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BrentBuchanan
Oasys Solutions | bbuchanan@oasyssolutions.net | President & Co-founder | 01/07/2003 | Small Business Owner
Brent Buchanan is President & Co-founder of Oasys Solutions##comma## a business software development firm based in Montgomery##comma## Alabama.
What kind of training or education did you acquire before your venture?
Being an entrepreneur has been in my family for many generations. I have been raised around the business world and have wanted to own a business for many years. In 2002 I was able to accomplish that dream through Oasys Solutions. My experience includes some joint-ventures with other computer companies in and around Montgomery before starting Oasys Solutions.
What services or products does your organization offer?
Oasys Solutions develops software that allows business to increase productivity with the employees they already have instead of having to hire more employees. We are located in Montgomery##comma## Alabama.
What type of business or organization do you operate?
We are a limited partnership. We chose this structure because it provides us with the tax advantages we need and the ability to include partners that are not allowed to have any control in the business but provide financial support. We will be incorporating (Subchapter C) by the end of 2003.
How many employees do you currently have?
2
How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
The entire business started out as a school project. By adding a big vision and mentorship from successful business men and women we were able to create the thriving business we have today.
How did you originally fund your organization?
Our entire business was financed through hard work. We did computer repair and consulting to earn the money necessary to fund research and development.
Are you the founder of your organization?
Co-founder
Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
We will eventually have the corporate structure##comma## but we are doing our best to create a great business relationship with our customers without all the formalities of corporate life.
What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
One of the biggest obstacles we encountered was undercapitalization. It is the biggest problem for small businesses starting today##comma## and the sluggish economy does not help either. We chose to see our obstacles as an opportunity to overcome. It is all about attitude and how you view each situation and difficulty.
Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
Everyone needs mentorship. It takes a strong person to come under the submissive role of another person. If you want to succeed##comma## you need take directions from someone who has already traveled the road.
Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
We have not formally joined any organizations at this time.
What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
A dream. ##quote##Man without vision will perish.##quote## Unless you have a great dream inside you that drives you to do the things you do not feel like doing##comma## running a successful business will be difficult if not impossible.
What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
We talk with customers on a regular basis and ask them what they would like to see us do to make their experience with us better. We take our customer service very seriously. You can have a worse product than your competitor##comma## but if you deliver better##comma## the deal is yours.
What types of marketing do you employ?
Due to the nature of our business##comma## direct mail is the best marketing method for us. Another great area for marketing is referrals. It##aps##s easier to sell to another business if you have a great point of contact.
Do you employ any web or online marketing?
Because we are a software development company##comma## technology plays a huge roll in our business. We also use technology to reduce the time necessary for tasks that would normally take hours.
What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Not yet##comma## but becuase of our positive attitude it will just be a great opportunity to overcome. A setback is a setup for a comeback!
Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to own my own business. Now I have co-founded a software company and also own a private internet franchising business. It is better that I expected and continues to get better.
What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
I can##aps##t even begin to try to fit into this space all the great books I have read and are reading. If you would like to have a copy of the book list I read off of##comma## please feel free to email me at bbuchanan@oasyssolutions.net
Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
Small business is the way for the future. Corporate America will continue to be there##comma## but with downsizing and fraud##comma## American needs accountability in business.
Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
Unless you can make money by not selling anything or not talking to anything##comma## networking and building contacts is the most necessary part of your business. Relationships sell.
What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
A positive attitude will get you farther in life than anything else. There are great books out there that talk about the necessity of a positive attitude and outlook in life. If you would like a list of a few of those books##comma## feel free to email me.
If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Getting a bachelor’s degree is a great starting point##comma## but cannot come close to real world experience. Knowing the ropes of the business world does not come from a book or a professor. Unless all your professors are business owners (not just employees)##comma## it will be difficult to learn how to start and run a business.
What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
Dig in and get your hands dirty. Classrooms and society teaches us that failing is a bad thing. Babe Ruth not only led the league in homeruns during his time##comma## but he also led the league in strike outs. If you want to succeed##comma## you need to learn how to fail. Failing is not a bad thing. There is not one single successful businessperson out there that has failed during this lifetime. Remember that failure is not a bad thing##comma## but it just puts you one step closer to a success.
