In the unscripted journey of life, uncertainty is a given. It can leave you crippled with fear of the unknown or be a cornerstone of curiosity to approach every day with confidence, grace, and determination to discover your potential and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Entrepreneurship magnifies that uncertainty tenfold, introducing more risk and more unknowns. Thankfully, there are thousands, millions, of entrepreneurs who came before you, charting those same unknown waters, and they are willing and ready to share their wisdom with you. Our Entrepreneur Interview guest Micky Chorny embodies the resilience and perseverance needed in the face of the unknown when the world gave way beneath her feet, and her only step forward was into entrepreneurship, co-founding Aligned Being, a professional and personal coaching organization.
Micky’s journey not only tests her resilience but also highlights the importance of embracing and learning from feedback—both positive and critical—as indispensable tools for personal and business growth. Standing out as a beacon of hope and inspiration, Micky’s story is for those who find themselves suddenly at a loss, facing the metaphorical fork in the road to determine their next life step.
Micky’s transition into entrepreneurship was not the result of seeing a lifelong dream come to fruition but a necessity sparked by sudden job loss and the immediate need to redefine her career path. This introduction to her entrepreneurial career, fueled by both urgency and opportunity, underscores the reality many face: sometimes, the best time to start is when you're left with no other options.
As a life and business coach with a deep-seeded desire to support and encourage others through practical, applicable strategies, Micky shares her journey and insights in hopes it’ll inspire someone else to take that “scary but not dangerous” step into their new future.
The Catalyst of Change – Entrepreneurship from Necessity
Micky’s propulsion into entrepreneurship was neither planned nor eagerly anticipated at the time. After an unexpected revocation of a job offer left her without a safety net, Micky came to a crossroad: continue the job hunt, embracing a path that offered apparent stability but no real security, or forge her own way in entrepreneurship, taking full control of her work, income, and future stability. Micky chose the latter.
During this flux period, she weighed the options with her mentor. At the time, Micky had a few private coaching clients, but not enough to be sustainable long term. As a side project, she had also been helping friend-turned-business-partner Nicolle Medina build her own coaching business. Initial resistance was eased after meeting their mutual mentor who encouraged Micky to take the plunge and join forces with Nicolle.
In that moment, her mentor played the same role for her as Micky does for her coaching clients: helping someone see what they cannot perceive from inside a situation. Because of her mentor’s gentle nudge, Micky is thriving by helping others in the exact same way, this time as her own boss.
Micky’s transition highlights a critical lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs: the right time to start might be when you least expect it, driven by necessity rather than opportunity. This shift from security to risk is daunting but can open doors to new possibilities that were previously unimaginable. It teaches us the importance of flexibility, the willingness to pivot when circumstances demand it, and the value of embracing the unknown with resilience and foresight.
Overcoming Fear
Although Micky had considered entrepreneurship at some point in her life, it had been “a very far off idea for a long time,” so when the time arose, she certainly faced the same fears any entrepreneur would: fear of failure, fear of not having all the answers, and fear of the unknown.
However, Micky’s mental approach to fear is the exact thing that propelled her forward. By recognizing the perception of a threat doesn’t equate to an actual threat, the initial harm falls to the wayside, creating space for progress rather than avoidance.
For Micky, a large part of taking action was driven by understanding what she ultimately wanted this all for. The book Start with Why by Simon Sinek underscores this very idea, developing a compelling “why” statement to drive actions and create momentum even though scary or difficult times.
Although entrepreneurship will never be without its risks and uncertainties, they can be reduced by breaking down large, intimidating challenges into smaller, manageable tasks tackled incrementally.
Embracing this shift in perspective is crucial for anyone stepping into the unknown territory of business ownership, where fear of failure looms large but does not necessarily signal impending disaster. This proactive stance is a powerful lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting that the anticipation of risk is often more paralyzing than the actual obstacles encountered. It's about shifting from a fear-based mindset to one that eagerly anticipates the learning opportunities that challenges present.
Feedback as a Tool for Growth – Personal Resilience and Feedback Acceptance
In addition to resilience against fear and uncertainty, entrepreneurs must also cultivate perseverance in their personal and business development. Overcoming fear doesn’t stop with the unknown; it extends into the realm of feedback—a space that can be equally daunting. Micky, through her personal experience and professional strategies, understands deeply the transformative power of constructive feedback. Such insights aren’t just useful; they are foundational elements for both personal and business development, fostering growth and sparking innovation.
Although receiving feedback can be uncomfortable if taken personally, being selective about whose insights you seek and thoughtfully considering their advice is equally as important as the firsthand knowledge gained.
