Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Edgard Medina, Owner of Cool Toys Corp., located in Sunrise, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a hobby shop specializing in sales of radio-controlled trucks, cars, boats, and planes, as well as parts, upgrades, accessories, and much more. We carry all the major brands, offer service and repair, and as a small family-owned hobby shop, we provide a very personal, specialized service. Our customers come in all ages, but they are mostly adult males.
Tell us about yourself
We started this business because I was a hobbyist myself, and I became so involved that I decided to make it a business. We started really small, with a tiny shop in the city of Plantation, and we have grown a lot and now have three stores in Davie, Weston, and Miami. It's a lot of work to keep up to date with all the new technology and new products constantly and keep the stores well stocked to serve our customers better. But we are passionate about hobbies, and that makes a big difference which customers can feel.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We are immigrants, and we arrived in the United States in 2014. In 2016, we decided to start this business, and we started really small, with little knowledge of how to run a business. Since then, it hasn't been easy, and we have had to learn a lot as we go, but we have managed to grow and become one of the best-ranked hobby shops in the state of Florida, and we have opened three shops already.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It is a lot of hard work, long hours, and no vacations. You must sacrifice a lot to make your business grow. It's not easy to deal with all the formalities of a business, taxes, vendors, payments, employees, etc., especially when it is a family-operated business and you try to do everything yourself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Educate yourself regarding business administration.
- Invest in advertising.
- Learn to delegate.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://goathobbies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goathobbies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goathobbies/
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.