Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marc Harmon, Founder of Venture Brand Consulting, located in Peyton, CO, USA.

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

I utilize research-based strategies to help professional services firms define their unique brand identity, differentiate themselves from their competitors, and develop a messaging framework that resonates with their target audience.

Tell us about yourself

My background as a Marine Corps photojournalist, professional photographer, videographer, podcaster, marketer, and brand strategist has positioned me as an expert in the field of brand development. I hold a B.S. M.A. in Psychology in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations Management, as well as numerous branding and marketing platform certifications. Having owned several successful businesses over the course of his 20+ years as an entrepreneur, I became a champion of entrepreneurship and am dedicated to assisting others in realizing their dreams of starting and running successful businesses.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have owned several successful businesses. I would say my biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been going through the startup process multiple times and enjoying business growth and success as a result of my determination to get up every time I fail.

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

Owning a business has its ups and downs. Staying motivated and viewing failures as a learning experiences is important to moving forward.

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

Many business owners I've worked with are excited to get the word out about their company and jump straight into marketing tactics without first developing the foundational elements of their brand identity, positioning, and messaging. This leads to inconsistent marketing and advertising messages that don't resonate with their target market or reflect their unique brand identity. Unfortunately, this shotgun approach leads to wasted time and resources. In order to develop highly effective, targeted marketing, I recommend business owners first do the three following things:

  1. Know who you are as a business. This includes your brand's mission, vision, values, personality, tone of voice, and the specific problem you solve for your customers or clients.
  2. Know your target audience. This requires research to better understand their goals, desires, pain points, motivations, and preferred communication channels (where they hang out).
  3. Know where you fit in your market (your brand position). This includes your brand promise, unique selling proposition, positioning statement, and differentiators.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://venturebrandconsulting.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcharmon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcjharmon/

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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