Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Belinda Jacobs, Owner of Tech Packs Co, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

We simplify manufacturing for apparel/textile product brands. We translate designer's product ideas into instructional documents with specifications for a factory to follow.

Tell us about yourself

I started this company after working in the industry for several years. I experienced firsthand how hard the communication process was between a designer's vision and getting a final-real life product in hand. Even for very established designers, miscommunications, mismade samples, and production errors were the norm. I wanted to help brands bring their vision to life with better results and less trial & error. Not to mention the environmental and social impacts we can have if we start developing better quality clothing with less waste.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Having an amazing team who believes in what we do. Being able to take maternity leave and having them keep things running while I was away.

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

It's definitely an emotional rollercoaster. Like life, there are ups and downs. A lot of things will be outside of your control. It can be hard to separate the business's success from your own success. So you have to remind yourself about balance, taking healthy breaks, and not falling into any comparison traps. I'm still working on it!

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

  1. Find a niche or a group of people and sell them what they want (I think in business speak, this is product market fit)
  2. Find friends who are also business owners or join a community. You need to have a support network that "gets it."
  3. Know your numbers. How much do you need for yourself, what are your expenses, how much do you need for your team, and what profits do you want to make? How much do you need to sell to get to this number, and what are the sales and marketing activities you need to repeat each week to get to this number?

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.techpacks.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/techpacksco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techpacks_co/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/techpacksco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-packs-co/

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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