Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Paul Kuthe, Owner of Tributary Coaching, located in Washougal, WA, USA.

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

Business owners can get trapped by the very business that was meant to provide freedom. At Tributary Coaching, we use the power of the story to help entrepreneurs take action on the right things to build the business and life that sets them free!

Tell us about yourself

Coaching has been my life for over 20 years. What started as a way to sustain myself as a professional kayaker ended up being a lifelong passion that's taken me all over the world to work with elite athletes, business professionals, and company founders looking to make a difference, not just in themselves, but the world.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've coached celebrities such as Fred Armisen, big-time CEOs, and big brands like Renaissance Capital and Country Financial, but my single biggest accomplishment to date is establishing a thriving retreat center to bring the power of my coaching work to groups large and small.

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

The constant pull to do even more always has business owners question how much is enough. The fear of slipping into obscurity and coming up short on clients is always in the back of your mind.

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

  1. Take the time to dial in the problem you actually solve. Too many businesses lose the plot and end up trying to be all things to all people. Figure out what problem you want to be known for solving before you waste a dime on marketing.
  2. Get real with your time. Time is the single most important resource you have. Too many business owners fail to invest their time wisely, always getting distracted by the day-to-day. Make a schedule broken down into 15-30 minute chunks 7-Days / week so you can get the most out of the time you have.
  3. Determine where you're going and why. This goes for you as an individual but also the business as a whole. Businesses don't exist to make money. They are a vehicle to go somewhere new or build something that's never existed before. Unless you know why you are building a business, you won't have the patients, dedication, or determination to see it through.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Most businesses miss the mark and end up entering the story as the hero of the day, forcing their prospective clients into a victim or villain role that either alienates the prospect or severely limits their agency.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.tributarycoaching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tributarycoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tributarycoaching/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TributaryCoach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kuthe-4b18308/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.