Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melanie Falvey, Founder of Expert Channel TV, located in Madrid, Spain.

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

I run a TV & media network called Expert Channel TV. We produce TV shows, Social media shows, Podcasts, and Magazine features for Entrepreneurs, Coaches, Authors, and Brands. Expert Channel TV also hosts a Visibility and Authority building Membership for Experts and Entrepreneurs who want to build their international impact and grow their business through hosting their own shows or podcasts while they build their business, marketing, and speaking skills.

Tell us about yourself

Before I started Expert Channel TV, I was teaching my signature system, the Videos that Sell System, to entrepreneurs who wanted to grow their businesses by using the power of video. Once they graduated from the program, I wanted to provide a real-life scenario where they could implement the skills they had acquired and build their credibility and brand authority so they could be recognized as the go-to expert in their industry. This is how Expert Channel TV was born, a real TV and streaming channel that has grown into a media network. We now have podcasts, a digital magazine, and international host events. The truth is, I used to be terrified of being on video! I had the most horrid phobia of cameras, and I had to overcome those fears in order to help my clients and students become confident on video! It has been a very rewarding journey, and I really believe that very often, our success might be on the other side of our fears. It took me a long time to get over my fears of being on camera, but now I can make the process simple, fast, and highly enjoyable for my clients, and this is something that motivates me every day. Being able to turn my client's expertise into a TV show or podcast is so powerful and a great motivation for me!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Well, I think my biggest accomplishment is to be able to see my clients grow and build an impactful expert brand for themselves. I am lucky to be able to work with individuals who are not just growing an empire but making an impact at the same time. We are a team, and their successes feel like my own and vice versa.

Obviously, getting over my fear of being on camera feels like a huge accomplishment, and it has meant a massive transformation on a personal and business level. And I still have to push myself every day. Going from doing shows on social media to actually being a TV host was scary, and every new audience or platform requires me to grow my confidence muscles a bit further.

Since starting Expert Channel TV and walking the talk (I only teach what I do myself), I have received many accolades, even being named Most outstanding TV presenter of the year and the Woman of Heart Awards Visibility Strategist and Branding Expert, and a few more that means a lot to me because they remind me of my journey, of my persistence and commitment to my work and the causes I support and live by. To me, an award is never the destination but the fuel to keep going, keep learning and keep serving. I love seeing how my clients and members of Expert Channel TV are getting the same results; it is a great motivation to keep going because we can all see the results.

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

I guess it depends on every person. But if you are reading this and you are a shy person trying to build a business, I am sure you can relate. Putting yourself out there, as business owners need to do, can be uncomfortable and even scary. In my experience, the fact that every new level requires me to grow, learn and be willing to step out of my comfort zone can be a challenge. But I am always up for a challenge, and I know the reward will be juicy, even though it may feel uncomfortable. As business owners, we cannot fall into the trap of feeling comfortable and thinking we know our craft inside out. There is always room for growth when we strive for excellence. I have always been a business owner, and with Expert Channel TV, I knew that I wanted to build a business around my lifestyle and not the other way around. So, no matter how demanding my work can be, I have strict boundaries about my free time, my family time, and my me time, and for me, this works really well.

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

  1. Know yourself really well before attempting any strategy, and don't just follow what everyone else says you need to be doing. Find what works for you. Taking into account not only your strengths but also your flaws. I always tell my clients that they need to maximize their strengths and use their flaws to their advantage too. And once you find what works for you, be persistent, consistent, and passionate about it.
  2. Live by your core values and base any personal or business decision on them. This will inevitably attract the same kind of people with integrity to your circle. To me, this is key. To me, it is important to build a business based on my values and integrity.
  3. Success looks different to everyone. Once you decide what it means to you, keep going, and find motivation in the big Vision but also in the smaller goals that will help you get there. Surround yourself with people who get you, cheer you on and uplift you, and obviously, be that person for somebody else. As business owners, it can get lonely, but when you have an uplifting circle, everything becomes easier. I wanted to create this sense of community for my clients and for myself, and this is one of the reasons we have a membership community on the platform.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://expertchannel.tv/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/falveymelanie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniefalvey/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/expertchanneltv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-falvey/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.