Today's interview is with Alisha Nicole, author and business coach, who inspires women to create a life and business on purpose. If you've been following me for any amount of time, you know this is right up my alley!

I've followed along with Alisha for years and admire her dedication to her vision (along with the gorgeous branding she does herself).

Find out how she overcomes the comparison trap of digital marketers and continues to pivot in her own business when her gut tells her to.

Let’s dig in!

At what point did you know you wanted to follow this career path? How did you know starting a consulting business was the right direction?

I knew that I wanted to become a business coach when I began sharing my journey as an entrepreneur online.

At the time I was running an online shop where I was creating and selling jewellery and was simply using my blog as a way to vent because I didn’t know any other business owners. The more I shared my journey, the more I began to build a following and the more people came to me for advice on how to start their own business.

It got to a point where my inbox would literally be flooded with questions. Although I loved helping people, I knew that I needed to make it worth my wild in order to continue, so that’s when I decided to take the leap into coaching.

It was one of those transitions where everything just felt right in the moment! 

What are the biggest struggles you've faced while trying to achieve your dreams?

I would say my biggest struggle has been focusing on what I feel like I have been called to do and not being tempted to do what I see is working for everyone else.

The internet can be a noisy place and can also make you feel like you are wrong for not following the crowd. It took me a long time to realize that it was ok to do my own thing.

Owning your own business can be tough on the body and mind, between long days, instability and really putting yourself out there to reach your goals. How do you stay healthy? Do you have any rituals that help you stay centered?

I wish that I could say that I really prioritize self-care but honestly, I still struggle with it!

One thing that I have been good at implementing is taking at least one real day off a week, typically on Sundays. It really helps me to rest and recharge before starting out a new week. Also, I ease into my mornings. I start the day off by reading my devotion and journaling before digging into work. It always helps me to ease anxiety and stay positive throughout the day.

Speaking of putting yourself out there, overcoming rejection is a big part of chasing dreams. How do you bounce back?

I refocus on my WHY and keep in mind that what I do and what I stand for isn’t for everyone and that’s ok. And one no just means that there is a better opportunity waiting for me.

What do you do when you're having an off day—maybe feeling down, struggling with self-doubt, or just unmotivated?

Those are usually the days where I decide to take a break.

Listening to your body is important and if you feel like you are struggling then typically that’s a sign from your body and mind telling you it’s time to relax before you shut down completely. If I am unable to take a whole day I’ll try to take a nap, get out of the house or just read a book.

What is one misconception people have about you and/or your profession?

I would say that a lot of people look at coaching as waste or that they can easily learn through Google.

While a lot of things can be found on the internet, there isn’t anything like getting advice that is tailored to your specific needs.

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?

I’ve learned to not be afraid to make changes in your business when you feel it’s necessary! We often get so caught up in what other people will think or say that we forget that it’s OUR business!

You can never be so consumed in what someone thinks that you hesitate to do what’s needed for your brand to grow.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a path similar to what you have?

I would tell them to get really clear on what they stand for, who they help and the message that they want to send. That is a really big piece of building a successful business and getting clear on those will also make marketing what you do a lot easier.

I would also say to make sure you are a great listener and leave space for open conversation. A huge part of coaching is simply listening and asking the right questions so that you know how to best help or support your client!

When do you feel the most inspired, alive and the most like YOU?

When I am writing! I have always been a writer at heart and getting a chance to become lost in the words always puts me in a great mood!

What people, books, music, etc. inspire you?

I’m a self-help book junky, so books like “You Are A Badass” by Jen Sincero always gives me a little extra push!

I'm also really inspired by women like Lara Casey, Myleik Teele, and Issa Rae!

Describe your favorite moment or accomplishment in your career so far.

Definitely releasing my book, Living Over Existing! I mentioned before that I have always been a writer at heart and being able to put my journey up until this point onto paper has been one of the most incredible experiences of my career thus far!

What’s the most exciting thing going on in your life right now?

Again, my book Living Over Existing and how it is turning into its own brand!

What started out as just a book has now turned into a podcast where other women share their story and an incredible community of women who are wanting to redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur and build their brand on purpose.

About Alisha Nicole

Alisha Robertson is an author and business coach dedicated to helping creative women live their life & create their business on purpose.

She’s a self-published author of The Blogpreneur and Living Over Existing and founder of the online platform for creative women, Livingoverexisting.com.

Through her work, Alisha empowers women to uncover their voice, ditch fear, gain clarity & begin making money doing what they love.

Living Over Existing // Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

This interview is part of the Chasing Dreams interview series. I’ve interviewed a variety of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have chosen a different path in life in order to go after his or her dream career. Have an entrepreneur in mind you’d like to learn more about? Let me know.