Making Learning Accessible for Everyone - Terrain
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eman Zabi, Founder of Terrain, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Terrain gives freelancers and online business owners everything they need to succeed: Rocksolid skills, community support, and mentorship. Courses and mentorship are so expensive. Terrain makes growing your business affordable, efficient, and way faster!
Tell us about yourself
I started as a copywriter, then grew a copywriting agency. Part of growing a team means building skills and in-house capacity through courses etc. Over time I realized just how bad most courses were. We created Terrain to solve that problem.
Action-oriented, done-in-an-afternoon-style courses designed to help you build momentum in your freelance business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Honestly, I'm so proud of our win-win-win approach to Terrain: Everything we do is a win for our community first, a win for us as a business, and a win for the planet. That way, all of our interests are aligned. For example, we pay our community members for the value they create in the community by doing things like asking good questions or sharing thoughtful answers. We also plant a tree through the Eden Reforestation Project for every review (good or bad!) left on Terrain!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, it's the balance. Business can be all-consuming. It's hard to maintain life (and, if I'm being honest, a personality and other interests) outside of your business. It's something you have to consciously work at because, unlike a 9-5, you don't really ever clock out. You need to actively cultivate outside interests, and that's something I'm still working on!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start small, find something you can do well, and find someone who'll pay you for it.
- DIY as much as you can: Only hire outside expertise when you've hit the limits of what you can do. Eventually, you'll hit the point where your time is worth more to you than what you pay people, but until that point, DIY, DIY, DIY.
- Track your time and know your numbers. Get into the habit early, and it'll massively pay off in the long run.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Terrain has a ton of free courses and a great community. If you're just starting a business, we'd love to be part of your journey. Come check us out here: https://www.knowtheterrain.io/
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.knowtheterrain.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eman.zabi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eman_zabi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanzabi/
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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