Interested in starting your solopreneurship journey, but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nathan Gold, Founder of The Demo Coach, located in Fremont, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
As a speaker coach, I prepare people for high-stakes speaking opportunities such as TED talks, SharkTank appearances, entrepreneurial investor pitching, do-or-die customer meetings, and job interviews. My customers have an essential and timed presentation of 18-minutes or less.
Tell us about yourself
As a technologist working for companies such as SanDisk, Symbol Technologies, and Extensity, I became the go-to person for product demos and important sales presentations. After the third layoff in my career, I decided to become a coach and help others with speaking, especially when there is a clock ticking down the remaining time you have to present.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
After 15 full-time years at coaching, it's helping teams prepare for their appearance on SharkTank and being instrumental in working with the early teams of Bill.com, Kahoot.com, and GetAround.com, all billion-dollar valued companies today.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Learning when to say no and determining the value of my services.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have 6-12 months of survival money in the bank. It takes time to find the first paying customer, set the dates, do the work, invoice them, and get paid. It will take longer than you think.
- Get your first three customers any way you can. Once you have three customer reference stories to share with potential customers, it's easier to close business using reference selling.
- Be sure your immediate family supports you emotionally. You'll need it on the days when things don't go so well, and you'll need them to share successes when they happen.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.democoach.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangold/
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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