Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gary Lloyd, founder of Gardeners Not Mechanics, located in London, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We help organisations and individuals to make lasting changes by thinking and acting like gardeners, not mechanics.
We do this through the following:
- Consultancy.
- Training and facilitation.
- Coaching and mentoring.
Tell us about yourself
I have been leading and consulting in IT-enabled organizational change for nearly 30 years. In addition to this, I have been an executive mentor and coach for a leading business school for the past 12 years. I have also written two books:
Doris has been a training consultant and facilitator for 30 years, working mainly with high-end car manufacturers. I have worked mainly in banking and financial markets.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our most significant accomplishment has been convincing global organisations that we have specialist skills and experience that are unavailable from mainstream consulting firms.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Selling. We enjoy solving problems, not selling, so most of our business comes from existing customers and referrals.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find a partner with complementary skills (where one of you likes and is good at selling).
- Be reliable.
- Seek feedback, good or bad, and treat it as a buried treasure.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.gardenersnotmechanics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gardenersnotmechanics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/notmechanics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyjohnlloyd/
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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