Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mark Gilman, Owner and President of Pitchnoise Communications, located in Auburn Hills, MI, USA.

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

We refer to our work at Visibility Engineers, helping clients cut through the noise to get their message across. We work with professional services, tech, education, political and non-profit entities.

Tell us about yourself

I started Pitchnoise in 2006 after frustration on the corporate communications side in hiring Public Relations agencies that didn't get anything done. I decided to do it the way I would want to hire someone to do and get things done and move the needle instead of writing plans that never saw the light of day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have helped a number of companies with reputation management issues that would have crippled those who didn't have the insight to put together a comprehensive communications plan. I have also helped build company awareness that resulted in mergers and made subject matter experts of executives who didn't know they were capable.

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

Managing client flow and expectations is always difficult.

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

  1. Hire the right people who have the same passion and energy that you do.
  2. Get out of the office and develop a conversational style with people who didn't know they needed your business or product until you met them.
  3. Don't spend your time bringing on partners or investors. This is YOUR company - sail the boat yourself until you find calmer seas. Starting a business is never calm or for the weak of heart.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I will never regret leaving a high-powered job to start my own shop. It allowed me time to watch my children grow up and put me in rooms to meet people who have become lifelong friends and mentors. I don't regret a day.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://pitchnoise.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pitchnoise/
https://www.instagram.com/markgilman/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgilman/

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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