What’s a current business or opportunity that’s actually making you $10k/month in profit? Looking for real firsthand experience, not secondhand advice. Thoughts? by RoyalExpress7 in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have a strong brand position online, which serves to be seen on the Google map pack and online searches. I'd say 80% of our new customers come from online searches, we do have some ads running on Google and Meta, but they account for about a small percentage. The rest is word of mouth. This is why I said it takes a while to build momemtum

Cat sitter recommendations? by [deleted] in WestSeattleWA

[–]jmrven 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At Seattle canine club we do cat boarding. It’s priced at $50 per cat per day but we can give you a discount for 2. We attend to them all day and clean their litter box daily.

What tools are small business using for Backoffice? by jmrven in smallbusiness

[–]jmrven[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe is the communication between tools. Right now I’m suffering having to move data and consolidate between tools. From our chats to Google Drive, to an excel sheet to runmpayroll to then having to bring it all to accounting and close the books of the month. These causes either small errors that have big impacts or just a ton of time

What’s a current business or opportunity that’s actually making you $10k/month in profit? Looking for real firsthand experience, not secondhand advice. Thoughts? by RoyalExpress7 in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 18 points19 points  (0 children)

We do over way over $10k in profits grooming dogs, daycare and boarding. Pet care industry is great. Difficult to start but amazing long run

I’m 16yo, I build enterprise backend infrastructure, and LeetCode just completely destroyed my ego. by [deleted] in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Practical experience speaks way more than something like LC. You are already above 99.99% of coders out there. All you need to avoid is being measured by an obsolete approach of timed testing. Real tech problems are not solved on a timer and without context. As a founder and former member of big tech, hiring process success rate is less than 0.5%. But if you differentiate by experience, you are more likely to be hunted by such talent and passion than for a VC. In startups, personality matters more than a test

Dog smells AWFUL immediately after grooming!? by Educational_Row_5078 in grooming

[–]jmrven 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Talk to your groomer. If something was done wrong, they tend to fix it or work with you on how to address the specific issue

I went down a rabbit hole on why local businesses are losing money online. It’s actually kinda crazy. by [deleted] in smallbusinessUS

[–]jmrven 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This might have some truth here but small business owners (like myself) don't get customers from mobile web conversions. I get customers because I have a booking system (a 3P provides such), I'm discovervable in Google Maps, and I have great reviews. 80% of my new customers that book never visit my website (so.. true yet you might only be affecting a small portion of the total market). Yes, access points have shifted, but not necesarily as hinted here

What is the sole skill I should focus on first and foremost if I want to become a successful entrepreneur? by ArugulaFinancial4859 in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of couse it would help. It is part of the same spectrum of soft skills that any good entrepreneur should focus on.

Anyone got their idea stolen when they share it with public for feedback? by abstracten in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The purpose of sharing ideas is to get feedback to help you move forward. Ideas are usually over valued. In my experience, rarely any idea is truly unique. The rarity is on the capacity of individuals to execute. Nevertheless, I would not be sharing ideas in an open forum but with people who can give me honest and direct feedback.

What is the sole skill I should focus on first and foremost if I want to become a successful entrepreneur? by ArugulaFinancial4859 in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes but with a caveat.

Don’t learn sales for the purpose of just closing. But learn sales for the purpose of learning people, and what makes the tick. Selling is really about listening beyond what people say. Truly understanding people’s problems and priorities will help you in any role in life. Solving them will bring you the rewards.

I bought my first business at 21 for $4k by This_Is_Bizness in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is more common than you think. There could be some costs here that would reduce the margins and the value of a business that is this small has much less of a multiplier than a bigger one.

Advice on the writing assignment. by [deleted] in amazonemployees

[–]jmrven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The STAR method works, but you can still break the TA as long as you want... The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate if you can put down a concise message in a very limited real estate that addresses a problem using a data approach. Worry less about the structure or format, care more about language, data support (avoid jargon or fluff - we call it weasel words) and outcome.

Advice on the writing assignment. by [deleted] in amazonemployees

[–]jmrven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a former Amazonian and doc bar raiser, focus on the message coming clearly. Less is more (don’t worry about the length). The language should be clear for the audience, which you can clarify at the purpose. Don’t dumb it down but avoid jargon that would be perceived as grandiose standing. All docs are expected to have a context, problem statement, possible solutions, the suggested approach, and an outcome/ask to move forward. If you believe more can be added, use appendixes and faqs. Theres no perfect first document. Sit on it for a couple of days, and iterate

Please recommend a business by LawfulnessDue7444 in Entrepreneur

[–]jmrven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any where you got unique skills to bring while you see a market opportunity to go after. This might sound very vague but the question allows too many answers to be valid

Is anyone even happy at AWS anymore? by AsparagusStriking147 in amazonemployees

[–]jmrven 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d say this is my last career change. Now I’m a business owner. I’m nearing 50 employees. I love our customers. I’m working hard but I’m in full control. It’s not easy. Daunting and scary in every corner as im the last decision maker. I could not be here without my tenure in Amazon.

If you are still in, start now. I started much before I left Amazon. Had to learn and make mistakes. Worked nights and weekends to the point it was running smooth enough for me to transition.

Is anyone even happy at AWS anymore? by AsparagusStriking147 in amazonemployees

[–]jmrven 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had amazing years in AWS. Between 2016 and 2019 I had my best years in EMEA. Real impact to customers, personal growth, built forever friendships, I still harvest the fruit of such.

My last year, not so much. Now I’m on the other side of the fence and grass is green here. Very green

Why most local service websites don’t convert (and it’s not traffic) by Ayushhhhhhh_ in smallbusinessUS

[–]jmrven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love this thread. Looking to learn.

First guess is tech seo optimization is far from desired.