Do You Know This Entrepreneur? A five-year milestone to celebrate moments of success and act on my optimism for the future By Lisa W. Haydon
Business launch photo January 2017
First Published on LinkedIn, January 15, 2022
Five years ago I quit my respected corporate career. I made the bold decision to start an executive coaching company. I had a vision for how great coaching could help leaders be more successful, and companies realize better results.
I gave up a title and working with a prestigious global organization. I went from being a Market Executive to a Sole Proprietor. I left a great compensation package and worked for a couple of months with zero income.
In January 2017, I launched an executive coaching company. I became an entrepreneur with no entrepreneurial experience, limited executive coaching experience, no proven client programs and just three personal clients. I was fueled by vision, energy, a hypothesized business case, lots of ideas, and a network of supporters who thought I could do it.
My fifth anniversary has me reflecting on moments of success and my optimism for the future. I started 2022 by wrapping up my best year in business, my highest revenue and 270% YOY revenue growth!
Today I lead Pivotal Growth, a leadership development company that specializes in diagnostics. I’ve incorporated, rebranded, developed an industry leading diagnostic product, and built proprietary programs that deliver results. After being dramatically impacted by Covid in 2020, I recovered by implementing accelerated change. I have been working harder than ever. My optimistic personality has overcome falters. I’ve remained active in supplier diversity and with great corporations who want to work with companies like mine. I have large corporate clients who continue to buy Pivotal Growth’s services for strategy, diagnostics, insights, advice, planning and delivery. I feel like I’ve finally got a scalable business with an offering that’s needed, and with clients who are keen to buy.
As the global health crisis persists, my world, similar to all leaders, requires continued strategy, focus and drive.
The Journey to Success
What a journey it’s been! The work has been harder than expected. There’s been a spectrum of ups and downs. Still, it’s the happiest work I’ve ever done. I consistently feel like I’m adding value, making a difference and being a great leader. I hope these shared reflections and learnings help other entrepreneurs, and those considering becoming one.
Find like mindsets. Learning about the growth mindset is what led me to start my business. Surround yourself with others who hold a growth mindset greater than yours. Spend time with those who fuel your mind, learning and energy.
Talk to lots of people. It was my network that gave me learning, advice and referrals. They are why I am where I am. Managing your success network is critical.
Don’t take rejection personally. Some people don’t like the coaching industry, my coaching programs or do not connect with me. I heard a lot of no’s from potential clients and potential mentors. It was probably one yes to every four conversations. With persistence and consistency, the conversations created results.
Don’t let your ego sway you from trying something. I launched the business as a sales effectiveness coaching company. What I’m scaling is a leadership development business. If your client wants you to do it, be open to the opportunity and learn from trying.
Not all advice is the best advice. My network and leaders are quick to tell me what they think, and share what they think I should do. I haven’t taken all of their advice. I’ve been selective in the advice I’ve actioned.
Create a feedback loop. This should be one that’s what you want to hear, and one that’s what you need to hear. Entrepreneurs get limited feedback, yet it’s feedback that accelerates learning, change and results. I have always had a coach, leveraged mentors and valued these relationships. The partners I work with expect to be asked for feedback. My journey into personality assessments and creating my own leader profile was an eye opener and game changer.
Buy vs. build can work. I haven’t hired employees. I’ve hired a number of subcontrators. I partner with a select group of companies. One important partner could be seen as a competitor, yet our work together has seen our companies realize new sales. Fit and relationships are the key to partnering.
Know your value proposition. I’m still working on this five years later. I’m getting closer. Keep getting feedback from your customers and follow trends.
Invest in yourself and your business. I’ve leveraged a few grant programs. Mostly, I’ve boot strapped to grow the company and my diagnostic product. I am continually learning and working on new skills and capabilities.
Finally, be open. I’ve embraced the battle with self-confidence, scarcity mindset and fear of failure. It’s a roller coaster.
Being Optimistic About the Future
2022 has started off strongly. My clients have supported me, and my pipeline reflects an abundance of new work. I’m grateful to be in this position. It’s reflective of the hard work and strong client relationships. There are a few areas I need to get right and sustain to make it all work. I’m hopeful these insights may inspire and help you too.
Be bolder. My business experience can too quickly surface the reasons why something may not work rather than boldly trying something different.
Work on self-confidence. Being in business for yourself is a roller coaster. I’m sitting up front and ready for the thrill of the ride, the next gut-wrenching drop and maybe even a surprising turn.
Stay focused on sales and pipeline management. I am energized by the positive response companies are giving me in the opportunity and their experience in using Pivotal Growth’s diagnostics. The research and data align with my focus and the relevance, and value, of a technology enabled diagnostic. More selling conversations are critical.
Have a roadmap for the evolution of product and services. This is quickly followed by accelerating product investment to enhance client’s return on investment and results
Improve CEO skills. Being a great manager got me to where I am. Being a better leader is how I’ll scale and achieve success. I’m outsourcing more. I’m building a team of talented professionals who support me.
Manage a success network. I need to improve my consistency of connecting with my amazing network. They are constant, accessible and supportive, so I need to rely on them more.
Have a trusted second opinion. The Chair of the Board is my husband and has been from day one. No one knows me and my business better. His exceptional strategy skills can influence my thinking and help me move to execute faster. Having a trusted, and sometimes disruptive, second opinion is vital.
Prioritize strategy and learning. Achieve this by working on time and energy management. Discipline and habits will help me prioritize and stay focus on the right things
Manage your partners. I have amazing partners to work with. I’m looking forward to our time together and the work we’ll do. Relationship building and standing meetings are at the heart of the success of our work.
For those readers who are entrepreneurs, this is a familiar story. You are not alone. I hope you’re staying resilient and preserving your optimism.
For those who are not entrepreneurs and know entrepreneurs, make time to call, email or text and check in on them. They are essential to our economy’s success. They are risking a lot to do what they do.
For those readers who are entrepreneurs, this is a familiar story. You are not alone. I hope you’re staying resilient and preserving your optimism.
For those who are not entrepreneurs and know entrepreneurs, make time to call, email or text and check in on them. They are essential to our economy’s success. They are risking a lot to do what they do.
Success is a collective phenomenon. We are all, together, responsible for it. – Albert-László Barabási
Thank you to my family, friends, clients, partners, suppliers and this network for contributing and supporting my success! I'm looking forward, and optimistic, about our future.
Lisa W Haydon MBA CEC CSP Connect with Lisa on Linkedin
Lisa W. Haydon is the founder of Pivotal Growth Inc. She’s a leadership performance consultant and executive coach known for her abilities to sort through business complexities, understand distinctive leader personalities and realize results. She works with leaders and companies optimistic and ambitious about growth.
Lisa is working to close leadership development gaps with technology, data and action plans. Her company, Pivotal Growth, provides companies with critical leadership data and action plans. Using technology-based methodology, Pivotal Growth takes the guesswork out of understanding the performance capacity and learning priorities for growth-oriented leaders and teams.
