Hey, I'm Dan O'Connell and I'm the Founder and Creator of BrandLab.
Tell us all about your business...
We're a innovative digital software solution designed to streamline the wholesale and buying industry, offering bespoke virtual reality showrooms and an immersive digital platform to host events and live appointments. Bascially, our Virtual Reality platform allows fashion brands to do business with their trade customers.
What's your background and motivation to get into the solopreneur life?
My experience of running a fashion brand showed large-scale inefficiencies in the wholesale fashion process. What motivates me is the chance of creating something special out of our idea, and to watch our staff grow and succeed.
As an entrepreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
A large part of our market using our platform, us becoming the thought leader in our space and ultimately creating an exit that provides wealth to us, our shareholders and our staff.
What is the top tip you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a business today?
Spend most of your time talking to customers - it sounds basic but we believe too many people starting out tend to spend time networking or spend lots of time engaging with their peers instead of speaking to customers. If you’re not selling to customers then you’re not growing.
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly day in day out to help grow your business then what would it be?
Sell to customers.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
Difficult to say during the pandemic as it all seems to merge into one, however exercise and spending time with loved ones seems sensible.
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and why?
Dan Price the founder of Gravity Payments - he gives back and believes socialism can work in big business. Otherwise I cant think of anything as all the books seem formulaic - however the Steve Jobs biography was an amazing read as he was truly unique.
For anyone looking to start a business today, what would be the number one bit of advice you'd give them?
Speak to customers!
Where can people find you online?
You can find my website at www.brandlabfashion.com
I'm also on LinkedIn so give me a shout on there!
If you like what you've read here and have your own #GoSoloStories that you'd like to share then hit Jonny up on Twitter, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
