1. Did you ever imagine yourself achieving what you have?
My whole life I have been coming up with ideas for businesses. During long car rides, boring classes or meetings, the shower…you name it. My husband and family have been kind enough to listen to these ideas, no matter how big or small. And while many of my ideas are a bit nutty, I have always hoped that I would be able to pursue at least one of them. After all, having the idea is the easy part… Making it happen is a whole another story.
I have believed in Excel Rain Man since the beginning, which always gave me hope, but I never thought it would grow as much as it has. While I have always day dreamed about where it would go, the practical side of me needed to see it to believe it.
2. What in hindsight would you say you underestimated about your industry or business and why?
When I started Excel Rain Man, I initially thought our target customers would be small businesses as opposed to larger corporations and financial institutions. After all, I assumed that these bigger companies would have a fleet of in house spreadsheeters just chomping at the bit to crunch some numbers. That said, while start-ups and “mom & pop shops” are still a highly valued portion of our clientele, the need for cost-effective spreadsheet help from larger businesses has turned out to be much greater than I originally estimated.
Why, you ask? Well it turns out that many companies would rather outsource some of their data analysis to Excel Rain Man in order to free up their brilliant in-house staff to work on other important projects.
3. What is the best business related advice you have ever been given?
That’s a tough one. The best business advice I have received over the years, be it from from friends, mentors, or family has been of the common sense variety. What can I say… sometimes the most eloquent ideas are the hardest to develop on your own!
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I have received was given when Excel Rain Man was first getting started. I was struggling to get the business off the ground while still having a full time job and was in no position financially to quit my job or hire someone to help out. That’s when a friend suggested that I consider utilizing subcontractors on a per-project basis. This allowed me to have all the fabulous help I needed, without having to pay someone’s full salary.
Hiring a couple of subcontractors was a serious game changer for Excel Rain Man. The use of talented subcontractors has allowed us to address the increase in request volume on an “as needed” basis and the wealth of knowledge that each brings to the table has made for a serious spreadsheet think tank.
4. What do you love most about what you do and why?
I love that we are able to alleviate a stressful aspect of someone’s day by providing a professional product that allows him or her to focus on other more critical aspects of their job.
Additionally, I feel extremely fortunate that I get to combine my tech background with all different industry types. To date, we have banged out spreadsheets for biscuit companies, hair/makeup retailers, long-running NYC shows, restaurants, nonprofits and financial institutions… you name it!
5. What if you knew then what you know now – would you do differently and why?
It is hard to think of something I would do differently. I think the business has grown organically due to the lessons we have learned along the way. So while there have been bumps in the road, each one has taught a valuable lesson that has helped us improve along the way.
6. When you’re not working how do you like to spend your time?
Golf, watching football, playing games of any kind (Scrabble, Bananagrams, Big Buck Hunter, …)
7. How do you define success?
At this stage in my professional life, I define success, quite simply, being able to make a living doing what I love. I also realize that there are many people who are not as lucky and who spend their lives working a job that doesn’t excite them at all. For this I feel quite fortunate to have enjoyed this definition of success.
8. If you had to share one final thought with our audience of thousands of women in business – what would it be?
Be responsive to everyone. Whether it is a prospect, customer, employee or someone looking for advice, everyone appreciates a prompt and thoughtful response. From a business standpoint, not only will it put your customers at ease to know that you are with them every step of the way, but it also demonstrates that you are on top of your game. No matter the industry or how successful one becomes, at the end of the day, every business will live or die based on customer satisfaction.
About Jen
Jen Portland found her love of computers and systems at a very young age, five-years-old in fact. From her studies and experiences, she discovered that her love had an application in organizing and efficiency. With a little creativity and hard work she began Excel Rain Man as a side project in 2008. Today, she has 8 subcontractors and a booming business in spreadsheet outsourcing and educating users of Microsoft Excel.
Jen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Systems Engineering and has spent her professional life working in the financial industry. She believes that her aptitude in Excel and her passion for her business combine for her success and anticipates even more growth in the years to come.