Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Khryspn Jensen, founder and CEO of Life Start Training Inc., located in Saint John, NB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We offer engaging, fun, and interactive first aid classes for everyone who requires it for work. We have developed a program during COVID to allow half of the class to be done online and the other half to be done in person for skill assessments. During COVID, we found that there was a gap within the industry to allow for virtual options to keep employees certified. I decided to write my own program for New Brunswick and was approved in June 2020. After a tremendous amount of feedback saying that it was the best class people had ever taken, it was fun, engaging, and informative; we decided to expand and gain approval in other provinces. We have spent the last two years refining our online components and are now approved to teach in NB, PEI, NB, MB & SK. We made the decision to franchise Life Start after overwhelming feedback that this style of interactive training is needed in other provinces. We are currently signing on franchises in the provinces that we are approved in and looking for like-minded business owners who not only want to make a difference in the lives of Canadians but also have a passion for helping increase our survival rates in Canada for our hospital heart attacks.
Tell us about yourself
I was given the opportunity to work under another provider teaching first aid in 2016. My goal was to make first aid more "fun" and engaging than the traditional "boring" power point and slide show presentations that are typically offered. As I kept developing my style of teaching and incorporating more hands-on training for participants with better quality equipment, I quickly found that there was a huge gap in the industry when it came to training. Over the years, I have heard many stories about participants after taking a Life Start class saving loved ones with CPR. Two weeks ago, Courtney tagged us in a post that her father wouldn't be alive today if they didn't take a Life Start course. Her father's life was saved because of us, this is why I do what I do, and this is why I am so passionate about offering better quality classes, better equipment, and engaging programs that everyone can not only learn from but also feel confident to help save a life. We want all of our franchisees to have that same passion and feeling when it comes to teaching how to save a life and perform first aid.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment would be, knowing that people's lives have been saved because of us. My second one would be developing a program that is user-friendly and making a choice to franchise the Life Start brand in the provinces that we are approved in to teach in. Safety will never go backward, and I feel that providing better training is key. We also signed on our first franchise in Halifax!! They will be opening their door in early 2023.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Learning how to delegate! It takes a strong team to work together, and I a very fortunate that we have created a very strong team at Life Start. All of us have the same passion when it comes to providing customer service and offering better training. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without all the dedication that every single member of my staff gives. They see the vision and the change we are creating within this industry.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Pick an industry that can match your passion and work ethic. Customer service is what can set you apart from everyone else and treat your employees like family, not just a number. In order to have a successful business, you need to have a staff who is there to support you and want to go above and beyond for the business to succeed. Create some team building and an environment where they feel and want to give feedback, both positive and negative. Some of the greatest ideas come from employees feeling like they can contribute and give feedback on things.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.lifestarttraining.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/golifestart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golifestart/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khryspnjensen/
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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