Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dave Morris, CEO of College Athletic Advisor, located in Tumwater, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am an educational consultant. I serve three distinct groups of people: students and their families directly as they navigate their athletic and academic development, independent consultants who want to optimize their client's educational benefits from their athletic participation in the athletic recruiting process, and institutional athletic departments looking to better serve their students moving on to college or colleges looking to improve their athletic recruiting process by making coaches more effective or leveraging athletic recruiting to find their best-fit students and strengthen the overall institution.
Tell us about yourself
I started out as a classroom teacher and high school coach and spent over two decades as a college coach, instructor, and athletic administrator. I always said that a lot of kids knew more about the used car they were going to drive to school than the college they were planning on attending for four years (or more). Five years ago, I committed to doing something about that and founded College Athletic Advisor. Every day, I get to be a resource for amazing young people to follow their dreams and leverage their successes. It is incredibly fun and rewarding.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Any time you have an idea and turn it into a sustainable reality, I think that is the biggest accomplishment. Helping so many young people find their fit in college, even in the face of adversity, is so certainly the thing I am proudest of.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The toughest part of my business journey was, having the confidence to get started and go through the process to make a viable business long-term. I was very fortunate early on that I got positive feedback and some business opportunities that allowed me to survive and eventually thrive.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The biggest advice I would give anyone starting a business is to make sure it really is something you are passionate about. It is going to be your baby, and if you are excited and proud of it, that is the energy that folks are looking for and what will allow you to put in the time and mental/emotional energy to really be successful.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://collegeathleticadvisor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeAthleticAdvisor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/college_athletic_advisor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAACoachDave
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collegeadvisordave/
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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