I had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Akers the owner/originator of Cope Creek Technologies. Cope Creek website
What is your favorite part of owning your business?
The best thing about owning a business for me is the flexibility it provides for my family. As a homeschooling family of six, it is nice to be able to schedule my work time around other family needs.
Are you comfortable where you’re at, or would you like to expand your businesses reach?
I don’t have much desire to grow my business in the sense of adding employees, locations, etc. Of course, I always like more clients and business opportunities, but I’m in business to support my family, not grow a business. Now, at a different point in my life, growing the business may be something I would be interested in.
When you first started, what was the hardest part?
When I first started full time with my business, I had just lost my full time job at WCU unexpectedly. That was the hardest part, starting full time with a business but not having the time to plan as well as I would have liked. The good thing is that I had a severance package from WCU of three months’ salary, plus about 3 months’ vacation leave pay, so I had some money to live on and to start my business with.
Do you have anything that you would do differently?
In a perfect scenario, you would plan out the start of your business with a business plan, startup funding, etc. I didn’t go that route. It worked out OK for me, but I guess if I had the option, it would have been helpful.
What is something that you have found to be very important to do when owning your own business?
Client relationships are the most important aspect of my business. A happy client is worth much more than any advertising you can do. Happy clients like to spread the word. Also, in a service oriented business, like mine, I discovered to not undercharge for your services. The temptation is to charge low rates, especially when starting out. However, I realized that charging substandard rates did not attract the type of clients I wanted. I just got clients who were looking for a low price and a good deal and not clients who would develop into an ongoing business relationship. When I adjusted my rates to something more reasonable for the market I was trying to reach and the type of services I was providing, things went much better. Who would have thought that I would get more business by charging more?
Have you thought about starting other businesses?
Sometimes, but then I realize I have my hands full with the one I have.
Do you have any words of wisdom for those who are looking to start a business?
Find something that you like doing. Let your customers know they are important to you. Work hard but don’t let your business become your life.
