Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mark Klassen, Founder of Crewjoy, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

Our workplaces are painful. We're in the middle of an epidemic of disengagement that is costing the global economy trillions. But we see a hopeful future. Crewjoy helps teams become more connected and achieve more valuable collaboration. We do this by unlocking the power of diversity on our teams. What if every business process, communication, project plan, and meeting was driven by the specific and unique needs, styles, strengths, and preferences of the actual humans involved? What if AI-driven insights could actually make our workplaces more human? It would change work forever.

I would love to chat with any team member or leader who is interested in seeing that vision come true for their team.

Tell us about yourself

From my experience of working with large-scale enterprises, startups, and government organizations on digital transformation projects, I have come to realize that tech is the simplest piece of the puzzle. What is much more complex are the relationships that involve humans. Relationships with other people, with business processes, and our relationship with vision and purpose. These are the things that make our projects and our workplaces challenging... and they can also be the things that make them joyful. It is this hopeful future of work that motivates me every day and that led me to found Crewjoy.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

For me, my biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been staying true to the things that I value, even when that is hard. And even when others might not be able to understand it. For me, leading a company focused on putting people first; I have to live by that. And that starts with the people closest to me, my family. At Crewjoy, we have an "unhustle" culture. In a world that demands our energy and attention, we're choosing to grow and scale at a pace that puts humans first. There are many ways where upholding my personal values has led to challenging business moments, but it will never be worth it to make some sacrifices.

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

Leadership can be a solitary place. Building a connected team is crucial for any business, and there is huge value in sharing the load and delegating well. There is so much joy in working together with a well-aligned crew. But there are some decisions that belong to a business owner alone, there are moments of doubt that are only yours, and there are things to think about that aren't meant to be shared with the team. Having a support system outside of your business is crucial.

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

  1. Just start. There will never be a perfect moment. But there is the moment you are in right now. Be wise and prudent, but also be ready to jump into the deep end, or it might never happen.
  2. Build those support systems. You need a trusted relationship inside and outside your business. Learn from people who have been there before. In my entrepreneurship journey, I have connected with hundreds of other founders, leaders, and entrepreneurs. And I think about them in three circles: those who are mentoring me, those who are my peers, and those who I can mentor. Of course, those lines are blurry, and I never put anyone in a box, but that mindset of always learning, always connecting, and always teaching has been instrumental for me.
  3. Be ready to fail. Things won't work. The idea you thought would be the best one will flop. Customers will back out; a team member will leave. To succeed, you must be ready to embrace this failure. View it as a key thing you have just learned. A chance for a new idea, better customers, and a healthier team. And don't let failure take a long time. Set up things such that failure will come FAST or not at all.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://crewjoy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-klassen/

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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