Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Simon Fowler, Co-Founder of The Colour Code, located in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, NZ.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My company is all about developing people. I help people understand their own style and how to communicate more effectively with others, to build stronger teams, leaders, and client relations. My clients range from individuals for personal development to teams from mid to large-sized companies across many industries.
Tell us about yourself
I spent over 20 years working for a large Pharma company building up experiences in Sales, Marketing, Business Consultancy, and Leadership. My family followed our dream to move from England to New Zealand, and I took the opportunity of a new start to launch my own business. I thought hard about my own 'Ikigai,' considering where my skills were, what my passions were, and what clients needed and were prepared to pay for.
I realized that over my career, I had always done my best work when I felt valued and understood. Achieving this for my clients and their teams has become my why, and I know when we achieve this, our business results thrive.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Is it too negative to say that the business is still open, and I am still smiling? An alarming amount of new businesses fail in the first two years. I started a business in a new part of the world at the same time a global pandemic started! We are still here, have happy clients, and I am excited and optimistic about the future.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, it was going from a large corporate company to being in your own business. It can feel quite lonely. You can miss the backup of a larger team, and often, if you are not working, nothing is happening in the business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Understand your own strengths and weaknesses - play on your strengths and prioritize external support for your weaknesses.
- Identify what works to grow your business and do it more frequently - this sounds easy but isn't - there are so many activities you could be doing that can just eat up time and money.
- Don't let your Ego be your downfall - we all have ideas of what we want our business to be, but if something isn't working, change it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thecolourcode.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colourcodenz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-fowler/
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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