Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business consulting and services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with George Wentworth, Founder of Group Wentworth, located in New York, NY, USA.

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

By supporting Business Operations for start-ups and medium-sized companies, generally between 10-1000 employees, we give entrepreneurs back their most valuable asset: time.

In the US and Canada:

  • Providing HR services
  • Payroll services, from setup to management
  • Partnered with labor attorneys
  • Recruiting and staffing
  • Setup and compliance
  • Insurance
  • Registration and renewal with State
  • Bookkeeping and Finance Management
  • IT services
  • Executive Coaching
  • Marketing

In the UK:

  • Recruiting and Staffing
  • Corporate training
  • IT services
  • Bookkeeping
  • Helping UK-based companies establish themselves in North America.

Tell us about yourself

My non-traditional path to business operations has involved studying farm sciences in Brazil and earning a Fine Arts degree at the University of Massachusetts, and studying business management at the London School of Economics, as well as working in the food industry, in real estate, commercial and residential construction, management consulting, and technology services. By the time I was 30, I had already worked in, founded, and sold a few start-ups.

I believe this path proves that some business fundamentals are true for companies of any size or industry. The best recipe for success requires maintaining a strong company culture, streamlining operational systems, and providing excellent communication and customer service. These are the fundamentals; everything else is negotiable. I founded Wentworth Consulting Group out of necessity, opportunity, and need. It was my perfect trifecta! During the COVID-19 pandemic, I left my job as head of Operations and Human Resources at a technology service and management consulting company after 7 years, taking it from a start-up to a multinational enterprise.

While working there, I did pro-bono work mentoring young entrepreneurs and advising non-profits. I've been able to expand my network of professionals and service providers that way. I truly enjoy working with companies helping them stay organized and aligned with local regulation requirements, and strategizing on growth and hires. So I started planning the launch of Wentworth Consulting Group at the end of 2020 to coincide with my departure from my last job and tapped into my network to quickly and efficiently add resources to any client's needs. It has been extremely rewarding already. I have signed a few clients, mostly small and mid-size, and was invited as a guest speaker at an annual EXPO in Toronto to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on equity, diversity, inclusion, and mental health. And we've been working on content for our brandnew YouTube and Instagram channels, with tips and methods that every entrepreneur can use to increase efficiency and see better results.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being able to scale up my business, hire talented people, and expand operations into offices in Canada and the UK has been a tremendous accomplishment for a young business that started during a global pandemic. Seeing our direct impact on our client's growth is the best motivation to keep us going strong.

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

There are a lot of challenges that come with being a business owner, but one, in particular, I have had to learn to manage better and that I have seen other founders struggle with is delegation. Especially when starting a business, one must wear many hats, be involved in every aspect of the business, and generally be a jack of all trades. But in order to free up valuable time, to scale and grow, delegation is very important. Not only what to give to others but when, how, and to whom. Mastering this will ensure higher efficiency and better results for any business.

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

  1. Start your business now, today. Do not wait because 100% of businesses that are not started fail. So get started, and the odds will already be in your favor.
  2. Start simple and grow from there: all you need is a short business plan, a clear idea, an understanding who your customer is, and manage your cash flow wisely.
  3. Ask for help! This is easy and simple, but so many people are hesitant to ask for it. Reach out to experts on the areas you need help with, and ask other entrepreneurs and professionals. You can get a lot of good, free advice, and it will give you a chance to develop your concepts and ideas with insightful input from people you value.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://wentworthconsulting.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GroupWentworth/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groupwentworth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GroupWentworth
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/groupwentworth/

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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