Start Up Story- Andrea Hunter

Start Up Stories is a series focused on the entrepreneurial journey.  We will hear from real people who have taken the leap.  We'll hear about their challenges, but most importantly, we'll hear about how they overcame them.  The hope is that you'll be encouraged to do something you've never done before.

Starting a business takes hard work, dedication, time, talent, and resources...just to name a few things. It takes a special kind of person to commit to this life.

We asked Andrea B. Hunter some questions about her Start Up Journey.  Here's what she had to say:

How did you start in business?

Honestly speaking, my husband and I were tired of being broke! Living paycheck to paycheck can become draining. We knew that there were other ways that we Could and Should be creating extra income for our family.

      Have you ever had to reinvent yourself or your business?

Many times before and I believe reinvention is something that never dies. As long as you are living you should be learning, and as you are learning you should be growing, and as you are growing you should be changing. All of these things should be for the better and assist you in excelling in your personal life as well as your business affairs.

      If someone wants to reinvent themselves by starting a business, what is the first few things that person should do?

RESEARCH!!! This for me includes personal discovery to find what you are good at and passionate about, as well as learning what it takes to get you started.

     Fear and a lack of money are the top 2 reasons why people don’t follow their passion, what is your advice for getting past that?

DO IT AFRAID! Nothing will push you past your fear more than pushing past your fear! As it pertains to money you can find resources and a communities such as Reinvent You University to help you gain what you need.

      Is having a mentor important?

I believe it is. You always want to have someone around you that is smarter and doing better than you. Accountability is crucial and needed to lead your business and life with integrity and excellence. Sometimes you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, all you have to do is follow instruction.

     What is your advice to people who feel like they want to follow their dream, but life constantly gets in the way?

Don’t dream your life, live your dreams. This quote is posted on the wall in my home as a reminder that life will always have its ups and downs. But, the only thing really getting in your way is you. As long as you live you are promised trouble, but I’d rather have trouble in success than trouble living a life of regret.

     What is one business tool or resource that you can’t live without? Shockingly, my calendar! My memory isn’t at its best for a young woman, so my calendar keeps in line with my affairs. Things I can’t afford to miss, deadlines, returning emails, meetings or simply completing tasks that I would otherwise forget.

    What are some things people need to do and know before becoming business owners?

As I said before doing your research is very important. Writing things down and making what you see and want to do very clear before your eyes and supporters. Always remember nothing is going to happen overnight and things won’t always go right the first time around. Know that you are worth your biggest investment, sometimes we give so much to our jobs, families and other people’s vision that we leave very little for ourselves. Never give anyone or anything (Except God) more than you are willing to give yourself.

     How much importance should you place on competition?

Personally I don’t bother with that. I believe there is room enough for everybody. But, I will say to make sure your product or service is something people desire to have, even if there is something familiar or similar around. Make sure you focus on what makes your product/service different and stand out. For example, I am a stickler for good customer service. Shop A and Shop B both do great work. Shop B is a little further than I would like to drive but Shop A is always rude to their customers. Shop B is always professional, courteous and they give out free water and snacks. I’m going to drive that distance to be treated right. Most processionals probably don’t see it that way but I do.

   What are common mistakes that new business owners make?

There’s a list but I will only name a few important ones.

Not being organized

Not separating your business from personal accounts

Discounting your product/service to get people to support/patronize your business.

Avoiding these 3 things in the beginning will save you a lifetime of frustration and/or having to “start over”.

              How do you find time to start a business if you have other responsibilities?

You don’t find time, you make time, period.

  What are some tips for balancing home and business?

Gaining discipline and taking charge of your day. Creating to do lists with times and dates helps you keep yourself on track. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your support system. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to those willing to assist you.

   What advice would you give to your younger self?

Let your faith be bigger than your fears! This is also another quote on a wall in my home, placed strategically where it’s the first thing I see when I walk out of my bedroom in the morning to start my day. I would tell her that there is nothing she can’t do that she puts her mind and effort towards. I would encourage her to trust God to lead her and that His voice is always right.

              What is the legacy you’d like to leave behind?

That I lived to Pour Out and Die empty and I encourage everyone I know to do so as well. I learned that life is really never about us but we live to train up the generations behind us. We all have a part in molding someone who is going to be a future leader in this world. Let it be known that I gave them everything I learned and everything I had to make them better than me!

  What is a “fun fact” about you that we don’t know?

I am a big kid at heart! I enjoy the adult things in life but every now and then I like to go play video games, go to water parks, see Disney on ice, play in make up and be silly with my girlfriends laughing all night at absolutely nothing but each other.