Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Linda Westfall, President of Westfall Team, Inc., located in Montague, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I provide training and consulting services in software engineering, software quality, and software project and risk management to individuals and organizations who develop, acquire and maintain software products or software-intensive systems.
Tell us about yourself
I spent the first part of my career developing real-time software, including doing requirements, design, and coding. But when I shifted to software quality, I found my true calling. I love helping companies define and/or continuously improve their software quality management systems.
My degree is in mathematics with a minor in education. I am also a teacher at heart. In 1999 I started my own company, Westfall Team, Inc. Since then, I have developed many classes, including:
- The Certified Software Quality Engineer Preparation course
- Software Quality Engineering
- Software Requirements Engineering
- Software Testing and Test Management
- Software Configuraiton Management
- Software Auditing
- Software Peer Reviews & Inspections
- Software Safety & Hazard Analysis
- and other courses
I am also very active professionally; I chaired the effort to create the ASQ CSQE exam and served on the ASQ Certification Board. I was chair of the ASQ Software Division, the Software Division certification chair, the program chair, and the newsletter chair at various times. I was a significant contributor to the 3rd and 4th editions of the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide for PMI. I am also the server of exam development committees for the Professional Engineering Licence in Software Engineering.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have been a successful business for over 24 years. I wrote The Certified Software Quality Engineer Handbook, published by ASQ Quality Press.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
You basically work three jobs. The first is producing the products of the business, writing the course materials, teaching the classes, and doing the consulting. The second job is all of the marketing and working to find the next job. The third job is all of the administrative work to run the business, including bookkeeping, taxes, dealing with employees, etc.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a tolerance for uncertainty and risk - sometimes you have more work than you can handle, and other times you aren't sure where the next job is going to come from.
- Make sure you really love what you do and that it is your true mission - when the hard times come, that is what will keep you motivated to keep going.
- Be a continuous learner - There is always something new to learn, either in your core work (I am constantly learning to keep up with the ever-changing software industry) or in your business (new marketing techniques, new tools, new methods and processes, and so on).
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://the-westfall-team.mykajabi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.westfall.software
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westfallteam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestfallTeam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-westfall-668191/
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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