Hi, I’m Michael Schefman. Starting a business is not a straight line.

I started 321 Liftoff for people like us – people who don’t yet think of themselves as entrepreneurs. For the side-hustlers and hobbyists, looking to go pro… the skilled experts and craftspeople, ready to call their own shots… for anyone who has a business idea, but no idea where to start.
If that describes you, you’re in the right place.
Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do.
But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place.
I help new business owners create, cultivate, and capture an entrepreneur’s mindset, so they can start and grow their businesses with confidence.
Note: I’m not talking about the current pop-culture, “make that money,” “rise and grind,” kind of entrepreneurship. I’m talking about real people who are slowly nurturing their ideas, running small experiments to stretch beyond their comfort zone, diligently doing their homework, reflecting on how to make use of their super-powers and abilities, and methodically preparing for their moment to step into the role of business owner – people who want to be the architect of their own experience and play an active role in designing their lives. It’s about moving forward with intention and decisive action.
THE 321 LIFTOFF BLOG




Every week, I share educational content, stories of entrepreneurial triumph, and other information on my blog to help people start and grow their businesses with confidence. I publish new articles every Monday. I also share daily inspirational posts to Instagram (@321liftoff_businesscoach).
Everything is focused on helping you start and grow your business with confidence, even if you have no idea where to start. I provide practical steps to start small, plenty of thoughtful reflection questions to build your self-awareness, and curated resources to help you keep learning.
New to the blog? Start here:
- How empathy will make you a better business owner.
- How to accept and overcome obstacles.
- Enhance your focus.
- What does it take to be an entrepreneur?
- Why you need a business coach.
ONE MORE THING
Starting and growing a business is not a straight line.
It can feel messy – it zigs and zags, it starts and stops. It can feel frustrating even for the most seasoned business owners. And, that’s ok.
It’s also an exciting challenge. It’s going to stretch you. You’re going to learn a lot – not just about business, but about yourself.
And, that’s why it’s worth it.
STARTING A BUSINESS? WHERE DO YOU START?
If you’re looking for someone to help you understand the processes and forms of starting a business, I can do that, but so can your state’s Secretary of State’s office or the Small Business Administration.
Starting a business is more than filing your LLC, designing a logo, and waiting customers to appear. It’s about creating a sense of strategic clarity and boldly showing off your super-powers. It’s also about stretching beyond your comfort zone and holding an experimental mindset.
That’s where I come in.
I believe that, as self-aware entrepreneur, you’re more likely to:
- Adapt to a changing business environment
- Experiment and try new ways of doing things
- Grow your business
But, it’s not because you have more experience or a great coach.
It’s because you are first willing to change yourself.
MY BACKGROUND




I live in Phoenix, Arizona with my wife, daughter, son, and dog. I’ve worked in the corporate world for 12 years at a Fortune 50 retailer. I’ve been fortunate to see business from several angles. I hold an MBA from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management and a BA from Michigan State University. I’m a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP).
Read more about how I came to start 321 Liftoff, here.
LET’S TALK ABOUT STARTING YOUR BUSINESS
Starting and growing a business is not a straight line. It can feel messy… it zigs and zags… it starts and stops… it can feel frustrating even for the most seasoned business owners. It’s not you, it’s just the nature of bringing an idea to life. And, that’s ok. It’s also an exciting challenge. It’s going to stretch you. You’re going to learn a lot – not just about business, but about yourself. And, that’s why it’s worth it.
