We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Ellis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?
I started my business in 2009. Shortly thereafter a nationwide recession hit. My business model consisted of corporate training and leadership coaching. However, I quickly found an emerging need for other Human Resources services, like job placement, resumes, and interview coaching. This is because thousands of people were being laid off each week and looking for work. With my recruitment and HR background, I knew I could help them while generating income for my new business. Although providing these services wasn’t a part of the original business plan, I saw the need and adjusted the supply to meet the demand.
Angela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a certified career coach helping professionals and their teams develop leadership and interpersonal skills. I design and facilitate workshops on topics ranging from leading teams to conflict resolution to decision-making. I also provide individual coaching, helping professionals discover their strengths and prepare for their future. In the professional development industry, diversity and inclusion as well as emotional intelligence are key performance topics. I facilitate corporate conversations, keynote addresses, and strategic planning sessions in these areas as well. Simply put: my firm, Enhance Business Solutions LLC, helps the workforce work better.
Over the past 16 years, my clients have included global organizations such as BIC, Coca-Cola, AT&T, Procter and Gamble, and Nissan; as well as academic institutions, government entities, and non-profits.
I’m a Nashville Emerging Leader Award winner; and a 40 Under Forty Award winner. I am also a Nashville Athena Award honoree.
Additionally, I have authored 2 books. Breaking Broke is a financial empowerment text delivering practical strategies I used to eliminate 6 figure debt and create 7 figure wealth. My second book, The Power Within, was released in 2023. It lays out the power moves and mindsets that allow anyone to achieve the successful outcomes they seek.
As a conference speaker, I travel the world providing addresses to motivate and educate students, executives, and educators alike.
For most of us, our careers last longer than any other part of our lives. I’m fortunate to have found my professional purpose while leading others toward theirs.
Have you ever had to pivot?
After gaining my undergraduate degree, I began a career in corporate America. I worked for a couple of Fortune 500 companies and ascended to management roles. However, at each company, my position was eliminated during economic downturns. After that second layoff, I was determined to have more control over my career. It was clear to me that getting a ‘good’ job, with a ‘stable’ company, as I’d always been advised, wasn’t working for me. At that point, I started my business. In my corporate work, I had already seen the demand for and benefits of professional development and leadership development. I had also seen that these services were being outsourced more often, which meant opportunity for me. I recognized that window of opportunity and decided to capitalize on it.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
For me and Enhance Business Solution growing my clientele starts with repeat business. My current clients will refer their colleagues to me, based on the quality and consistency of my services. The best strategy for new business is happy clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.enhancecoach.net
- Instagram: i_am_angela_denise
- Facebook: authorangelaellis
- Linkedin: enhancecoach
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@angelaellis5963
