Your Name: Lauren Allen
Business Name: Right Hand Business Coach
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Family? Pets? Hobbies? Etc.
I’m originally from Rome, GA; it’s a small town about an hour northwest of Atlanta, GA. I was working for a small consulting company in my early 20’s, they had multiple offices across the country and relocated me to Denver, CO. I knew early on that I would not stay in a small town forever. I lived in Denver for ten years before making a move to San Diego, CA. In January 2017, quit my corporate job, sold my house, packed my belongings in a POD, piled the rest in my car, then my mom, me and my pup drove the three days to San Diego.
I immediately fell in love with the Ocean Beach neighborhood and can’t imagine living anywhere else right now. About three months ago, I added a new addition to my rescue pup collection; I have two bichon/poodle mix shelter dogs, Sunny and Bradley. They make appearances on social media every once in a while.
Tell us about your business. How did you start your business and why? What do you do? Would you go back and do anything differently?
I didn’t initially plan on starting my own company when I moved to San Diego, but once I started exploring the opportunity to build Right Hand Business Coach, it felt natural and most like my true self. I’ve probably been practicing being a coach for many years; I took all the business acumen and skills I honed in the corporate world and turned it into something I believe in and loved. By using transferable skills and business certifications: PMP, Change Management, and Lean Six Sigma, I’m able to support small business owners plan, build, and launch their business idea.
If I could do anything differently, I would have hired a coach to support me in building my business. I found resources and pieced it together, but it would have been helpful to have guidance throughout the entire process. There’s a running joke among small business owners that we have Master’s Degree from Google.
Has it been a smooth road? Have you encountered struggles that you could share?
I only had one breakdown/crying/freakout moment over the last year, so I consider that lucky. The road has been moderately bumpy, but nothing that I didn’t think I would overcome. I had a big learning curve when it came to marketing and social media since my background was almost exclusively in the corporate environment. I’m organized and well prepared, but I’ve previously had a marketing team at my disposal, so learning how to manage social media and content marketing in addition to supporting my clients was a hurdle.
What do enjoy the most about what you do? What do you enjoy the least?
I love working directly with my clients, seeing their progress week over week is the most exciting part of the job. It’s an interesting phenomenon that when people invest in themselves to work on one aspect of their life/career, every additional area of their life begins to improve. So, not only do clients launch their business, they gain the power to make decisions, take action, and move forward even when tasks are hard.
I hate reconciling my expenses and tracking mileage!
What inspires you?
Other entrepreneurs inspire me! I love attending events, meeting people, and learning their stories. We all come from such different backgrounds and have a unique perspective to share. Before I thought about building my company, I used to listen to the Podcast “How I Built This,” and I remember thinking, “if they can do it, so can I.”
What is your farewell piece of advice for someone interested in taking the first steps toward entering into your field?
Take a look at your experience and work history and decide what makes you happy. I’m a business coach because I can’t imagine doing anything else and being this happy. If your passion doesn’t match the profession, keep searching. We all know the people who have a job, being an entrepreneur is not just a job.
What is your favorite Candy Bar?
Milky Ways.
What is your favorite Childhood Memory?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. I was a competitive cheerleader from middle school through college and coached several nationally ranked All-Star teams. I never made it to professional status, but I did learn everything about teamwork, team dynamics, and ways to motivate others. I tease that I am a professional cheerleader, just not for a sport.
You are a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be?
Authentic – it would be a neutral, warm tone.
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