He never even gave it a second thought. For Joel Flint, Founder and Technical Director of Stimuli Media, starting a business just came naturally.
“Writing code for me is like breathing,” he said. “It is and always will be a part of me that I just do without thinking.”
That is not to say business runs without its fair share of challenges as any small business encounters. After all, as the man behind a small firm doing big firm work, there are few hats he doesn’t wear.
But his approach to being an entrepreneur and what he’s learned in the process is something we at Cloud Friday thought worth sharing:
Cloud Friday: What has been the biggest challenge of your career and how did you overcome it?
Joel Flint: I’d say being “nice.” I used to associate making my clients happy with being nice. But I had to realize that at the end of the day it’s about the product. Your client needs whatever product you offer in order to make money. Provide them the ability to make money. That’s all that matters.
CF: What do you most enjoy about your career?
JF: What I enjoy most are those moments when you’ve been working on a solution for a significant amount of time, then all of a sudden you nail it. You stand up, raise your arms up, and you’re like “heck yeah!” Those moments keep me going. On top of that the industry is constantly evolving and progressing, so it never gets boring. Constantly learning and overcoming challenges. [/vc_column_text][cs_blockquote]Writing code for me is like breathing.[/cs_blockquote][vc_column_text]CF: Who inspires who and why?
JF: My kids inspire me the most. We get so caught up in our day-to-day programming and we forget how to be free spirited. When you watch your children interact with the world, they think so freely. Be free minded and free spirited, that’s when the magic happens. That’s when the best things in life get created!
CF: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about running a business since you started your career?
JF: You can’t do it alone! You do what you do and you do it better than anyone else. But you don’t do everything good and you shouldn’t try to.Other people know their trade so you don’t have to. I’m blessed to have Sonya! I know my books are solid and I never even have to think about it. Amen!
CF: Can you describe a moment or moments when you stopped and realized this is why you are doing what you’re doing with your life?
JF: I took my family on a vacation to Vegas one time. We were chilling by the pool on an amazing day. I was working on my laptop, the kids were having a blast in the pool. Smiles all around. I thought to myself, damn, I made this happen. Being able to have good work-life balance, make crap tons of money for doing what I love, taking my family cool places. That’s the life I was looking for!
CF: What advice would you offer to other small business owners?
JF: Fall forward!! And do it faster than anyone else. People are so afraid to make mistakes these days. But it’s the people that make the most mistakes the fastest and learn from them that achieve greatness!! Go out, try some shit. Fall on your face. Get your sorry butt up and go try some more shit. Rinse and repeat as fast as possible. *drops mic*
Joel Flint’s Contact Information:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelflint
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joel.flint.az
