An Interview with Victoria Brouhard

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How did you get into your industry, did you have previous experience or work your way up?

I first became interested in coaching as a business when I hired a life coach to help me figure out what I wanted to do (other than database design).

I really appreciated the support and guidance I got from my coach, and thought that I might enjoy doing that type of work for others.

I talked myself out of it for quite a while, though, because it just felt like such a random interest – I convinced myself it was a passing phase, and too risky to explore.

Interestingly, now that I’ve been coaching full-time since 2009, I can see exactly how the database work I used to do relates to the way I help clients now.

The IT work I enjoyed most was talking one-on-one with executives to help them get clear on what they really needed a software system to do. So really it was about helping them discover what they wanted and needed – what would work best for them. Now I use those same analytical skills with my clients every day, except I apply them to the small business, life, and even emotional challenges they’re facing.

What challenges have you found in the workplace?

I’m a perfectionist which means, among other things, I want instant results.

My learning curve in getting my business going has been a lot steeper than what I experienced in learning computer programming, so I’ve definitely felt a lot of frustration and discouragement along the way.

How have you overcome those challenges?

Partly by reminding myself why building this business is important to me.

Partly by doing tons of reading about perfectionism and fear of failure (and fear of success, too!) and how those things impact the way we work. For example, perfectionists tend to want to know how a venture will turn out before being willing to start. It can really slow me down, yet those outcomes are never guaranteed.

I’ve learned to consciously keep my focus on the process and what I’m learning by creating classes and products, rather than whether they’ll be big sellers. Every experience leads me to exactly what I need to experience next, even if I can’t see the connection when I’m recovering from the disappointment.

It’s definitely not easy, and probably something I’ll have to practice for the rest of my life.

Who is your ideal customer?

I love working with highly creative women who want to build a business that’s aligned with their passions and values.

Creatives often have too many ideas, and find it hard to focus and follow through on bringing their creations to life. My superpowers help bring clarity and translate those big, scary projects into small steps you can take without freaking out.

How do you find them? What marketing tips do you have?

I’ve found my people mainly by connecting with them on social media – blogging, forums, Twitter and Facebook. I’m starting to dip my toes into Linkedin and Google+, too.

My biggest advice for marketing is to find ways that allow you to be yourself. It’s all about making a connection with someone, so be real. If you try to be the person you think you should be, you’ll wind up hanging out with people you don’t like, and that’s never good for business. I find that some of the best connections I’ve made have come after sharing some flaw or failure or foible – most people really appreciate knowing you struggle with the same stuff they do.

The other big thing is to constantly remember the ways you want to help people. By focusing on making other peoples’ lives better, it’s easier to quiet that icky feeling that can come up when trying to promote yourself.

What advice would you give to women starting out in business right now?

Don’t wait until you have all the answers. Start now, because the sooner you start the sooner you’ll learn how to make it work. There’s only so much you can learn from reading or listening to others. The rest has to be learned from experience.

I know – the possible changes, failures and even fame you’ll experience as a result of getting out there can be really terrifying, so be prepared to find ways to move forward despite your fears.

Also, keep track of your accomplishments along the way – what you’re learning, what you’re experiencing. Find ways to appreciate yourself for trying new things, regardless of whether you feel they were “successful” or not.

What projects are you currently working on?

My current project is a teleclass and small group coaching program called Project Prowess. I was hearing from lots of folks that they have trouble choosing which idea to focus on, and then turning that idea into a project they can finish.

Sometimes choosing the right project and staying motivated to complete it can feel like a huge, overwhelming task. But there are skills and tools you can learn to make that process easier and more fun. That’s what we’ll be working on together, with an actual project you’ll choose.

I was blown away by all the great stuff people accomplished in the first session, and I can’t wait to see what comes out of the session that starts later this month. The progress people make in a group like this one is truly amazing!

Victoria Brouhard is a scuba instructor turned database programmer turned project & small business coach. She combines her analytical superpowers with her compassion and creativity to help solopreneurs grow their businesses and get projects done sustainably and enjoyably. Victoria blogs at www.victoriabrouhard.com and hangs out on Twitter at @victoriashmoria.

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