Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in leadership development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Steffan Surdek, Founder and President of Surdek Solutions Inc., located in Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We help executives and directors transform their mindsets and leadership style to create lasting change in their organizations. We do this through a mix of coaching, consulting, training, and workshops to support them in their leadership development.
Tell us about yourself
I originally started in the software development world. I worked for many different companies in many different roles in my career. Eventually, I started making a transition to more of a big brother type role in my teams, where I would help people communicate and collaborate together. I was afraid at first of starting my own business, to be honest. Launching a consulting business means you need your own business development as well (at least initially), and that terrified me.
I started by working for a consulting company and learning the ropes of doing that, and I learned that I was much better at it than I thought. It gave me the confidence to take the leap. What motivates me is the impact our work has on people. My reward starts coming in six months to a year after starting to work with a client when you see their mindset shift and see the impact of their leadership on their teams.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The biggest was the complete rebranding of my business in 2020, the first year of Covid. Prior to that, my business was part of a network of companies, and we shared a brand to a certain extent. At the end of 2019, I decided to rebrand my business around myself to leverage my name and reputation in the market. It was a challenge getting all of that done, but my team was very supportive, and despite the overall business climate of 2020, we got a lot done to make that happen.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things for me is finding the right balance in my life between my personal life and my business. I guess, as entrepreneurs, we all face that in some way. It is difficult sometimes not to let the worries of the business impact our family life in a negative way.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Trust yourself. It all starts there. If you do not have that trust in yourself, it will impact all your business relationships (i.e., with your employees as well as with your clients).
- Surround yourself with good people that believe in what you do.
- Do not be afraid to get help when you need it. You don't need to know everything.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.surdek.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SurdekSolutions/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ssurdek
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/SteffanSurdek/
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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