If you want to start your business, spend most of your time building relationships, not tinkering around on your product or service.
Ben Walker shares how he built his business from scratch by regularly attending conferences to develop relationships with his target customer. His story is a great illustration of The Niche Tribe Model I taught in episode 214.
Ben is the founder and CEO of Transcription Outsourcing LLC, a leading global provider of premium transcription services in a variety of fields from medicine to education.
Lot of great lessons in our conversation including:
- Diversifying your business model to adapt to changing markets and technology.
- Having a backup plan for your current career path.
- How he started his business from scratch by going to conferences and taking on anything people needed.
- How he built his email marketing strategy one email at a time.
Life Skills That Matter In This Episode
- Reframe your mindset
- Build your community
- Align your habits
- Self-direct your learning
How Ben Works and Thinks
- Wake up time: 6:30 am
- Core work activities + habits: 1) Email. 2) Writing. 3) Requests for proposals.
- Ideal work environment: In a busy restaurant or Starbucks, by himself.
- Favorite productivity tool: Outlook
- 90-day goal: Hiring a new director of operations.
Inspirational Quotes
“I literally started signing up and going to conferences and learning on the fly.”
“Once you get your foot in the door, you get confidence that you didn’t have before.”
Coaching Advice
For somebody starting their business right now, Ben had this advice for how to reach out more to the target customers:
1) Go to events like conferences to get into the community that you’re serving.
2) Learn as much as you possibly can about the field you’re working in and your customers.
Resources + Bonus Materials
Colorado Medical Group Management Association
Related Episodes
Focus On A Niche To Start Your Business With Dave Novelli (168)
Connect With Ben