Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Greg Schwem, President of Comedy With a Byte, Inc., located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

I am a business humor speaker, corporate comedian, and professional emcee. I perform exclusively for the corporate market you won't find me at comedy clubs, although that is where I started. Now you will find me speaking at conferences, professional association meetings, sales kickoffs, incentive trips, and a myriad of other corporate functions for groups that have ranged from 15 to 10,000.

Tell us about yourself

My background is in journalism. I was a newspaper and, later, a television news reporter who did comedy on the side. Eventually, I decided I enjoyed making people laugh, as opposed to depressing them via the news each evening, so I quit my job and became a full-time stand-up comedian. After a few years of working in comedy clubs, I started to say "yes" to audience members who asked if I would perform at corporate events.

I quickly realized that business audiences LOVE to laugh at themselves, so I began researching my clients and writing material specifically about their products, their company culture, etc. I have spoken at functions for organizations such as Microsoft, Cisco, McDonald's, IBM, and the CIA (Yes, THAT CIA!). My biggest motivation factor is knowing that I get to bring laughter and joy into people's lives in environments that aren't particularly "funny."

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have been doing this for 32 years and am proud to say I have never had to take a side job to support my main job as a comedian and a speaker. I have supported my family and put two kids through college. To me, that's a far greater accomplishment than a TV appearance or a viral video.

I also have been able to continue providing laughs, even in our country's darkest times, which have included 9/11, recessions, and COVID. But laughter is universal. My philosophy is, "When times are good, people want to laugh. When times are bad, people NEED to laugh."

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

If you own the business, you are ultimately responsible for everything, good or bad, which is why you can never become complacent. Many people think those of us who are in show business all have agents and managers who make all the bookings and just tell us when we are headed next. That's true for about half of one percent of comedians or performers of any kind. The rest of us do it on our own. Every year I begin with a blank calendar, and I know I have to fill it. It's a challenge I relish.

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

  1. Never, ever feel you have "made it." There is always somebody ready to take your place, steal your idea, etc. You have to do everything in your power to stay ahead of everybody else.
  2. Marketing is key. Always be reaching out to prospective customers and clients, telling them about yourself and the services you provide. Don't be afraid to brag about yourself.
  3. Stay on top of the latest trends in your industry and figure out how your business can fulfill a current want or need. Right now, the big buzz phrase at corporate events is "DEI - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion." I have developed a keynote entitled "If Laughter is Healthy, Why Aren't We All Okay?" that addresses how to keep employees happy and laughing while also discussing how humor can be perceived differently by different races, ethnic groups, etc.

Where can people find you and your business?

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

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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