Featured Solopreneur Andy Hayes: “I Find Innovation When I’m Away From My World”

This is “Featured Solopreneur,” an ongoing series that gives all of us a glimpse at how other solopreneurs operate their small businesses. Click Here to read more Solopreneur Success Stories.

Name of solopreneur:
Andy Hayes, “that travel guy”

Name of business and city:
Hayes Media Group, Seattle

Web site address:
andyhayes.com

Type of business:
I’m basically a media company with a twist. I run several Web sites that serve up tasty, delicious content about travel, but I also run a marketing company that helps other companies do the same. I am a published author and writer, and also coach others in becoming solopreneurs. (I’m also rarely bored, but you probably knew that by now, eh?)

When did you officially go into business?
2008, though I started early in the year while still at my corporate job, and then left that summer to go solo.

Why did you start your own business?
I was kind of forced. I had ended up after a series of corporate acquisitions inside of a company that I passionately disliked, working with people I disliked, doing work I disliked. I was depressed and had a lot of health issues because of it. (It was so bad I was featured in the Wall Street Journal last year on “signs you should leave your job.”)

I finally had had enough and said that even if I started a business and failed, I’d be better off. Thankfully, I was right. On the better-off part, not the fail part.

What was the best thing you did when you were starting up your business?
I couldn’t pick just one. Top 3:
• Trying out multiple things to see what sticks.
• Listening to advice and figuring out what I could do to make my value unique, not just the same thing everybody else is doing.
• Sweating it to put food on the table while giving myself permission to just sit and think.

What is your biggest current challenge in the business and what are doing to try to solve it?
I’ve been trying to find a personal assistant. It’s difficult because I’m not sure what I need or what I want, but I really do need some help with Inboxes and project management, because things are pretty busy. But I’m waiting for the right person–getting the wrong person in to help would just make it worse.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?
Last month I closed down all projects, Web sites, and anything that wasn’t very profitable. So the next 12 months is really to beef up my recurring revenue streams to really get some stability in revenue. Find some juicy new projects to fill that white space.

Where do you want to be with the business in five years?
I have no idea. Ask me again in 4.

What are your main software programs?
• Google (Calendar, Documents) for collaboration
• Dropbox and Mozy for backups
• WordPress and Thesis Theme for Web sites
• Pandora and Spotify for jazzy music (important!)
• Tweetdeck for Twitter
• Google Chrome browser

What are your strategies for staying competitive?
There’s a flaw in that old chestnut, “Keep your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer.” Often if you spend too much time obsessing on competitors, you forget about innovation. So there’s a balance there.

For me, I find innovation when I’m away from my world. I read classic literature and study Buddist meditation. I see what’s hot, what’s changing, and what I can use from other industries. The ideas will come.

If you could start your career all over again, what would you do differently? Why?
I certainly would have ended up where I am now, but I’ve learned to more quickly get concepts and ideas in front of paying customers. Many ideas look great on paper but the market reacts terribly. You never know exactly how something will land with a customer, so get it in presentable shape and get it out there.

What’s your advice for aspiring solopreneurs?
If you spend enough time, you’ll soon realise that most gurus have conflicting advice. But most of these people are successful, so if they say it worked, it worked for them. The real magic is figuring out what will work for YOU. Got to roll up those sleeves, little grasshopper!

Are you glad you became a solopreneur? Why or why not?
Without a doubt, YES. YES. YES. One word: Freedom. I run according to my schedule, my priorities, my whims, my desires. It rocks my world.