Beyond Bootcamps - Simon Stern

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Simon Stern of Beyond Bootcamps, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

My business is Beyond Bootcamps. Beyond Bootcamps is here to serve junior developers and self-taught developers and help them speed up their job search and land great jobs quickly. Our customers include people who've completed a Bootcamp but are not having luck in the job market or people who are teaching themselves to code and are keen to get a job faster. We do this with an array of resources that are curated and vetted to get the hard part of the job search out the way and prepare for the job market in the most efficient way possible.

Tell us about yourself

This business was motivated by my own experience as both a self-taught developer and a boot camp instructor. Being a boot camp instructor, I saw just how unprepared people were after their course ended, and yet most of the time, they were left in the dust by their schools, who were already focused on the next cohort. This is a massive waste of talent, as there is so much more that goes into the job search once you're a competent coder. I also have my own experience as a self-taught engineer, which gives me the confidence to launch this service. I got my first job within three months of deciding to learn how to code. My first raise three months after that, and my first freelance business about six months later! It's been a non-stop roller coaster since then, and this is an experience I believe is available to everyone who uses the correct strategy.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think helping my first few customers achieve their goal of landing a great job has been a huge milestone for me. I like to be very involved in the process, and seeing folks land gigs that transform their lives is hugely inspirational.

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

I think scaling and building a business in a way that allows me to view it as success has been really tricky. Launching this business has shown me that there is so much to learn about running, promoting, managing, and scaling a business! I recommend everyone try to run some kind of small business because there is so much to learn and do; you will definitely grow from the experience.

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

I think my first and major tip is to just start! Once you start knocking down the walls, you will see where your skills lie and what you find challenging.

I think another tip is to start looking at marketing/distribution channels early. This is key and vital to growth.

My third and final tip is to have fun! If you enjoy the process, it's definitely worth doing.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://beyondbootcamps.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBootcamps

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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