Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elena Korolkova, Founder and CEO of Kick Consulting, located in Clontarf, NSW, Australia.

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

Kick Consulting is a business automation specialist helping companies streamline their processes with monday.com. We are experts in monday.com, make.com, and zapier.

Tell us about yourself

I love technology and have always been an early adopter. When my last contract in financial planning finished, my partner suggested I help businesses integrate technology. This was five years ago, and I didn't think anyone would pay for something like that. I also had a dream of working remotely while I traveled the world; it was my dream to have a flexible day. And on one of the podcasts, I heard about an Asana specialist who started consulting and was able to make a business from it and travel around the world. That lit up the fire for me. I did an analysis and saw that monday.com had a lot of users but not as many consultants. So I named myself a specialist and started learning it.

First little while, it was 'fake till you make it.' Thank god, I didn't have any clients back then. I was only trying to establish my authority. As COVID was ramping up, everyone was moving online and needed a system to collaborate. So I started getting contacted.

I truly love helping people and making their life easier. I love hearing our client's excitement when they see their business transform, and I love seeing my staff happy.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

  • I made it to the last round of Telstra business awards in Accelerating Women. I had to pull out as I went into labor.
  • Kick became an official channel partner of monday.com at the start of 2022. We were one of the first small businesses to be made partners. There are only 400 partners globally.
  • 30% YoY revenue growth even during pregnancy and the first years of being a mother.
  • Being a present, attentive mother while still running a successful business with ten staff.

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

  • Making the hard decisions.
  • The responsibility that lies on your shoulders for your staff and your clients. I know my staff depends on me, and I want to make sure I support them.
  • Switching off. I'm typing this on the plane to my first proper 'no work' holiday in 5 years.

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

  1. You don't need to have perfect business cards or the best website in the world to start a business. Have a rough plan, go sell, find customers, and if you can't, pivot. Be ready to pivot fast and often. There is no point in creating a perfect business setup for a business idea that doesn't sell.
  2. Self-care. I come across many women who put themselves last and prioritize clients, staff, and business. But if you have nothing left in your bucket, then you have nothing to give. I also struggle with self-care, and it's my priority #1.
  3. Be the big fish in the small pond. Choose your specialty and be the expert in your little pond.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kickconsulting.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KickConsultingGlobal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kick-consulting-group/

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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