Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Candace Chisholm, CEO of He Changed It Enterprises Inc., located in Kelowna, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We have built an app for men's mental and physical health called He Changed It. It focuses on mental, physical, emotional, soul, and social fitnesses and is moated by a peer-to-peer community. It's a 'Prevention in the Pocket' approach for busy men looking to prioritize their health. Our customers are men ages 18-65 struggling with burnout, stress, overload, and more. Men can use a straightforward anonymous approach to balancing their wellness.
Tell us about yourself
I worked in a non for profit start-up that focused on women and children for five years, helping to grow it from 0-55,000 members nationwide. While there, I saw and received calls from men daily looking for resources anonymously. When I exited in 2018, I knew I needed to provide an all-access resource through tech for scale.
After doing a deep dive into research, the numbers were astounding. In North America, five men die every hour by suicide, with men making up 3 out of 4 suicides worldwide. This drives me to make a difference every day. Every day we lose husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, and friends, and I can't sit by and watch it. The good news is that awareness is moving rapidly, and we are grateful to be ahead of that curve as one of the only gender-focused apps.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I feel like each 'accomplishment' is a big one when you are an entrepreneur. Sometimes getting your emails answered is the biggest thing you can do, wearing all the hats you do in a day. However, my two big wins were getting an app into the market that men are using daily and working with mental health associations to collaborate on real resources that get to the heart of men's top pain points with practical applications to address.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Wearing all the hats. Especially when starting out, fiscally trying to stay responsible, you start out doing all the things yourself. This can be both lonely and exhausting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- GET A MENTOR. Hiring and having someone who has accomplished what you are trying to is the best money you will spend. It may seem extravagant, but coaches (good ones) can transform anything. Caution not to just buy into the hype.
- Interest has a half-life: When connecting with potential buyers/users/ partners... whatever the case may be, striking while the iron is hot is essential. Interest in whatever you are doing is like cream....if left, it will go bad within the week.
- DON'T GIVE UP: if it's your dream and you are truly passionate, don't give up. Find a way. There is always a way.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Never underestimate the power of community. Platforms like this help to connect you to others that know your struggle and celebrate successes. Your everyday circles may not get what you are working to do, and that's ok...they don't need to soloing as you get that you are doing your life's work.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://hechangedit.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hechangeditapp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hechangedit/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hechangedit
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hechangedit/
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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