Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Warsha Joshi, Founder of Dare To Scale Limited, located in Dubai, UAE.

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

I have two businesses: Dare To Scale (my business mentoring and coaching company) and Platinum VA (my Virtual Executive Assistance company). I spend most of my time in Dare To Scale as I love working with entrepreneurs to help them transform from a founder into a leader, guiding them through the maze that takes them from skilled professionals to the master of their business in an ecosystem that is built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.

My key clients are founders/entrepreneurs who have grown their business beyond start-up and are now embarking on their scaling-up journey to grow rapidly. We primarily work with entrepreneurs from Europe and Asia; however, we regularly work with the US and Australian time zones too. All SMB entrepreneurs are critical to their local economies and deserve all the support to grow their communities.

Tell us about yourself

I am a business mentor and lifelong entrepreneur who has walked the talk and will make sure you get the results you came for. The key thing here is I understand that early-stage entrepreneurship is tough, and a program like my Bootcamp is just what you need to gain traction and get your flywheel turning.

I am passionate about business mentoring because I grew up in a business family and watched it crumble before I left school, all because the right entrepreneurial support was not available to my dad, who was a second-generation CEO. I help budding entrepreneurs experience and learn from (but not get stuck in!) pitfalls so they can confidently grow their companies and achieve results more rapidly. I want to save another entrepreneur's kid from having to go through a business failure.

I started my first company way back in 1986 in India and later moved to Dubai and started two more. I have experienced my own massive business pitfalls but persevered and worked my way out of the weeds, into the foothills, and up 'my' mountain. I am forever grateful to the mentors and coaches who have helped me clearly see into any business problem so I can now guide you through difficult conversations and help you transform into the BEST version of yourself for your business.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Growing my businesses large enough to employ good-sized teams. Community is important to meet, and my teams are part of the community surrounding a business team, clients, and suppliers. I believe one of your key roles as a business owner is to look after your people. It can be challenging to do, and yet it is really humbling to be recognized for it: my outsourcing company was recognized as the 8th best Great Place To Work in the entire Middle East in 2019. Hats off to my team for their consistency and dedication!

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

For a lot of owners, it is a hard fact that the transition [in mind and skill sets] from being a brilliant professional to an entrepreneur running a business can be super stressful. Suddenly you realize that the buck has stopped for you, and now the buck also stops with you … you are responsible for all areas of your business! For me, it was entering into a partnership too soon. It was ridiculously challenging to manage the partner over and above the business needs and finally navigate a buyout from that scenario.

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

  1. Take time to think strategically: set aside an hour a week and take the time to think without distraction. Keeping an eye on where you want to go, the trends in your market and patterns in your business are critical to helping you "see around corners."
  2. Invest in yourself. Leaders are readers, and continuing to expose yourself to new ideas is always a good idea. It does help you ask the right questions!
  3. Keep a keen eye on your cash but look after your people. Your team is your most valuable asset, and if you nurture them right, you will create a powerhouse of a community that is the envy of your industry.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My husband and I have a lot of fun speaking with other entrepreneurs and hearing their stories. Our Dare to Scale Show (daretoscale.com/podcast) is nearly two years old and is a joy to record every two weeks. And if you've ever thought about writing a book … it is totally worth it, and go for it! I co-wrote Dare To Scale: How to Grow Your Business Gracefully (available on Amazon and Audible) and at first had to pinch myself that we actually got it done. We needed an easy-to-read guide to help entrepreneurs on their journey from founder to leader, so we went ahead and took the plunge. It's not "all business" for us. Take time to smell the roses, and above all, love what you do and keep growing.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://daretoscale.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DareToScale
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daretoscale/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DareToScale
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/daretoscale/

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.

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