Adam W. Barney
Adam W. Barney is an Energy Coach. He tells us that, “It would be a vibrant, energetic lightning bolt named “Sparky.” Sparky would symbolize the burst of energy, motivation, and clarity I aim to provide to emerging and executive leaders. Just as a lightning bolt lights up the sky and cuts through the darkness, Sparky would represent the powerful, positive impact of harnessing one’s energy to achieve personal and professional goals. Sparky would also embody the idea of being a source of illumination and inspiration, helping leaders plug into their potential and shine brightly in their endeavors.”
What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance while running your own business?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance while running my business and writing Make Your Own Glass Half Full: The Path To Empowered Optimism and Autonomy is crucial, especially with a family. Here are some strategies I employ:
1) Prioritizing Family Time: I make it a point to set aside dedicated time for my family, ensuring that my two young daughters and our dogs, Welly and Winter, have my full attention. Whether playing together, going on adventures, or simply relaxing at home, this time is sacred and non-negotiable.
2) Structured Schedule: I create a schedule that balances work commitments with family activities. This includes setting specific work hours and sticking to them, allowing me to be fully present during family time.
3) Delegating and Outsourcing: I delegate tasks, outsource, and use tools to manage my workload effectively. This helps free up time I can spend with my family without compromising the quality of my business operations.
4) Involving the Family: I involve my family in my work whenever appropriate. This might mean having my daughters help with simple tasks or creativity or bringing our two dogs, Welly and Winter, out on a walk or two in the park. It helps them understand what I do and makes work feel more integrated with family life.
5) Self-Care and Boundaries: I prioritize self-care and set clear boundaries between work and personal life. This includes taking breaks, exercising, and ensuring time for hobbies and relaxation. Caring for myself can make me more present and energetic at work and with my family. Oh, and I also am a huge music lover, so I listen to lots of that!
6) Flexibility and Adaptability: Running my own business allows for flexibility, which I use to my advantage. If my daughters have an important event or if we want to take a family trip, I can adjust my schedule accordingly. This adaptability is critical to maintaining a balanced life.
When faced with unexpected detours on your business path, how do you pivot with grace and resilience, showing fellow women entrepreneurs the way forward?
When I’ve faced unexpected detours in my Energy Coach practice, I’ve pivoted gracefully and resiliently by staying grounded in my core values and embracing a flexible mindset. These challenges are opportunities for growth, innovation, and staying positive and open-minded. Leaning on my broad support network and set of communities, including women entrepreneurs, has helped me navigate these shifts with collective strength.
Reflecting on each experience, I learned valuable lessons that have guided my future decisions. I’m honest about my struggles and share my journey openly, showing vulnerability and strength. Prioritizing self-care ensures I maintain my well-being, which is crucial for resilience. Focusing on solutions rather than problems allows me to move forward proactively and confidently.
By embodying these principles, I demonstrate that resilience, adaptability, optimism, and autonomy are essential for overcoming business challenges and inspiring fellow diverse women entrepreneurs to do the same.
Together, we can turn detours into stepping stones toward success.
How do you measure the success of your business beyond financial metrics, such as customer satisfaction or community engagement?
Measuring the success of my business goes beyond financial metrics. I focus on the positive impact I make on my clients and the broader community I’m a part of. I believe in the philosophy that the more good you bring to the world, the more good eventually comes back to you.
Customer satisfaction is a primary measure of success. I regularly gather feedback through surveys and direct communication to ensure my clients feel valued and meet their needs. Seeing my clients achieve their personal and professional goals and hearing their success stories is incredibly rewarding and a key indicator of my business’s impact.
Community engagement is a crucial aspect and a cornerstone of my success. I track participation in events, workshops, and online interactions to gauge how actively engaged and supportive my community is. Positive testimonials, referrals, and active participation in my coaching programs are not just indicators but the very essence of my strong community support and engagement.
Our success is measured not just by the broader impact I have on the community but by the positive cycle of goodwill and support I create. This includes collaborations with other local and global businesses, involvement in community initiatives, and contributions to social causes. By giving back and actively participating in the community, I believe I’m not just creating a positive impact but a positive cycle that benefits everyone involved.
Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed significant growth or transformation in your business, illustrating the impact of your services/products?
