Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robin Hills, Founder of Ei4Change, located in Bolton, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ei4Change is the leader in emotional intelligence training providing a wide range of emotional intelligence courses and free resources. Our online courses are widely available and are being accessed internationally by businesses, groups, and individuals all looking to make a change in their lives and their careers.
Tell us about yourself
Ei4Change has a mission to change the workplace, and the world, with a united understanding of emotional intelligence. What motivates me are the lovely emails from people who have had their lives transformed by my coaching or training. However, I humbly cannot accept that I had this effect on them; they found something of value in how they engaged with me because they were ready to learn.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When starting a business, everyone is told to identify their niche and determine their Unique Selling Point. This is good advice, but not easy. I took the decision when I set up Ei4Change to focus on emotional intelligence for change at the personal, team, and organizational levels and to deliver this online. This was before online learning became recognized as a way to develop emotional intelligence. Many people told me I was wasting my time, but with the right focus and perseverance, I have become a recognized expert in this area, with over 300,000 people taking my courses from over 195 countries.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
In the initial phase, it is knowing where your income-generating opportunities will come from. Your focus should be on how to get the next legal, decent, ethical and honest dollar into your bank account. This is what makes starting up a business hard. Nowadays, with an established business, it's having to say "no" to potential opportunities and declining offers that come my way.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Recognize that starting, running, and growing a business is not easy. In fact, it is very hard.
- Don't take anything that anyone says at face value. This doesn't mean not trusting anyone. Everyone will offer you opportunities and support as they genuinely mean well. Accept the offers graciously but don't rely on these, and then move on if the offers materialize - great! Many, if not most, won't happen.
- If you firmly believe in yourself and what you are doing, and the chance arises to start a business - go for it!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://ei4change.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/866237300386554
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ei4change/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ei4Change
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinhills/
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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