Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jane Bishop. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jane, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Imagine driving down a scenic highway in a convertible with the top down. You are excited about the route you have chosen and looking forward to the journey and destination. At some point in the journey, you reach an unexpected “road closed” sign. That sign did not show up on any physical map or GPS system. With the new information, you find a rest area to pull into to regroup. After some time passes, you choose a new route and new destination. You are not convinced this new destination is long term however it keeps you moving forward.

You learn as you continue the journey how to navigate the twists and turns, when to raise the top on the convertible, how to pause and enjoy the different geography and culture, and yet continue moving forward. And then it happens again; “road closed.” The difference at this point is you had subtle indicators and warnings along the way.The familiar surroundings begin to change. Landscapes were altered and the team players changed more frequently.

The skills you had honed for many years were no longer valued in the setting and you begin to get a sense the route was about the change.

When you reach the second “road closed” sign, because you had noticed subtle indicators it was coming, you had another plan to redirect yourself so finding a rest area for total regrouping was not necessary. Although you had indicators, changing course again was unexpected. And the new course chosen was certainly unexpected! Yet, the new course and destination is energizing as it engages your passion, allows you to curate from your vast experience and skills, all while enjoying the journey. Wow! Who knew “road closed” signs could redirect you to such a road!

If you can imagine this, you now have a glimpse of my journey to becoming a business owner. I have been blessed to explore three different work environments. My first “career destination” was an athletic coach. For 5 years, I coached and taught at two small colleges; women’s basketball head coach and assistant coach, men’s basketball assistant coach and helped one small college start their women’s college softball team, which I coached. When I reached that first “road closed” sign unexpectedly, my rest stop was four months of unemployment. I landed a job with a national company as a short-term solution while I was working through identifying my next destination. My time at that company evolved into my “next destination” where I was given promotions and increasing responsibilities throughout my tenure.

I am now a self-proclaimed unplanned business owner/entrepreneur! Before I reached the second “road closed” sign, I launched Take The Next Step to engage my gifts and skills to help others “go for their it.” Not one time had being a business owner ever crossed my thoughts or been on my list of possible destinations. When that option did surface, it was somewhat natural. At this junction in my life’s journey, I had worked “for others” in their design and business models for over 30 years. So it was an easy redirect to the world of entrepreneurship and being a business owner.

Let me quickly say the redirect may have been easy however the journey has been challenging! Although I am still “me,” it has been a new learning and exploring adventure. When asked “if I am happier,” I answer with “let’s change the question.” I would ask “how is your fulfillment factor?” To that question I answer, “excellent!” Happiness is triggered by external factors. Yes, I am happy as a business owner just as I was happy in the previous work contexts. I am happy because I am fulfilled and I am fulfilled because I am aligned with the core of who I am.

I also would reframe the “regular job” phrase. My work as a business owner is “regular” for me. We often think of “regular job” as in an office for a specified number of hours each day such as 9 am – 5 pm. A “regular job” in the traditional view has built in structure. Some people need that. As a business owner, structure is critical however I get to create the structure! So I make it “regular.”

There are three insights I would share with others:
1. Stay aligned with your CORE, who you are and seek opportunities that are a fit with you.
The commonality in all three of my work contexts is my coaching, teaching, and training. I engaged all those skills in each context because that is who Jane is.
2. A “road closed” sign may be what is required to shift you into alignment for greater fulfillment.
3. Embrace your story and stand on it. Who knows what adventure is ahead!

Someone asked me a few months into being a business owner what I was most afraid of. Although my business was not yet gaining much traction and still developing, my answer came quickly. “I am most afraid of having to go back into an office and working in a corporate structure.” Each work adventure in my journey has been fun, challenging and fulfilling! At this point, exploring and continuing to evolve as a solopreneur/business owner is exactly where I fit!

Jane, 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?

In the classic movie “The Sound of Music,” Julie Andrews played Maria who in some respects was a “rebel.” She was consistently breaking the rules of the convent, going off on her own, late to required activities, etc. Maria was not an intentional rebel, from my perspective. She was simply trying to find herself and discover who she was and where she fit. And if you have seen the movie, she “fell into” where she fit through an unexpected series of events.

I “fell into” being a self-proclaimed unplanned entrepreneur when I founded Take The Next Step to empower others to go for their “it” after encountering a second “road closed” sign in my life’s journey. (See response to previous question for more details.) As a business owner, I approach opportunities to have positive influence on those I connect with as I did in the two previous work settings (academic/athletic and corporate). The “land” where I currently reside may be a different context however it is filled with people seeking to be empowered and stand on their story.

I partner with clients so they will reactivate/rediscover their CORE and be empowered to go for their unique “it!” People often want to know what services and/or programs I offer to achieve that shift. I offer four core services: individual and team coaching, leadership training, strategic consulting and speaking. My “programs” are customized for the individual/group/team around core principles so the desired outcome is achieved. The partnership with the client is to understand the desired outcome, create a plan, and help the client implement the plan for success. The success is not about me; it’s about the client. My success comes when the client has achieved their desired outcome.We both win and celebrate!

