One of the first steps in becoming an entrepreneur is completing a business plan. ALL businesses need one, however the type of plan may vary depending on your business type and whether you need outside funding. Ja’Rod Morris, Business Plan Strategist of Fourfold Business Solutions is just the guy to turn to as you are launching your business. Although I’ve never met Ja’Rod I first connected with him via Facebook. The information shared on his fan page resonated with me so much that I did something I rarely do; I referred him to a friend “sight unseen”. He is a great source for information and has truly been a blessing to a friend who is like a sister to me. She is on the cusp of opening her restaurant and that is due largely to the support from Fourfold Business Solutions. Check out my interview with Ja’Rod and his initial pitch.
PITCH! Fourfold Business Solutions is passionate about helping entrepreneurs establish a blueprint to secure capital from family, friends, banks, or private investors. We take away the pressure once customers have investors lined up and all they need is a first-class business plan!
What key piece of advice would you give to other business owners?
Don’t try to do it all by yourself all the time. Often when you’re starting out with limited capital you have no choice, but it can’t stay that way forever if you want your business to grow. If nothing else, don’t be afraid to seek out wise counsel; note the word “wise”. Focus on your strengths and outsource your weaknesses when and where possible. Also, make sure you’re following your passion.
What question do your customers ask most often? And how do you answer?
The #1 Question that customers ask me most often is “What are investors/banks looking for when deciding whether or not to invest in a business plan?” I share with them that a business plan is an important piece of the pie, but not the only piece. Banks are looking for the 4 C’s: Credit, Capital, Capacity, & Collateral. From there I offer to set up a consultation to discuss these further.
How do you define success?
I define success by the value that I’m able to add to the lives of those I come in contact with, whether it’s in business, personally, or just through common belief systems. I also believe that the value that I am able to get in return (financially, notoriety, etc.) for doing something I love is success as well.
Why did you start your business?
I started my business because I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship and I wanted to put my own skills to use helping others start their own businesses as well.
Does the name of your business have a significant meaning? If so describe.
I was having a hard time coming up with a unique name so I began to look for personal symbolism for innovation. Through this process I discovered a strong connection to the number four. My birthday is in April, which is the fourth month and therefor four is one of my favorite numbers. Taking that a step further I came across the word “fourfold”, which by standard definition means “4X Growth”. I also discovered that fourfold also represents the concept of being whole (four sides to a square). In addition, the number four relates to stability and invokes the grounded nature of all things as well as a need for persistence and endurance. I felt that these things represented my personality and my business brand thus the name Fourfold Business Solutions.
What separates your business from the competition?
My business is different for three distinct reasons:
- I provide a much higher level of personal support that any competitor.
- The client has much more control over the finished product than other similar businesses allow
- My company provides extended support on completed business plans, which the competitors can’t afford to do. This offers somewhat of a guarantee to customers because our business relationship doesn’t end when the plan is completed.
What and or who inspires you?
I’m inspired by disruption through leadership. So I’ve been inspired by a variety of influential people from different backgrounds, including:
- Tupac Shakur because of his honesty and how he resonated with people in a rare form
- Bill Gates because he created the first real software company (before the Facebooks and Googles of the world) and Bill Gates has never changed who he is or reinvent himself as a person for any reason.
- Magic Johnson because he overcame public ridicule of one of the most negatively viewed diseases of our time, HIV, and is now one of the most sought after urban developers in the country.
- Steve Jobs because he truly made technology cool.
- I am also inspired by underdogs like A.G. Gaston, Reginald F. Lewis, Tyler Perry, and others.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of business?
Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, Reading, Music, Comedy, Golf (I’m a newbie but I’m addicted), Start-Up tech trends, and Redbox movies, to name a few
What book, website, or blog (besides your own) do you recommend to other small business owners?
In terms of books…for starters I would recommend ReWork, How To Win Friends & Influence People, and Good To Great. In terms of websites/blogs, I recommend the Harvard Business Review (daily stat), Business Insider (They have something for all types of entrepreneurs and business people), Seth Godin’s Blog, and Under30CEO.
To contact Fourfold Business Solutions:
Ja’Rod Morris, Business Plan Strategist
Fourfold Business Solutions
http://www.fourfoldbusinesssolutions.com
http://www.ineedabusinessplan.com
(404) 939-4214
