Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeff Chorlton, President and CEO of Flexserv, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We become the in-house accounting and HR for small businesses. Our customers are any organization with up to 80 staff in Canada. We are among the most cost-effective, professional and personalized solutions for bookkeeping, controllership, recruiting, and all other accounting and HR functions.
Tell us about yourself
Running other companies, I needed fractional (Flexsourced) staff. That could have been a day a month of a controller, two days per week of a bookkeeper, or three days a month of an HR professional, as examples. I was the client, and there were no organizations in Canada that could cost-effectively fulfill my business requirements for a full internal accounting or HR solution, complete with both experts and the right technology. This led to me creating Flexserv. I have loved every day since we started. Each day, we learn about new businesses and are continuously increasing the rate at which we onboard new clients. Our clients get just what they need, and our staff are able to set their own work schedules for as many hours as they wish to work each week. We have positively disrupted the old employment model, giving clients and staff more of what they need.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of our biggest accomplishments has been to be recognized by Canada's biggest bank as a partner in providing solutions to their clients, that complement the bank's traditional services.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Finding good people is one of the hardest things. This means identifying well above average individuals who not only know their profession from a technical perspective but are people who you really want to work with and hope will never leave you. Fortunately, we have an amazing track record of longevity between our staff and clients.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Stay focused on your key products and services. If an opportunity is not strategic for your business, consider carefully whether it is worth diverting resources away from your core strengths.
- Bring in only people you trust and who have a great combination of skills and experience for your specific roles.
- Develop informal partnerships through extensive networks. This can have many benefits, including being more strategic in managing your business, broadening your view of your target markets, and identifying new opportunities.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Lead by example. Praise your staff's successes and support them in doing their jobs.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.flexserv.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexserv/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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