In the last third of my studies/work, I embarked on a new venture – Sari, an acronym which roughly translates to “Radiation protection for radiological institutions”. Our company’s objective is to educate medical personal about handling radioactive materials and ensuring that institutions using those materials are up-to-date on current legal and safety requirements.
But let’s begin from the start. The primary concept for the company came from my mum, who oversees all matters related to radiation at a university medical center. She also instructs medical personnel on how to handle machines that use radioactive substances, which served as the initial foundation of our business.
I am thrilled that we were able to turn this idea into reality and establish our own family-owned small business. So let’s dive into some of the key lessons and challenges:
Here are some Key takeaways from the process of building Sari
Building a Business website with a Membership area & online course: Building a business website with a membership area and online course was by far the most extensive project I had undertaken to date. Creating the concept and bringing the ideas to fruition was an enjoyable process that provided numerous lessons to apply in my future endeavors.
Working together needs communication: Effective communication is essential for successful collaboration in a new business with two or more people. Clear and open communication helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page, understand each other’s expectations, and can work together efficiently. This can lead to better decision-making, increased productivity, and make the project more enjoyable.
Getting a new business off the ground: Arguably the hardest part about building a business, is getting it off the ground. No business can keep operating, if it doesn’t manage to attract customers. We tried various methods, including Google Ads, interviews with local newspapers, leveraging our network, distributing flyers, and direct marketing. The efforts paid off, as we managed to establish and turn a profit within a year. Of course, that’s only the first step with a long exciting road ahead of us.
Having a network is gold: Whether to enlist other individuals to aid in the project or as potential customers. The power of a good Network shouldn’t be underestimated. In this instance, we were able to utilize our existing network to establish our team of lecturers, obtain valuable feedback, and give the business an early advantage.
Getting yourself out there can have unexpected benefits: When you build a business, always expect the unexpected. Sometimes, getting yourself out there opens the door to many surprising opportunities.
Build related Skills: Building a synergizing skillset helps you see connections and find holistic solutions to complicated problems. To run a business, you need to have at least a basic understanding of a diverse toolkit of related skills. Being highly specialized helps you get a competitive edge within a specific niche. However, to build your own business, it’s essential to learn new things continually.
Now let’s take a lot at some of the Challenges during this project
Creating something unique: One of our core business values is creating an amazing experience for our customers. The Courses we offer are mandatory for medical personal, so we wanted to offer a unique and positive experience to make it more enjoyable. One way we set us apart was by choosing a unique setting – our courses take place in an old castle. This is just one of many things we did different to our competition, to offer a unique experience. However, making that work and finding the right things to change takes time. It also requires a deep understanding of your target demographic and has to fit with the overall objectives of your business.
Takes Time: Building a business takes time, much more time than you initially think. There will be setbacks and legal requirements to fulfill. We had to come up with the right concept, make adjustments, and constantly improve. It’s also essential to have good time and priority management skills to keep the business running efficiently.
People will do things you don’t expect: When creating a system that interacts with customers, it’s almost a natural law that people will discover unconventional ways to use your systems. I did my best to create a straightforward booking system, but people found ways to use it in unexpected ways. Nonetheless, these situations often make for funny stories! =)
Organizing a team: Sari was not only my first joint project, but also the first time with a whole team behind the product. Both of which presents their own set of challenges and opportunities. When working with a business partner, it’s crucial to discuss expectations and establish a clear framework for working together to avoid any unnecessary conflicts and tension. This project served as an excellent illustration of the joy and benefits of teamwork.
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