Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Suzanna Mathews, Founder of The Date Maven, located in Wichita, KS, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We provide dating and relationship coaching, and matchmaking services to single men and women of all ages. Our clients are smart, kind, growth-minded individuals who are ready to transform the way they date and form more meaningful connections.
Tell us about yourself
I first became interested in learning about interpersonal communication differences between men and women when I was an undergrad. But I do what I do now because I'm concerned about how we're becoming more isolated and individualistic as human beings. And there is next-to-no training or skill development for people on how to actually navigate relationships. Yet, psychobiologically, we are wired to relate. Without a foundation of self-awareness and skills, however, we grow further apart and generate more trauma for one another through unhealthy habits and toxic connections. It means a great deal to me to be able to help my clients correct this.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My book, "Revising Mrs. Robinson" (about intergenerational romantic relationships between older women and younger men), was published in 2016, and I gave a TEDx talk in 2018.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the biggest challenges of running a small business is finding part-time talent to complete my team. There are always many things to do, and there aren't necessarily unlimited hours or energy with which to do them!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Research, research, research. Dive deeply into the industry and market you want to be in... and then, once you think you've plumbed the depths, go deeper. Learn more.
- Join a mastermind. It's easy to get stuck if you're trying to innovate or solve problems solo.
- Gather a little more capital than you think you'll need. Run your numbers and then add 20% for what you're not anticipating.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thedatemaven.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanna-mathews/
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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