Beate Chelette, The Growth Architect, Chelette Enterprises, Inc.
After getting herself out of crippling debts, Beat Chelette sold her company to Bill Gates. Now running another successful company that helps business leaders run their companies more effectively, Beate talks to The Industry Leaders about her journey.
How did you end up sitting where you are today?
My first entrepreneurial enterprise was a poster mail-order shop when I was 12. The truth is that I never felt that I really fit into what other people wanted; I always wanted more. Running my own business is just what I do. Once I figured out how to get out of $135,000 debt after a decade of bad luck, and I sold my business to Bill Gates, I knew I had enough of a story to tell and the experience to go with it to help others to make their impact by devising growth strategies.
What kind of work does your role involve?
Mostly, it's troubleshooting, uncovering, and realigning. Our clients know something is not working the way it should, but they don't know what exactly that is.
Through our 5-Star Success Blueprint, we uncover and diagnose time-consuming and persistent problems within teams or business units that are stifling progress and efficiencies. When organizations operate in silos, we have found that many leaders struggle to identify the underlying causes but keep spending money on treating the symptoms. Once we analyze the actual source, we co-create a phased solution that fits your timeline and budget so that you can grow, build, and scale. Our subject matter experts develop results-oriented tangible tools and techniques that will unify your teams, provide clear steps to streamline your business systems and strengthen your leadership skills.
What gets you excited about your industry?
When our clients double and triple their numbers and reach because we fixed something that wasn't even that difficult to fix. Consulting and strategic advising with a focus on getting others to make a bigger impact is very exciting.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
It was from my Dad. He said that when you are alone and look in the mirror at the end of the day, you have to like that person.
What's the best way to support aspiring leaders in your field?
I personally mentor a group of Entrepreneurs through the Accelerator program at EO (Entrepreneurs Organization) and run a weekly mastermind. I provide free information on my YouTube channel about running a business through my educational programs and live events.
How do you keep up to speed with what's happening in your industry?
I am addicted to information. I listen to multiple podcasts, read a lot, stay on top of the latest research, and talk to many of my colleagues about industry trends. Leaders must have a pulse on what is happening because we have to have the ability to adjust our programs and offers based on what we predict will be happening, not what is already here.
What was the most challenging project or situation you've overcome?
I've survived a decade of bad luck and consider myself a many-time disaster survivor - big stuff like fires, floods, an earthquake, 9/11, Tsunami, lawsuits, riots, death, divorce, and now a pandemic. When you keep getting hit like this, you learn to be very resilient. Each of them was tough to overcome, but not knowing where I would find the money to keep food on the table and the lights on was probably the toughest one.
You finish work today and step outside the office to find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
Nothing much different than what I already do. I am already a millionaire.
Money gives you the means to do what you are passionate about. I am already doing what I am passionate about. I would probably ramp up my operations to serve more people and help them make their impact. It would be rewarding to implement a scholarship for single mom Entrepreneurship to help other women like me who need a little bit more help to reach their goals.
How do you switch off after a day at work?
The truth is – I don't. Exercising, being outside, and a good relationship works for me. I keep it simple.
If you had one wish for the future of your industry, what would it be?
I wished that the idea of consulting would not be so "male." It's not all about numbers and winning. We need to learn how balanced leadership makes organizations run a lot better. That includes not just what men know how to do really well but also what makes women so amazing - their ability to master softer skills, community building, and caring for people. Both elements – the tough and the soft stuff can work together. I often find that there is a lot of talk about systems (and I love systems) but what people do within the systems falls short.
What book or podcast should everyone know about?
My favourite podcasts are JV Crume the III – The Conscious Millionaire, David Neagle – The Successful Mindset, and Dana Wilde – The Mind Aware.
The "go-to" book I like is The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, a simple way to recognize that small steps lead to big leaps.
How should people connect with you?
For a free Masterclass on how to find really good clients, which is one of the fundamentals of my 5-Star Success Blueprint, please go to http://AirtightAvatar.com.
To contact me, go to https://BeateChelette.com/contact, and if you have something business-related you want to discuss, please fill out an https://UncoverySession.com.
*Would you like to have your business questions answered by leaders who've been where you are now? Work with an Industry Leaders mentor.
**Ever wondered what kind of leader you are? Take our free quiz to find out.
