Today I interview another coach who I admire, Chichi Eruchalu. She is a Business Strategist and Coach for entrepreneurial women ready to step up and stand out in their business and life. She helps you confidently overcome your fears around being seen online so that you can get noticed and known by the people that matter – your ideal clients.
Together she develops strategies to establish you as an authority in your niche, connect you with the people who need to hear from you and helps you show up with intention, making consistency your new best friend so that you can hit your income goals month after month.
1. What gave you the idea to start up your business?
I started my business in 2013 after I had my daughter, who is now 5. I realised that I didn’t want to go back to my corporate job in a bank and started to look into what I could do based on my skill-sets. That’s when I found a book online about how to become a VA. All you needed was internet connection and you could work with people online. This was a totally new way of looking at things for me and I realised that I could be doing this and working with people all over the world. The main thing, as a new mum was wanting more freedom to run life on my terms and to do something that used all of my skills.
2. What did you do to prepare to start up your business?
I didn’t prepare much financially. I used my own money to fund my business and didn’t really have backup plan or 6 months’ worth of cash to fall back on. I was actually on maternity leave at the time I started looking and creating and I didn’t spend that much money so it seemed like a good time to start. I decided early on that I was only doing what I loved and I put my prices up and the business grew.
3. Which aspects of your business did you need help with? Where did you get that help?
At every level, there’s something you have to master to get to the next level. Breaking to get to next level currently means growing a team, bigger systems and streamlining the business. Juggling cash flow has been another difficult task. As well as finding the right boundaries – especially when my community is growing. One of the main things I needed help with was sales, I hated sales and didn’t want to do it, so I hired a sales coach to make me feel confident and get me where I needed to be to start selling.
4. Describe what your business does and who you target it at / your ideal client
I am a Business Strategist, Speaker and Coach for entrepreneurial women ready to step up and stand out in their business and life. My sweet spot is business visibility, helping women confidently overcome their fears around being seen online by helping them lead with their strengths. I am here to help people get clear on what they want, create a plan to achieve it and hold them accountable every step of the way. I work with solopreneurs and new and established businesses to creatively build their strategy and help them be connected to their bigger purpose, so that they can grow a business which allows them to feel fulfilled & give back in an authentic way.
5. What is the most rewarding thing about having your own business?
FREEDOM. I don't hate Mondays – in fact I'm excited for Mondays. I love my community and seeing a transformation in the women I work with and helping them grow their businesses. Another thing is that there’s no cap on how much money I can earn. I am my own boss and I'm not accountable to anyone.
6. What has been the biggest challenge?
Leveraging time and money has been my biggest challenge. So, I created the mastermind to see what people want and to create that community. Starting a business with kids, marriage and a 9-5 is very challenging and ultimately something has to give and it’s often the business. So, I had to learn to put things in place to stop this from happening. I also got comfortable being uncomfortable. In particular, around money and being in debt and not being afraid of money. It was important for me to look at my finances in more detail and mastering them.
7. If you could go back and give yourself some advice what would it be?
Stay in your lane – stop looking at what other people are doing.
Surround yourself with people who elevate you and inspire you and who push you to be your best self. Don’t be afraid to invest into yourself and your business.
Website & Social Media
Website: www.chichieruchalu.com
chichie.co/ceo-mastery-podcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chichieruchaluonline
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chichieruchalu
Instagram: www.instagram.com/chichieruchalu
