BND: How long have you been in business?
Cohen: Since 2008.
BND: Did you start with a formal business plan? If not, how did you lay the groundwork for your business?
Cohen: We did start with a formal business plan. Since we are, at our core, a business plan company, we are constantly revising and revamping our business plan to meet with changing demands and adjustments.
BND: How did you finance your endeavors, both initially and as your business grew?
Cohen: Initially, with my own personal funds. I took out a small business loan and used business income to finance ongoing growth. More recently, we secured a business line of credit to finance our constantly changing cash flow.
BND: How much did you invest personally?
Cohen: $20,000.
BND: Is your business today what you originally envisioned at the outset, or has it changed significantly over time?
Cohen: No, it has changed significantly over time. Originally, I set the business up to offer outsourced corporate counsel services, which then transitioned into visa business plan development and has since morphed into a turnkey, concierge service designed to help clients with all aspects of their business immigration needs.
BND: What are some lessons you've learned? Is there anything you would have done differently?
Cohen: I have learned that you cannot please all of the people all of the time, and that there is no "I" in "team." Anyone that thinks they can run a business as an island will fail miserably. Rely on your business coach; he or she is like your own board of directors!
BND: What were the most important factors in your success?
Cohen: Perseverance and tenacity. I literally had no choice but to make the business work. I was a single mom with few options, and it just had to happen or we would not survive! Also, my business coach was a great help and support through the process.
BND: What are the next steps you want to take as a business owner? How do you see yourself achieving those goals?
Cohen: I am honing my skills as a business owner and manager of many different personalities and people, both on my team and in terms of our clients. I am working on not taking things personally and being able to separate personal from professional. And most importantly, I am working on balance.
BND: What is your best advice to someone with a great business idea who is ready to give it a shot?
Cohen: Do it! If you have an idea, get a business coach, work on a business plan, develop a strong business model and don't give up until you have turned over every stone to make it happen!
Business News Daily: In a nutshell, what service does your business provide?
Lauren Cohen: We provide expert business immigration visa solutions and offer a means to access alternative sources of capital to grow and expand U.S. businesses.
BND: How long have you been in business?
Cohen: Since 2008.
BND: Did you start with a formal business plan? If not, how did you lay the groundwork for your business?
Cohen: We did start with a formal business plan. Since we are, at our core, a business plan company, we are constantly revising and revamping our business plan to meet with changing demands and adjustments.
BND: How did you finance your endeavors, both initially and as your business grew?
Cohen: Initially, with my own personal funds. I took out a small business loan and used business income to finance ongoing growth. More recently, we secured a business line of credit to finance our constantly changing cash flow.
BND: How much did you invest personally?
Cohen: $20,000.
BND: Is your business today what you originally envisioned at the outset, or has it changed significantly over time?
Cohen: No, it has changed significantly over time. Originally, I set the business up to offer outsourced corporate counsel services, which then transitioned into visa business plan development and has since morphed into a turnkey, concierge service designed to help clients with all aspects of their business immigration needs.
BND: What are some lessons you've learned? Is there anything you would have done differently?
Cohen: I have learned that you cannot please all of the people all of the time, and that there is no "I" in "team." Anyone that thinks they can run a business as an island will fail miserably. Rely on your business coach; he or she is like your own board of directors!
BND: What were the most important factors in your success?
Cohen: Perseverance and tenacity. I literally had no choice but to make the business work. I was a single mom with few options, and it just had to happen or we would not survive! Also, my business coach was a great help and support through the process.
BND: What are the next steps you want to take as a business owner? How do you see yourself achieving those goals?
Cohen: I am honing my skills as a business owner and manager of many different personalities and people, both on my team and in terms of our clients. I am working on not taking things personally and being able to separate personal from professional. And most importantly, I am working on balance.
BND: What is your best advice to someone with a great business idea who is ready to give it a shot?
Cohen: Do it! If you have an idea, get a business coach, work on a business plan, develop a strong business model and don't give up until you have turned over every stone to make it happen!