Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with John Murphy, Founder and CEO of Venture Management Consultants, Inc., located in Palm Beach, FL, USA.

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

My business is management consulting, and I specialize in Operational Excellence. I offer executive and professional training, coaching, strategy planning, and facilitation. I have worked with clients from over 50 countries and trained tens of thousands of leaders in business, education, military, and government. My customers range from entrepreneurial start-ups to Fortune 100 enterprises.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up a very competitive athlete and a very resourceful entrepreneur. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Business and Finance and having played football for the Irish, I discovered an inherent need in the business world for high-performance teamwork. I was surprised to see how well-established companies operated in very dysfunctional ways. After working with two different employers in two different capacities, I started my consulting firm in 1988 to address this need.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is growing my business for 34 years and surviving some very difficult times, including a major recession and a global pandemic. I have also won several awards as a consultant and author, now with 20 books published.

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

I think one of the toughest challenges for business owners is stress. The world is constantly changing, and it is essential to pivot and adapt quickly. This is not always easy to do. And it can be "lonely at the top." Sometimes, it seems like no one really cares as much as you do. So I find that it takes courage, determination, passion, and conviction to see your way through the many obstacles that appear along the way. I also find great value in mindfulness training and practice.

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

  1. Only do it if your heart (and not just your head) is into it. Focus on Why this is important to you and not just What it is you want to do. You will need heartfelt passion and courage to see your way through the many challenges you will face.
  2. Surround yourself with great talent and experience. This means virtually as well as physically. Be a lifelong learner committed to self-education and growth. Read great books. Listen to inspiring speakers. Pay attention to who you pay attention to. Not all self-proclaimed experts know what they are talking about.
  3. Stay humble, open, and present. Beware of complacency. Seek continuous growth and improvement.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My life as a business owner and entrepreneur has been fascinating. I have seen and accomplished things beyond my wildest dreams. Yet, there is always a cost to these things. Time away from family and friends. Financial strain and losses. Countless ups and downs. The key is to remain optimistic. Positive and negative are two sides to the same coin. You cannot have one without the other. The same is true for problems and solutions. If you truly want to succeed - whatever that means to you - you need to focus on solutions. Positive energy is contagious.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.johnjmurphy.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.John.J.Murphy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjmurphy13/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sageleader
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjmurphymystic/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.