Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with April Moayyer, Founder and CEO of Shah Saffron CBD, located in Grand Rapids, MI, USA.

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

My business is helping people; my customers are people who want a better quality of life without prescription medication. They want to walk with ease, sleep better, reduce their stress and anxiety, and have fewer aches and pains, and we've been helping them be successful. We're Shah Saffron CBD, a luxury line of CBD isolate products. We believe everyone deserves the luxury of better health.

Tell us about yourself

My husband and I both suffer from anxiety and different levels of depression. We were both tired of prescription meds, the plateaus, and the side effects, so we investigated CBD. We couldn't find anything we liked that tasted good, delivered results, and was THC-free, so we found qualified people to help us create our own line of products. I was the first guinea pig, so to speak, and found myself FINALLY falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night. I used to have such a hard time quieting my brain during the day (overthinking) and at night (to-do list, mistakes I'd made in life, etc.). I weaned myself off of my meds, and I only took our 66mg tincture to help keep me in balance. I'm motivated by the potential of our business. Anything cannabis is ten times harder and ten times more expensive than any other industry, and it's exciting to keep experiencing wins. I'm excited and emotional when I read the emails and texts and watch the videos from our customers on how their health has improved after using our products. I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

LOL, Some days, it's just getting out of bed! Other days, it's helping another business owner troubleshoot, plan and dream. We set out to help people, and that's what we're doing!

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

Enforcing self-discipline, time management, and selling your dream to those around you who don't see it or believe in it. Really, the hardest thing for me is to keep pushing forward when life seems to be pushing me backward. I keep coming back for more, so that's either pure idiocy or determination, possibly a combination of the two.

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

  1. Get everything in writing, especially when working with a friend/family.
  2. You'd better be good at (or get good at) Time Management if you want to be self-employed. It's twice as hard as working for someone else; you put in more hours and typically make less money when you first start out. Be patient and think smarter, not harder.
  3. Consult with professionals you can trust. I participated in Spring GR, a local entrepreneurial program here in Grand Rapids, and it was the best $100 I've ever spent. They helped me polish my business plan and work out the financials of my business. The best part was the comradery that developed between our class. I've made lifelong friends.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Use an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to keep your business, your business. Find the right attorney, look for legitimate grants and get a business coach or three. You need to invest your own money in your business and have some skin in the game. You'll have plenty of bad days, but they don't last forever. Seek help and guidance from an experienced source.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://shahcbd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shahsaffroncbd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahsaffroncbd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shah-saffron-cbd/

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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