Tanner O’Brien is an entrepreneur driven by purpose, values, and a mission to help small businesses unlock their true potential. After transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, he joined the family business under ActionCOACH Central Texas and later founded Benefic Marketing. His journey is rooted in resilience, continuous learning, and a deep passion for empowering business owners to build profitable, sustainable companies that support their families, communities, and long-term dreams. His story inspires countless entrepreneurs who strive not only to succeed—but to serve.
Q&A
Q1. What inspired you to leave the corporate world and step into entrepreneurship?
Tanner: The biggest catalyst was family. My dad owned an ActionCOACH franchise and was transitioning the business into a firm model. He wanted someone he trusted to help build and run it. I saw an opportunity not only to escape the limitations of corporate life but to build something meaningful that we owned—something with real impact. That journey also empowered me to launch my own venture, Benefic Marketing. Entrepreneurship gave me purpose, ownership, and the ability to create change.
Q2. Who do you primarily work with through your businesses?
Tanner: My work primarily focuses on small and service-based businesses—those doing around $200K to $10M in revenue. For ActionCOACH, we work closely with local businesses in Central Texas. Benefic Marketing supports trade-based businesses like HVAC, roofing, plumbing, and also professional service firms such as accounting, legal, and coaching businesses. Both companies align around one goal: helping businesses grow smarter and stronger.
Q3. What kind of impact have you seen through your work?
Tanner: One of my favorite success stories is a client who was barely profitable—about $47,000 in profit one year. After coaching, refining systems, and strengthening business strategy, they hit nearly $700,000 in profit the following year. Today, that business is positioned to create generational wealth. On the Benefic Marketing side, our biggest impact comes from helping businesses truly understand their data so they can make better decisions, optimize their marketing, and see clearly what drives real growth.
Q4. Did you ever struggle with imposter syndrome? What helped you move forward?
Tanner: Absolutely—every single day. Imposter syndrome is part of growth. Any time you’re stepping into something new, doubt creeps in. I’ve learned to reframe it as, “I’m in the process of becoming.” When you see yourself as evolving instead of failing, self-doubt transforms into motivation to learn, improve, and step confidently into new opportunities.
Q5. Looking back, would you change anything about your journey?
Tanner: There are many decisions that—if done differently—might have delivered smoother outcomes. But I wouldn’t change them. Each challenge, setback, and imperfect decision shaped who I am today and taught me lessons that continue to fuel my growth.
Q6. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
Tanner: Knowledge. I believe the greatest gift you can pass on isn’t wealth or success—it’s insight, wisdom, and experience. Whether for my family, clients, or community, I want to leave behind lessons that help others build fulfilling, impactful lives.
Q7. How do you define success today?
Tanner: Success means freedom—the ability to serve others, create value, and live in alignment with my purpose, while spending time with the people I love.
Q8. What challenges have shaped you most as an entrepreneur?
Tanner: Entrepreneurship brings everything—financial risk, partnerships, hiring, leadership challenges, uncertainty. Every entrepreneur faces versions of the same storms. What matters is staying grounded, stepping back when needed, and learning how to navigate through uncertainty with clarity and resilience.
Q9. What exciting developments are you currently working on?
Tanner: I’m deeply focused on the future of AI in business. I believe AI is becoming part of business infrastructure, and I’m working on ways to help small businesses integrate AI meaningfully so they can compete, innovate, and thrive without needing massive corporate budgets.
“In life and business, you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to keep becoming. Growth is a journey, and every step forward matters.”
Call to Action
Connect with Tanner O’Brien:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannerobrien001/
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