Better Boards. Better Communities.

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ken Haycock, Executive Director of Better Boards. Better Communities., located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

We partner with not-for-profit boards to enable them to become more effective and impact their community, however defined (municipality, membership, clients). We view governance as leadership. As we offer asynchronous, short, online courses, our "client" is typically the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director, while our "customers" are their board members. We also offer a free weekly blog, newsletter, and webinars, as well as curated resources with the courses and as free resources.

Tell us about yourself

I have worked in the not-for-profit sector as a senior official and board member, with budgets from less than a hundred thousand dollars to $750 million. Boards that are high performing, asking the right questions, and setting strategic direction can have an enormous positive impact on the agency and the community they serve. There is no extra time involved, just knowing how to use governance as leadership, understanding governance and how to be effective in the policy lane.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

As a small operation, we have spent a year setting in place the foundation and infrastructure for growth. We have two online courses, each running in alternative months, a weekly blog and newsletter, and monthly free webinars. From our clients, we know that we are making a difference.

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

Keeping your eye on the proverbial ball. There are many "urgent" things that too easily detract from the "important." Knowing your timeframe is important; that is when you need revenue to match and exceed expenses so you can continue to stay in the game.

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

Have a clear and written business plan.
Distinguish your customers and clients. Our product is aimed at board members, but Chief Executive Officers and Executive Directors inform them, encourage them, and register/pay for them to participate.
Probe the "need" vs. the "reality." We are uniformly needed (and we conducted extensive research beforehand), but this does not mean that people really want high-performing boards, despite what they say.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.betterboardsbettercommunities.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetterBoardsBetterCommunities
Twitter: https://twitter.com/boardsbetter
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3HIJb9s

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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