Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Josh Linkner, Chairman and Co-Founder of Platypus Labs, located in Detroit, MI, USA.

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

We are an innovation studio. We help clients drive growth, gain competitive advantage, and overcome challenges through inventive thinking and creative problem-solving. We offer training, keynote speaking, workshops, research, consulting, and invention services.

Tell us about yourself

I started my career as a jazz guitarist and still play regularly. At age 20, I started a tech company, and over the next 30 years, I founded and led five tech companies through the exit (combined value of over $200M) and created over 10,000 jobs. I've also written four books on innovation, delivered over 1100 keynotes, and helped launch over 100 startups as a venture capital investor. What motives me - I like creating things :-)

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping others unlock the power of human creativity to drive meaningful outcomes.

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

Being honest with yourself, evaluating your strengths + soft spots, and bringing in help where you need it.

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

  1. Don't be like your competition. Find ways to be fresh + different, not a me-too player.
  2. The leader who LEARNS the most wins the most. Commit to being a learning organization.
  3. Time can be your biggest asset or fault line. Be very deliberate about time usage and use every drop of creativity to compress time. The fast will beat the big.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://platypuslabs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshlinkner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshlinkner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshlinkner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshlinkner/

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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