Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lauren Graden, Founder of LGC Academy, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
LGC Academy is an online learning platform for busy office professionals like document controllers, office managers, administrators, and executive assistants. We offer a variety of online courses tailored to their needs so they can take the guesswork out of their job, get the support and mentorship they deserve, and excel in today's competitive workplace. Whether you're looking to improve your business skills or learn something new, LGC Academy is here to support you every step of the way!
Tell us about yourself
As a child, I was fascinated by the world of architecture and engineering and often spent hours doodling floor plans and designs for imaginary homes. So, naturally, I enrolled to become a certified drafting technician. But as the years passed, I was plucked and placed into various positions that required creative problem-solving skills – from project coordinator, quality control technician, and finally, document control. But I quickly discovered there was a massive lack of educational resources for those in my field. This resulted in frustration, errors, and a stagnant career. So I used that as motivation to learn everything I could on my own. I eventually climbed the ranks to become a team leader, which allowed me to share my learnings with those also thirsty for knowledge which gave me an idea - what if I turned my passion for knowledge and teaching into its own entity? What if I created a training academy specifically for those working in document control so I could share my expertise with anyone who was willing to learn? And so LGC Academy was born.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Hands down, helping others. It's what drives me, and it's why I started the Academy in the first place. Running a business is hard – it can be lonely, requires long hours, and a LOT of learning (which is also the fun part). But every day, I receive messages from students describing how my courses have helped them understand their role, make their workday easier, and qualify for higher-paying positions. Hearing these stories makes all the hard work worth it – knowing that I'm making even a small difference in someone's life is the best feeling in the world, and I wake up grateful every day for the opportunity to be part of someone's journey to career fulfillment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I struggle with the balancing act of being both a business owner and taking time for myself. Between course creation, running a consulting business, and researching new ways that will help me grow as an entrepreneur and a mentor, it can be tough to find time for yourself, let alone time to relax and enjoy your hobbies. But I'm discovering the importance of these breaks as time passes and the critical role that rest and time with loved ones play in the success of your business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do Your Research.
Understand and get to know your industry, the market, and your ideal customers. What's their pain point? What problem are they trying to solve? Why does that problem exist in the first place? Knowing this will help you create, refine, and offer a product that is hard to compete with and creates a strong following of loyal customers or clients. - Start before you feel ready.
Here's the thing: there's never going to be a perfect time to start a business. You could always find excuses to wait: you're not experienced enough, you don't have enough money saved up, and you don't have a solid business plan. But the truth is, there's no such thing as being "ready" to start a business. You can always learn as you go, and no one expects your business to be perfect from Day One. The most important thing is to get started and see where it takes you. So if you're feeling even the slightest bit of entrepreneurship stirring inside of you, don't wait any longer. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll learn what it takes to be successful in business. And who knows? You might just discover that you're ready for this after all. - Failure doesn't exist.
People often give up when they don't see results - "I'm such a failure." No, you're not. You're just human. What we call "failure" is simply an event that didn't turn out the way we wanted it to. It's an opportunity to learn and grow. Business is all about taking risks. If you never took any risks, you would never achieve anything great. Every successful person has failed many times - they just kept going until they got the result they were looking for. So don't let "failure" stop you from chasing your dreams. Embrace it as a sign that you're moving in the right direction. After all, what's the worst that can happen? You might learn something new about yourself along the way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://documentcontrolmadeeasy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.lgc.academy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurengraden/
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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