Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brianna Nicholson, COO of KO Business Solutions, located in Darien, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
KO Business Solutions is a consulting firm that works with clients in creating hiring strategies, executing those strategies, as well as enhancing customer engagement through our outsource Contact Center. Our customers are any businesses that have a demand for hiring and/or a need for initiating or increasing customer interactions. We have worked with start-ups to fortune 500 companies.
Tell us about yourself
Early in my career, as a young Manager, I knew there was a better way to work and lead. At my previous company, we used a lot of outsourced vendors for a lot of our business needs, but I noticed that my team had to manage more with these vendors, ultimately defeating the purpose of utilizing them. Being in a larger corporation, there were a lot of limitations to what Leaders could and could not do, which I found discouraging because, dealing with employees and people, we encounter unique situations, and these limitations never seemed to benefit the majority.
The reason for starting my company leads to what motivates me each day, and that is empowering people. I love empowering my employees to use their voice and understanding that their voice matters. Too many employers do not listen to their employees, which tends to lead to a negative work environment and can result in lower productivity. Listening to our employees has helped us to continually enhance our business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been watching the company grow, as well as watching our employee’s professional growth. Remembering where we started and watching the continued growth of not only the business but the professional growth of our employees has made this journey very fulfilling.
I have been able to see employees who started with us grow from entry-level employees to establishing a career that allows them to continue to grow. Providing a space where employees can come learn new skills and gain positive new experiences to cultivate their career has to be one of the top accomplishments of a business owner.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is the constant pivots that need to be made, along with the complexity of those pivots.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My top three tips for anyone looking to start their own business would be the following:
- Trust yourself.
- Keep up to date with your industry trends and needs.
- Invest in your employees.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://kobusinesssolutions.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KObizsol
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kobizsol/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-nicholson-734b1472/
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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