Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bert Oliva, Founder of BOWA International, LLC., located in Miami, FL, USA.

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

I'm a Life and Business Strategist who helps people and organizations transform self-limiting beliefs into self-fulfilling breakthroughs. I specialize in bringing real solutions to the communication challenges that cost businesses and employees time and money every day. I do this through private mentoring, group coaching, corporate training, seminars, keynotes, and books.

My customers are those who are looking for growth in their business or their life, improved productivity personally or in their organization, and tools to help them focus on what is truly important in their life and/or business.

Tell us about yourself

I started mentoring and speaking over 28 years ago and have honestly loved every moment of it. I truly believe everyone has greatness inside of them; they just have to figure out how to tap into it. That’s what I love to do. I love to help people find their potential and then how to actually use it and apply it. We all have potential; it’s what we actually do with it that matters.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would have to say that my biggest accomplishment is being a business owner at all. I am the first business owner in my family and did not have anyone in my family or friend circle to go to for advice when I was starting out.

My mother came to this country when I was 11 months old. She raised me alone and without any support system. I never had a father, a brother, a sister, or grandparents. We were alone in a country that did not even speak my mom’s native language.

My upbringing was difficult, but my mother did anything and everything she could to make sure I never went without. I learned determination, hard work, and even negotiation skills from her. I am eternally grateful for everything my mom did for me.

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

In my opinion, focus and resiliency are some of the hardest things that come with being a business owner. I am blessed with being a highly creative individual, and new ideas are a dime a dozen for me. However, I have had to learn over the years how to stay focused on one idea at a time instead of jumping around. The only way to make anything successful is to stay focused on it and keep plugging away at it.

Resiliency is another of the hardest things to learn and master. If you want to own a business, you have to be aware that you are going to hit walls – again and again and again. You are going to fall down. You are going to make mistakes. You are going to have things happen beyond your control. However, as an entrepreneur, you can not allow those things to take away your focus from your end goal – from the reason you began this endeavor in the first place. You have to be resilient and keep getting up. True failure doesn’t happen from falling. It happens from not getting up and starting again.

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

  1. Evaluate who you are surrounding yourself with. Are you spending time with other entrepreneurs or with people who work for others? There’s nothing wrong with working for someone else, but if you are looking to become an entrepreneur, you need to spend time with successful entrepreneurs. Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.
  2. Make sure to do market research on your business before you take the leap. Study your competition. Figure out your target market. If there is no competition and your target is everyone, then it’s time for you to rethink your idea. Businesses only thrive when there is a demand for their product or service. And a target market is just that – targeted. It has to be as specific as possible so that you can make sure all of your marketing efforts are as effective as possible.
  3. Get a coach or a mentor. Find someone who will hold you accountable and push you outside your comfort zone. However, coaches, mentors, and advisors are not all the same; each has expertise. Beware of any person that claims to be an expert for every business, personal, and family matter you are facing. A true professional coach is one that works with other coaches to help you to achieve all of your goals.

    And it’s unfortunate that in today’s day and age, I have to say this, but make sure that you check the track record of any person you hire as a mentor or coach. There are just too many people who love to give advice on subject matters that they have not successfully attained. Make sure whomever you choose to work with can deliver on what you need them to and that you are clear on what they can truly help you achieve.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Remember, you are the most important person in your life. You are the writer, producer, cameraman, star, and even the unpaid intern in the movie that is your life. You are the one that calls the shots, and as such, you are the one that matters most, so if you’re not happy with where you are in your life, it’s time to make a different choice. It’s your life. Start living it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: MeetBert.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BertOliva
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BertOliva/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BertOliva
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/BertOliva/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.