Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Susan Walsh, Founder of The Classification Guru Ltd, located in Guildford, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is The Classification Guru Ltd, we are fixers of dirty data, and our main customers come from procurement. We classify their spend data so they can see how much they are spending on each category. We also work with data, finance, and marketing teams to help clean up their data too. In addition to this, I've also written a book, "Between the Spreadsheets - Classifying and Fixing Dirty Data," which helps people classify, clean, and organise their own data in Excel. And just last month, I launched the online course "Fixing Dirty Data - The Basics of Data Cleaning" to help people and organisations clean name, address, phone number, and email data in Excel. Both the book and course are for anyone at any level; everyone will gain something from it.
Tell us about yourself
Well, this business really did start by accident... About 11 years ago, I set up my first business, a clothes shop in Guildford. Unfortunately, costs were high, and I racked up a lot of debt to the point I had to admit defeat and close the shop. I had to also file for bankruptcy, but I couldn't do this straight away because I couldn't afford the £600, so I had to wait and save up over six months. As you can imagine, I needed a job, and I needed one fast. I found an ad online for some data classification work, classifying large companies' financial data into buckets of spend. I had never done it before but had worked for large organisations previously, so I thought it was something I'd be able to do.
And that's when I fell in love with data... I spent five years at that company growing with them, managing projects and a team, but eventually, it was time to move on. At that point, I didn't know where I could get a similar job, so I decided that starting my own business was the only option. I was very wary and cautious after the first attempt, but I could see a gap in the market for the services I wanted to offer, and if I wanted to keep doing what I loved, I had no other option. And nearly six years later, here I am with a team of 7. I've written a book, built a course, and spoken all over the world. But ultimately, what keeps me going and drives me every day is doing what I love; there's no greater motivation than that. Plus, I'm pretty much unemployable now...
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think for me, it was getting to five years. My first business failed within the first year, and so many more don't make it to five, and for me, that was a really big thing. Plus, being able to give work to seven people and keep them and me in business is pretty cool too.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The responsibility of paying my team's salaries and invoices each month. That is so much more terrifying than not paying my own. I really feel that responsibility and do everything I can to make sure that happens. And there's always a close second... for me, that's letting go!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- You need double the money and double the time to get up and running.
- Delegate as soon as you can, no matter how hard it is. Don't be business.
- Having the right people in your team is critical; it can make or break you.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.theclassificationguru.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheClassificationGuru
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classificationg/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClassificationG
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanewalsh/
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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