Over the last year, thanks to a grant that provided quarterly coaching calls for one year, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to coach founders from 80 diverse industries and micro/small businesses across the United States. This experience has catalyzed significant growth and transformation in my business, allowing me to expand my reach and deepen my impact.
One memorable moment stands out vividly. Early on, I worked with the founder of a small, family-owned business struggling to stay afloat amid a rapidly changing market. Through our coaching sessions, we identified their core strengths and areas for improvement. I provided tailored strategies to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and implement effective marketing tactics. Over the year, I witnessed this business stabilize and thrive, achieving record sales and expanding its customer base.
This transformation was a testament to the power of personalized guidance and support. Beyond the tangible business results, the founder’s confidence and leadership skills grew immensely. They became more effective decision-makers, inspired their team with renewed vision, and even started mentoring other small business owners in their community through
a local chamber of commerce.
This experience reinforced my belief in the ripple effect of positive change. By helping these businesses flourish, I contribute to greater justice and equity in the world. Each success story amplifies the impact of my coaching, creating a network of empowered entrepreneurs who, in turn, uplift their communities.
Witnessing such profound growth and transformation has been deeply rewarding. It illustrates the true impact of my services and reaffirms my commitment to fostering resilience, innovation, and success among small business owners across diverse industries. This journey has transformed the businesses I coach and enriched my own business, strengthening my resolve to continue bringing good to the world.
What role do you believe mentorship plays in the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial journey?
Mentorship plays a pivotal role in the success of small businesses, serving as a vital source of guidance, knowledge, and inspiration. In my own entrepreneurial journey, mentors have been instrumental in helping me navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve my business goals.
I’ve found countless support from the diverse communities and entrepreneurs within my network. From the Business Accelerator program to the Terra.do climate change fellowship and being a part of Matt Gray’s FounderOS community, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with experienced mentors who have significantly influenced my path. These programs provided structured mentorship, exposing me to industry leaders and experts who offered invaluable insights and advice.
The guidance I received from these mentors helped me refine my business strategies, identify potential pitfalls, and stay ahead of market trends. Their feedback and encouragement were crucial in moments of doubt, giving me the confidence to pursue innovative ideas and make bold decisions.
Moreover, mentorship has enabled me to build a powerful board of advisors, a diverse group of individuals who bring unique perspectives and expertise to the table. Their collective wisdom has been instrumental in guiding my business, providing strategic direction, and fostering growth. This support network has been a cornerstone of my success, allowing me to leverage their experience and knowledge to overcome obstacles and capitalize on opportunities. I’ve recommended building a board of advisors to my clients as well, recognizing the immense value it brings to a business.
In essence, mentorship has been a driving force behind my entrepreneurial journey, shaping my business and helping me achieve my vision. The mentors I’ve encountered have not only influenced my strategies and decisions but have also inspired me to pay it forward by mentoring others. This cycle of support and guidance is fundamental to the thriving ecosystem of small businesses, fostering a culture of shared success and continuous growth.
What’s your work all about, and how does it make a difference in the world?
My work centers on empowering emerging and executive leaders to build their energy, enhance their performance, and achieve their personal and professional goals. As an Energy Coach, I provide tailored guidance and strategies to help individuals harness their inner potential, overcome obstacles, and cultivate a mindset of positivity and resilience.
By focusing on energy management, I help my clients optimize their productivity, improve their well-being, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. My coaching encompasses various aspects, including stress management, goal setting, time management, and emotional intelligence, ensuring a holistic approach to personal and professional development.
A core element of my mission is promoting greater justice and equity in the world. I am dedicated to leveling the playing field for women and diverse leaders, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive. I actively support diverse communities and champion inclusive leadership practices, helping to create environments where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
The impact of my work extends beyond individual clients. By empowering leaders from diverse backgrounds to perform at their best, I contribute to the success of their teams and organizations. This ripple effect fosters a positive and productive work environment, driving innovation and growth while promoting inclusivity.
Through my coaching, I aim to dismantle barriers and create pathways for underrepresented groups to achieve their full potential. By fostering empowered and energized leaders from all walks of life, I contribute to a more equitable and just society. My work makes a difference by helping individuals unlock their potential, achieve their aspirations, and positively influence their communities. Together, we can build a better, more vibrant world where everyone has the opportunity to shine.
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwbarney/, https://www.adamwbarney.com/