Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matt Wood, Founder of Suiting Green Consulting, located in Clermont, FL, USA.

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

My business is a human capital consulting company focused on helping companies hire smarter when targeting, employing, and retaining top talent from the military community.

My customers are typically HR directors of companies interested in hiring veterans or military spouses or those companies currently flying a "Military Friendly" flag.

Tell us about yourself

What first got me started was being laid off from a Fortune 100 company amid the pandemic. After adjusting to the fact that I was out of a job, I looked back. I realized there was a vast knowledge gap between what corporate America knows about the military community and what the military community brings to the table for companies.

So I decided I would be that bridge for both sides and show companies how they can gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace by hiring former military professionals and military spouses.

What motivates me each day to do what I do is the fact that companies oftentimes don't understand the military community, which causes them to shy away from hiring out of this talent stream.

By breaking down stereotypes and prejudices, I am showing them that the military community is a very viable source of top talent that will make a huge impact on their organization. It also is a way for me to give back to the military community that I was a part of for 21 years.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner had the courage to start my own company. It's been a lot of hard work, time, and effort, but every day is worthwhile and valuable.

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is getting out there and realizing there is no "one size fits all" book to help you get started and grow. There is a ton of trial and error, lots of questions asked of people, and being willing to learn from your mistakes.

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

The top three tips I'd give anyone looking to start, run, and/or grow a business today would be:

  1. Be resilient! Unless you were gifted millions of dollars to start your business, it's going to be an uphill battle, and if you're not resilient, it can break you.
  2. Connect with good people willing to give you honest feedback and advice. This should be self-explanatory, but a lot of times, people don't want to hear critical feedback. If you surround yourself with "yes men," you'll never get started or grow. Take the feedback and advice, and learn from it!
  3. Lastly, realize you don't know everything. This ties in with the above tip by connecting with good people. You don't have to know everything about running a business, but it definitely helps to have people you can turn to who can answer questions about specific aspects you're not familiar with. And continue to read! Read newsletters and books to help you understand aspects of business ownership you are not a master of (here's a hint, you're not going to be a master of all of it, it's just not possible, but you can find people who are subject matter experts in certain fields). Keep building relationships and asking questions along the way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.suitinggreen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SGMilTranslator
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sgmiltranslator
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-f-wood/

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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