Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeff Straub, owner of Leeward Solutions, LLC., located in Greer, SC, USA.

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

Leeward Solutions is an advisory and consultation service business specializing in emergency preparedness and continuity services for essential agencies, including healthcare, first responders, and small businesses. Our focused approach provides practical application to a complex process of resilience and stability for our clients. Utilizing over thirty years of experience in healthcare, first response, and government operations allows Leeward Solutions a wealth of resources, professional connections, and proven practices to provide our clients a sense of peace and confidence that ensures their readiness for the communities they serve.

Tell us about yourself

My entire career has been one of service to others, from my early days as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman with the United States Navy to my many years as a Paramedic, and finally as an Emergency Manager in a fast-paced healthcare environment. I have been most fortunate to be surrounded by incredible leaders and some pretty awful ones over my career path; both have provided me with an astonishing insight into effective management and how to and how not to treat others in the world of business. I came to a point in my career where I felt it was time to make a substantial change in my work/life balance and focus on finding a new path and breaking free of the all-to-familiar toxic environments that continue to invade the workplace.

As service was an integral part of who I was, it made the most sense to embrace this new venture with the same faithful approach, helping them achieve excellent outcomes that yield long-lasting improvements that further improve individual, business, and community resilience.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I started this business in February 2020 at the beginning of the COVID Pandemic. Starting a business under normal circumstances is difficult; starting one in and amongst a pandemic may seem like a fool's chase to the average individual. So my most significant accomplishment is that the business is still functioning post-pandemic and has been very successful despite lockdowns and restrictions.

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

One of the most challenging transitions from worker to business owner is adjusting time and self-governance. As a business owner, all the weight of responsibility resides on your shoulders alone, from the concept of design to finding leads, billing, and insurance all belongs to you, the business owner. All the successes and all the failures are yours.

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

There are many things one must consider when deciding on starting a business; I would say the top three things that one should focus on are as follows:

  1. Be prepared to fail. Fear is a powerful motivator, but so is success. You can not succeed without first failing at some level.
  2. Be patient. Success doesn't come overnight for most, but failure can if you're not patient.
  3. Be honest with yourself. If you need help, seek it out, no one does it alone, so don't be afraid to ask for assistance, guidance, and support.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Live and walk with purpose, whether as an aspiring business owner or as a worker. Strive to be the best person you can be authentic.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.leewardreadiness.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeewardSolutions1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leewardreadiness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeward-solutions/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.