Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jess Lenouvel, founder of The Listings Lab, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Listings Lab is a marketing and business coaching company for real estate agents.
Tell us about yourself
In 2017, my husband (Yves) and I were on vacation in Hawaii, and I had a powerful flip of the switch. "I don't want to sell real estate anymore. It doesn't feel right," I say through tears. I'd been an agent for many years. "I want to do something else, but I don't know what." My poor husband! We have this hard-earned successful business, and suddenly I'm saying I don't want it. But inside, I could feel a genuine inner knowing that I was meant to do something else that would utilize my gifts and talents more. Yves was wonderful. He said, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out." It wouldn't take long.
We left Hawaii, and one day, Yves points out, "Jess, the happiest you've ever been is when other agents knock on your door and say, 'Hey, can you help me?'" It was kind of a "holy shit!" moment because it was so true. Whenever I helped other agents improve their business, I felt my very best. This realization started the wheels turning. Yves and I knew so many struggling agents, and we knew we could show them how to thrive. Suddenly it felt perfect – we had this gift that we had to give! I had a vision of a real estate coaching/consulting business that would give me back my passion! That's when The Listings Lab was born. I'm motivated to help the industry to move forward by embracing modern marketing tactics.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I've gotten to speak on some of the biggest stages in the real estate industry and have been the top-rated speaker.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Every day is a little different, but the hardest thing is probably balancing high-quality delivery and scalability. Our programs have some of the highest success rates in the industry because we only teach proven methods that we know work because our team has personally used them and seen success. But as programs continue to grow, we want to be cost-effective while making sure that we don't have to bring on more people.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Embrace automation before hiring. Too often, agents will pay someone $40 or 50k a year for something software can do for $500 a year.
- Choose a niche. If you speak to everyone, then you're speaking to no one. A niche doesn't mean you won't get business from other types of clients, but you want to pick a niche to direct your messaging towards. Vague messaging doesn't lead to results.
- Grow a targeted audience. I could lose my company tomorrow and be just fine because I've built an audience of people who know, like, and trust me.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thelistingslab.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelistingslab
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesslenouvel/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesslenouvel/
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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