Enhancing Lives & Transforming Leadership - Brian Smith
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brian Smith, Founder of Power Link Dynamics, located in St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I specialize in soft skills training and leadership development. I work with people who want to learn how to communicate and interact more effectively, build collaborative teams, resolve conflict or motivate others to perform at their personal best.
Tell us about yourself
I love working with people. I spent over 40 years as a general manager for a major retailer and a college professor teaching entrepreneurship, skills for success, and management functions 101.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Going from being a general manager of a major retailer and college professor to starting my management consulting firm was a natural progression. I've been self-employed since 1998.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
What are you willing to give up and do to be successful as a small business owner? Being in business for yourself is not for the faint of heart. You need to survive the lean years. If you aren't prepared to put in the time and effort, trust me - I'm talking 80-hour workweeks without a steady paycheck coming in, then you aren't going to be successful.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Keep your day job and work your business part-time until you have a year's worth of money in your bank account to cover your expenses before going all-in on your business.
- Have a budget and know your numbers. How much money is coming in and going out? Live and die by those numbers. Don't spend money you haven't made yet.
- Why did you get into business for yourself? Write down and stick it up on the wall. It will help motivate you to stay the course. It can't be about the money - there will never be enough. I got into business for myself because I love what I do. I love traveling around the country, talking to and teaching others what I know to help them be more successful working with, managing, and leading others.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you truly love what you do - then you're going to love getting up every day and doing it. If you don't love it - you're going to be lousy doing it. And eventually, you'll be out of business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://briansmithpld.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reformedcontrolfreak/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedcontrolfreak/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/briansmithpld
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansmithpld/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.