Andrew Dobbin on Business Growth, Mentoring & Starting Fresh

Nick O’Shiel:
Hello and welcome to the 60 Second Challenge with Omagh Enterprise Company.

I’m Nick O’Shiel and I’m with Andrew Dobbin of The Business Mindset, who’s agreed to take the challenge.
Andrew, thank you very much for doing this. It’s early in the morning, but you’re ready to go?

Andrew Dobbin:
Yep!

Nick O’Shiel:
Okay. I think you know the challenge — it’s to answer six questions in 60 seconds?

Andrew Dobbin:
Yes.

Nick O’Shiel:
Okay, well, we’ll start the clock… the clock is now ticking.
First question: Can you describe your business?

Andrew Dobbin:
Yeah, the business, very simply, is about helping people — helping them grow and helping their companies grow. We do this through mentoring and training.

Nick O’Shiel:
Okay. People are always interested — and I’m interested — why did you start up a business?

Andrew Dobbin:
I started the business really because I’d lost the joy in the business I was involved in. I was totally disillusioned and I wanted to do something that would excite me.

Nick O’Shiel:
That’s good. And when was that?

Andrew Dobbin:
I started part-time two years ago and then went full-time just… recently.

Nick O’Shiel:
Oh great. So you’ve got a good bit under your belt.
What are some of the best things about running your own business?

Andrew Dobbin:
Being able to organise your own time — being in control of your own time is one of the best things, I believe.

Nick O’Shiel:
And you still enjoy that?

Andrew Dobbin:
I do!

Nick O’Shiel:
If you were to meet someone today, what advice would you give them about running a business?

Andrew Dobbin:
The first thing I’d say is: test and measure — all the time. And test it not with your own family and friends, but with other businesspeople that you admire and look up to.

Nick O’Shiel:
Very good. And I know a lot of businesses — ourselves included — have come through a challenging time. When you look ahead to the next year or two, what would you say is the main challenge facing business?

Andrew Dobbin:
I would say it’s continually getting customers and people to work with — although there seems to be an upbeat feel in the market and I’m looking forward to it. I’m optimistic rather than worried. Things have improved.

Nick O’Shiel:
Alright, and finally — final question. In three words or less, can you describe your experience of running a business?

Andrew Dobbin:
It’s been exciting. Like a roller coaster — but enjoyable.

Nick O’Shiel:
Great! Okay, and we’ll stop the clock there. One minute twenty-four — very, very close. Well done. Congratulations.

Andrew Dobbin:
Thank you!