Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with James Bradfield, Owner of M&J Window Care, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run a home maintenance business specializing in window, gutter, and siding cleaning projects. We also install gutter guards and do various wood brightening/staining work. We mainly complete residential projects but do some commercial work within our capability.
Tell us about yourself
I first started window cleaning when I was in high school. A friend of mine and I started doing window cleaning jobs as an extra way to make some money on the side. We started with our neighbours, and it slowly turned into more services and more jobs. Last year I ran the business in full force with employees while in my final year of environmental engineering at Carleton University. This year, being done with school, I am really looking to push myself and the business and run the best business I can. I love leading a team and am motivated by that team culture, along with being able to help homeowners with their summer projects.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner to date is just being able to stay true to the promises I made to all of our clients in getting their jobs done, along with being able to provide full-time work to other students through the summer.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I would say one of the hardest things to manage is burnout and stress when it comes to running a business. Scheduling time off where you can relax and not think about work is crucial to staying on course and stopping burnout.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stay encouraged. Don't allow failures to stop your progress. Use them to learn.
- Find yourself a great team, whether it be big or small, and enroll them in your vision.
- Just start. Just taking the first step is often the most important thing.
Where can people find you and your business?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MJWindowCare/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjwindowcare/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-bradfield-1551ab19b/
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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