Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gary Hernbroth, founder of Training for Winners, located in Danville, CA, USA.

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

I am a professional speaker and business coach/trainer. My business is to create and present exciting motivational programs customized to uplift and upskill people, teams, and organizations at every level.

Tell us about yourself

While in the hotel business, I was invited to speak at a couple of industry conferences. As a background, I've always enjoyed coaching others and helping them with business dilemmas or expanding their potential. Thus, I really enjoyed the speaking experience, and my customers encouraged me to pursue that as a career and -- wanting to climb new mountains -- I started my own business, Training for Winners, in 1995.

My motivation each day is to help people, whether that means individuals or teams, find those extra gears. That might include areas such as realizing untapped potential, applying their creativity, problem-solving, selling more effectively, communicating better, learning to lead, and generally improving their value to others -- both internally and externally.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

That's a big question. To narrow it down, I'll answer in an objective and also a subjective manner. Objectively, I am very proud of the fact that I've been able to sustain my enterprise and expand my horizons through all kinds of pendulum swings, including both awful and bountiful economic times, strikes, recession, natural disasters, you name it. And let's not leave out the biggie, of course -- COVID.

You have to be able to weather all the storms and survive the up-and-down roller-coaster nature of business cycles. You've got to be resilient and have a strong product and a commitment to serve and offer real value to others. It's not for the faint of heart.

Subjectively, I'd have to say I never get tired of the thrill of someone reaching out to me or seeing me at an event years after I spoke to their team or group, saying, "Gary, I've never forgotten your point about XYZ, and I still use that tool to this day." It is very satisfying to me that I've made an impact on that person and have given them something of value that they put to use long after the presentation or workshop.

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

To my earlier point, it's riding out the roller-coaster. If you are at it long enough, you'll have months you are crazy-busy and making good, solid money, sending out those wonderful invoices. Then, as the business cycle changes or just by happenstance, things slow down, and the income stream goes dry, you still have your monthly nut (recurring costs) to pay.

The other thing is that you have to have a tough outer skin. You have to believe in yourself. While it's important to listen to your customers, let's be real -- they can be wrong sometimes. No matter how terrific you or your product /service is, you will never please all of the people all of the time. There will be some challenges any time you deal with people. As a speaker/coach, I try my best to deliver ideas and material that helps people should they choose to embrace it and put it to work. But you learn pretty early in the speaking game that you will never please everyone in your audience equally. Some people you just can't please no matter how much you do.

Essentially, you have to try to do the best for the most.

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

  1. Know why you want to do this. What are you trying to accomplish? What is your measurement for success?
  2. You'll need capital to start things up and revenue streams to sustain over the rough patches. Are you in a solid financial situation?
  3. Put a ton of thought into creating your brand, your look, your product or service, your delivery channels, and your online presence (website, etc.). Having your own business, whether the brand contains your name on it or not, is a fiercely personal adventure that requires careful thought in naming and creating your presence in a crowded marketplace.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't operate in a vacuum. Engage colleagues, peers, customers, etc.-- I call it having your personal "Knights of the Round Table" -- whom you can rely on to tell it to you straight, not just tell you what you want to hear. But ultimately, the decision is YOURS. And since you are starting your own enterprise, let's assume you have a competitive spirit. So, when people you know tell you not to do it or that you are crazy for doing this take that as a challenge. People told Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison they were nuts, too.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://trainingforwinners.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trainingforwinners
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakercoach_gary/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gary_Hernbroth
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyhernbroth/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.