Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Blaine Bertsch, Co-Founder & CEO of Dryrun, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Dryrun Equips Business Owners with Uniquely Flexible Cash Flow Forecasting & Scenario Modeling Software.
Tell us about yourself
I've been an entrepreneur since 1999, starting with a creative agency. I learned firsthand the challenge of dealing with cash flow, building a reliable sales pipeline, and growing a business. I spent my time in spreadsheets to carry our business through the 2008 recession, and that experience had a major impact on me. Not only did I learn the value of data and understand where my business is headed, but spreadsheets were not the answer to such a fundamental need. I get up every morning determined to help more and more business owners navigate their way through challenges and succeed by equipping them with a system that opens their eyes to the future of their finances.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As an entrepreneur, I never feel that I've accomplished enough. There are so many businesses struggling with their cash flow, struggling to keep their head above water, and struggling to grow. I don't think I'm good at stopping and celebrating wins. But I'm proud of what we've accomplished at Dryrun. Getting a SaaS company off the ground, generating income, helping our customers, and employing people in a culture-first business is incredibly difficult. We still have a long way to go to achieve everything we've set our minds to, but we have come a long way.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner, the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Ultimately, I am responsible for our successes or failures. I'm responsible for people's jobs, income, and mortgages. I'm accountable for our customers' successes and failures.
From the outside, businesses so often seem to be running like a well-oiled machine, but inside, that's rarely the case. Being in business is incredibly tough. That's why only half of all businesses survive their first year, and around 10% make it to year ten.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Build realistic financial forecasts before you spend a dime. Understand the true cost of starting and running a business and how much money you'll need to earn to make it viable. Then make the worst-case scenario and take a close look. Business is tough. But I wouldn't do anything else.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.dryrun.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blainebertsch/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blainebertsch/
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.
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