Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chuck Bean, owner and founder of The Method Effect, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.

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

Training, consulting, and coaching for sales, leadership, executives, and teams. 22,000 people served. We've built billions in revenue with our clients, from start-ups to mature businesses.

Tell us about yourself

What I tell people is that I used to be Batman, and now I am Alfred the Butler. I've seen just about everything. I can work with the front line, the back office, and the c-suite.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Assisting in growing a firm from a local 5m year business to a billion in 9 years. Blew it out of the water!

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

Trying to preserve culture. You can't do it. If you want to grow, you have to expect that as your staff increases, you will have to adapt to new ways of thinking from the new people. I want to add a second, as Jeff Immelt once said, "don't mistake a tailwind for good management" you have to watch your business.

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

  1. Make sure it is a solution to a problem, innovate as necessary, and don't let the innovation out of the bag until the time is right.
  2. Be prepared to kiss a shitload of frogs to get started, and then be aware that almost everyone has a knife out for you.
  3. Spend as little as possible at start-up, then be smart about maximizing your assets and respect capital.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.themethodeffect.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themethodeffectcalgary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themethodeffectconsulting/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chuckbean
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-bean-5a63a420/

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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