Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business solutions but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with David Hatton, Vice President, Business Development of PlanWriters, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

PlanWriters is a consulting firm that prepares investor-ready business plans and pitch decks for startups. Most important is the consulting part of that sentence. We ask the right questions, listen carefully to the answers and write everything in a clear and concise business plan and pitch deck. Our team assists clients in everything from market research to brand storytelling, competitive analysis, financial projects, and information design. Our clients range from startups, small business owners, and immigrant investor visa applications to early-seed ventures.

Tell us about yourself

Great question. I actually started my career in journalism, working as an intern at one of the largest newspapers in Canada. Nobody wanted to write about business because it was complicated, and they didn't really understand it, so I took on a series about investing and drove a lot of financial planners crazy with my questions. I ended up winning an award for my work. It taught to be business doesn't have to be complicated. Always stick to your core values and make sure you have a plan. After that, I moved to a large bank, and I've been involved with business plans now for over a decade.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It's all about your team. I've done my job properly if they feel they are respected, having fun, and growing in their careers. There is no 'I' in a team.

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

Seeing people get frustrated and give up easily with their business. You will have challenges that are just part of the business. It's all about how you deal with those challenges and definitely never, ever, ever give up. Part of our role is to identify where any gaps are and make sure our clients are prepared

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

  • The number one tip of all is to stay true to your core values. Be honest, transparent, and authentic at all times.
  • The second would be to create value. Once you create value and genuinely help someone, they will want to do business with you. It's going to come naturally.
  • Finally, the third is to be humble. Even the smallest clients have trusted us with their dreams and put everything they have into their business. We have to respect that and take them seriously. A client with a $2 million company has to be treated the same as a client investing $20,000 to start a convenience store. They are both just as important.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.planwriters.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theplanwriters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planwriters/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/planwriters
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hatton1/

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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