Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Hector Simoudis, Co-Founder of eLearning Partners, located in Englewood, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a Co-Founder of eLearning Partners based in Denver, Colorado. We help small to mid-sized organizations to create internal and external eLearning programs. Some of our clients develop trainings for their employees to automate their training process, and some sell their courses to generate additional revenue streams.

Tell us about yourself

I am Greek, but I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, where I was exposed to a melting pot of cultures. There, the world was really at our fingertips, and my family traveled a lot. Seeing different ways of life from a very young age shaped who I am and my love for education. In developing countries, education means opportunity. It was a way out of poverty for many people. Seeing how education transformed the lives of people who then came back and gave back to their communities inspired me from a very young age. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and an assortment of challenges. I went to a high school you couldn't even get accepted into unless you had learning differences.

But, despite the challenges, I was blessed. I was blessed to have a family that could financially and emotionally support me and provides resources to get into the right high school. There, I saw the power of individualized learning. I went from being a C-D student to becoming valedictorian. When I went to the University of Denver, I met my best friend and Co-Founder, Jonny, on my first day at the university. We both had a love for people, business, entrepreneurship, and education. We knew that one day we would start businesses together and live the entrepreneurial dream. So after we graduated, we started our education-focused company, which is now called eLearning Partners. Our motto is that no expertise should go unlearned.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building a company that makes education accessible and affordable to more people is a huge accomplishment. Being at the forefront of amazing changes that are happening in the industry. eLearning empowers learners all over the world, giving them access to education as long as they have the internet and an electronic device to take a course.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is going through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. We've been in business for 10 years, and we survived the pandemic as a business. That was huge. It was also a very challenging time that taught us a lot about staying lean and focused on what we had to offer. Many aspiring entrepreneurs get excited about the opportunities of entrepreneurship but forget that it takes time to build a sustainable business. It takes time to develop products and refine your offer. It takes time to build credibility as an expert in your niche. It takes time to automate business processes. It's a rewarding journey but comes with highs and lows and requires persistence and patience.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I will give tips through the lens of starting and growing an education-based business. First, focus on your Learners. Always. Identify their challenges and become the best at solving them.

Second, give a lot of value upfront, even if you feel like you are giving too much for free. We recently started a YouTube channel called eLearning Partners, where we share free information on creating courses and employee training programs. Giving free value upfront builds trust with your customers. People will want to pay you if they see the value you provide.

Lastly, be patient. Everything takes time. Don't go for virality, go for sustainability. One video going viral isn't going to make a lasting impact. But a well-built evergreen funnel will. Focus on slow and sustainable growth. And celebrate your wins! Entrepreneurship is a grind, and you should always take time to celebrate how far you've come.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.e-learningpartners.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hsimoudis/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hectorsimoudis/

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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