Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Patti Pokorchak, founder of Small Biz Sales Coach, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I take entrepreneurs from Sales FEAR to Sales FUN so that they can do more of what they love to do-- faster, easier, and more profitably. The majority of entrepreneurs have not had any sales training, and it's a mindset, skillset, process, and discipline. And they must master how to sell and market their products and services in order to have a thriving, sustainable business.

Tell us about yourself

I was not a born salesperson. I started out as a shy, introverted geek. Making six figures by the time I was 25, I decided that there had to be more to life than climbing the corporate ladder at IBM. Wanting to live a life with no regrets, I left for a year of travel in Europe. I returned nine years later to Ottawa, Canada, and finally returned to my hometown after what I call a 30-year detour. I say, "If I can be a farmer, then you can be anything you want to be — with some basic sales and marketing skills, that is." I love to turn passions into profit with my proven practical advice.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping women entrepreneurs feel more comfortable selling and marketing their products and services and doubling/tripling and even quadrupling their revenues. Helping them become more confident in themselves so that they charge what they are worth and win bids even as the highest bidder.

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

Doing it all at first by yourself. Figuring out your ideal target market and how to attract them. Picking up the phone and warm calling those ideal prospects with a message that tells them something new or asks them a question that no one else has ever asked.

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

  1. Learn how to sell! EVERYONE needs to learn the basics. It is a learned skill set as no one is a born salesperson.
  2. Learn how to effectively determine your ideal target market and how to hone your message to them.
  3. Start your' brag sheet' of results and outcomes that your clients have had while working with you.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Never stop learning how to sell and market better. Be aware of changes in your market and be prepared to pivot and do something new. You should always try a new marketing tactic every 6-12 months.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://smallbizsalescoach.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pattip1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattipoker/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmallBizSalesCo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattipokorchak/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.