Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business solutions but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Burke Franklin, Founder & CEO of Business Power Tools, located in Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The most difficult part of running a business is finding the time to actually run your business. There are so many other things to do and so many fires to put out that you rarely find time to clearly defined your vision and communicate it to your key investors and employees, especially when you have to create it all from scratch.
That's where Business Power Tools comes in. We've got software-driven templates that can help you plan and organize your entire business — from your business plan to sales marketing plans to your employee handbook. Things you probably wanted to get done for some time. Our system can help you secure financing, create a safe workplace, track employees, and lead negotiations. And all of these powerful tools are designed to give you thorough results and get you back to running your business as quickly as possible.
Tell us about yourself
In the mid-'80s, I helped a friend sell his engineering software to Apple — (From an SBA study, "67% of businesses that failed had no business plan.”) Apple wanted to see his business plan to be sure his company would thrive to provide support and updates. We got the deal. Over the next year, I helped many entrepreneurs get their businesses and plan investments ready. It occurred to me that I could help many more people succeed if I were to take the content I'd developed and turn it into an easy-to-use software template. This became BizPlanBuilder, and we've been refining it ever since.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
To date, Business Power Tools has sold more than 2,000,000 subscriptions worldwide, and from the clients who have contacted us, we've learned that they've leveraged our tools to raise more than $3.0 Billion through angel investors, venture capitalists, the SBA, bank, and alternative financing.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Staying with it, constantly improving, and moving forward. Figuring out ways to package your product or service concept so the right people immediately "get" what you offer and why yours is the best choice.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do something you love and feel strongly about.
- Start building your business before trying to raise capital.
- The process of developing your business plan will give you valuable insights, direction, and priorities for getting started, growing, and succeeding.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.businesspowertools.com/?nab=1
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/BusinessPowerTools
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burkefranklin/
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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