Meet Ishleen Kaur, a seasoned professional in the business and industry sector, renowned for her expertise at The Apex Learning – Training & Coaching, where she has successfully trained and coached over 30,000 professionals and business owners worldwide.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
I was born and raised in a very small town near Shimla, HP.
I am the eldest child of my parents.
Coming from a business family, I always witnessed my father working on his own terms. I believe this has shaped me into the person I am today.
Have you had any formal training or family business?
When I began my business, I lacked formal training.
However, after operating it for a considerable period and recognizing the need to scale up, I started assisting a few friends in growing their businesses as a consultant.
Following successful experiences, I pursued certifications that transitioned me into an International Business Coach.
Now, I specialize in helping SMEs and MSMEs grow their businesses exponentially.
How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what was the process of turning that idea into a reality?
One fine day, my friend and I were sitting, and she asked me if I could help her set up her business as a consultant.
When I assisted her, I realized that there are very few female business coaches in this particular field.
In a country where female entrepreneurship is booming, there is a need for female coaches who can resonate better with each other.
This realization prompted me to embark on my journey as a Revenue Growth Therapist for Women Entrepreneurs, and from that point forward, there was no looking back.
How have you grown as a leader since starting your company, and what have been some of the key lessons you've learned along the way?
After embarking on my journey as a solopreneur, I realized that in order to scale up, I needed to delegate certain tasks.
This turned out to be the best decision I made because the concept of a one-man army is a cliché and does not hold true for entrepreneurs.
Additionally, working with a team, especially with Generation Z individuals, I have learned the significance of influential communication and empathy, which play a major role in team building and employee retention.
Can you tell us about a time when you faced a major setback or failure in your business, and how you overcame it?
When I first started, I was struggling to attract clients. There came a point when I was on the verge of giving up and closing my business due to severe cash flow issues.
However, I came to the realization that while I excelled in my skills, my marketing efforts were lacking.
This is when I learned the most valuable lesson of my life: Good Product + Bad Marketing = Average Business.
Conversely, Good Product + Great Marketing = Ever-Growing Revenue and an outstanding business.
If you find yourself stuck as a business owner, seek expert advice, as I did at that crucial juncture.
How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during challenging times?
To maintain motivation and focus in your business journey, especially during challenging times, it's essential to set clear, achievable goals and seek support and mentorship for guidance and perspective.
Prioritizing self-care and focusing on aspects within your control can help sustain your mental and physical health, fostering resilience.
Embracing gratitude and visualizing success can also keep you positively engaged and centered on your objectives, even in the face of adversity.
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of running a business?
Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with personal life and well-being involves setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, ensuring that both areas receive dedicated attention.
I prioritize efficient time management and delegate tasks when necessary to maintain a manageable workload.
Regular self-care routines, including exercise and hobbies, are integral to my strategy, providing necessary breaks and rejuvenation.
Additionally, I make a conscious effort to stay present in personal interactions, ensuring quality time with family and friends is not overshadowed by work commitments.
What are your plans for the future of your business, and how do you see yourself evolving as a founder and leader?
As an international business coach for women entrepreneurs, my vision is to expand globally, offering diverse, inclusive coaching for sustainable business growth.
I aim to continuously learn and adapt, enhancing my skills to support women in balancing professional success with personal well-being.
This approach will foster a community where women entrepreneurs can thrive in all aspects of their lives.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
One piece of advice would be that trying and testing things can cost you more than hiring an expert. A great business starts with great marketing.
What's the most unconventional thing you've done to grow your business, and what was the result?
It was giving free sessions to small business owners, who could not afford my paid coaching programs.
The results were tremendous, I got a lot of referrals because of this. This has become our regular practice now.
What's the most important lesson you've learned from a failure, and how have you applied it to your business?
The biggest failure was initially when we were not able to close clients.
We realised that we were not able to build trust and credibility.
So we decided to increase our visibility online and leverage social media platforms to do that.
What's the most meaningful compliment or feedback you've ever received from a customer, and why did it resonate with you?
A client recently said, "When I reached out, I was on the verge of giving up on my business and going back to my job.
You provided a new direction for my life." I felt as though I had walked through her journey alongside her.
If you had to choose one thing that makes your company truly unique and sets it apart from the competition, what would it be, and why?
In my coaching programs, you get a 100 % money back if you don’t get the desired results. Also I understand the nuances of entrepreneurship for females as I have walked the path myself.
Find Ishleen Kaur on Social Media:
- LinkedIn - Personal Account: www.linkedin.com/in/coachishleenkaur
- Company/ Companies websites: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-apex-institute-of-learning-development/
- Instagram – Business www.instagram.com/coachishleenkaur
Hope you enjoyed reading Ishleen Kaur’s story!
Do write to us if you'd like to share your story with the women’s community of SOROR - The Sister's Edit.
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