Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nate Birt, Founder of Silver Maple Strategies, located in Mexico, MO, USA.

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

I bring 15 years of experience as a journalist, business leader, and social impact executive specializing in climate-change transformation. I use this experience and skill set to help my clients with social impact content strategy, personalized coaching, public speaking, content marketing, and thought leadership. My clients are purpose-driven communication leaders in agriculture, conservation, construction, energy, finance, food, forestry, logistics, media, and transportation.

Tell us about yourself

I'm on a mission to help professionals whose life work is to help society thrive. I grew up a Colorado boy in the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains. My Tennessee grandpa introduced me to conservation and farming. My love of nature and my compassion for the people who share it is personal. These days, I help purpose-driven communication leaders in agriculture, conservation, construction, energy, finance, food, forestry, logistics, media, and transportation achieve their organizations' ambitious social impact goals. Some serve rural areas, others urban ones. All are great at what they do - and ready to achieve the next level of success. Every day, I'm motivated to help busy social impact professionals get fast results in an environment that's kind, fun, and effortless. They work too hard to reap more hassle.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been successfully making the transition from an executive leader at a major B2B company to launching my own venture. My experiences at Trust In Food, Farm Journal's sustainable agriculture division, served me so well, and I'll forever be grateful for the leaders who encouraged me to pursue this adventure - and supported me every step of the way.

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is "not knowing what you don't know." I read a ton of books and talked with leaders I respect before beginning my own business. Those efforts provided such great insights - yet there are some things you can only learn by doing. And each new client, each new experience, brings nuance you can only solve for at the moment. I'm learning to be adaptable, curious, and flexible. And to savor the fun at each stage.

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

  1. Make sure your business is profitable from day 1. It's fun to spend money your way as a business owner, but that can quickly get out of hand. Every business owner should read Mike Michalowicz's book "Profit First" and practice it.
  2. Do great work you're proud to deliver to clients. Take that extra 30 minutes to re-read the proposal. Ask yourself if there's one more thing you could do to go above and beyond on a project you're wrapping up. Smile and say thank you for every opportunity, multiple times. The joy you bring at work resonates throughout your network. Enthusiasm plus expertise yields happiness and opportunity.
  3. Recognize that work should serve your life goals, family, and passion projects - not the other way around. Sure, work takes up a big chunk of our time and must be done at an outstanding level of excellence. However, your work shouldn't consume every waking moment. Rather, you should work with more than enough buffer to experience the kinds of things that entrepreneurship makes possible. If you look unfamiliar to your family as you walk down the hall from your home office, consider making detours to visit them more often. It takes baby steps and requires hard work and turning off of devices. It's also totally achievable. You can do this!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.silvermaplestrategies.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natebirt/

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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