Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Yulia Kardashov, owner of Feel Ink Great Inc., located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I help people suffering from hair loss feel better about themselves. I perform a procedure called Scalp Micro Pigmentation, which helps camouflage hair loss.

Tell us about yourself

I got into this business absolutely by accident. I saw a video on YouTube one day of a man performing SMP and was fascinated by it. I always try new things and figured, why not try this. I fell in love with SMP and what it does to people's lives! I never looked back after that!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is everything I was able to achieve all on my own. I never thought of myself as a business owner. I didn't know I was capable of that. I knew nothing about business when I started, so it was a huge gamble. Scalp Micro Pigmentation is not a very conventional job, so I didn't have a lot of support. People thought I was nuts for doing this! The fact that I stuck to it and did not give up when everything was so risky, unclear and scary, is still amazing to me! That is my biggest achievement, succeeding and proving to myself that I can do anything!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I guess the doubt and fear that creeps in, about the unknown. When you work for someone, if you screw up, the worst-case scenario is you will probably get fired. Not a pleasant thought, but not the end of the world. When it's your own business, there is so much more riding on it! The stakes are so much higher. It's a constant battle with yourself. You have to constantly remind yourself that you can do this.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. I believe you can't be great at something you don't love. You can be ok at your job if you have been doing it for long enough, but you will never be amazing at it. So pick something that you will literally be obsessed with!
  2. Don't listen to negative people. There will always be someone who will be more than happy to put doubt in your head and make you question yourself. Remember that people who matter will support you, and people who won't don't matter.
  3. Learn to forgive yourself. We all make mistakes. No one was born knowing everything. Make sure to learn from them. They are the most valuable lessons you will get. Don't dwell on them. Fix what you can, and move on.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Try not to measure yourself and your success against others. We all have different circumstances, needs, wants, and goals. Just try your best. Try not to chase someone and instead find your own life/work balance. Ultimately, that will keep you loving what you do for a long time and bring you success.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.feelinkgreat.com/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.