Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cosmin Miholca, Founder of WebTennis24.com.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have been teaching online at WebTennis24.com, a platform that offers video lessons, tips, and drills for tennis coaches and players. Suppose tennis players want to learn how to improve their game and need access to a certified coach. In that case, they can log into WebTennis24 to discover lots of tutorials, drills, and tips to improve or learn new skills.
My online platform also has a large section for tennis coaches who want to learn creative ways to teach tennis to children and adults, beginner or advanced levels.
Tell us about yourself
I never thought I would teach tennis on-court, not even online. It all started when I realized how many social opportunities a sport like a tennis offered to a young person who had recently graduated college. Soon after I moved to the US (where I spent 12 years, 9 of them as a tennis coach), I began playing tennis for fun at a local club.
There I met a fantastic group of business people who took me into their "tennis circle." They loved to play tennis and often met for lunch to discuss various business opportunities, which fascinated me as a young man still learning about the world.
One of those tennis friends suggested that the club director hire me as a tennis coach because I possessed the skills for demonstrating good techniques and they knew I wanted to share and help others. As I was introduced to the tennis community, I was fortunate to see my clientele grow considerably, enough to eventually pursue a career as a private tennis coach.
After about four years of teaching tennis on-court, during a casual conversation with a new client, he suggested that I teach tennis online, where I could share my knowledge with many more students. That was around 2007 when online tennis coaching started taking off and more people were using the internet to improve their tennis knowledge.
Initially, I offered information via my website (WebTennis24.com) for free. I soon built a following of over 5,000 players and coaches who appreciated my work.
But my greatest motivation toward teaching tennis online was the birth of my daughters. I wanted to spend more time with them from then on. I did not want to be gone most of the time teaching tennis on the court and miss all the happy family moments. I wished to see them grow and be there when they go and come from school to teach them things and be there for everything else they do.
This has been a dream of mine, which I managed to make happen for the past few years: helping thousands of players and coaches improve their tennis skills and being actively involved in my daughters’ education and overall development.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I like to think that I make a difference in people’s lives. Of course, tennis is not an essential activity. However, for those who love this sport and who put passion into playing or teaching it, every piece of advice they receive from my work matters to them.
When I receive emails from parents telling me that their daughters won state championships, primarily due to how they learned from my WebTennis24 platform, it is just a fantastic feeling. Coaches tell me how many more clients they get only because they use my methods.
Players learn to win more tennis matches, improve their technique, and hit their shots with more power and accuracy. My customers' feedback and testimonials motivate me and make me work hard, knowing that what I do matters to them.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Staying motivated is one of my two most significant challenges in business (the other one is marketing :) I am talking about pushing myself to deliver new content and reminding myself that my clients want me to be there for them every day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Invest in yourself.
Read articles, blogs, and books, watch as many videos as possible about your business, and stay up to date with the latest trends. - Be genuine.
There is no point in copying others. Your personality should be what your clients/fans/followers see. Be confident that you are a good person, and your audience will appreciate you as long as you show respect. - Learn to communicate well.
That involves listening to what your clients need, providing excellent customer service, and even (occasional) one-on-one sessions where you help them with various aspects they need assistance with.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.webtennis24.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CosminWebTennis24
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webtennis24/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/webtennis24
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosminmiholca/
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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