Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Destini Copp, Founder of Destini Copp, LLC., located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

I help business owners create and sell passive income digital products like online courses or memberships via evergreen sales funnels. My customers are online business owners, including entrepreneurs, freelancers, consultants, service providers, and coaches who want to teach what they know or decrease their dependence on client work. If this sounds like you, then you're ready to create an online course!

Tell us about yourself

I started my online business over five years ago after I left my university job as an Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. I had worked in corporate marketing and academia for over 20 years and wanted a different challenge. I decided to combine my love of teaching and marketing with helping others teach what they know and get paid for doing so. I'm a huge believer in online courses.

I'd been creating online courses and teaching online since 2005, way back in the dark ages when people couldn't believe that students could actually learn online.

Fast forward post COVID, it's become the norm, and the online learning industry continues to explode. I stay motivated when I hear success stories from my students and clients. One of my superpowers is taking complicated projects (like creating an online course or setting up a marketing system to sell it) and making them simple. My Course in a Box system helps business owners create their money-making course in as little as a week, and we have student testimonials to prove that our system works.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I love being able to create and explore new business opportunities. I’ve taken my personal brand and expanded it into different areas. For example, this past year, we started a brand called HobbyScool, where we offer online learning summits for individuals who want to explore their next big thing.

I started this brand for two reasons:

  • To help online business owners who have digital products like an online course get their message out into the world by being one of our expert speakers.
  • To help attendees learn from these wonderful speakers so they can explore new hobbies, projects, and ideas.

I would say my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is finding gaps in the market and exploring ways to meet those gaps.

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

Inevitably, in business, there will be rough spots. It may be a launch that did not go as planned or a quarter where you didn’t meet your revenue goals. It’s important to know that this happens to everyone, and sometimes you have to chalk these events up to learning opportunities.

I have a quote that’s on a picture in my office that says: "Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss if you don’t even try." Failure will happen, but worrying about failure will keep you from missing great opportunities in life.

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

I would first start by creating a very basic website with a lead magnet to attract your ideal customer and start growing your email list. This is more important than growing your social media followers. Your email list is your money maker and should always be a top priority in your business.

Second, I would make sure you have a trusted advisor that you can bounce ideas off and reach out to when you have questions. This is important no matter what stage of business you are in. A business coach can help you avoid many mistakes when you are just starting out and help you meet your business goals faster.

Next, I would suggest that you get a core group of ideal customers who you can meet with and help you design your products and services. Don’t do this in a vacuum. Their feedback will help you design and market products that they will be willing to pay for.

Where can people find you and your business?

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

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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