Share Real-Life Success Stories From The Virtual Incubator Program
Take a look at four outstanding examples of businesses launched by new entrepreneurs who have completed the Virtual Incubator Program.
Virtual Incubator Program
Featured Case Study
From Manager To Boss: One Man's True Story Of Entrepreneurial Transformation
Client: Ken Proskie
Details: Ken not only received ongoing one-on-one coaching during his time in the Virtual Incubator Program to develop a sound marketing and financial strategy, we also supported the launch of his new business through the involvement of our outside service providers team.
Our graphic designer created his company's logo. Our CPA advised him on the appropriate legal form for his business. Our website designer conceptualized and brought to life his eye-catching website. Our copywriter helped Ken craft a compelling website selling presentation. And our QuickBooks specialist assisted Ken in installing his copy of the accounting software program.
In His Words:
When Ken Proskie was downsized at age 52, he knew almost immediately that he didn't want to return to the corporate world. "I'd been thinking for sometime about starting my own consulting company, and now losing my job gave me the push I needed to move ahead".
Here's how Ken describes his journey.
When I received my layoff letter from my last employer, all of my friends and my family assumed that I'd just get another job.
I'd seriously thought about starting a business when I'd changed jobs seven years earlier. But I just didn't have the guts to do it then.
But, when I considered returning to the corporate world this time, I thought to myself - Why? I'd always given my corporate employers my very best. And yet when the company experienced financial problems, they decided that they could do without me.
I knew that I was an expert in my field - plant health and safety - and I loved meeting the continual challenge of the work, but I didn't know how to turn my more than twenty-five years of experience into a business.
The first question to pop into my mind was: "Can I make a living in my own consulting business?"
I had a bit of a financial cushion and when they found out exactly what kind of business I planned to start, my friends and family were very encouraging, so I decided why not try it?
The uncharted territory for me wasn't the industry. It was setting up and running my own business.
This is where Jeff Williams and The Go Smart Center came in. The outplacement firm my employer had retained offered a 1/2 day seminar that Jeff was teaching on how to start your own business as a consultant.
I attended the workshop and stayed behind to ask Jeff a few questions. He took time to answer all my questions and seemed to genuinely care about what I wanted to do, so I decided to sign up for his one-on-one coaching program, and together we created a plan to launch my new business, Compass Health & Safety.
I don't know if I could have started my business without Jeff's help. Maybe I could have, but not nearly as well or as fast.
Jeff is very knowledable about marketing and sales and particularly worked with me on every detail of my marketing program, including coordinating with the website designer and suggesting how to write my selling contract. He helped me build my confidence and skills to go out and sell my services.
His coaching program not only helped me launch, but we also had monthly coaching sessions throughout my first year in business. Now, we talk once per quarter, usually over lunch and Jeff goes over my list of questions that I accumulate in between our meetings. I always feel comfortable knowing that Jeff is there if I need him.
I love the independence and flexibility of my schedule now that I own my own business and work out of my home. If it's a beautiful, sunny day, I can take off and go sailing on Lake Michigan if I want to. I don't do that very often, but I can choose when I do it.
Success Achieved:
In Fall 2007, Ken will celebrate the third anniversary of his business launch. His revenue exceeds $200,000 per year and continues to grow as he lands new consulting contracts. He continues to work from his comfortable home office with his dogs as his daytime companions.
Learn more about Ken's business at www.compass-hs.com.
Virtual Incubator
Case Study #2
Client: Crystal Jurczynski
Details: Crystal is a former web development manager and web trainer for United Airlines who was downsized in 2002. Referred to us by a federally funded job training agency in Chicago, Crystal enrolled in the Virtual Incubator Program.
With help from our weekly Virtual Incubator Program coaching sessions, she completed her business plan and launched her business, Crystal Point Consulting, in Fall 2003.
Success Achieved: Crystal is so busy she has had to turn down work!
You can see her business in action at www.crystalpointconsulting.com
Virtual Incubator
Case Study #3
Client: Al Brown
Details: Al has spent more than twenty-five years building a reputation as an expert on global supply chain development, with a particular emphasis on effectively using the ever-widening world-class community of Mexican-owned components and OEM manufacturers.
Jeff Williams lead Al through the Go Smart Center's "wraparound" Virtual Incubator business start-up program, where weekly live coaching sessions are supplemented by the completion of key organizational tasks by an expert team of business start-up service providers.
Success Achieved: Al launched SupplyMex, Inc., his global strategic sourcing consultancy.
Learn more about Al's business at www.supplymex.com.
Virtual Incubator
Case Study #4
Client: Hasan Kazi
Details: After working for Federal Express for more than twenty-five years, Hasan accepted an attractive early retirement offer in 2004. He had specialized in opening new service bases for FedEx, including reopening service in Kuwait immediately after the first Persian Gulf War.
Although retired from corporate life, Hasan wasn't ready to "hang up his spurs" completely and chose the Virtual Incubator program to assist him in planning and launching his own business - the first Midwest branch office of a well-known air freight carrier, Ceres Transportation Group.
Jeff guided Hasan through the creation of a sound marketing plan and made sure that he complied with all legal and regulatory requirements. He helped him set-up his QuickBooks program, and continued to provide monthly phone consultation sessions with Hasan for six months after his business launch, in Fall 2004.
Success Achieved: Hasan chose his partner wisely and only one month after launching had already completed, invoiced and collected payments from the first freight forwarding clients of Central Transportation Services, Inc.
Find out more about Hasan'a business at www.ceresgroup.net
The Virtual Incubator Program Helps You Launch Any Kind Of Business
No matter which business concept you have chosen, the step-by-step Virtual Incubator Business Launch Program will prepare you to launch quickly.
Here is a sample of some of the hundreds of businesses we have assisted:
Service Businesses
Automotive repair
Home remodeling
Computer repair
Online and Offline Retail Businesses
Neighborhood gourment food store
Nigerian restaurant
Hot dog stand
Specialty rubber stamp store
Vintage baseball clothing webstore
Consulting Firms
Employee compensation consulting
Industrial security management consulting
Web site improvement firm
Manufacturers
Baby cradles
Lawn clipping bags
Toffee candy
Distributors
Commercial printing supplies
Fire extinguishers
Nurse's shoes and apparel
Franchises
Quick print shop
Bookkeeping service
Coupon service
And many more!
We'd love to add you to our list!
Enroll Today In The Virtual Incubator Business Launch Program.
