Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in training and development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris MacDonald, Founder of Choice Point Solutions, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business is Choice Point Solutions. We build custom mini-simulations to help organizations conduct training on ethics, compliance, and integrity. We also work with universities to help educate students about academic integrity.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a professor -- a philosopher who teaches ethics at a business school. This company grew out of a research project to build better tools for the classroom. When we showed what we were doing to some forks in the corporate world, they basically told us it was great and that they would be interested. So, we launched a company.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think many entrepreneurs would tell you that the biggest accomplishment is making it through year one! We are nearly three years in now, and we have clients, and our team is still motivated. Things are moving. That's fantastic.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
When your product is novel, or even establishes a new product category, then helping potential customers understand the value is really challenging.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, establish that your product really does bring value. Second, don't underestimate how much time you'll inevitably spend doing things that aren't about fun -- stuff like reading contracts, talking to accountants, and filling out forms. That stuff isn't fun, but it's important, and it's often a lot. And finally, as you grow your business, make sure to keep your promises, which means don't promise anything -- to business partners or to customers -- that you can't deliver.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://choicepoint.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/choicepointca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChoicePointCa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/choice-point-solutions-inc/
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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