Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kristian Emel, Founder and CEO of The MVP App - Most Valuable Professional, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

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

At MVP (Most Valuable Professional), we're attacking imposter syndrome and inefficiencies in the college to the corporate pipeline by making soft skill development more accessible and engaging and empowering those who are the backbone of our economy and our society. We are an all-in-one career development and management software for students, professionals, college career centers, and corporate training teams. Our mission is to help you reclaim confidence in your future.

Tell us about yourself

There's no easy way to describe myself since I like to do so much and have gone through so many experiences. I am a Los Angeles native, a USC graduate, a former athlete, and an aviation enthusiast. MVP was born out of the frustration, anxiety, and confusion that came with trying to figure out and plan my career future, whether that was applying to jobs, finding the right places to network, or just deciding on which industry to pursue. Every day, my team and I come together under the shared vision that we can build a simpler career discovery and transition experience, demystify what it truly means to be a professional, and create confidence that can empower current and future professionals no matter the location, interest, or industry.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My team! There is rarely a day that I don't get excited about the team that we have put together here. To be a business owner often means to be a leader, and I can't be grateful enough for the energy, commitment, and passion that my team brings to the table each and every day and the way they empower me to grow as a leader. They also add so much value to our product and vision that they will inevitably be the driving factors for why our customers will love us and what we do.

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

Definitely patience. When you have dreams and a vision, it is so easy to just want to be there and skip to the good part. And once a team gets involved, it becomes even harder to be patient because your team has bought into the vision and dream of success. But delayed gratification is real. Trusting the process is what gets you through the tough parts.

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

  1. Just start. Start now. Start with what you have now and get it out there. You'd be surprised how much things will grow and change once you start putting your ideas into action.
  2. Be patient. All good things take time, and anything worthwhile in life takes a journey. If you want your product and vision to be done right, be ready to take your time, even if that means enduring uncomfortable financial, social, and even sometimes emotional situations.
  3. Start planning. One of the most popular questions any investor, future employee, or customer may ask is, "what's next?" or "where do you see this going in 5 years?" While you may not have a 5-year plan just yet, it's important to start putting together a detailed plan that matches your vision for the future. It's easy to have a vision, but to have a plan to follow is where the work is. The great thing about that though is that once you have that plan in place, it will give you confidence and peace of mind about what steps you need to take next to grow your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.themvp.app/
Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/kristian.mvp/
Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/themvp.app/
LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianemel/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mvp-app/

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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