Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jerry Sitek founder of Human Balance and Stability Systems from Michigan, USA. Jerry was an owner and operator of a machine shop with thirty-five years of experience in toolmaking and hands-on engineering.
Tell us all about your business...
HBS Systems specializes in balance and stability whenever static standing occurs. Sitting, laying down, leaning and even movement (motion) control postural sway. However, when humans need to stop and perform a task that way quickly leads to fatigue and the fatigue leads to discomfort and pain. In an effort to stabilize, we lock our knees and hips which significantly increases lower back forces resulting in MSDs. The patented StandRite-Pro balance support encourages positive shin angle to enable proper hip hinge while controlling sway and improving energy and focus. There are 90M Americans who stand and experience these issues every day in manufacturing, assembly, healthcare, retail, education, government, offices, and more.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
We developed this solution while experiencing pain and fatigue in our machine shop. After confirming how beneficial it was, we applied for a Utility patent in 2016 and were awarded in 2019. Since then, we have focused on product development, supply chain, marketing, and sales. The opportunity to impact the annual $100B back pain cost and $135B fatigue cost in the US alone, can positively and fundamentally improve society, economics, and healthcare.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We have solved a problem that has been a growing concern since humans began to stand statically to mass-produce. Since the first assembly line, managers and specialists have invented back braces, legislated safety measures, automated around workers, and even made spaces leaner, further reducing movement. These measures were developed by people who sit. The workers who stand, do not have the time or means to help themselves. We are proud to be the people who saw the causes and addressed them.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
Patience. You aren't selling pencils.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
- Listen more than you speak. Humans have two ears and one mouth for a reason. There is much to learn, and skipping steps you do not understand just makes the process even more difficult.
- Buckle up and be patient. If you have a passion for what you do, focusing on it aligns with your motives which brings you closer to it.
- No one cares yet, and no one understands the development. Get ready to tell your story 10,000 times in 5 minutes or less. The more you tell it, the better you get.
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly to help grow your business, what would it be?
Post and promote marketing content on social media but remember that people cannot focus more than 7 seconds since social media arrived.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
We made our home as comfortable and enjoyable as we could. Time away is limited so we set aside time daily to prepare dinner, cook, relax and even entertain right at home.
Where can people find you online?
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.