Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dale Keshishian, Founder of HealthWorks Academies, located in Media, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
HealthWorks Academies is a nonprofit talent development pipeline program linking high school STEM education with professional health science careers.
Tell us about yourself
As a former healthcare practitioner and administrator, I was impacted by the knowledge that our current professional workforce is aging, the demand for service is increasing, particularly as our aging population grows, new technologies emerge, and innovation drives corporate growth. Our mission is to dramatically grow the talent pipeline across the healthcare and life science industry, together with attracting, engaging, and preparing diverse talent for professional careers. Healthcare is a $4 Trillion industry where virtually everyone is a consumer. Every aspect of our industry needs to reflect the populations we serve.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am most proud of taking a concept and developing a national model that can impact student awareness, engagement, and preparation for professional health science careers and impact the trajectory and velocity for students reaching their greatest potential.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of being a business owner, in the beginning, was presenting the need for our work to our clients. We market our program to schools that often don't understand the growing need of the industry for skilled talent.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Grow your team. No one does this alone; You need people around you who live the mission, vision, and product.
- It will cost more and take longer than you think. Be prepared for both time and money.
- Do your homework. Consider products and services similar to your vision and build a better model.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Prepare to be in this for the long haul, but be nimble and ready to pivot early.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://healthworksacademies.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthworksAcademies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthworks-academies/
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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