What I’ve learned in the last 10 years…
Little did I know when I signed off the air 10-years ago today, October 17, 2013, that a decade later, I’d still be doing this. When I launched Brunner Communications, I wasn’t thinking about years down the road. (I was simply trying to figure out how to build a business from scratch!) Nor did I allow myself to contemplate possible failure. When you consider that 96% of small businesses fail within 10 years, the fact that I’m still here amazes even me. But, I have done the work, and am still doing the work. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart!
If you’ve read my book, Dare to Own You; Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams into Your Next Chapter, you already know, I never ever wanted to run my own business. This was never on my radar, but I’m so grateful that I did take that chance. And even more grateful for those who have supported me: clients, audiences that have heard me as their keynote speaker, podcast guests and listeners around the world, my team members, or all who follow me on social media.
This journey thus far has been incredibly empowering, and yet at times, it has been downright terrifying! I was fortunate to have early financial success, but there have been years when that was not the case. There were times when I was on such a fast moving treadmill, I didn’t know how I would keep up, let alone get off. There were chapters when things were shifting so much—or not at all—that I was fearful my business would not survive, especially during the pandemic. I’m not alone in that fear! Through it all, I’ve done my best to learn and grow. Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Resilience and perseverance. These may be two of the most important traits any entrepreneur needs to cultivate. Perseverance requires commitment. I’m not one to give up easily, which has served me well throughout my entire professional life, but there will be times when obstacles seem insurmountable, or you may feel you’ve lost your “mojo,” for whatever reason. You must persevere. And, if and when something goes wrong—because it will—it may feel like a failure, but there is almost always a lesson to be learned. Failure is not the enemy. Not learning the lesson is the enemy. That’s when you need both resilience and perseverance.
Adapt and evolve. Goals are always shifting and they should change if you're going to compete in an ever-evolving business environment. Be willing to adapt and pivot, continually examine your goals and tweak them as you chase what can feel like a moving target at times. My Chief of Staff and I are constantly reviewing what’s working, what’s not, and prioritizing and strategizing the goals, both short term and long term.
Patience. It’s still something I work on daily. When I was a news anchor, I was used to a fast paced world where decisions were made in moments, but the corporate world runs on their own clock! There are often layers of checks and balances that need to happen before a decision can be made. I have to remind myself that sometimes the best things in life take time and patience. I met one of my favorite clients six years ago, but it was only this past summer when he was finally able to bring me in to work with his executive team. It was worth the wait. The engagement went very well.
Continuous learning. Be curious. Seek guidance. Be willing to ask for help, to ask for support. I knew I had the expertise, the experience and credibility to do what I was setting out to do, but when I started Brunner Communications, I wasn’t exactly sure how to put my service offerings together. I took every opportunity to learn from others in this space, asked questions, and at the same time, I had to learn to trust and believe in myself more. I often remind audiences and clients, “You know more than you think you know. Trust that.”
Celebrate the wins, big and small! For me, the “wins” are when my clients see their success, they see their growth and can feel it, or when an audience has found my keynote speech inspiring and motivating. But here’s the kicker– you may or may not receive validation from the outside world. Find value in who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and own all of it. And, pause. Take some time to appreciate and celebrate all that you have accomplished no matter how big or small. Too often we forget to do this. By pausing to appreciate your own personal success, you are building a strong foundation for future growth and success.
These lessons are not simply “one and done.” No, they are ongoing. I feel blessed to be able to use my gifts and talents in service to others, and seeing their progress is one of the best feelings in the world! During this past 10-years, I’ve worked with clients 1:1 and in workshops, launched an award winning podcast, started an on-line learning platform, BrunnerAcadmey.com, and written my first book that became a best-seller and won two awards from Feathered Quill. I am beyond grateful, but my journey is not over. As a journalist, I was telling other people’s stories. As a coach, I’m helping people create and share their stories, and now as an author and keynote speaker, I’m sharing my story. So, here’s to the next chapter!
Interested in Taking Yourself or Your Executive Team to the Next Level?
Brunner Communications assists high-profile individuals and organizations in sharpening and developing top level business communication, executive presence, and public speaking skills. Our passionate team provides one-on-one executive business coaching, and runs specialized business workshops. Through customized training, clients learn the necessary skills to become great communicators and build a marketable reputation.