Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marc Fest, Founder and CEO of Elevator Speech Training, located in Miami, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a communications coach helping people attract more interest to their projects by changing how they talk about what they do. I call it Elevator Speech Training, but it goes beyond the proverbial situation when you bump into somebody important inside an elevator. For example, many of my clients use me to prepare for a casual conversation with a potential supporter, investor, or partner at, let's say, a friend's birthday party. My customers primarily are foundations like Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, and the Mac Arthur Foundation. They pay me to coach their grantees. These are often people working on the frontlines of the most pressing issues of our time, like climate change, maintaining a healthy democracy, and the housing crisis.
Tell us about yourself
I've always wanted to focus my communications work on coaching, but my first attempts were failures. For example, starting in 2012, I created a Website called "Rehearsify." It didn't go anywhere. Then came an attempt I called "Joyful Speaking," which didn't have traction either. In early 2019, I began ElevatorSpeechTraining.com and decided to do the coaching only by Zoom (which most people were not familiar with at the time). For some reason, it clicked, and I soon found myself booked solid for six months in advance.
I love working with people who are trying to make a positive difference in the universe. To be frank, my work is my social life and my therapy for me. I sometimes struggle with anxiety. The coaching makes me instantly feel better. I get into a flow state where all worries disappear. I'm just there with my client. It's what I imagine people experience who are into surfing. There's great joy in it. I think my clients feel it, and it's part of why they like the training.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Mainly being able to make a living doing something I love 100% that people find helpful. I'm also happy to use tools like Zapier and Google Apps Script to automate many of my business processes. For example, the system automatically surveys clients and follows up with those who don't respond. If someone reschedules, the system automatically offers the freed-up slot to people who have indicated that they would like to move up their appointment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I suppose, persisting when things don't work out, as I described above. To keep trying something new, and taking a hard look at your business process, and acknowledge where you need to improve it. I have someone very close to me who helps me do that.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Try to do something helpful to people.
- Find something you enjoy doing.
- Keep trying if it does not work out initially.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I developed a framework for my coaching method. I call it the Magic Phrases Framework because its impact often seems almost magical. It's available for free on this website. It'll help anybody improve how they speak about what they do. Check it out.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://elevatorspeechtraining.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatorspeechtraining
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcfest/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcfest
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcfest/
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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