Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kevin McLeod, Founder and CEO of WordZite Security Inc., located in Port Moody, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We secure and maintain WordPress websites from cyber threats. Our customers are businesses that have invested in their websites and understand the risks and opportunity costs associated with their websites getting defaced, taken offline, held for ransom, or otherwise damaged or destroyed.
Tell us about yourself
The creative agencies that build websites and the marketing teams that run campaigns are not security experts. Likewise, IT teams are not skilled with WordPress and the infrastructure that supports websites. We created WordZite to address this gap in the market. I really enjoy it when a stressed-out creative agency owner or overworked IT person refers us to their client. We come in and save the day...all parties receive a benefit from working with us.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The parent company of WordZite is Yardstick Services Inc. I'm quite proud that we were able to spin out a second company and create a stand-alone offering that is competitive and in demand while also complimentary to our existing agency.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Cash flow, cash flow, cash flow. People often think that profit is the most important. But it's not. Most businesses are profitable. But, how quickly you get paid relative to how quickly you need to pay your own obligations (i.e., cash flow) is often the thing that puts businesses under. Managing cash flow is critical. You need to understand it as a business owner. And then I would say developing leadership skills is one of those "important but not urgent" goals that you should focus on earlier in your leadership/entrepreneurial journey.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
It's December 2022 - an interesting time in the history of the world. The economy, inflation, the war in Ukraine, the labour market, remote workers, and other factors all play a big part in adding to the "uncertainty" we're experiencing. So, if you're planning to start a business today, make sure you're considering products and services people and businesses need. Discretionary items are going to have a tough time over the short term. And then, do some solid market research to understand how your target market is evaluating various products and services you are offering. Are there any unmet needs/wants? Is there room to displace a competitor who has not adapted/pivoted since COVID? Is there anything you can do that is unique or that dramatically increases your value? Whatever you do, try to avoid competing on cost alone....that's a race to the bottom. Good luck!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wordzite.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcleodkevin/
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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