Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Bishop.
Hi Jane, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My professional story began in the academic/athletic world. I had the opportunity to pursue my love of coaching at two small colleges where I coached women’s basketball, women’s softball and was the assistant coach of two men’s basketball teams. When that path unexpectedly ended, I shifted to a what I thought would be a temporary path in the Corporate world while seeking another coaching/teaching position. The temporary path became long-term and allowed me to engage my gifts and skills of teaching, consulting, coaching and strategy development. So I was still pursuing my love of “coaching/teaching,” simply in a different context, while traveling across the United States as I represented the Corporate organization!
That Corporate long-term path begin to shift after 25+ years. It became increasingly clear that many of us were going to be asked to leave. That reality was unexpected so I began to consider “what next.” The “what next” was also unexpected as I pondered starting my own business! Until that moment in my story, I had not once thought of starting or owning a business! It became clear that was exactly the next step. So today, I am a self-proclaimed unplanned solopreneur who is the founder and owner of Take The Next Step.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My experience on the solopreneur road has had curves, bumps, roadblocks, detours, straightaways, and more! It’s much like a road trip that you know your destination however you have not traveled the road previously and there are many unknowns. That is part of the adventure! I will share three glimpses into my road journey.
One early obstacle was an unintentional “assumption” I made about built in support. I had developed good relationships with many people through the years and across the United States when I was working for the Corporate organization. Many sent greetings of support and appreciation when they learned I would be leaving and shifting to my own business. I “assumed” they would engage me in my new business to meet some of their training and strategy needs as I had provided when I was with the Corporate organization. So I believed I would have a good starting network from which to grow and develop. That did not happen. It is important to note that I started my business and began developing it on my personal time while still with the Corporate organization. So when “the release” came, I shifted to that full time.
Challenge: Discover new connection points that resulted in clients. Although I had good relationships with many and had delivered good services, that was all connected to the Corporate organization. I had to allow time to pass and create distance between “Jane, the Corporate person” to “Jane, Take The Next Step.”
Opportunity: Create a business and empower others to “go for their it” while curating from my warehouse of tools and experience that fit each client.
A second challenge was understanding the entrepreneur world. I had the knowledge and skills for a business from the basics of accounting to marketing. What I didn’t have was the understanding of how to apply that knowledge and skill set in the solopreneur. world.
Challenge: Learn how the entrepreneur world for my business type worked and where I could find my fit.
Opportunity: I hired a business coach three months into being a full-time solopreneur and it was one of the best decisions I made! Later, I would work with a marketing coach that would also be a good decision.
One more challenge I will mention is revenue or should I say, “lack of revenue!” Because I had not planned to start my own business, financial resources were slim when I stepped into my business full time. The lack of sufficient revenue in the early years would prove to be detrimental later and would require tapping into my retirement fund to bail me out.
Opportunity: When I had to “bail myself out,” my business was established, my services better positioned and identified, which has allowed me to be in a position to serve as the caregiver for both parents until my Daddy passed away and continue to serve as the primary caregiver for my mother living with dementia. My business keeps the minimum income stream coming in during this caregiver season.
One of my Janeisms is this: “if you want to grow4ward, do the hard stuff.” When I do the “hard stuff,” it allows me to really enjoy the “straightaways!”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I launched Take The Next Step to provide coaching, consulting and training services and help others “go for their it.” I am focused on empowering individuals, teams and groups to discover and apply tools and techniques that will help them achieve their goal/objective/outcome. I am known for providing “non cookie cutter” options to clients in a method that allows for immediate application. We work hard as we collaborate and we have fun along the way. One client stated this….”I didn’t expect to laugh so much!”
I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability to listen and be present with clients in a way that uniquely positions them for success. That provides insight to what the client is really saying/not saying and where they want to land. From that perspective, I create and offer a customized plan that aligns with their core and values and then we do collaborative work together. It’s about the client not about me.
Here is one testimonial from a former client:
“Why I work with Jane:
As the Executive Director for Impact46, it is important that our organization operates with excellence. Jane Bishop has helped us fulfill our desire for operational excellence from the time we incorporated in 2017 to when we expanded in 2020. She is not only an expert at the subject matter needed, but a sincere delight to work with. She has helped our organization keep on track with our trajectory while also challenging our thought and strategic process for expansion. Jane also provides an essential service for leaders: a listening ear. As a female executive it is hard to find women with her caliber and experience to not only coach you through hardships and unexpected growing pains, but to gently guide you when feeling insecure or defeated. She met the demands of our team and board in many ways. She is responsive and transparent while providing essential leadership and organizational development consulting. If you work with Jane you can assure you will be well equipped, more informed, and organizationally strong because of her consulting.” – Jen Young, Executive Director
I describe myself as a Positive Interrupter that helps people stop, pause and think. Whether in a coaching session, strategy session or training session, this approach is woven throughout the process. When we stop, pause and think, our brain is forced to take a momentary “time out.” It may only be for a nanosecond but it provides the brain a chance to be refreshed, reset, and sometimes redirected to continue forward. The “positive” is not to imply all of life is positive but rather describes the form of the interruption. Would you rather be interrupted by a punch in the gut or someone offering a pondering question?
I enjoy being part of all the clients who have experienced success as a result of our collaborative work together. The fact that I have the opportunity to engage my gifts and skills to help others be empowered to go for and achieve their “it” is an honor.
Any big plans?
I am currently in a “caregiver season” as I care for my mother and navigate my business. There are several projects “in the parking lot” waiting to be “driven out” for completion. They include self-leadership work guides, 2 book projects, a second card deck and more! Follow me on all my social media channels and sign up for my monthly e-news at www.janebilshiplive.com to be informed when the next project is available.
I currently offer training webinars virtually. In person training is available in my local area until I am able to travel again in the future.
I also look forward to more people discovering my A Word for Your Day card deck. It’s a tool for individuals, groups, teams and families to create positive interruptions and learn something about self and others along the way. Visit www.janebishoplive.com for links to purchase the printed deck or digital version. A fun fact about the cards…all of the photos used but one are pictures I have taken through the years. I am consistently capturing a photo thinking, “I will use that one day!”
As someone who enjoys creating tools that will empower others to go for their “it,” there will consistently be something in the future!
Pricing:
- Contact me for pricing on services.
- Visit website for products to purchase.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.takethenextstepcct.com
- Instagram: @janebishoplive
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/takethenextstep
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-bishop/
- Twitter: @rjanebishop
- Youtube: @janebishoppositiveinterrupter
- Other: www.janebishoplive.com and https://janesjottingsblog.wordpress.com/
