Interested in starting your own podcast journey, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Harry Potvin of The Mental Corner, based in Whitby, Canada.
What's your business and who are your customers?
I run a mental health podcast that brings on guests from all walks of life to discuss the good, the bad and the inspiring in the world of mental health.
My customers are anybody who wants to listen in to some incredibly insightful and meaningful conversations about how we operate as human beings and how we can move forward for the better in society!
Tell us about yourself
My podcast/platform was inspired by my own personal battle + struggle with mental health challenges (anxiety + depression). I had convinced myself that no one knew what I was going through because challenges like depression and anxiety were never talked about- especially in the world of Sports and Men.
It wasn't until I got very close to ending my own life where I realized that I truly wasn't alone in this inner battle, and so I used the podcast & platform to share other peoples' stories to show anyone listening that the garbage that I had convinced myself wasn't true.
Every day, I'm motivated not just by people reaching out sharing their own stories, but also just seeing how the topics I discuss really resonate with people listening.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Honestly I feel more accomplished every day just from hearing about where the show has reached and how it has impacted people that listen. Before downloads, before ranking, before anything else, that would be my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Time for sure. With the amount of research, promotion, conversations, editing etc, it almost requires "full time job" energy. Unfortunately, especially in the world of podcasting, making money is very difficult when you're starting. It ultimately turns a lot of podcasters off because the time is incredibly consuming but the money isn't as rewarding.
Money isn't why I do the show, and I enjoy the time that it takes, but that's definitely the hardest thing about podcasting
What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1) Do it because you love it, not because you think you can make quick money or gain fame. When the days get hard and the results aren't what you expect, your absolutely raw love of what you do is what's going to carry you forward.
2) Podcasting, like most businesses, is a marathon not a sprint. Don't get discouraged when the numbers or downloads aren't there at first. Like I said in the first post, keep grinding away and figuring your craft out and it will work in your favour.
3) Put your ego to the side. Take constructive criticism from your listeners and others who have been in the game for a while. You're allowed to think that your material is the best out there, but if you aren't open to looking at other people's work and hearing constructive criticism from your listeners, then you'll become stagnant.
Where can people find you and your business?
I'm on all social media platforms but definitely the most active on instagram @thementalcorner
The show can be found on all podcast platforms and YouTube at "The Mental Corner Podcast"
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one