Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with James Parkes, Founder of MyDay, located in Exeter, Devon, UK.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
MyDay’s mission is to inspire businesses to support the wellbeing of their people and the future of our planet. We do that by creating bespoke wellbeing solutions, partnering with world-leading thinkers and doers, being driven by data and science, and by offsetting tonne after tonne of carbon. We want users & businesses to try new things, so they build a forward-thinking and sustainable workplace for the future.
Let’s make the world a better place for everyone. Every day.
Tell us about yourself
Former professional rugby player and conditioning coach for the best rugby players in the country. I have spent 21 years helping incredible people fulfil their potential. This has been an incredible ride but ended up creating a gap in my personal drive. I wanted to use the skills I had developed to help people who possibly had not been as fortunate in their personal health journeys.
I have firsthand seen the impact of poor mental health on family members, which consequently taught me the power of connection, network, and family, all being able to help and support at appropriate times. This led to me starting out on a journey to bring together the five ways to wellbeing (Move | Be Present | Do Good | Learn | Connect with Others) in a platform.
The do good part we have linked to the green agenda to make climate change frictionless for employees and simpler for employers. With a young family, I wanted to create something that would leave the world in a better place for my family than I found it, and I felt like this was a great opportunity to do that.
We launched MyDay in March after nine months of development and have already sequestered over 35 tonnes of carbon with projects all across the world via our partners, Ecologi.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Seeing our platform create frictionless climate change via our users' healthy habits. Walk yourself to better health whilst simultaneously creating a happier, healthier planet.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Currently, as a nascent start-up, making sure that all aspects of the business from fundraising through to product delivery, client acquisition, and customer support.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start now.
- Fail fast, learn quickly and iterate towards what your customers want.
- Change is essential, do not be married to your original idea.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.my-dayapp.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-parkes-066aa330/
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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