Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in finance but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Allison Field, Founder & Principal Consultant of Field Consulting, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

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

I help clients fund large infrastructure projects, including creating a funding strategy, identifying funding opportunities, designing and writing required documents, and managing the relationship with the funder through the project lifecycle. My customers are transportation companies, agriculture companies, and towns/municipalities.

Tell us about yourself

I worked in the rail industry and taught at the University of Saskatchewan when I first finished my MBA. While I enjoyed both of these jobs, I had always wanted to be my own boss. I saw an opportunity to grow my consulting business from the side of my desk to a full-time position, and I took it. I didn't have any grand plan. People asked me to do projects for them here and there, and the more I learned about the infrastructure world, I started to be able to identify where there was more opportunity. Because I had had a baby and didn't want to travel or be in an office 8 hours a day, I started to design the life I wanted. The beauty of being your own boss is that you have the power to decide how many hours you want to work a day and when you want big breaks in work. I am motivated each day by contributing to the strength of the supply chain. COVID and the supply chain disruptions that have been ongoing since really brought home to me (and many others) how very important it is to have the correct transportation infrastructure in place. I love that I am contributing to Canada's ability to move goods to export - so that the world can use what we produce in abundance - fertilizer, fuel, and food.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishments are building a strong reputation for results and forming long-term relationships with my clients.

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

I find managing workflow really challenging. I like to try to keep my hours down so that I can spend more time with my family, but there are times when that isn't possible. Saying no is challenging, but I find if you put processes in place, then it is easier to say upfront what hours you are available and what out-of-scope work will cost the client and stick to that later. It's basically a constant learning process. You wear so many hats, marketing, sales, HR, customer relations, accounting, etc., etc. You won't come in good at all of them, so learning what to hand off and to whom is really important. Being a business owner is really fun; it's your own invention, and you can mold it and reshape it to what you want.

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

Try to pace yourself, don't expect big wins up front - it takes time to grow, and make sure that you are winning somehow so that you don't get resentful - whether that be by making more money, having more flexibility, or having more fun.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://fieldconsulting.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/field-communication-consulting/

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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