We recently connected with Hope LeNoir and have shared our conversation below.

Hope, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

My book “RUSH” tells all of my secrets and the journey to your secrets too. ;-) It reveals my big WHY, which is my purpose. Accepting, engaging, and growing my life-given purpose is what put me on the good foot to start this business.
I am here to help get the right people in the right places with the right set of diversified skills by engaging their purpose.
Also know that purpose is not passion, though one can fuel the other. In addition, purpose is not something you chase. Your purpose is already there, you have to accept it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Let me reintroduce myself. I am the owner and founder of Rise and Fly LLC, with more than 19 years of industry experience. I serve as a global expert career consultant, inspirational speaker, and the award-winning, internationally read, author of “Workday Catalyst.”
I’ve also written additional books with sections filled with professional tips, inspiration, and real-life career stories that professionals actually use and see results. My specialty is aligning spiritual and professional purpose. I believe this is what helps
professionals advance and feel more fulfilled in their careers.

I’d like to think I am an engaging speaker who empowers thousands of audience members to build their skills and disrupt their industry. I am also a Certified
Diversity Executive and double International Stevie Award winner who views engaging professional purpose as a way to transform the professional world by solving huge, core, career issues through purpose.
My clients include professionals across the globe including those in Bangalore, London, and the US with a focus on connecting professional + spiritual purpose to get the right people
in the right places with advanced use of skills and fulfillment.

Nowadays, I’m driven to help more people. Group settings, books, and speeches allow me to do that. To that end, I no longer coach professionals 1:1. I support career growth in a group setting, within my writings/books, or through my speeches. My speeches are enlightening and empowering. It helps equip professionals with tools that grow their strengths, the culture of their business, and in some cases, their health.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

It’s not a new revelation that funding for people like me, Black, Woman, career coach, etc. was rare when I started. It didn’t get me down or discouraged, it actually made me more passionate. At that time, I did my best to excel in my corporate role so I could
get bonuses to fund my business. That in itself was a risk to my health and my savings account. Was that a smart move? I don’t know, but it worked for me.

I also had my elevator pitch on ready, just in case. It changed over the years from a confusing “You do what now?” to an “Oh, wow. We need to see you” response. The point is, just start. It’s okay to experiment and make mistakes. It will all make you better.

I’m also an introvert. I learned that people need or want to support what I have. I have to get out there and show them who I am. It felt good to give guidance to them. I know if I didn’t share my purpose and how it can help them, it not only affected me, it
also would also effect others in so many ways.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I sell through my site and I sell on Amazon. For example, to book group sessions, business events, and speeches, clients have to book me through my website. Receiving their information via a completed form gives me more insight into them before we meet. It
is a starting point to determine who I may be talking to and how I can best help them achieve their goals. It’s like a relationship. Before we get started, you’ve already read or heard a little about me, now I’m excited to learn more about you. To that end,
I won’t give a speech just to give a speech, I want to provide tools to help your group or business solve career issues. My website allows me to do that.

My books, however, are traditionally sold through Amazon.com or local bookstores. It’s typically easy for a client to purchase this way and in some cases get free shipping, especially if the client is an Amazon Prime member. In some cases, books are provided
at events where I am the speaker. However, I encourage readers to buy the book on Amazon in case books are sold out at an event.

In the past, I have used other platforms to sell, but they seemed cumbersome or more costly for some buyers. One of my social media groups is saying great things about new and updated platforms that I may give a try for upcoming products (specifically for session
participants).

No matter what, as clients’ professional and processing needs change, I’ll keep evolving easier ways they can book me and purchase my products so that can professionally soar.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hopelenoir.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HopeLeNoir/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiseandFly
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HopeLenoir/
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/riseandfly/

Image Credits
SWPhotographic Kelly Stark Photography Me