WiBN:  In launching KG Marketing & Training, what prompted you to start your own business?

Karyn:  It’s funny. Sometimes, you need a push to do something you’ve always wanted to do. My push came seven years ago. At that time, I was working in the corporate world. My company was acquired by another, larger company. It was clear that my department would be absorbed into the bigger company and that my position would be redundant. It turned out to be just the impetus I need to take the jump and go into business for myself. So far, it’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my career.

WiBN: What were your initial problems / surprises?

Karyn: There were good and bad surprises. The good surprise was how much work there was waiting for a company like mine that could tackle smaller, customized projects and assignments. I was in the black in the first year. The bad surprise was how lonely and HARD it is to run your own company – running a company (as opposed to doing the work of a company) is a whole job in itself! Thank goodness WiBN Entrepreneurial Group is there for people like me – I love that we have this opportunity to support and learn from one another!

WiBN: What advice did you receive that either spurred on your entrepreneurial spirit or made the journey easier?

Karyn:  My friends and family believed in me and encouraged me. Also, getting business was easier than I thought and that made me think that I had made a good decision.

WiBN:  What is the secret to good client relations?

Karyn:  For me, it is about really listening to clients; trying to understand their needs and how I can help them. It’s about building solid relationships and delivering value.

WiBN: What is the biggest challenge facing an entrepreneur running a business today?

Karyn:  The sluggish economy. It is scary when your phone isn’t ringing or when people, who would normally say yes, delay decisions instead of immediately going ahead. This is especially hard on small businesses. The biggest challenge for us is to be resourceful, innovative and tough enough to manage through these times.

 WiBN:  What do you think the characteristics of a successful Entrepreneur are?

Karyn:  If you have a tolerance for risk, a bias for action, and you accept that you always need to be ready to innovate and make new changes to grow your business, you’ve probably got the right DNA.

WiBN: Has KG Marketing & Training Inc changed its direction, marketing strategy and overall direction since its founding?

Karyn:  In the beginning, I wanted to have dentists and alternative and complementary medical practices as clients as well as veterinarians. The thinking was that these professions were all similar enough that it would give my company a large market. I’ve learned for a company my size, it is better to pick and choose and specialize in one market. Today KG Marketing & Training, Inc works exclusively in veterinary consulting for practices and industry.

WiBN: What are you planning in the future to maintain your viability and, in fact, grow?
Karyn: Incorporating more technology into service delivery to improve efficiency and reach.
 
WiBN: What kind of advisers/mentors do you have? 
 Karyn:  I am blessed! I work with two wonderful people who encourage me and hold me accountable. They’re smart and business savvy and ask me the hard questions. They serve as my informal Board. I also get a lot out of WiBN, especially the Entrepreneurial Group.

WiBN:  What encouraging words would you like to leave with our readers?

Karyn:  My business motto is:  “Helping practices to go and grow!”  I try to do that for myself as well – it’s the best way to keep things fresh, fun and rewarding even when it’s hard! 

Contact Karyn at: 

kgavzer@aol.com

www.KarynGavzer.com