When did you know you wanted to start your own company?

My father is a self-made man who built a large portfolio of clients for his financial advising business over a period of 40 years. He encouraged me to study entrepreneurship from the time I was a kid. So as long as I can remember, I’ve had a deep seated desire to be a business owner.

What was your original idea for this company, and are you still doing that (or did you pivot, if so, what is the new focus and why)?

I started by diving into the world of e-Commerce, creative a brand selling eco-friendly tableware through Amazon. Inspired and excited by the opportunity that eCommerce presents, I decided to start a consulting business teaching others to start and grow their eCommerce business. Faced with a competitive marketplace of consultants, we recently pivoted into the software arena. Now, we’re designing a SaaS tool to help e-Commerce entrepreneurs manage their business as effectively as possible.

How long did it take you to finally take the leap, and what was it that pushed you over the fence?

I worked nights and weekends for about 2 years while working as a full time management consultant. That’s when I finally gained enough traction, a critical mass of customers and revenue dollars, to justify quitting my full time job.

Who inspired you to pursue your dream, and why do you think they believed in you?

Watching my father grow his business, leading by example, was the primary inspiration for me. His belief in me gave me confidence to take bold steps.

Who is your favorite mentor and why?

My former boss at my consulting firm was a key mentor in my professional development. He taught me valuable skills in project management over a period of 5 years. He was a master salesman and adept at process improvement. I learned a lot from him!

What was the hardest thing about starting your company, and what did you do to make it through the first stage?

The inertia of daily life was the hardest thing about getting started. At some point, I just had enough of the same old routine, and got to work.

What has been the hardest lesson to learn?

The hardest lesson to learn was when to pivot. After spending months planning a business launch, it becomes extremely difficult to deviate from that plan. But the proof is in the pudding! If the results (measured in key performance indicators) don’t justify continuing the plan, a pivot is required.

What has been the most amazing thing you have experience while running this company?

The incredible and supportive community of entrepreneurs that can be found online has been nothing short of amazing!

What is the weirdest thing you have experienced while running this company, and how did you react to it?

Our LLC filing was initially rejected due to another company existing with the same name. We were shocked, because we thought our name was really unique. But we tweaked it and moved on.

What is the best decision you’ve ever made while running this company?

The best decision I made was searching for and finding an awesome business partner to handle the technical side of the business, using Upwork.

What is the biggest mistake you made while running this company, and why do you think it happened?

We poured a bit more money into social media advertising than was necessary in the early days. I recommend ensuring you have a strong brand identity and mission prior to doing so.

How has the coronavirus pandemic affected your company?

It enabled us to work remotely, which gave us all more time to focus on the important things.

What keeps you passionate about your company?

I am passionate about helping others to start their own business. I believe entrepreneurship can be a huge force for good in our world, and I want to be a part of that mission.

What daily routine have you developed to help you take care of your mind, body, and soul?

Up around 6am. Prayer, meditation, and reading to start the day. Reflection and journaling at the end of the day has been critical as well.

What one thing would you like people to take away from this interview?

Start today: Start researching. Start planning. Start creating. You’ve got this!

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