Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Janine Bolon, CEO of The8Gates, LLC, located in Longmont, CO USA.

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

We are a production company specializing in building radio shows and podcast programs from the ground up. We assist clients that have money, but not time to build out their episodes on a monthly, weekly, or daily cycle.

Tell us about yourself

I started in radio in 1982 with my High School Weekend Program and loved the fact that I could speak in public without being seen. By 2007 I was an audio blogger on BlogTalkRadio, running a show for women with Kellogg's Fiber One Bars as my sponsor. Then in 2017, I started my first "podcast" and was off and running 5 different shows and built out those programs from a one-person studio to a 15-member team. I love bringing a diversity of perspective to the airwaves, and podcasting and radio shows allow me to do that.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have the freedom to live my life my way.

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

You trade security for freedom, and you have to continue to make that decision every day.

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

  1. Make sure this phase of wanting to start your own business is because you have a solution to a problem, not a personal problem with your current job.
  2. Create a Calendar that will be your new "boss" When you put an activity on your calendar, it needs to get done. You owe it to yourself.
  3. Create two systems immediately. A way for people to schedule with you without you being around and a way for people to pay you without you being around.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Running your own business takes discipline and courage. That courage is asking for help from others. If you can't do that, you're going to have problems.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://the8gates.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janinebolon/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/The8gates
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinebolon/

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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