About Kwame
Entrepreneur | speaker | startup advisor
Do you dream of escaping your corporate, 9 to 5 life to start your own business? Do you feel pressure to quit your job and pursue your dream?
Let me let you in on a little secret – quitting your job to start a business cold turkey is a very bad idea and actually reckless.
Before you leave to build a business, you should make sure your idea is actually worth pursuing. That’s where I come in.
Hi, I am Kwame Kuadey – Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Startup Advisor. I have spent the last 12 years helping aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses.
Rather than taking the plunge to start a business, I work with you to dip your toes in first. Once your business gains traction, I help you transition to running your business full time.
I understand first hand the challenges of leaving a corporate career to start a business because I was once in your shoes.
Kwame Kuadey – My Story
I started my first company while working a corporate job. I eventually left that job to run my business full time.
I got a big break when I successfully pitched my company on ABC’s hit show, Shark Tank – and landed a deal.
I grew that company close to $25 million in revenue, making the Inc 500 list once and the Inc. 5000 three times. In 2014, I was awarded the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in Maryland. See my full bio link below.
I now work with people in corporate jobs make the transition to owning their own business through my “Know Before You Start” program.
In my experience, the #1 reason most startups fail is thinking they know what the customer wants and failing to investigate the market.
My approach will help you avoid that mistake and increase your odds of success.
It’s time to take the next step towards your dream of becoming your own boss.“
Why Work With Me?
I work with you one-on-one to accomplish the following:
Help you start your business on the side while still working your full-time job.
Validate your business idea to make sure your idea is worth pursuing.
Once your business gains traction, help you transition to becoming a full-time entrepreneur.
Qualifications & Awards
Education
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, MBA
- Middlebury College, BA
Other Experience
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Adjunct Professor (Entreprenuerial Finance)
- Entrepreneur Organization (EO) Baltimore, Business Accelerator Co-Chair
- Betamore, Advisory Board
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Speaker and Pitch Competition Judge
Recognition
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Maryland (2014)
- Inc. 500 Honoree (2014)
- Inc. 5000 Honoree (2014, 2015, 2016)
- Baltimore Business Journal – 40 under 40 (2014)
What I Can Do For Your Business
Idea Validation
Business Strategy
Business Plan Development
Marketing
Customer Discovery
Hiring
Networking
Operations
Contact
Phone
Address
8370 Court Ave, Ste 1B
Ellicott City, MD 21043