Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elle Overholt, founder of Forth, located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

Forth brings the job market to eager professionals. It’s one thing to look good on paper and another to make genuine industry connections that go the distance. We prepare young talent for the world of work through our online coaching program and exclusive access to our network of prospective employers. Think of us like a one-way ticket to kickstart the career you’ll love.

Tell us about yourself

With a background in management consulting and experiencing the painful transition from college to career, I built Forth to provide young people with the tools, resources, and mentorship to effectively land the job, proactively get promoted, and have fewer hiccups along the way. My motivation is wishing this existed when I was graduating from undergrad. I felt so prepared and equipped and just didn't realize the major differences in the workplace. When you know better, you do better, and if you have the opportunity, you can help others do better too.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a business owner, my greatest accomplishment is the life change that has happened for the Forth family. The jobs that felt way too far out of reach before signing on the dotted line, the first homes they get to purchase, and the feedback they receive from their bosses when they get that first promotion. I know it creates a difference in their purpose and ultimately, their long-term career. I wouldn't do this work if it didn't make that impact.

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

One of the harder things is constantly figuring out how to do things that are not your skills or interests (*cough* *cough* accounting, anyone?). Everyone typically believes that you only get to do the things you love and bring you life as a business owner! That is a much smaller percentage of the work you actually get to do. It's important to be able to learn the ins and outs of every piece of the business, and part of that requires knowledge of things that just aren't as fun!

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

  1. Just start. Even if it's testing your product or service in the market, doing something before you "officially" get going is critical to see how your audience and the future customer may respond to your business. This is critical!
  2. Find a routine that works well for you! I'm not going to tell you exactly when to wake up, what to eat, when to take client calls versus product work, etc., but figure out what works for you and be consistent. Many entrepreneurs fail, in my opinion, because they have no structure and no accountability to themselves. They feel lost without direction. The little every schedule saves you!
  3. Stop comparing. Stop comparing to every other author, entrepreneur, business owner, or gazillionaire out there. They don't have your life, business, constraints, ideas, or drive. Tunnel vision on what you want to do and keep going. All successful people have two things in common: they start and keep going.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

At Forth, we believe:

•There are better ways to job search.

•Don’t get lost in the vortex of online job portals and mass resume drops.

•Humans hire humans - The most successful job candidates are those who’ve mastered the art of being themselves in a professional setting.

•It’s who you know (and who knows you) - There’s a reason this old saying has stuck around: meaningful industry connections can make all the difference to a young jobseeker.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://goforthllc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forth_llc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-overholt/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.