Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business and consulting services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Sentes, Managing Partner of Manager Tools LLC, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

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

We are a management training and consulting firm whose mission is to help every manager become effective and every professional productive. We host training events around the globe and regularly consult with and train managers in Fortune 1000 companies around the world.

Tell us about yourself

Our firm's founders, Mike Auzenne and Mark Horstman, recently retired after 18 years leading the firm. I took over as managing partner, alongside my partner Kate Braun, after 9 years serving as the Public Training Director of Manager Tools and Presenting Associate for the firm. I remember what it was like to be a manager without the resources needed to be successful; I'm here to help those who need to succeed!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping the firm survive COVID. In March 2020, the situation was dire, considering the fact that 70% of our revenue came from services we could no longer deliver - in-person training events. We had to get creative to survive and developed online/virtual training events, closely monitored restrictions to identify where we could deliver training, as well as investing in and marketing our products. We came through what could have been our demise with flying colors.

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

I am a very assertive and task-focused person, which is a huge strength in business, but unfortunately, I can be a bit of a "bull in a china shop" sometimes. So I work hard to invest in and build strong relationships with folks who are internal and external to the organization to make up for my weakness.

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

  1. Being a leader is never about the person and always about the role and responsibility. If you're going to make it about you, you're not worthy. It's not about you.
  2. It's all about people. Build relationships, treat people well, and be kind to others.
  3. If you want to last, you'd better save your money for the rainy days; there will be rain.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://manager-tools.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManagerTools
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managertools/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/managertools
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-sentes-41280875/

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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