Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa Marinic, Owner and Principal Consultant of Kacia Consulting Ltd., located in Spruce Grove, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business involves providing Industrial Hygiene services to organizations that need my help. But... what is Industrial Hygiene, you ask?! Everyone asks! Industrial Hygiene is in the field of Occupational Health and Safety. It's a specialized area that deals with the assessment and control of health hazards in the workplace. Some examples would include assessing and controlling exposures to silica, which can cause a disease called silicosis, or noise which can cause permanent hearing loss, or even viruses in the workplace, which we have known all about since the COVID-19 pandemic! The goal is to understand and quantify worker exposure to these health hazards so that we can ensure workers are not being over-exposed and are not at risk of developing disease or health effects from their occupation. My customers range from companies in construction and mining to municipalities, health care, and educational institutions. That's the really fun part of my business – one week, I'm in an underground mine monitoring worker exposure to silica, and the next, I'm in an operating room during a knee replacement monitoring chemical exposures to the surgeons!
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in a small mining town, and during the summers, they would often hire university students to perform labour jobs and coverage for summer vacations. During my first work term, I was lucky to be placed in the Industrial Hygiene department, and this is where I learned about the field. Similar to most 18–20 year-olds, I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, but I was really enjoying my summers learning about Industrial Hygiene, and for me, those work terms sparked a lifelong career in Industrial Hygiene. Since then, I've worked for many organizations, gaining experience and learnings along the way. I've always had the urge to work for myself. Just this past year, in the midst of COVID-19, I finally mustered the courage (with tremendous support from my husband and family) to quit my full-time job and make a go of it! I opened my business in August 2022 and have spent the past 7 months learning more than I can possibly imagine about owning a business. I'm very happy and excited to continue the learning curve of entrepreneurship while continuing to work at what I enjoy most, Industrial Hygiene!
In terms of what motivates me each day, there are two things. First, I absolutely love what I do, and I feel so valued in helping organizations develop the tools they need to protect their workers' health. It's extremely rewarding knowing that you're making a difference, in a positive way, for people's future (even if they don't know it)! Second, to that, I'm motivated by my family to continue to operate my business. Opposite to what most people think, going solo has provided me with more time and flexibility to spend with my family. We are a family of two full-time working parents, two kids who are still very young, and two high-energy dogs, and life is busy! Having the ability to plan my work around our family schedule (for the most part) is like a breath of fresh air compared to the standard 40-hr work week that often left me feeling guilty and shamed when having to veer from the 'normal' work hours that are expected.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a new business owner, my biggest accomplishment to date was securing my first "random" contract! When I say random, I mean I didn't know the person or the company that reached out, and they found/heard of me through my online marketing. I had gained contracts previous to that, but that was the first one that I gained somewhat organically, and it felt so good to see that all of my efforts in this very new world of business were paying off! It felt like a big win and gave me a boost to continue to push through these very early months of entrepreneurship.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is being a business owner! As a specialist, you think, "I could really make a go of this on my own." And you can and you will, but I don't think you can ever imagine the work that goes into running a business. From the paperwork that's required to get set up, to the legal advice, to various insurances that are required, to the marketing, to the bookkeeping, to the contract development, back to the legal advice, and the list goes on. It's sheer madness – but it's a good madness! A madness that offers so much reward at the end of the day after you learn something new or achieve something great, and a madness that offers more flexibility than working for someone else could ever provide.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
As a new business owner, I'd suggest the following three tips to someone looking to start and run their own business. First, invest your time in networking and making connections. I'm finding the more I put myself out there (which can feel mega uncomfortable), the more opportunities arise which can help during both the short and long term. Secondly, I would invest in some marketing. You just can't do it all as a business owner, and you have to decide what is most important to spend your money on in the initial phases of your business. I highly recommend seeking someone to help you with your marketing plan and initiatives while you focus on the rest of those business needs. Final tip – just do it. I went through years and years of consideration and contemplation of going solo and could have been in this place a lot sooner if it wasn't for the fear. I always had an excuse and always talked myself out of it until finally, I pushed (with the help of family, friends, and a good therapist) through that fear, and I am now on the other side! So far, a brighter, more exciting other side that leaves me feeling excited about work all over again!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.kaciaconsulting.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kacia-consulting/
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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