Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Taylor Bell, founder of Handbook-Creator.com, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm an experienced employment law attorney and HR professional. I've spent ten years working with founders and small business owners, setting up their core HR functions so that they can scale confidently and create a culture of compliance. One of the easiest ways to communicate core company policies and practices is through a well-written handbook. Unfortunately, most handbooks are just terrible. They are out of date, way too long, and written with so much legal jargon that the average individual can't understand it. At that point, it's just an expensive paperweight, better suited to put you to sleep than to educate your team. I write great, custom handbooks for businesses that want to express their core values, principles, policies, and important procedures in a way that every team member - regardless of educational background - can fully understand. I partner with the company leader to craft a document that is truly useful and unique to them. It may sound silly, but it can be so important to get this right.
Tell us about yourself
I spent a decade working as an attorney and Chief People Officer observing truly terrible HR services. Don't get me wrong; there are plenty of great HR pros out there doing good work building culture, supporting employees, and helping founders sleep at night knowing that their teams are solid. Their company is compliant where it matters. However, the majority of work done in this space isn't great. I'm trying to bring a higher level of expertise, creativity, and quality to a space sorely lacking. It may sound odd, but I truly have a strange passion for employee handbooks. I've found a way to turn that passion into a business because most handbooks suck. Mine don't!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is creating something that supports my family without depending on anyone else. Prior to this endeavor, I co-founded an HR services company with a business partner. We grew that business together to eventually have a dozen employees. Then I learned the hard way what happens when two founders begin to disagree. I exited that business and promised myself that if I started another business, I'd do it on my own. I'm proud to say that I've been able to do that here! Now my partners are my clients, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, it is all the stuff that comes with running a business that doesn't involve my core competencies. I'm great at HR and employment law - business finances, however? Not so much. I've learned sales in order to survive, and I have to be really intentional when it comes to invoicing, tracking down accounts payable, advertising, taxes, etc. I really don't like doing all those things, but it comes with the territory. And if you do it poorly, you can really set yourself up for failure. You may have the best product in your space, but if you forget to bill for it - who cares?
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The one thing I tell anyone who talks to me about interest in starting a business is - DO IT! The only thing stopping you is you. It can be a grind, it can be lonely, and it can be scary, but it is so worth it. The freedom that comes with starting and running your own business is invigorating. You don't need money; you just need some courage to get over your fear of failure.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://handbook-creator.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handbookcreator
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/handbook-creator/
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.
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