One of the common issues I help clients resolve is how to strengthen their self-leadership or as I describe it “leading inside out.” Leadership in its basic definition is “influence.” How we influence others flows out of our self-leadership.How we lead self shows up as a business owner, colleague, team member, CEO, etc. I enjoy curating from my experience and expertise in the environments of academic/athletic, corporate, non-profit and business ownership to help entrepreneurs, business owners and team leaders develop and strengthen their self-leadership skills for greater influence. I don’t know everything. However what I know, I know well. What I don’t know I strive to learn.

What sets me apart from others is me. There is only one “me.” That does not make me better than others it simply establishes I bring unique experiences and expertise to share with others. My energy, enthusiasm and fun when working with a client is often unexpected. In a recent testimony from a coaching client, she wrote, “I didn’t expect to laugh so much!” Each person has their own uniqueness to share with others. When a person exhibits strong and confident self-leadership, that leads to anyone standing out and be distinctive and memorable. One of my favorite quotes is by John Mason: “You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” From my perspective, there are enough “copies” in the world. I want to empower more “originals!”

My style and core services are not a fit for everyone. When a client works with me I want them to have a refreshing, unexpected experience as they achieve their desired outcome. Clients will have practical tools to practice and introduce into their self-leadership for success. They will receive from me uncompromised excellence, integrity, the ability of understanding where they are and where they want to go, a challenge to be stretched, accountability, encouragement and vested interest in their success. Whether or not a client, I want others to have a place they can stop, pause and think. One of the tools I use to encourage that is my “A Word For Your Day” videos on my YouTube channel.

When asked what I am most proud of, my answer is consistently staying aligned with the core of “Jane” and standing on my story! It is certainly not without pain, difficulty, frustration, and failures. One of my core beliefs, i.e. a “Janeism” is to “strive for consistent excellence not perfection.” My descriptive of being a “positive interrupter” reflects my attitude and approach to life. When we stop, pause, and think, we give our brains a momentary opportunity to recharge and keep going as we handle all that comes with life!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

“Bring it on!” That is an attitude I have adopted several times in my life and it has helped me develop my resilience factor. The foundation of my “bring it on” began during the first 18 years of my life when we as a family lived in 11 different cities, 5 different states and one foreign country. Daddy served as an Army Chaplain and civilian pastor and mobility was our lifestyle. I was often the outsider for different reasons and learned to be ready for most anything that crossed my path. My parents modeled and demonstrated resilience that would serve me well in my life. Many stories come to mind as I reflect on this question from small practical steps learned to major events that certainly could have “done me in.” I will share one and if you are interested in hearing more, reach out offline!

The year that I launched my business, Take The Next Step, would also be the last year that I would be with the company I had faithfully invested in for more than 25 years. I didn’t know it would be the final year, I simply knew the “end” was approaching. The strategy, culture and leadership changed significantly at the company. My gifts and skills were no longer utilized nor welcomed.The company had minimized me and others as much as possible short of creating an exit. I was hurt, demoralized, frustrated and unfulfilled. I had voiced to a colleague that “I was not going to be anyone’s pawn.” My resilience factor “kicked in!” I refused to be less than myself and told myself “bring it on!” My motto for 12 months was “get up, get in, get out!” When I was “in,” I performed the small amount of responsibility they extended in the same manner I did as a senior director. I “showed up” as me and delivered uncompromised exellence. In other words, I did not change or shift the way I carried out my role when I could have easily been mediocre. When I walked out of the building for the last time, I left with my confidence intact, my head held high and the satisfaction that I left with the same fortitude and professional approach that I had the first day I walked into the building.

Someone has said “resilience is like insurance. You don’t remember you have it until you need it!” I am grateful for my strong resilience factor that continues to be called upon in all aspects of life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I learned to pivot long before it was trending during COVID! As a former basketball player and coach, I used and taught pivot as a technique/skill to alter, flex and adjust so a player could find the “outlet pass” when faced with a defender they could not get by. For a successful basketball pivot, one foot must stay planted and in one place on the floor. You can turn your body by using the planted pivot foot to create a different perspective, find a teammate, or adjust the play. For me, a pivot in life is about poise, perspective, position, and purpose. I believe it contributes to building resilience.

Like my example of a story about resilience, I have many examples/stories about when I have had to pivot in business, career or life! I choose to share an example from my current season of life. I am the primary caregiver of my mother living with dementia after losing my Dad. And prior to his passing, I cared for both of them. As I navigate the caregiver rollercoaster, I may pivot multiple times in one day. I have help five days/week. When the caregiver arrives each morning, we have our daily update. I often end the update with, “that’s the plan at the moment!”

On the days I have assistance, I have a few hours to manage my business, my household, my self-care, etc. I am using every skill I have every learned/honed during this season. Being flexible and adaptable is key. Having learned the value of the “pivot” early in life, I remain grounded, i.e. “planted.” The value of pivot helps me maintain my composure (most days!), keeps my perspective open, allows me to be positioned to be the best I can be, and to have purpose. There are some moments or blocks of time that I may keep pivoting until I find the “outlet pass” and that’s ok. The benefit is staying grounded to who you are and not giving up. There is most always an outlet pass option!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.takethenextstepcct.com
• Instagram: janebishoplive
• Facebook: takethenextstepcct
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-bishop?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BSInpluK4QgSdKd5ALccvmA%3D%3D
• Twitter: rjanebishop
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRGqwuAklEKT0jEfnhA58aw
• Other: www.janebishoplive.com

Image Credits
Jenn Wettstein (cover photo and photo with big glasses)