Meet Diane Helbig | ChIC – Chief Improvement Catalyzer

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

Hi Diane, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to positively impact as many small business owners as possible while gaining flexibility with my young children. I truly wanted to have a greater impact on the world than I had in my job at the time. And, I wanted to be the victim of my own decisions instead of someone else’s

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?
Launching my business in 2006 was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I just knew at the time that I had to make the move. I was pretty calm and centered at the time and really dove in with both feet. I’ve developed a lot of tremendous business relationships that have served me and my business well over the years. I believe that when we focus on building those relationships we create a community around our business. And that community provides innumerable benefits over time.

One big lesson I’ve learned is to be more discriminating and slower when deciding whether, and who, to partner with. People have exciting and great ideas but that doesn’t mean it makes sense for me to join in. We have to be in integrity all the time. For me, that means taking the time to really get to know someone and their business. To build a level of trust and be trustworthy. My work involves helping business owners and leaders maximize their outcomes through proven strategies and processes. I know it’s critical that I practice what I preach. I have to be able to show that the ideas work, not just say they do. And, it’s important to own “mistakes” or as I like to think about them, those learning experiences. I don’t believe in failure. I believe in growth. As long as we are learning the lesson from the experience we can grow.

I think I’m most proud of the reputation I’ve built as someone who is genuinely interested in the success of others. That desire informs my advisory work and my trainings, as well as the books I’ve written. I know that everyone can realize their own success. Sometimes we need guidance and an outside view to better understand how to move our business forward. I’m honored to be that guide.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d go for a walk at Lakewood Park and watch the sun set from the Solstice Steps one evening. We’d go to the Westside Market and pick up fresh food to bring home and cook for dinner. Then we’d sit on my patio around the fire pit, drink some wine from CLE Urban Winery, and talk. One day we’d go down to the Flats and explore the restaurants and shops along the river, and then visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. We’d catch a play at Playhouse Square and enjoy dinner at Sarita in Lakewood. We’d spend some time in University Circle at the Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum and the Crawford. Time permitting we’d spend a day in Ohio City visiting the shops and restaurants, and do some activities at Pins Mechanical. There is so much to do and see in the Cleveland area that sky’s the limit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, siblings, spouse, children, and my NAWBO sisters.

Website: https://www.helbigenterprises.com

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

Other: Accelerate Your Business Growth podcast – https://evergreenpodcasts.com/accelerate-your-business-growth