Wave Customer Spotlight: Khan and Associates

Jaxson Khan is the founder and CEO of Khan and Associates, a marketing and copywriting consultancy for technology companies. The company is based out of Toronto and specializes in serving clients that build artificial intelligence and financial technology software.

Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

We've officially been in business for two years but I've run my own consultancy on the side for over 10 years! I decided to go full-time on the business because I'd spent a few years working in technology and felt ready to strike out on my own. I also wanted to create this business to allow me to travel the world andto work with global development and non-profit organizations at the same time.

Have you always dreamt of becoming anentrepreneur?

I've always been an entrepreneur, whether that was a lemonade stand in the early days, designing websites in high school and university to pay for tuition, or starting a couple non-profit organizations, and now my own consulting firm. I think entrepreneurship involves risk but that it can yield more results and more freedom in your life.

And I won the genetic lottery. I'm a Canadian. Generally, that means I'm one of the luckiest people in the world. We have a strong social safety net and even if I were to fail, there is definitely a lot to fall back on.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to somebody starting a new business?

Start with one customer. If you can make that one customer happy, try three. And then ten. If you really love what you're doing and think it can grow to fund your lifestyle, then keep going.

What do you see as the most rewarding part of your job?

I think my favourite part about the job is helping someone tell their story for the first time. There are so many brilliant CEOs, engineers, technologists, and data scientists out there. But not all of them have time to share their thoughts - particularly, in accessible and human friendly language. I think that enabling brilliant people to communicate clearly and reach broader audiences helps the world.

Do you have any struggles as an entrepreneur?

Something I struggle with is some companies and organizations not paying on time. I spend a significant amount of time chasing folks down for invoices. What keeps me up at night is that a client simply won't pay one day. So far, that hasn't happened, and I am choosing to increasingly only work with great clients that typically pay well and on time.

What has surprised you since starting your own business?

What surprised me is how much demand there is! I've already had to hire a few writers on contract and am now considering bringing on a senior relationship manager or business partner.

Where do you see yourself taking your business next?

I think bringing on a trusted person to manage senior relationships and projects would be fantastic. That will pull some of the burden off me and enable us to grow more.

Do you have any hobbies outside of work?

My favourite hobby is hiking. The best trip I've done was Patagonia this past year. Just amazing.

I also love travelling, skiing, reading, writing, and playing endless board games. I'm also a huge movie and music buff. And I love dancing, especially Latin dancing.