Business: The Entrepreneur’s Source
Address: Naperville
Phone/website: 630-988-0532, jboland.esourcecoach.com
Owner: John Boland, 58, of Naperville
Years in business: Started in January
What does your business do? “Career ownership coaching. We provide education, awareness and discovery for folks who are at a career crossroads. They’re trying to figure out what they want to do. I work with clients to help them come up with a vision, understand what their goals are,” Boland said. “The Entrepreneur’s Source has been in business 40 years. I have a franchise.”
Do you find jobs for them? “I don’t direct them into anything. I help my clients on a journey for them to discover what possibilities are out there for them.”
What did you do before this? “I was in corporate life for 37 years. I was at IBM for a number of years. … For the last 15 to 19 years, I was in health care revenue cycle. I helped doctors and hospitals get paid for their services. … The last 11 years I was a partner in an international firm that did that. I got tired of traveling three to five days a week, all over the country. I decide to take a break. I left there on very good terms and started on my journey to see what was out there.”
How did you find The Entrepreneur’s Source? “I ended up meeting a career ownership coach from the same organization. I said, ‘I’m going to give this a shot, see how it works out.’ I had no expectations going in. I went in with a free mind and the willingness to learn. … I’d been coaching people almost my whole career in my roles, help them get over obstacles, helping them figure out ways to be successful, helping them determine what they wanted to do. I’ve always loved working with people and helping people. It seemed like it would be a good fit.”
How’s the business going? “It’s going well so far. I have about 25 clients. … There’s a lot of turnover in the work world.”
How do you find them? “I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. We also have a call center. … Word of mouth.”’
Are you limited to this area? “No. I work with anybody anywhere. I have folks from California to South Carolina. … I just talked to a guy from San Diego last night.”
What do you like best? “It’s great meeting the people, the diverse individuals, different backgrounds. … That’s the most fun part of the job, meeting people and helping them.”
What happens with a new client? “It’s all about meeting the client where they’re at. I lead them through a methodology that focuses at first on learning a lot about them, how they process information, how they communicate, an assessment that helps me understand how they tick. I begin defining with them what their goals are in life. … I’m not out there trying to matchmake somebody to a job. I’m trying to expand their awareness and understanding of what’s available to them. It’s truly a client-driven focus. … I’ve got a friend in the business who said ‘discovery is undefeated.’”
How often do you talk with a client? “Typically, every week.”
Do you like your job? “I love it because I get to meet new people every day. I get to help people. No matter what the outcome, it’s a positive thing.”
What’s your fee? “I don’t charge my clients a penny. It’s all free. I get paid by the business community. If I bring a possibility to one of my clients that they end up choosing, I get a referral fee. … You can work with me as long as you want to … I will coach you, ask you questions and get you to think and make decisions based on facts.”
Any favorite stories? “I have one individual going from sales to home care. I’ve got another individual who today is in lawn care who’s looking at opening a wellness spa as well as a home lighting business.”
Any negatives? “No. The hardest thing I have to deal with is making sure I have my calendar such that I can be present for folks.”
Any future plans? “Just keep helping folks. I want to do this as long as I possibly can.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Do your homework. Get somebody to ride shotgun with you who has your best interests in mind and is there to help you reach your goals.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see to profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.
