Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in marketing services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Howie Chan, Founder of Healthy Brand Consulting, located in Saint Paul, MN, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I help leaders in health care build company and product brands without big agency hassle. Most recently, I helped a med tech startup define a new sub-category to launch their product. Anytime a company is thinking of launching a product, come out of stealth mode, or getting ready for a merger or acquisition, my services are of the most value. When the outside doesn't match the inside or when a new story needs to be told, Healthy Brand Consulting will be valuable.

Tell us about yourself

I was laid off as a Managing Director for a healthcare agency in the Spring of 2022. Rather than finding a different job, I started my own business. This has been something I have wanted to do for a long time, and since I was forced into independence, it was time to stand on my own. My family and purpose motivate me. I consider myself as a lifelong student, and I continue to write, work, and even host a podcast with one central question - How can we better influence human behavior through perception, emotion, and design?

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I crossed six figures in 6 months, which was both a relief and an accomplishment. In that time, I also started a podcast with an episode every two weeks, launched a newsletter with over a thousand subscribers, and more than doubled my LinkedIn following.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

I tell people all the time it's a mix of anxiety and liberation. Managing my energy is a big one. It can feel like I'm going nowhere at times, and the main thing is to stay focused on the process. Keep putting out content and meeting people even when you don't feel like it.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Understand your financials thoroughly. How much do you need to earn? How many months of runway do you have?
  2. Focus on the problem you are trying to solve and get the basics in order - LLC, bank accounts, and how to get paid.
  3. Tell the world, and don't stop connecting.

The hardest part about starting a business is to start and keep it going, constantly looking to improve little by little every day. If you are obsessed with getting better, I have no doubt success will come. It is not a linear curve but an exponential one, so the initial stages will be slow. Keep plugging away.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.howiechan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howie.chan.31
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howiechaniam/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/howiechaniam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howiechaniam/

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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