Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Martin Fitzpatrick, a Python programming tutor and author based in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I write books and courses for people wanting to improve their programming skills. I focus on writing accessible, hands-on guides, making complicated things easy to understand for everyone.
Tell us about yourself
I've enjoyed writing & programming since I was at school, but it took a few years of trying other things and finding my way back before I finally realized what I was meant to do. Programming has always been a creative and fun thing for me, and it's that feeling that I want most to share with other people: it doesn't have to be dry, dull, or technical. It's a great skill that can unlock a lot of things for you, even if you don't want to do it as a job.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Still being here five years later. Since launching the business, I've had to learn a lot, take a lot of wrong turns, regroup and try something else. Each of those learning experiences means I'm more confident about the future than ever.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
There isn't anyone else to fall back on but yourself. If something goes wrong, it's on you & your job to fix it. Even if it happens at the worst possible time. But you get to take credit for all of the success too; you just need to remember to do it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start small, and resist the urge to turn great ideas into big ideas.
- Remember that being busy isn't the same as being productive. Get ruthless at dropping work that doesn't move your business forward.
- Don't forget why you wanted to work for yourself. If you're still spending all of your time doing things you don't enjoy, what's the point?
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://martinfitz.dev/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mfitzp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfitzp/
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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