Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matt Gira, Founder of Start Station, located in New Haven, CT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run a free, 5-week accelerator program for scalable, non-VC backed ventures. My customers are founders that just have an idea for a venture or haven't yet reached product-market fit and aren't looking to raise venture capital.
Tell us about yourself
I first started on this idea a few years ago, before the pandemic, with the goal of just helping to build entrepreneurial ecosystems. It's taken a few pivots to get it to where it is, but this version has been exciting. For motivation, I've always felt that the world could use a lot more impactful ventures and founders, so being able to do that every day through this venture is really rewarding. My hope is that this not only creates impactful and successful ventures but changes how we think about building entrepreneurial ecosystems and communities.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Before this current venture, a co-founding team and I raised $190,000 on Kickstarter for a product and delivered it.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The mental aspect and creating harmony in life. It can be a really big roller coaster in the early days, and being able to manage that emotional roller coaster takes experience. How to create harmony between that roller coaster with friends and family is always a challenge.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Focus on the marathon, not a sprint. Time is an ally.
- Be focused on a mission, not on a singular product or service.
- Build for sustainability, not virality.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.matthewgira.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewgira/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewGira
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gira/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.