Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in training and education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tom Nelson, Founding Partner of Mission 360, located in Saint Charles, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Mission 360 is a youth sports development organization primarily focusing on baseball and softball training. Our customers currently travel sports programs in the regional Chicagoland area.
Tell us about yourself
As a volunteer, I helped coach my son through youth baseball for about 12 years. During that time, I met my business partner (who was working in professional baseball), and we began discussing the highs and lows of travel baseball and how we thought we might have a better approach. Consequently, over about seven years, we would get together and begin to plan what would become M360. Every day I am motivated by the opportunity to help players improve and work toward achieving their on-field and off-field goals. M360's creed is "Learn, Grow & Evolve," and based on that, I am passionate about trying to find new ways to improve my teaching knowledge and approach every day.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Creating and maintaining the client relationships necessary for our business to grow. We have been fortunate to have been able to add at least one new organizational client each year of existence, which has been integral to our ability to invest in and grow the business without having the burden of debt.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Not many business owners start a company with a passion for accounting, scheduling, or payroll. However, those fundamentals need as much care and attention as the primary focus of the business. Although I want to spend all my time "talking baseball," I have to be disciplined to make sure I spend the time necessary to make sure all the little things behind the scenes are accomplished, so I can then enjoy all my on-field activities.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First of all, take the time to make a plan before jumping in. Just the process of going through that procedure will provide invaluable insight into what is necessary to grow and sustain the business. Surround yourself with outstanding people. One of the best things we did when we started was to create an Advisory Team of professionals in every area of development we wanted to teach, and their input has been so valuable to the development and success of our programs. Finally, I would say find something you really love to do and go for it. If you really enjoy what you do, you'll do it better than everyone else, and it will show in your results.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://mission3sixty.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mission3sixty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mission3_sixty/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mission_3sixty
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mission360/
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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