Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Duvall.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have a Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management degree with a certification as a Hospitality Events Specialist. I learned a tremendous amount from supporting many positions in different departments in hotels and catering companies during the early phases of my career. I always knew I wanted to have a job where I could learn the ins and outs of a business but never get bored. This was an imperative step in my early 20s as I figured out what was next for me. There’s never a dull moment with the hospitality industry, let me tell you!
Fast forward a few years…I decided I wanted more of a 9-5 career. I was provided the opportunity to work in the financial industry that spanned over eight years. Working for a small family-owned corporate office allowed me to gain even more knowledge of how a business operates. Within those years, I worked with compassionate and successful small business owners across the country that truly opened my eyes to what it would be like owning my own business while helping others. Holding a few positions at a time sharpened my skills as an executive assistant, marketing, social media, events, client/agent services, and overall business operations. I also established relationships with Ramsey Solutions, Transamerica, Ameritas, and other financial corporations, which offered me a broader view of how larger corporations operate.
During the global pandemic of 2020, so many businesses were having to learn to pivot by operating virtually. It made me realize my skillset was needed in a lot of ways. I decided to form The Golden Solution LLC to provide busy entrepreneurs and small business owners the support that they needed to grow and scale their businesses to the next level. I have been fortunate to work with several phenomenal companies and thoroughly enjoy watching their businesses succeed.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I will say entrepreneurship can certainly be a roller coaster! Over the course of the last few years, I have struggled setting boundaries, did not take enough time balancing between my professional and personal life and battled with imposter syndrome. A phrase that has stood out to me last year has been, “You have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first”. I believe that you can only give so much of yourself to others until it costs you too much; then you’re not going to be any good for anyone. It’s long hours, sacrifices, a lot of trials and errors with lessons learned along the way. But if you remember your “why” for starting your business, it will help be your guiding light during the tough times. You also have to surround yourself with a strong support system that helps lift you up, be an accountability partner, and truly want to see you make your dreams come true.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Golden Solution LLC?
I assist entrepreneurs and small business owners virtually with an array of administrative tasks, marketing, social media management, project management and event planning. My passion is building relationships with my clients and taking their businesses to the next level.
Knowing people and what motivates them is inherent to my ability to help them solve problems with efficiency, excellence, and with an exceptional sense of humor. Having navigated a successful career in hospitality and financial services makes me adept at ensuring multiple cross-functional teams meet strategic planning-related timelines and deliverables effectively and efficiently.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would suggest you sitting down, envisioning what you want your life to look like and then find people in your network living that life. Then reach out to that individual to set up a meeting or take them to coffee to ask them to share the keys to their success. Good mentors are willing to share their lessons learned in their careers and the steps that you can take to achieve your goals.
I have been fortunate enough to sit in rooms with self-made millionaires, listening to their stories, how they grew their businesses to what they are now, built teams, and what it takes to get there. I asked a lot of specific questions, and some even that surprised them that I was bold enough to ask. At the end of the day, nothing is handed to you and you have to be determined enough to go after what you want.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mygoldensolution.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoldensolutionllc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseyduvall-thegoldensolutionllc/
Image Credits
Liliet Photography (New Orleans, LA) and Hannah Palmer Photography (Athens, GA)