Effectively handling feedback—whether from family, friends, clients, or business acquaintances—requires the ability to discern valuable insights from less constructive comments. This critical skill can profoundly impact long-term business success. When feedback highlights deficiencies or areas of discontent, a swift and thoughtful response can transform a potentially negative encounter into a positive one. By acting on customer suggestions, businesses demonstrate a commitment to adaptation and improvement, which significantly boosts trust and loyalty.
Micky's experience with a coaching client illustrates this perfectly. After receiving candid criticism, she expressed gratitude for the insight, recognizing it as a chance to enhance her service.
Understanding how to assess feedback impartially is essential for genuine growth and innovation. Not all feedback is equally beneficial; learning to filter out the noise and focus on actionable, insightful comments is a skill that entrepreneurs develop over time. They must balance feedback against their business objectives and core values, applying what is relevant and setting aside what is not.
Entrepreneurial Wisdom
With Micky’s professional background in coaching and heart for helping others succeed, she eagerly shares her hard-earned experiences and wisdom to help prepare and start entrepreneurs on the pathway to success. To combat the paralyzing fear of entrepreneurial uncertainties, Micky offers five pieces of practical advice.
Micky’s 5 Golden Rules
Embrace Risk and Uncertainty: Learning to become comfortable with uncertainty and risk isn’t just important, but a must. See these elements not as obstacles but as inherent parts of the entrepreneurial journey. Learning to "eat risk for breakfast" involves shifting your mindset to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. "Develop your ability to physically withstand high amounts of uncertainty and a level of comfort with the discomfort, because the language of entrepreneurship is risk."
Action Over Perfection: Taking action, even in the absence of perfect knowledge or preparation, separates the entrepreneurs from the “dreampreneurs.” This mindset encourages entrepreneurs to move forward with their ideas, learn from real-world applications, and adapt quickly rather than waiting for the perfect moment or perfect plan. "Nobody has it figured out. Nobody has all the answers. Just try things; the world needs people who just go for it."
Communicate and Network: Sharing your business ideas and goals with others is vital. Start by making a list of people to talk to about your business and actively engaging with that list. It can open new opportunities and establish a support network to provide guidance, feedback, and potential partnerships. "When you share that you’re starting a business, people are going to want to contribute to you in some way; people love to help.”
Financial Prudence: Planning ahead of time to have financial stability during the early stages of business. A financial buffer or alternative income stream can alleviate the stress that comes with uncertain income, allowing entrepreneurs to focus more on building their business rather than worrying about immediate financial survival. “There are going to be plenty of days you are working for free in your business. You have to put things in place to really support you through that.”
Invest in Coaching: Having a coach is like making an investment in your business’s success. A good coach should reveal blind spots, offer new perspectives, and keep you accountable to yourself, your goals, and your vision. It is essential to have sound guidance and support, especially when navigating unfamiliar territories. “Get a coach. Don’t do it alone.”
Each piece of advice is a reminder that entrepreneurship is as much about personal growth as it is about business development. By embracing risk, prioritizing action, fostering connections, managing finances wisely, and seeking guidance, you can navigate the journey’s complexities more effectively. Micky's experience illustrates that while the entrepreneurial path is inherently challenging, it is also immensely rewarding for those who are prepared to take the unknown head-on.
To learn more about Micky's counterpart and co-founder of Aligned Being, Nicolle Medina, read her Entrepreneur Interview to discover the unique insights she gives entrepreneurs.
Discover more Entrepreneur Interviews and connect with seasoned experts and providers to come along side your journey. Have a question for our entrepreneur? Become a member (it's free!) and leave a comment on the blog post.
Meet Micky Chorny, co-founder of Aligned Being
Micky Chorny is the co-founder and COO of Aligned Being, a coaching and consulting company dedicated to empowering individuals and teams. With a background in personal and professional development and transformative education, and extensive experience as a coach and speaker, Micky excels at building connections and helping people achieve breakthrough results quickly. She has led professional development offerings in both English and Spanish for thousands of individuals, teams, and leaders on diverse topics such as communication skills and conflict management, improving team culture and productivity, and effective leadership. On a fun note: Micky is a nail art enthusiast and if you ever meet with her you should ask her to show you her nails!
To learn more, visit the Aligned Being website or contact Micky via email at micky@alignedbeing.co.
About the Author:
Em is the co-founder of L2Business and Director of Communication. Her prior work as a reporter and editor sparked the idea to interview entrepreneurs and highlight their real-world entrepreneurial insights with new and aspiring business builders. When she's not busy with the business, you can find her yelling at the TV watching her alma mater Texas Tech or any hockey game she can find. Let's connect on Facebook!
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