Rohan Kopfler is a man following his own path. From high school teacher to entrepreneur, hear how he made his mark in his industry doing it his way.

As the owner of East Coast Kayaking, Rohan got started by purchasing an existing business rather than starting from scratch. We discuss how he has expanded his business by creating additional revenue streams through an online store, and how he has harnessed the power of video to make personal connections with his customers.

Learn how Rohan cleverly accessed mentors around him to help him successfully face the inevitable challenges that arise when building a small business and why it is so crucial to be yourself, work hard and do what you love for a life and business on your terms.

The concept of values is as old as Greek philosophy but we are not talking about right and wrong. More the core areas of life that determine how we spend our time, money and energy.

There are seven that we explore and how they influence the choice of customers we engage and business we operate to be truly fulfilled.

Values can help you to identify the difference being wanting and putting in the effort to get that success.  Perhaps you want a million dollar business but are you willing to work 80 hours a week for a long time to get it?

By ranking your values it can help to structure a business that will work for you.   Business owners fail because often they are working towards other people's values and not their own.  If you values aren't aligned to your business, it will fail. 

You have to 'find the juice to get the squeeze' – what gives you the joy in your business. 

Once you understand your values it also help you to identify how you work and the target market to focus on, and focus is everything when it comes to a successful business.

Yana Martens has combined her psychology studies and modelling experience to create a business on her terms. She understands both sides of the camera and now helps photographers and those in front of the camera to get the images they want in her Posing People Workshops and mentoring.

It is said you only have 4-8 seconds to make a first impression, especially with your photos.  We discuss techniques to get images that help to reflect your personal brand and capture the essence of your why. Plus, we learn how to take the perfect selfie!

We chat about her journey as a start-up entrepreneur and the current challenges she is facing in scaling her workshop business.   Knowing the balance between doing things yourself in start up mode and when is the right time to outsource. We also cover why systems and processes are critical when wanting to grow your business and the security of having other forms of income when starting out.

You can contact Yana on Facebook, Website or Email:  [email protected]

Taruni Falconer created her own business from a young age and has traveled the world doing what she loves. During our conversation we explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and business ownership.

We discussed the importance of self awareness and learning leadership through the living and working with discomfort until you are comfortable. What frustrations you can expect to during transition points in your life and the need to practice listening to your intuition so you can access it through times of distress on your entrepreneurial journey.

We also talk about the impact accountability groups have had on Taruni's career and how creating an annual theme allows for greater clarity for her business development activities.  Remember to take time to celebrate the small wins and reflect on the transformations you make as a business owner.

On episode 004 of #BYOB I talk with Hank Vander Zee who has been a bricklayer for 20 years but is now transforming his life with a new business, Exclusive Entrepreneurs. He is helping people to grow a business through their thoughts and ideas, rather than their hands and labour.

Hank talks about the pitfalls of having a business in the construction industry and what drove him at do business differently at the age of 60. We talk about how he has successfully built a business within 90 days through mutli-level network marketing and why that business model often gets a bad rap.  Hank is passionate about his products and it shows in his work with a 90% conversion rate!

If you had an opportunity to return to corporate life would you? What if you were able to combine the training and mentoring opportunities that come with a corporate role, with the satisfaction of running your own successful business?

In this episode, Jacquie Pretty from Grammar Factory joins me to talk all about what led her to set up her business helping entrepreneurs. How she helps people write awesome books and assists them to craft and hone their words so that they really resonate with their audience. Jacquie grew her business from being a sole trader to employing a team of editors, she talks about how she made that happen and what drove her to succeed. We also discuss how she has found work/life balance by returning to a corporate role, alongside running her own business and the advantages and opportunities that this presented her with.

For those who prefer to read, here is the transcript...

Have you considered leaving the corporate world and starting your own business? Waving goodbye to a secure corporate role to follow your passion can, initially, seem daunting but the potential rewards can be life changing.

In this episode I’m joined by Carol Benton of Words2Win to talk about what motivated her to leave her own corporate job to become a successful business writer and communications consultant. Carol and I talk about Carol’s own catalyst for changing her career and why her network was, and remains, such a key contributor to her success. We also discuss how, by focusing on what she loved about her old role, Carol identified a new career that would both challenge and fulfil her.

In this, the first episode of the Build Your Own Business Show, the tables are turned and Belinda Coomes, my podcast producer, puts me in the hot seat. We talk all about my background, my values, my own business and what drives me.

Belinda and I discuss my escape from corporate life and how I turned my skills, knowledge and expertise in digital, marketing and branding into my own successful business, Social Star. We talk about how both personal resilience and willingness to evolve my business over time, has been key in my own journey as an entrepreneur. Belinda and I look at how creating a robust and nimble business has enabled me to be flexible in my work/life balance. We also talk about why I believe it’s important for all small business owners/entrepreneurs to understand that there are no shortcuts to success, that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Keywords:

build your own business, Andrew Ford, social star, business journey, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, how to be a successful entrepreneur, small business, small business owner, empowerment, achievement, working with passion, journey to success, positive mental attitude, mindset, personal development, business coaching, e-ttractionist, linkedin, utilising linkedin, branding, personal branding, personal brand management, digital marketing, online networking, podcast, business podcast