Name: Ashley Bodi
Company: BusinessBeware.Biz
Location: US & Canada
Founded: 2007

1. What is Business Beware?
Business Beware is where businesses can warn each other about difficult and non-paying customers. For so long the slogan has read “the customer is always right,” and in today’s society that is not always the case anymore. Business owners as a majority do everything they can to please their customers but there are just some you cannot please and that can cause you more of a headache than anything. This is an avenue where hopefully both sides can work out their situation by using BusinesBeware.Biz. We are like a reverse Better Business Bureau, where when a business files a complaint, the customer is notified they have a complaint against them and they then have the chance to file a rebuttal. That way both sides are there and the business getting ready to work with that customer can decide for themselves if they want to do business with them or at least have a heads up when they do work with the customer. We are basically the umpire between business and customers and no matter what business you have, we got your back.

2. Why did you decide to start your own company instead of working for someone else?
When I first got out of college I headed out to Los Angeles to work on a documentary with a team which I thought that was what I wanted to do for a long time but then I remembered an idea my dad and I talked about before I went out there. We had thrown around the idea of Business Beware, he has been a business owner of more than 30 years and knows first hand what it’s like to deal with these types of customers. After I realized the potential of the site and how much it could help businesses I knew it was something that needed to be done. I think it’s always been a part of me to start something instead of working for someone else. My dad has done it most of his life and I loved the idea of being your own boss and taking an idea and making it a success. I can’t stand the cubicle desk job and bosses who are on a power trip. I have learned everything I know about business from our family businesses and I see just how much work it takes to run them but I think hard work pays off and it’s more rewarding in the end. A huge reason we decided to do this and build Business Beware was to help businesses all from all over and that’s what makes it all worthwhile. I know everyone says this “do what makes you happy, if you’re not, then why do it?” But it’s so true. Of course you have to do what you have to do to make money, but if you have the chance to do what makes you happy and you make a little less then I say go for it.

3. What do you like about having your own business? What do you dislike?
I love the fact that you get to make your own schedule or if you want to wear jeans to work. Those are simple things but I love picking who you work with on a project or forming your team and I love to meet new people through the business. There are so many amazing people out there to connect with that are entrepreneurs and doing the same thing you are, it’s inspiring. I’m a simple person and I love the simple things about owning your own business, it’s not about power to me, it’s about seeing your hard work be put to use.

The only thing I dislike or not really dislike but gets annoying is when you have those that say “oh you can’t do that or that can’t be done.” Just because some people don’t think like you they want to bring you down. Some are made to sit in the cubicle office and some are entrepreneurs at heart, that’s great you think that but this is me and this is what I do. And sometimes when people know you have a business they can tend to take advantage of you and want something for free. I am all about helping others any way I can but not when they just want to use you.

4. How do you use the internet and social media to promote your business?
Business Beware is internet based for all of the US and Canada. So using the internet to promote the site is huge for us. We are involved in multiple social media platforms to get the word out about the site and also connect with others. It’s amazing the people you meet through the sites, especially with Twitter. We use these platforms to let friends and others know about what’s going on with our site, radio show, and anything else we want them to know. We started a radio show that is based in FL on AM and FM stations and we also have the podcast streamed on Blog Talk Radio for people to listen to as well. With the radio show it’s a way for us to talk about what our site is but also connect with business owners and be their voice. We discuss why the customer is not always right and talk about tips that can benefit business owners in their every day delimmas. So with both our site and radio show, we use the internet and social media to get the word out and really let others see who we are and what Business Beware is all about. Social media is a huge tool for any business and if you’re not involved with it I really think you’re missing out.

5. What advice can you give to other young entrepreneurs?
Never give up. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur back when I had my first lemondae stand as a kid but society kind of tells you that you have to pick something to do. We go to college with this idea that we have to major in something and get a certain job and I was stuck in that 80% of people who were undecided. When I would tell some friends about what I wanted to do or about being an entrepreneur they would just ignore it most of the time. It takes a lot to be an entrepreneur and many don’t understand why you would want to go against the flow and do something on your own because it’s risky. Well sure it’s risky, anything you do in life is but to say that you built that business/company/organization is a great feeling. Don’t let those people get you down when they are not on board with your ideas, they just are not in the same mind set as you and when they tell you it can’t be done just reply with “watch me.” Some of the biggest names today were turned down or told no many times before they succeeded and it can be tough to hear no but take that and let it drive you even more. When I get told no, I am moving on to the next person to say yes and my drive is stronger than ever and that’s how you have to be as an entrpreneur. Yes, you are going to hit some ruts but if we didn’t have ruts on a mountain how would we be able to climb it? You can’t climb a smooth surface mountain, it’s impossible. So if you believe in something then go for it and don’t let the others bring you down.

Links:
www.BusinessBeware.Biz, twitter, facebook, youtube, flickr

5 questions posted Wednesday, March 17th, 2010