Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mitch Willis, Director of Cohort Technical Communications Inc., located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

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

Because we make order out of chaos! Cohort Technical Communications Inc. is a technical writing and editing consultancy serving key business sectors such as construction, energy, and technology in Western Canada. We help the IT departments in publicly traded companies reduce their risk by creating effective documentation and information-related infrastructure.

Tell us about yourself

I’ve been a technical writer for almost 20 years. I saw firsthand how proper business documentation brings a sense of order to a business and how productivity can be improved by writing things down. After getting laid off at Christmas of 2012, I decided to strike out on my own. Like I said earlier, I love making order out of chaos. I enjoy seeing the sense of relief on my clients' faces when they know the most critical parts of their business are now documented. For example, they now have the procedures they need to pass an audit, or they have the user guide they need to support that new service.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Keeping the doors open this long! Joking aside, I enjoy the whole process of getting to know the client, understanding what they need, and then providing them with the deliverables they need to solve their business problems. Continually servicing clients from start to finish is an accomplishment I’m proud of.

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

Having to wear multiple “hats.” You are the head of IT, Business Development, AP and AR, etc. If anything goes wrong, it’s on you to fix it. That can get exhausting. You want to pass it off to someone, but this is your business, so you buckle down and solve the problem. Marketing is another thing I struggle with. Technical writing and documentation are not seen as “sexy.” So how do I market an “unsexy” business?

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

  1. Get a business coach. They will point out the land mines to you, so you can avoid stepping on them.
  2. Get a team to support you. I’m talking about a lawyer, accountant, and bookkeeper.
  3. Learn everything you can about how to market your business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'm a big animal lover. Please consider supporting the Calgary Humane Society. They do great work!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://cohorttechcomm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CohortTech
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cohorttechcomm/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cohorttechcomm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchwillis/

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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