This story is about…
Name: Roxy Ahmed
Location: UK
Company: Femme Entrepreneur
Industry: Business & Life Coaching
What motivated you to start your business?
For most of my life, I have lived in a creative bubble and had huge ambitions, but no sense of direction.
However, I never got to pursue my creative side as I ended up studying law at university and then ended up working in banking. While the money and lifestyle were great, after a while I started feeling restless but had NO idea what I wanted to do.
In 2011, my mother passed away within 3 months of being diagnosed with cancer. Her sudden departure shook my world to the core and it forced me to question all my beliefs (again!) that I had held about life and myself, and it made me look at both in a very different way.
So at the end of 2011, I made the decision that I was going to figure out what my life purpose was and what my gifts and talents were that I needed to share in the world, as I knew that I was not meant to spend my life sitting in front of a computer analysing spread sheets all day!!
And then an amazing thing happened as soon as I had made that decision. Its as if the Universe knew that I was serious this time, and circumstances, people and events started to transpire in my life and basically in 6 months I realised that I had all along been living my passion & purpose everyday – coaching! I didn’t know that is what I had been doing, but I always had women seeking me out for guidance and I have always been about empowering your mind and changing the way you think in order to live a more happy and fulfilled life.
So I decided to get the best mentors in the business and get the best coach training to give my natural gifts some structure. And among other skills, added NLP to my toolkit and I am a Certified NLP Practitioner.
I did all my training, studying and coaching in the evening and weekends whilst still at my corporate job and it was tough but worth seeing the amazing transformations in my clients and their businesses – totally fulfilling!
Tell us about your business…
I define myself as a Spiritual Entrepreneur who is a Business & Success Mindset Coach. I am passionate about empowering Entrepreneurial Women HOW to create a 6-figure Income by helping them change their Self-limiting Beliefs & removing their Money Blocks, so that they can Create Amazing Wealth, Happiness & Freedom in their Business & Life, that is both financially & spiritually fulfilling, and in alignment with their Uniqueness, Personality & Innate Gifts.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
Invested in Business Coach as it is important to have some who really believes in and will encourage, motivate and support you whilst holding you accountable for taking Action. In the past when i tried other business ventures, i felt like i was sailing in a boat without any oars. Yes you will get there eventually, but after much time wasting, being lost at sea and defeated. Being advised to take on a Business Coach/Mentor is the best investment you can make as you have someone who knows the easiest, yet most effective way to achieve your goal
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Well I officially launched only a few short months ago, but I know through my training the best way is to stop hiding behind the computer and physically network.
What have been your biggest challenges so far with running your business?
Time management due to my day job but I am due to leave in September 2013. :-)
How did you overcome these challenges?
Well my passion for what I do makes it totally worth it. My Spiritual Toolkit and NLP :-) keeps me in check and in the right state of mind – also knowing that my day job is only temporary now.
What do you love about running your own business?
Oh gosh – that I am in control of who I want to to do business with. Unlike in a job where you have to work with people you don’t really have a choice with, in my business I get to choose who I want to work with. I am fortunate that due to the nature of my business, I attract like-minded and heart-centered clients who I love working with. I love the fact that I am doing something I am passionate about and get to share my gifts with the world which enhance and enrich my clients’ lives and allows them to step into their power and create beautiful lives for themselves. It’s just fulfilling to see the amazing transformations.
What advice would you give to other business owners?
I know that I am great at coaching my clients in helping them to realise their dreams and goals, but when it comes to me, I know I can get in my own way and can’t see the wood for the trees. So when I need focus, direction and clarity, I get coaching from my mentors.
I would also say surround yourself with a network of like-minded entrepreneurs or an entrepreneurial community who is going to love, lift you up, support and encourage you when you start doubting your abilities. And again, my advice would be to invest in a Coach/Mentor to propel you forward in business and life.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My Spirituality. My Coach and Mentors and my entrepreneurial community of like-minded and heart-centered women who are just amazing. And finally my life purpose and my mother’s legacy – she sacrificed her own happiness to make sure her children got a chance in life, and I now want to show women that it truly is possible to have the life you want without sacrificing your happiness.
What’s your favourite quote?
Oh gosh, I love quotes and it’s really hard for me to choose just one..! Hmmm.. one that comes to mind is:
“Feel the fear and do it anyway!”
{Susan Jeffers}
Who inspires you?
Well without a doubt my Beautiful Mother was my Mentor, Guide and a Beautiful example of how to hold your own with Courage, Grace and Respect for oneself and others, regardless of what life throws at you..
But I find that there is inspiration to be found all around us. Many of us are so immersed in our thoughts that we are not actually aware of what’s going on around us.
As much as I love men (!), I have found that it’s the women in my life who are the most inspirational and courageous, and I love surrounding myself with examples of women who are now rising up in business and showing us a different way of doing business without sacrificing our femininity…(for example, you, Carrie). :-)
Do you have a business philosophy?
Yes! Model, be inspired, BUT don’t copy others. Be your Authentic Self in business because that is your USP which no one else can take away from you.
There is no such thing as the perfect time. Start from where you are at and tweak as you go along.
