Company Name: Think Change
Industry: Coaching / Consulting / Training
Year Founded: 2011
Location: Novel Coworking River North, Chicago
Tell the story of how your business was founded.
“A few years ago, I found myself on the floor of my apartment with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, feeling miserable. In fact, I had felt that way for a while. My four-year relationship had collapsed, work was losing its meaning, and I felt deeply misunderstood, unloved, and lonely. Money was tight; I was overweight, lethargic, and confused; and my future seemed blurry.
Then, it happened. Something changed.
I decided to shift my perspective and see what my life would be like if I stopped beating myself up over “not being good enough, successful enough, rich enough, sexy enough” and, instead, accepted who I was.
I made a decision that I am good and committed to testing this theory out. And it worked!
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of other people experience a similar type of transformation, reaching peak performance and thriving in all areas of their lives. My models and unique approach further expanded to helping entire organizations and executives “cut the crap,” “face up,” and “own it” for the benefit of their quadruple bottom line: people, planet, profit—and soul.
Eventually, all of this led to the birth of Think Change.”
Have you done business with any of the other companies at Novel Coworking’s River North office space?
“Not yet, but hope to! We’re all a part of an eco-system, and I hope we can help each other out. Did you know that Novel Coworking members and staff get 15% off at Think Change? ;-)”
What has been the biggest challenge in starting a business?
“Staying focused. This is probably true of many founders. Life is full of opportunities to contribute and create, so staying focused has required some extra inner work on my part.”
What has been the greatest reward in starting a business?
“I am big on purpose, and mine is helping others reach their greatest potential. Having an avenue to do that, daily, and also pay my bills, is extraordinary. I get high on seeing people and companies change for the purpose of advancing themselves and their goals.”
What advice would you give someone who wants to start a business?
“Don’t do it because it seems cool, an easy way to make money, or because you want to fulfill some fleeting fantasy of yours. And definitely don’t do it because you want to call yourself a “CEO” or an “entrepreneur”! Do it because you want to create something that doesn’t yet exist, or create more of something that does, and do it better. It has to come from within. Entrepreneurs are meant to be risk-takers, innovators, creators who have the vision to fill a void that currently exists, and seize on opportunities. What’s your vision? What truly drives you?”