Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julius Geis, Founder of MUA, located in Wilmington, DE, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is MUA, a SaaS solution empowering the professional workforce through self-knowledge. We like to think of ourselves as the fertilizer for company culture. The daily use of our software helps employees understand their likes, dislikes, and whys while connecting the different needs of company culture, from leadership to business goals to people's expectations of each other. The result is a super nurtured foundation with people that are able to listen and support each other, building a truly effective culture.
Today, we target small to medium size businesses that believe culture is the heartbeat and key to business success. If you don't agree with this statement, MUA is not for you. Everyone else can set up MUA fast and simply as an entire company or small group of people.
Tell us about yourself
I was born and raised in Stuttgart, Germany, but eventually moved to the Hawaiian Islands and fell for a Hawaiian girl. I loved my time in Maui, and it was while I was there that I started the journey that is now MUA. Since then, I've moved to the east coast and am exploring and loving my new home of Rhode Island. MUA stands for Me. Us. All. It came forth almost by accident while working with my clients as a consultant. I realized that so many of them and others run on auto-pilot daily. Essentially not being as conscious and self-aware when you make decisions throughout the day. While that's fine for simple tasks, it can prevent us from thinking critically and finding the best way forward. So I set out to address this problem with the goal of answering the question, "how would the quality of our being or businesses change if our daily decisions were based on a conscious choice vs. an unaware habit?" Each day, it's amazing to wake up and work on something that is going to empower professionals to be and feel their best and help companies establish a meaningful culture. Especially during this time of hybrid and remote work and with turnover rates skyrocketing, it's great to be doing something that will unite people and help them do what they love and share that love with others.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I don't really think in these terms, nor do I have specific goals other than touching the lives of as many people as possible with my work. If my inner compass points to fulfillment, I continue moving forward. If the needle changes its direction, I make changes until it feels right again. So the answer to this question would be to live my life the way it is; this is my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a start-up, MUA has had a long, winding road leading us to this point, and we still have so much potential for growth and change! We've had some detours and bumps along the way, but it's made us that much stronger and that much more convinced we are headed in the right direction.
While it's an exciting undertaking, it can also be daunting, especially with our team being small. There's a balance to it, as there is with all work. We practice what we preach at MUA, though, myself included. Meaning checking in with myself, understanding when I'm feeling burned out, and addressing it instead of pushing it down just for it to cause havoc later. In order to support businesses and help create future change, I want to be and feel my best, so I try and make that a priority.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Build products that matter, improve people's lives and don't rob or harm our planet.
- Be decent. You will face a lot of rejection and failure. But stay decent.
- Stay true to yourself, and don't run behind a quick bug; it's not worth it.
Dream big! No matter what others tell you – always dream bigger.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wemua.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muaidentity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muaidentity/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/muaidentity
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/muaidentity/
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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