Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Shupe, Founder of CareerHacker, located in Clermont, FL, USA.

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

I'm in the business of helping people get into better careers. I've gone through a process in my own career of working low-paying jobs -> high-paying jobs -> full-time business owners. I help others with both steps of the same process. I have a coaching program for people who are stuck in dead-end jobs to get into in-demand, high-paying careers as data analysts.

And I have another coaching program where I help people who are experts in some area of life (could be a career, relationships, health, fitness, business, etc.) to create multi-six-figure-per-year businesses sharing their expertise through online courses.

Tell us about yourself

I've always been very self-directed, and I like to help other people. I've created a lifestyle for myself that a lot of people would like to have, so I teach them, anyone, with the discipline and the vision (because, let's face it: a lot of people are stuck because they believe that anything better is "too good to be true") how to achieve similar results. I'm motivated by constant improvement. I'm always looking for the next level in my life, in my business, and for my clients and audience.

I also believe that the mainstream institutions of society are essentially corrupt. It's by design that the government guarantees $100K loans to unwitting teenagers to get useless college degrees and be indentured servants for the rest of their lives. It's by design that 75% of American adults are overweight, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are at all-time highs, and the healthcare system is built on maintenance rather than cure (in the business world, we call this "a subscription model").

And it's by design that the entire propaganda complex (the "education" system, news, Hollywood, etc.) brainwashes us into accepting this system. My larger mission is to help people realize that they can be far happier, fulfilled, rich, healthy, and free...when they choose to reject this system and live on their own terms. As Jesus said: "the truth will set you free."

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Once I found a marketing model that worked, I created two separate and unrelated coaching programs that both brought in 5 figures in profit in the very first month of running each business. I'm quite proud of that because to quote Frank Kern: "What do you call something that works the first time? A **** miracle!".

The reason I was able to have 2 "miracles" in a row is that I have a process to understand my market and know what's going to resonate with people BEFORE I ever launch an offer.

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

I'm always doing battle with the feeling that I'm never doing enough. Because there's always something in my course that could be better, that could be improved. And there are always mistakes. Like somebody doesn't get an email they're supposed to get or somebody can't log in to their members' area.

Or worse: someone is having a hard time understanding the lessons and wants to give up. For me, it's hard to find the right balance between doing the best I can for my clients and not blaming myself for everything that goes wrong.

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

  1. Be intentional about what you want. What do you want to accomplish? What kind of work would you love to do? And then find a business model that matches those ideal outcomes. I think a lot of people get really excited about a business idea but don't think through the long-term implications. Like someone who opens a restaurant because they like cooking, only to find that they're working 70-hour weeks washing dishes, can't ever take a vacation, and barely make enough money to pay the bills.
  2. Find a mentor. Whatever you're trying to do, chances are someone has already done it successfully. There's already a model out there that works. Don't spend years trying to reinvent the wheel if you can just use what's already working. Once you're profitable, then you can play around with new and unique ideas. But get the business working using a proven model FIRST, and then add your own flair.
  3. Re-brainwash yourself. We've all been brainwashed by society: by our parents, by our teachers, by the TV, etc. And the result of that brainwashing is that most people are poor, sick, fat, and miserable. We have to change the way we think. And that means being intentional about the information and influences around us. Choose to "re-brainwash" yourself for positivity and success. Surround yourself with positive people, successful mentors, seminars by successful people, books by successful people, YouTube videos, podcasts, etc. Shut out the TV and Hollywood and college professors and all the mainstream garbage that's poisoning your mind and replace it with helpful and uplifting influences that uplift you and drive you forward.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://careerhackerdataanalyst.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/careerhackerdataanalyst
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_digitalnomad/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisShupe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophershupe/

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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