Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrew Sweeney, Founder of Course Builders Academy, located in Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I do have many passive income streams from businesses I've invested in over the 30+ years I've been in business, but now, most of my time is spent helping small businesses and individuals grow their businesses and navigate the challenges that they face.
Tell us about yourself
Well, being dyslexic, I only had two options when I left school with no qualifications, work some low-paid job for the next 40 years are work for myself. So you see, the motivation to start with is I did want to spend the rest of my life on minimum wage, and besides, I'm not that good at taking orders when I can see a better way of completing a task. My motivation is helping others; within a couple of minutes, I can tell if someone has what it takes, if they have talent, for the use of a better word. It lights me up when I can help someone accomplish their goal.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment was how fast I grew InfiniteSkills. From just $750 to an eight-figure business in just a few years, with zero finance or outside investment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing, if it's a single task, is firing someone - I hate it. Besides that, the hardest thing is dealing with yourself and controlling that little voice inside your head, finding that drive to keep you going when your heart is telling you that you can do it, but logic says enough, over time, you get better at controlling your self emotions.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your customers, find out exactly what they want, and then consistently over-deliver.
- Hire the right people and pay well, go out of your way to let them know when they are doing a good job, and create a community where people enjoy working and make it more than a job.
- Set aside thinking time every day, no phones or distractions, just you in a quiet room with a pen and paper.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.coursebuildersacademy.com/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.