Jean Coles - Sport Clips Haircuts
Jean Coles - Sport Clips Haircuts
What was your motivation to start your business?
I was looking for financial freedom and to remove myself from the 9-5 so that I could have more time with my family and travel more often.
How has being an entrepreneur improved your life?
I have had more flexible work arrangements. I can work from wherever and still run my business. I am also more engaged in my community and working with other business owners through Business Improvement Groups.
What does it mean to be a business owner?
A business owner's life can be very isolating. You take it all on. The stress of finding a location, negotiating with the Landlord, sourcing the leaseholds and furniture, finding team members. The list goes on! As a business owner, you are usually alone in the decision-making and can live and die by the sword.
Many people say it is easy to start a business. What do you think about it?
It may seem easy to start a business, but those people who say this likely have not tried to start a business or keep it in business. It is a hard and lonely job to run a business.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Surviving the pandemic! With the business closures, we were uncertain that we would prevail - but we did. During the lockdowns, I spent my time advocating and seeking funding. It was so difficult to know if we would survive through the first lockdown since the landlords were seeking rent payments, and we had no income to pay them.
What words of wisdom did you receive as a child still apply today in business?
If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don't spend so much time watching TV or on social media - spend that time building your business.
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