“I find that most women business owners become free of self-doubt, confusion and feeling lost simply by connecting with another, and having discussions around authentic pathways to take their business.”
Sharon Hardy has over 30 years of experience owning her own businesses in a variety of industries. Her first business was a Dance & Performing Arts School in Sydney, known for its quality of training. After closing the school, Sharon went on a national tour performing in Musical Theatre productions. She then started an animal care business and later partnered with another to begin a food business supplying Cafes and Hospitality venues. Most recently, Sharon has applied the knowledge gained from these experiences to training and coaching with organisations, but when the pandemic impacted her work, she became inspired to pursue her next business in the coaching industry.
As an NLP practitioner, Sharon has recently been helping long-term unemployed participants by coaching a short course. She’s helping them re-evaluate their strengths, beliefs, values, and direction in life by getting to the core of what’s stopping them from achieving their goals. Sharon’s mission is to help women in business who are overwhelmed by procrastination and self-doubt discover what’s blocking them and gain clarity, courage & confidence through online coaching and masterminds.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
That’s a hard question to answer. I guess Brene Brown – though she’s not your typical Entrepreneur – I connect with her curiosity of the human condition – and how she’s been able to remain relatable with her content and monetize the intangible.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
It’s just begun – so still in the start-up stage – but mostly I’m enjoying the creative aspect of it – and transferring my small business (brick and mortar) skills – combined with learning online skills to create a sustainable business online.
One thing I will enjoy most about running my own business is the ability to choose when I work – having the flexibility – to never miss a School awards ceremony for my kids again.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- That deciding on a niche doesn’t have to be refined before you start. Just make a decision and then make the decision right.
- Recently, I was discussing coaching tools with someone wise and they said….”you are your best tool”. I’d been discounting the importance of ‘relationship’ with clients as being one of the most significant aspects of why their shifts may happen.
- Keep it simple – you don’t have to begin with a huge machine in place. Start with people and service.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Before you begin, think about how the business fits in with your ideal life’s design.
Design the business around what you want your life to look like – not the other way around.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Lead acquisition and an authentic sales process.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet.
My ideal business would include working with women in business – mostly on managing the personal side of business. (Productivity, beliefs, values, procrastination etc.)
Involving some 1-1 coaching – but ideally become a membership – for learning, collaboration, accountability and support – mostly for start-up -> growth stage businesses. I’d like to eventually run events as JV.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Connection – possible collaboration – asking questions – receiving feedback.
Learn more about Sharon Hardy here.
