Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matt Jackson, Owner of Jackson Therapeutic Recreation Inc., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own a health care agency specializing in the profession of Therapeutic Recreation. Our customers are people living with dementia, mental health challenges, developmental delay, or any other health barrier. Our role is to support them by either helping them overcome their barriers to engaging in recreation and leisure activities and be able to participate meaningfully or designing activities specific to the person for use as therapeutic interventions.
Tell us about yourself
I am generally a quiet person who does not like the spotlight or being the boss. However, here I am. I started the company in 2003 because I wanted to be able to help seniors in some way. I discovered the remarkable profession of Therapeutic Recreation, saw a gap in service, and filled it. Pre-COVID, we were up to over 50 employees. My daily motivation these days, unfortunately, is more fear-based than usual - our ongoing viability, given continuing waves of COVID, is not at all certain. I want to build us back up and keep my employees working and safe. It is not easy. However, there is also a strong daily desire to find new ways to help people and find new people to help, doing what we do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think the fact that the business exists at all. I had never come anywhere close to business ownership before. It was the first of its kind in our province of Ontario and possibly in Canada. There was a lot of resistance and a lack of understanding of our role and the need we filled. But I dealt with and faced all that and have been quietly pioneering ever since.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Hands down, no contest; it’s having to let people go. Like actually fire them. It’s awful.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Fear is normal. A thousand things about running a business are terrifying. However, it can be either a motivator or a handicap. Try to understand how you respond to fear and then how to manage your fear. I’m still working on it.
- You can’t know everything ahead of time. Sometimes you just have to start with what you have and adjust as you go.
- Pay your bills, collect your receivables, watch your cash flow, and try to build up cash reserves over time. The weirdest stuff can happen, and resilience in your balance sheet will really help.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://jacksontr.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3QK2K2l
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-jackson-b91b0710/
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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