I Survived Starting a Business During a Pandemic and Here's How I Did It (by Paul Lim)
Starting Out As An Entrepreneur From Ground Zero
For me, making the impossible possible meant leaving behind a lucrative 5-figure salary and starting a training business from scratch. As the renowned Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis once said, "A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free." This quote resonated deeply with me as I took the bold step of transitioning into the unknown, fueled by my determination to succeed.
What's the Reason for This Touch of 'Madness'?
I began my career with several reputable listed companies in Finland, London, and South Africa, serving as Head of Regional Sales in the packaging industry for many years. However, my demanding schedule, which involved 70% travel time canvassing for sales from overseas customers, took a toll on my family life, particularly my relationship with my daughters. This realization sparked a desire for change, prompting me to embark on my entrepreneurial journey.
After consulting with my mentors on various business options, I decided to venture into the training industry, recognizing its evergreen nature and the growing need for skill upgrades in the face of career opportunities and business survival. The pandemic further highlighted this need, and I find great satisfaction in molding young minds and making a positive impact on their lives. With my knowledge and experience, I am confident that I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many young individuals.
The Biggest Challenge Is Yourself
Paul Digital Training (PDT) was founded in January 2020, amidst the pandemic. We offer a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital marketing courses, carefully selected to address the rapid digitalization of recent years. As the world has gone digital, it's essential to ride this trend. I've witnessed firsthand how digital skills can transform lives, enabling individuals to bring their business ideas to the global market through technology. I'm driven to be part of this change, empowering new entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
To provide the highest value to my students, I invested over $15,000 and a significant amount of time in educational courses, equipping myself with the latest technologies and software.
As an entrepreneur, I've come to realize that the biggest challenge is indeed myself. Wearing multiple hats - creator, trainer, and CEO - requires developing a diverse set of skills, from planning and cash flow management to presenting and negotiating my value propositions to potential clients. Additionally, I must continually learn how to increase student enrollment through effective business networking and strategic collaborations with training companies.
Optimism Through a Tough Journey
When I first ventured into the private sector, I lacked prior industry knowledge, leading to numerous trials and tribulations in starting my training business. I was navigating uncharted territory, and as a new player, I wasn't taken seriously. This meant zero income for four to six months, forcing me to work twice as hard to learn from my mentors and gain a foothold in this competitive industry. Despite the challenges, I remained optimistic, believing that with persistence and hard work, the right opportunity would arise at the right time.
After months of canvassing, I finally secured my first training opportunity. Through word-of-mouth referrals, my business gradually grew, allowing PDT to develop digital training courses for various industries and attract clients from neighboring countries. I'm now proud to be a training partner with several established Approved Training Organizations (ATOs).
To succeed in today's competitive landscape, I must be adaptable, resilient, and customer-focused. This requires swiftly reacting to evolving market conditions and trends. Our commitment is to deliver an exceptional experience at every stage of our clients' learning journey.
The Value of Reputation and Credibility
In the early stages of my business, I encountered cash flow issues, struggling to collect payments from customers while vendors demanded prompt settlement. Failure to remit payments on time risked suspension of our online learning management system, potentially losing all customers.
To overcome this challenge, I utilized my reserve funds to pay vendors promptly, prioritizing reputation and credibility to maintain operations. Fortunately, supportive vendors and customers helped me improve my cash flow situation.
Under the guidance and encouragement of my mentors, I successfully navigated these obstacles. As a result, I can now dedicate more time to mentoring students and sharing my knowledge. In addition to continued client support, I'm implementing effective digital marketing strategies to elevate my business to the next level.
My transformation was made possible by taking the bold step of venturing out of my comfort zone to become an entrepreneur. This turning point has been a life-changing event, reinforcing my belief that by making seemingly impossible possibilities a reality, I can empower many students to harness digital media and turn their dreams into achievable goals.
About Paul Lim
Paul Lim is a seasoned digital marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and Meta Blueprint trainer, who also serves as an adjunct MBA faculty member at three prestigious business schools in Geneva, London, and Zurich. With a proven track record of training over 2576 individuals in meta marketing, digital marketing, Google marketing, and online campaign management, Paul is a sought-after expert in his field. To learn more about Paul's work and expertise, visit www.pauldigitaltraining.com or connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paullimhh.
