Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brett Harned, partner at Loupe Collective, located in Hainesport, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My core business is Digital PM Consulting, where I work with teams of all sizes in various industries to help them to improve their process, collaboration, and project management practices. I recently started a new venture called Loupe Collective with three colleagues who are experts in design systems, content strategy, brand development, and systems design. In our collective experience as facilitators and designers, we offer a fresh perspective, insight from industry trends, and wisdom from our portfolio of experience. We combine these capabilities to coach individuals and teams in startups to enterprise toward skills and process maturity.
Tell us about yourself
I spent most of my career as a creative producer and project manager, working on major website strategy and design projects. Around 2009, I started writing about my work as a digital project manager, which was a term that I helped to standardize in my industry. I did that by starting a conference, speaking at and hosting globally, and eventually writing my book, Project Management for Humans (published in 2015). I actually left my last full-time job as VP of Project Management to start my own consultancy.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Publishing my book, hosting a conference for ten years straight, and taking on more complex clients and projects over the years.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Trying to do everything for the business and not always knowing what the right next step should be.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find your focus. Don't try to be everything to everyone!
- Manage yourself and your calendar carefully. It's too easy to overbook and overwork yourself.
- Find local and international contacts who you can lean on for support and camaraderie. You might miss that when you go out on your own and are suddenly left with no coworkers.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.loupecollective.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brettharned
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettharned/
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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