Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeffrey Weide, Founder of SHAPE Consulting LLC, located in Aurora, CO, USA.

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

SHAPE Consulting is a group focused on developing and integrating processes, workflows, and training to help improve strategy, healthcare, analytics, project, and education of clients. Our goal is to work towards solutions that fit the shape of your company's needs.

Tell us about yourself

I started SHAPE with the foundation that every organization and project/program needs are different. Cookie-cutter concepts are great for starting off, but I believe that mindful integration and adaptation to those needs are critical for sustained use. At SHAPE, we're dedicated to partnering with our clients to ensure that the concepts, tools, and strategy we provide are tailored to their organization's needs. As the saying goes, one shape does not fit all, so we work to create the "shapes" that fit your needs.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping out organizations and entrepreneurs with a variety of needs to perform effectively, care for the teams and clients, and educate those around them.

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

It can be a competitive market, so being authentic can challenge growing the business as we do not oversell or promise anything.

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

  1. Know what you want to do. It is easy to spread yourself with new ideas or products. Focusing on a core will help you get recognition and loyalty.
  2. Be true to yourself. Your actions now become your legacy later. Sacrificing your morals or values now will give that precedence later on.
  3. Value yourself, but also help others. It is important to do what others say about getting paid for what you know. However, also understand that there are roles or activities that may pay little (or nothing) that can promote you, give you network connections, or build your portfolio. These things add to your brand and value, so look at things with similar costs. For example, getting in front of 100 potential clients as a speaker that may only cover conference fees and accommodations may seem like it is not your time, but the cost of marketing tools to get in front of 100 leads and have them captive for 30-90 minutes is just as valuable.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.shapeconsultingllc.com/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/shape-consulting-llc/
LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyweide/

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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