Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bethany McClellan, Founder and Owner of Rapid Business Plans, located in Atlantic Beach, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We rapidly write business plans and feasibility studies for our small business owner clients that are obtaining SBA or USDA loans. Our clients are starting, acquiring, or expanding their businesses by way of financing, and they need one or more of our reports to be included with their loan package.
Tell us about yourself
I started my company in 2014, helping small businesses improve their financial performance. Early on, I found that clients were struggling to put their thoughts into words when it came to writing a business plan when getting a bank loan. I realized I had a knack for business plans, so I started scaling my company and shifting my offerings to business plans and feasibility studies only. We help so many business owners achieve some very cool things—things that keep America running.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I could give a different answer depending on the day! Right now, I’m very proud of our intern program. We have six finance interns from the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida right now. This is a group I work closely with on a daily basis. Not only have I been beyond impressed with their work, but we have also recently gotten feedback that we’re helping them in various ways, including their scholastic performance and even influencing their career aspirations via our network of professional partners in the industry.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I initially was content when Rapid Business Plans was just me in my home office cranking out business plans. As we’ve grown, I’ve become the leader of this small group of 15 professionals on our staff, which came quickly in 2020 and surprised me. I didn’t find writing business plans particularly challenging, but leading a team has presented other challenges that have changed me as a person—for the better.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Differentiate yourself. Are you providing something new and different? If not, can you do it differently and better than your competitors?
- Document your processes via video or a screen-grabbing tool like Loom. This will save so much time and add so much value!
- Always strive to improve your mindset
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://rapidbusinessplans.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-barnes-pbc/
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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