Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paul Bridle, CEO of ex2 Academy, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We deliver relevant information and knowledge to leaders that make them successful. Too many organizations struggle to provide meaningful learning and development that produces results for their business. Excellence Squared Academy is a Membership organization that helps bring world-class thinking and knowledge to their senior people. Working with the Academy, we can help ensure a business has access to some of the best minds in the world and be in touch with cutting-edge thinking in many areas. Businesses have to adapt and develop very quickly, and they need people whose knowledge and skills are adapting and developing at the same speed.
Tell us about yourself
I was told I was un-employable! A business owner told me I was too much of a maverick to conform to working in someone else’s environment. He told me I would hate it and that the company would hate me. So I had to work for myself or starve! He was right, and I regret nothing. I believe that it is our job to motivate ourselves. Other people inspire us, but the motivation has to come from within. I am motivated by what I want to achieve both in the short term and the long term.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a great team of outstanding people that were great at what they did. People are important to a successful business, and building a great team is so satisfying. Delivering outstanding quality to the customer is the next best thing.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Time! Being a business owner requires a lot of commitment and time. You have to make a lot of sacrifices that are hard to make, and that includes your personal as well as business life. You have to commit to making those sacrifices and be prepared for what it may cost you.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Know what you want to deliver and the benefit it is to your customer. THEIR benefit, and not what you think they need! If you can’t add value, then why bother? Quality is King. Whatever you decide to do, be ready to make changes quickly, professionally, and without compromising on quality. Be prepared to pay the price. Believe me, there will be a cost, and it cannot overwhelm you when it arrives. Develop a tough skin that enables you to keep going when everything inside and around you says….give up. But then you have to know when to give us as well.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Have someone that will be honest with you and tell you when the Emperor has no clothes. Listen to that person even if you don’t take their advice. Know your strengths, but know your weaknesses better. Develop an insatiable desire to learn. Never forget, You don’t know what you don’t know! What you don’t know should be the only thing that keeps you awake at night.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://ex2.academy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbridle/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.