Meet Susana Fonticoba | Small Business Strategist and Mastermind Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susana Fonticoba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susana, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
When I was a newbie business owner in 2004, I was clueless. I had not studied business in college because my destiny was to be a “good employee” until retirement. Well, layoffs blocked off my path, so I had to learn how to run a business quickly and from the ground up. Various business coaches offered their services to me, but the cost of their services was (what I thought of the time as) “outrageously expensive”.

I know now that to get to your goals faster, you need to invest in one or more forms of professional development, but at the time I felt beaten before I could even begin. As a widowed mother of 2 with limited funds, I questioned, how can I pay for coaching to improve my slow-moving business, when I don’t make much money because I don’t have coaching? Quite the conundrum!

I eventually learned the ropes, worked relentlessly, and finally did hire professional coaching services after the first 6 or 7 years. This is why, after almost 20 years of business ownership, I make it my mission to provide down to earth business development services to solo entrepreneurs who are starting their own journey.

Today’s economy and tomorrow’s leaders need support now, at the beginning, not 10 years into their business. I am proud to serve the entrepreneur community with the wisdom I’ve learned over the years. Tomorrow’s future can be built by small businesses just starting today – but we need to extend a helping hand.

I am passionate about supporting and advocating for early entrepreneurs who are talented in their industry but who are figuring out how to create business processes and run efficient operations. I offer them a safe space in a powerful room – a mastermind group comprised of their peers, and led by me, their business strategist.

My clients know that I once stood exactly where they are now, and I will find unique ways to boost their results in practical and cost-effective ways.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In 2004 I opened a business which taught people how to use and get comfortable with their computer and software. From the seniors learning to use a mouse for the first time, to executives who were navigating PowerPoint, I enjoyed showing my clients the wonders of using a computer.

Eventually technology moved faster than I could keep up with, so I pivoted to email marketing and still enjoy providing those services today. Marketing campaign work led to helping small business owners with their strategy, and soon I discovered that my corporate life as a systems analyst and my entrepreneurial life could now merge as a business strategist.

I help founders build a strong foundation for their business. I have also discovered that working alone has many emotional and psychological challenges – we suffer from decision overload and entrepreneurial loneliness.

The best format to improve a business owner’s results and support their mental health is by participating in a mastermind group. Peer advisory boards offer fresh perspectives, emotional and business support, complete confidentiality, and accountability. I feel there is nothing more exciting in the business development world than facilitating a mastermind group and watching the members reach and surpass their goals together.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Morris County, NJ, is full of historic sites and beautiful places for a light hike. Jockey Hollow in the Morristown Historic Park is an important part of the American Revolution, and features replicas of the huts Washington’s soldiers stayed from December 1779 through June 1780. There are many lovely walking trails around the county, with Frelinghuysen Arboretum being just one of them. Hacklebarney State Park is another great hiking spot. Morristown is full of fun places to eat and drink, with every type of cuisine. Because a couple of NJ Transit lines run through here, you can get to NYC for an entertaining day trip.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Since I spoke about learning how to be a business owner, I owe my education to the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners. I joined NJAWBO the same day I registered my business, and it was a wise decision! I learned from every single woman business owner I met through this organization. I also gained a ton of business insight from author Mike Michalowicz, and his series of books including The Pumpkin Plan, and Profit First.

Website: www.clearpathstrategy.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanafonticoba/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanaTheStrategist

Image Credits
Charrisa H Yong photography