Interview with Aprille Janes, CPCC ~ Success for Women
Tell us about your business.
Life coaching, workshops, retreats and presentations for women at midlife, who I like to refer to as Bolder Women. These are women who have a vision for something more in their lives and they’re looking for support and resources to make their dream come to life.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
I went into business originally because I wanted to be my own boss, to set my own hours and control my working conditions. I was tired of feeling I had no choice in what I did or who I did it with. Working for myself I set those parameters for myself. There were times when I did take contracts that didn’t honour those boundaries but I soon wised up and realized my working environment was actually more important to me than the dollars. Then, after 25 years in the computer field, I realized one of those conditions needed to be more interaction with people. I wanted to support other women in making their dreams come true so I completely changed my business direction in mid-stream, leaving a lucrative consulting practice to my business partner to manage and went back to school to train as a life coach.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
The greatest influence on me has been watching other women create choice for themselves and being inspired by what they do. Women are so creative and often make careers for themselves where others don’t see one. I love watching other women who believe in themselves and their dreams so much they don’t let anything stop them.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Receiving my certification as a coach. It was a complete change for me and absolutely the right move. Earning my certification at mid-life felt so empowering and affirming!
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
We operate in three areas – our competence, our excellence and our brilliance. Focus on your brilliance and find someone else to do the rest. Even if it’s a skill you possess, if it’s not your brilliance, you’re wasting your efforts. I did excellent work as a computer consultant and project manager and the skills I learned in that career still serve me. But now, as a life coach and inspirational speaker, I operate from my brilliance and it’s so much more fulfilling. I have way more impact now than I did as a consultant and a lot more fun!
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
There are always more than two choices. If you feel stuck and don’t know which way to go, wait. A third option always presents itself and it’s usually a surprise!
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you succeed?
My VA Jen Hazlett is my ‘secret weapon’. Without her I’d go crazy trying to get it all done. Her site is www.altadmin.ca .
What is the Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
To finish writing my book and expand my inspirational speaking gigs to at least one a week. I love getting out from behind my computer and connecting with an audience.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
It’s vital to our world that women take action on their dreams. If your dream is to have your own business, make it happen. Women are changing the economic landscape. Change in a single woman is like cellular change in the body. It starts with her inner life, moves out to the lives she touches directly in her family and community and finally into the larger world itself. When we, as women take care of ourselves and our dreams, the whole body becomes healthier.
How can our readers find you online?
My Website – www.aprillejanes.com
My Blog – www.bolderwoman.com
Twitter http://twitter.com/AprilleJanes
Facebook http://profile.to/aprillejanes
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/aprillejanes
EzineArticles http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aprille_Janes
