The goal of Hardly Hustle is to provide inspiration, drive and motivation in a 10 minute read or less. What you see is what you get. This is hot off the press without an editing team.
Claire Chandler is up.
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Claire Chandler, corporate and cancer survivor-turned-entrepreneur. I help senior leadership teams work together more effectively in less time, with less cultural resistance, so they can accelerate the growth of their business.
What did it take to get your first handful of customers?
Referrals and strategic partnerships. My first major client - who remains an anchor client today - was someone I worked with during my corporate career. I also formed a strategic partnership with a boutique branding agency that needed someone with my HR and communications background to help them get in the door with HR organizations within global companies; those early assignments led to larger projects and longer-term engagements.
Have you had to pivot the business to get to where you are today?
Constantly! I'm continually re-evaluating what I do and how I deliver value to my clients. Because I get the opportunity to work with amazing people across a wide range of industries, I also continually refine my approaches to incorporate best practices I develop through the course of my work.
What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?
The ability to work with some amazing people in companies ranging from startups to global market leaders, in ways where I can see and feel a tangible impact through the work I do... AND in ways that provide me the freedom and flexibility to spend as much time with my family as I need to.
When will you know that you've "made" it as an entrepreneur?
I'm already there. I'm not a household name in the industry, but I'm a valued secret weapon for clients and companies who know me. I am at a point in my business where I get to choose whom I serve and the work we do together. And I can adjust my business priorities to make sure family always comes first.
What has been the hardest part of your business journey?
Figuring out what I was truly put on this earth to do. There are many things I "could" work on, and it took me awhile to discard the "busyness" of taking any opportunity that came my way and really trusting enough in my own value and my own talent to be focused and intentional about how I show up and the world I'm creating.
Who or what has helped you the most in your journey so far?
I've had the great fortune of working with a few different coaches who have been the right voice, sounding board and accountability partner at different times along my journey. But my #1 support has been my husband. He's my biggest champion and a true partner in my success.
What are a few resources that you'd recommend?
It's so easy to go down a rabbit hole here. :) I try to read at least one business book a month. The most recent one I read was "Your Next Five Moves" by Patrick Bet-David. That's a great resource for thinking through your strategy in a methodical and actionable way, whether you're an executive or an entrepreneur.
The STATS
List the founders
Claire Chandler
How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?
10-15
# of Employees?
1
When did you start?
Went out on my own in 2011; formed my company (Talent Boost) in 2013.
How much did it cost to launch?
Less than $1,000
What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?
My own savings.
Annual revenue?
$250-350k
Projected revenue?
$300-350k
Any call to action?
Download my free GROWTH ON PURPOSE roadmap, here.