that.

Tell us about yourself

I am 79. I spent almost half of my life in emotionally and sexually abusive situations - my childhood and my first husband. Miraculously when I needed to take my four kids, ages 5-14, away from a scary situation, all my fear disappeared. I found the use of a Higher Power. I found teachers to help me, including John Gray of "Men Are from Mars" fame. I went from being a scared underachieving woman to heading a workshop training company for John with my soulmate. I had a 30+ relationship with a magnificent man who sadly left the planet in 2015.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been helping severely abused women, from one who was molested by her father from birth to age 15 to a woman who was a slave under Apartheid, be able to forgive that government. It is a blessing to have the tools to be able to do that kind of work - paying it forward.

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

Doing it alone and figuring out how to stand out with all the "noise."

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

Don't give up. Spend your money and time thoughtfully. Don't become convinced by any sharp marketer to spend thousands to succeed without fully vetting them.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Many hard things have happened in my life in the last seven years. That may happen to you also, but if you know you have gifts and talents to share, don't give up like I almost did.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://www.maiaberens.com/
https://www.youuniversitycoaching.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YOUUniversityCoaching

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.