Leaders Perception Magazine is currently running an interview series called – What Are The Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Starting A New Business?
Today, we had the opportunity to interview Brian Winch who is a Owner/Operations Manager at Winch Enterprises.
Interviewee Name: Brian Winch
Company: Winch Enterprises
Brian Winch’s favourite quote: If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for life.
The Interview
Thank you so much for joining us today! Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your backstory?
Brian Winch : I grew my business from a side hustle to a successful full-time business of 40+ years. I started with little money, skills and education, but plenty of passion, patience and persistence.
The idea for my business was inspired by my dad who had recently passed away unexpectedly in 1981. He was employed by the public school system as a janitor, and took on other work in his spare-time to supplement his income.
He had taken me along with him a couple of times when I was a young teen to assist him with his parking lot litter cleanup gig at a nearby shopping plaza. We would walk the exterior property and sweep up litter material into our collection tools, then empty the material into a waste bin on-site when we were finished. It was almost as easy to do as going for a walk!
He cleaned the property in the early morning hours before the businesses opened. This made for an ideal side hustle for him as the time didn’t conflict with his job. I had always enjoyed working outdoors. The thought occurred to me that I could turn this simple environmental service of his his into a simple low cost business based from home.
In your opinion, what makes your company stand out? Any examples?
Brian Winch : We use a unique tool that allows us to clean up more litter material in less time thus saving our clients money. We make our clients jobs easier by reporting any incidents of property damage, graffiti, burned out exterior lighting, illegal dumping on site, etc. while cleaning our properties. They truly appreciate the extra value we provide to them.
I share my experience with others (and offer free support) in my book Cleanlots – America’s Simplest Business. It’s my way of giving back and honoring my dad while also assisting people how to start a simple business with little money, skills or education.
What are the TOP 5 mistakes people make when starting a new business? Please share advice/examples for all of them.
Brian Winch : 1. They have no passion or special interest for the business. It’s not enough to chase the dream of wealth to be successful. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing you’re far more likely to quit when the going gets tough.
2. They lack the finances. Many people underestimate the amount of capital necessary to get a business off the ground and running. How are you going to fund your startup? Many people these days are starting small businesses as a side hustle. They have the incomes from their day jobs to support themselves until their side hustle business starts to generate income.
3. They start spending money on their wants before their needs. I say, grab the free or low cost means of getting your message out to your prospects before paying for something like a fancy website. Many small business owners don’t understand the power of social media. Get listed in online directories. Grab your free Google My Business listing. Set up a business page of Facebook. Do the same on LinkedIn.
4. They have an unrealistic time-frame. Besides being passionate for what you do, you need to be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Too many people think success will come easily and soon.
5. Persistence, persistence! Too many people are ready to give up when they face adversity. In addition to needing to be self-motivated, you must have the mindset that there is always a solution to a problem
Leaders Perception magaizne would like to thank Brian Winch for the time dedicated to completing this interview and sharing their valuable insights with our readers!
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