Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joze Piranian, a Professional Speaker, based in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a professional speaker who delivers inspirational keynotes about inclusion and resilience at organizations, conferences, and educational institutions worldwide. Some of my clients include the United Nations, Google, Tesla, TikTok, IBM, and Dell.
Tell us about yourself
Growing up in Lebanon with a debilitating stutter, I avoided speaking almost entirely out of fear of being judged for being different. In the past five years, everything changed. I delivered 5 TEDx talks, was featured in Forbes, and I've performed stand-up comedy on three continents and four languages... I stutter in 6 of them! In other words, my speaking business was a natural extension of the transformational journey that I embarked on. I am deeply motivated by two factors: positively impacting others while continuously growing to become the best version of myself.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been the fact that my profession consists of doing the one thing I avoided for more than 25 years: speaking.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
No input, no output. The fact that you are in control of your professional destiny can be both scary and (very) exciting at the same time. While it has been difficult in some moments (especially during the pandemic lockdowns when all in-person events were being cancelled), optimistic adaptability has been a key internal resource to hone!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Ask yourself if there is a market for what you wish to do: ideally, one of your interests intersects with a potential product/service that is (already) sought after by people.
- Do not reinvent the wheel: speak to others who have accomplished what you are trying to accomplish. Do not expect that mentorship to always be free. It's key to invest in your professional and personal development.
- Surround yourself with one or more communities of entrepreneurs who understand what you are going through. This is key for both mental wellness and perseverance.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.jozepiranian.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yeswayjoze
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeswayjoze/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jozepiranian/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.