Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alexander Londo, CEO of JazzJune, Inc., located in Bloomington, MN, USA.

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

Our business aims to revolutionize access to educational opportunities for everyone. By providing tools to create & share learning content for free, in combination with our community-first approach to learning, our customers are instructors, experts & leaders, but also anyone who is looking to learn through making connections.

Tell us about yourself

I took an alternative path to learn my trade skills in video production. Unlike many who went to college, I discovered opportunities at a young age that allowed me to not only learn what I needed to create video content but also connect with the people who would help propel my incredible career. In 2018, while working full-time as a video producer for a global gym franchise, I discovered the idea for JazzJune while out to lunch with my then co-worker, now business partner. It was at that moment that I realized my passion was in helping others find their opportunities through learning connections, and I knew JazzJune could be the first to make it happen. I am motivated each and every day by the growing number of users who come to JazzJune to help themselves or help others grow through our learning communities.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment so far is building the business from an idea to fully-operational incorporation in just over two years. With 10+ staff members and contractors from around the world and over $125,000 in annual revenue, we've added over 100 users to our platform, which has created countless learning communities & opportunities.

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

I would say the hardest thing about being a startup founder is to keep moving forward, despite setbacks and negativity from others. You need to have complete trust that what you're doing every day, and the decisions you're making, are going to lead to the outcome you wish to have for the business.

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

  1. Be financially secure. You will need to operate your life for some time while the business requires your full attention, typically with little to no compensation.
  2. Be ready to make sacrifices and take on risks. Remember, someone else is out there giving 100%, which means you need to give 110%. Typically, this means stepping away from a job or anything else in life that will distract you from bringing this effort. Also, understand that you risk your dollars and time to potentially receive nothing for it in the end.
  3. Be absolutely all-in on whatever you're doing - exude passion. People will quickly pick up whether you're in business to make a quick buck or actually improve the lives of your customers. Love what you do. Live what you do. Leave your heart on the table and bring passion to your job every day. It will inspire you; it will inspire your employees and your customers.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Surround yourself with the best. It's said that you are the sum of the five closest people in your life. Evaluate that and consider whether you're making the right connections to succeed. All of the most successful people I know found their success, not through academics but instead by outworking the competition and connecting with the right people that helped them achieve their goals.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jazzjune.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JazzJune/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazzjuneinc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JazzJuneInc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jazzjune/

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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