Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dedrick Torry, Founder of THE COACHNAIRE, located in Memphis, TN, USA.

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

I have a business coaching agency whose sole purpose is to help those with an entrepreneurial dream and drive to succeed and excel in their talents and abilities. We serve anyone that may have the desire to start a business, to those that have been in business for a while but have arrived at a place where they feel stuck and just need that extra push to get them moving again.

Tell us about yourself

I have been in the service industry for almost 25 years now. I started in an entry-level position in the technology industry and quickly moved to a lead position which in turn moved me to a sales representative and now an owner of multiple businesses. I actually started a business 20 years ago that lasted for about 2 years, but due to some family-related issues, I was forced to seek employment with a company that gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge in the corporate world. During my tenure, I have seen many things that I felt could be done differently if I was a business leader and able to make decisions that would impact the lives and businesses of others. This drove me to decide to launch out again. From that launch 11 years ago, my wife and I have grown our business and become successful in the low voltage and life safety industry.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment would have to be having the ability to employ others and be a source of income and stability for other families. Yeah, I feel great about that.

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

One of the hardest things I have dealt with as a business owner is losing an employee to death. We often connect with our employees and do not just view them as a number or a tool to make money. They are real human beings; we had the tragic experience of losing an employee, which was the toughest thing I have dealt with to date.

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

The top 3 things that I would share with any business owner at any stage would be:

  1. Develop a plan for your business; envision and write down where you would like to be in the next 3, 5, or even 10 years. This is important as you periodically review your plan, it will help you to stay on track, and it will help you to see if you are progressing forward or if you need to go in a different direction.
  2. Pay attention to your surroundings, see what your competition is doing, and know what your target audience or customer base is looking for
    know when the market starts to shift, and you will need to be flexible to make the necessary shifts as needed.
  3. Take advantage of all the resources at your disposal; digital marketing is huge. Invest in your growth by always taking different courses related to your industry. Invest in a coach or mentor; many times, we need an outside view or opinion to help unlock our next level.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thecoachnaire.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecoachnaire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_coachnaire/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-dedrick-torry-050b43241/

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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