Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Justine Janet Scheuer, IT Project Manager of Interior Health Authority, located in Kelowna, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I work for Interior Health as an IT Project Manager. Interior Health has over 23,000 employees, and we provide Public Health Care services to all of the residents of Central and South Okanagan. Our region encompasses Williams Lake, BC, in the North to Osoyoos, BC, in the South, and from Kamloops in the West to the Alberta/BC Border in the East.
Tell us about yourself
I joined Interior Health as a Project Manager in April of 2019, following an 11-year career with TELUS in Vancouver and 7 years with Electronic Data Systems (now an HP Company). I joined Interior Health in 2019 because I have a passion for improving the Health Care Services for all citizens of British Columbia and, more importantly, improving the health and wellness of our population overall by delivering high-quality, easily accessible, and effective IT solutions that are integrated across all 7 Health Authorities in BC.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a Project Manager was successfully managing the installation of over 400 TELUS OPTIK TV services in the new BC Children's Hospital called the 'TECK Acute Care Centre' in 2016. The TV services are utilized for patient education and entertainment, with a special focus on Children's entertainment needs who are experiencing extended hospital stays. Managing this project gave me a new perspective on the healthcare needs of all of our citizens and gave me added incentives to lead by example and to maintain a healthy lifestyle of fitness and healthy food choices while continuing to increase my effectiveness as an experienced IT Project Manager in the Health Care Sector.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
My husband and I have a registered business called VizTech Consulting Services. I have billed some client services as a business owner in early 2000. However, I found it challenging to establish a secure and steady income when working independently. As a result, I decided to enter the workforce full-time and was successful at securing a full-time position with EDS in 2000.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top 3 Tips I can offer to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today are:
- Acquire state-of-the-art computers, tools, and accessories to run your business.
- Utilize your connections and accolades from clients to promote your business. Set up a well-designed Website for your business and be readily available to respond to customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Stay up-to-date and maintain certification on current technologies. For example, customers are now looking to the 'Cloud' for on-demand solutions such as 'Software as a Service,' 'Infrastructure as a Service,' and 'Platform as a Service.' Ensure you, as a consultant, have the acumen and knowledge to provide the expertise or team up with people and/or companies that can fill this gap for your business and service offerings.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.scheuer.94
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-scheuer-4b001b12/
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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