Alexandria Thibodeaux: Finding Personal Solace in Entrepreneurship

For many professionals, the idea of entrepreneurship is a dream. It represents an opportunity to be one’s own boss, set one’s own schedule, and work on something they’re passionate about. No one said entrepreneurship would be easy. In fact, it’s often been described as a lonely journey. But what if you could find personal solace in your journey to entrepreneurship? That’s exactly what Alexandria Thibodeaux discovered when she stepped out to become the best version of herself.

Networking has been an amazing way to connect with others going through struggles, balance, and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. For her, stepping away from the comfort zone of a consistent paycheck has made all of the difference in her life. Her reasons why she was captured to openly in this interview. Her responses are truly a source of inspiration to anyone who wonders if the decision to take risks is worth it. What a great way to kick off Women’s History Month!

Hi, Alexandria. I am so thankful you have taken the time to chat with me today, and I want to dive right in about your journey to entrepreneurship. What motivated you to take a leap of faith and decide it was for you?

No matter what job I took, no matter what career I tried to nurture, no matter what industry I was in, no matter how much autonomy I had, no matter how easy or nonstressful the work, I was absolutely depleted from misery every time. So, I chose to become an entrepreneur and specifically a coach because I cannot and will not work a conventional job — my self-respect and integrity will not allow it because it robs me of my peace, sanity, health & well-being. As an HSP (highly sensitive person), working in traditional settings with traditional roles greatly diminishes my life quality. Being an entrepreneur provides me the full autonomy and freedom I need to thrive and prosper in my full humanity.

Once I finally quit my hellacious corporate career after three years in 2018, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a career, but I knew I wanted to do something meaningful, aligned, and peaceful. I enrolled in a coaching program called Your Career Homecoming with Laura Simms. It was an 8-week program to help one find their Homecoming Career or a career that feels like home. Your homecoming career allows you to be of service, creates meaning, and allows you to live the life you want. This program allowed me to understand that my homecoming career is as an entrepreneur, especially serving as a coach.

What would you say you have learned the most about yourself after stepping out on your own?

Solopreneurship is not the tea for me. It doesn’t serve me and, in turn, prevents me from reaching and serving more people and generating income. I need a team and an aligned team at that. Solopreneurs only generate 4% of small business income in the United States, and I can attest to that. When you’re a team of 1, you’re not going to accomplish much, and you’ll quickly burn out, and your business will fail. Without a team, a business can’t grow and scale. It can’t generate consistent and growing income. You need a team that will allow you to work in your zone of genius instead of in all your zones (like your zone of competence and excellence). In the wise words of Leslie Knope from NBC’s Parks and Recreation, “no one achieves anything alone,” and it’s true! Being a full-time entrepreneur can be challenging and learning balance can sometimes be difficult.

You have this newfound way of balance. So, who is Alexandria outside of work?

I am an introverted homebody who deeply enjoys spending quality time at home with my husband and our two cats and dog. I also thoroughly enjoy storytelling through watching my favorite shows on repeat (I call them safe shows), feeding birds at my house, watching, identifying, and naming the birds that visit, watching and naming rabbits that reside on our property, gardening, hiking, and dancing throughout the day, every day. Do you know the phrase “busy, booked, and blessed”? I want to be booked and blessed — never busy. Freedom, autonomy, & rest are my highest personal values, so I honor those values in how I show up in my work.

Before we end this interview, I want to know: What is next for you?

I’m furthering a movement of self-reverence™ & self-advocacy because I believe in a world where self-advocacy is normal, respected, and champion! Part of furthering this self-advocacy movement is teaching women how to learn and utilize effective communication skills because I believe in a world where self-advocacy and effective communication are the sources and the catalyst for individual and collective upward mobility and human progression.

How can ppl connect with you?

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-thibodeaux/ Tik Tok: www.9ktok.com/@alexandriathibodeaux Website: https://www.alexandriathibodeaux.com/ email: [email protected]