Behind the BYOB Program: Insights from Sunny’s Journey with Sunny Speaks
For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the leap from dreaming to doing can be daunting. The Build Your Own Business (BYOB) course is designed to bridge this gap, offering a structured, supportive approach to building a business from the ground up. For an insight into a personal experience of going through the program, we spoke with Sunayna Odhavji, the founder of Sunny Speaks, a pediatric speech pathology business. Sunny shared her experience and the tangible outcomes she’s achieved throughout the journey of going through the BYOB process.
Why Sunny Chose BYOB
Sunny’s vision for Sunny Speaks stemmed from her passion for helping children with speech therapy. Having worked for years in outreach therapy, she had the expertise in her job but not in business and struggled with where to begin.
"I’ve always wanted to work for myself and be my own boss. But I just didn’t know where to actually start,” Sunny explained. During a coffee meeting with Andrew Ford, the creator of BYOB, she learnt about the course and knew it was exactly what she was looking for
What stood out to Sunny was the long-term, comprehensive nature of the program. "I liked that BYOB was an ongoing journey. It wasn’t just a quick fix. It was broken down into different sections," she said. This step-by-step structure gave her the confidence to tackle the challenge of starting her own business.
Understanding the BYOB Process
The BYOB course is structured to guide participants through all stages of building a business. Sunny shared how each phase helped her gain clarity and momentum:
1. Vision and Mission
The course began with defining the vision and mission for Sunny Speaks. "Having short-term and long-term goals really made a difference," Sunny said. This foundational step helped her articulate what she wanted to achieve and how she would serve her clients.
2. Understand
The next phase, “Understand,” focused on market research and audience segmentation. Sunny reflected, "BYOB taught me about the different market audiences and how I needed to tailor my content and approach to help people effectively." This stage gave her a clear understanding of who her clients are and how to reach them.
3. Build
During the build phase, Sunny started applying the strategies she had learned to build a business founded on a thorough understanding of her values and personal approach. This involved developing her business’s infrastructure, including operational plans and refining her services."It’s where everything started coming together—the plans turned into actions," she shared.
4. Leverage
The Leverage section is the last and often the most challenging module of the course. Sunny had to put her learnings into practice and start to get her business out there. She also explored how to leverage her resources, skills, and network to amplify her business’s impact. She noted, "Learning to utilise existing connections and tools was a game-changer. It taught me how to grow sustainably."
5. Coursework, Coaching, and Community
Sunny appreciated the integration of Andrew’s book, the coursework, and the weekly coaching calls. "It was great to have the book paired with coursework relevant to each week, and then discuss it during the coaching calls,” she noted. This combination ensured she absorbed the material and could apply it immediately.
From Learning to Action: Tangible Outcomes
Now in the early stages of launching Sunny Speaks, Sunny is focusing on:
Brand Development: Finalising her logo and creating a cohesive brand identity.
Marketing Plans: Planning content and understanding how different platforms—from Instagram to LinkedIn—can support her business goals.
Client Acquisition: Building a strategy to attract and retain clients.
"This summer, it’s all about planning—content, marketing, and finding clients. There’s lots of work to do before I officially launch," she said with excitement.
Why BYOB Works
Sunny’s experience highlights the unique elements that make BYOB effective:
1. Personalised Support: Sunny credited Andrew Ford’s responsiveness and ability to adapt strategies to suit different businesses. "He’s been invaluable, not just for marketing but also for structuring my business," she said. Having access to just ask questions of someone with so much experience and down to earth advice gave her the confidence to take the leap.
2. Comprehensive Approach: The course’s blend of theory, practical exercises, and coaching ensures participants are well-prepared for every aspect of business building.
3. Community and Accountability: Weekly coaching calls create a space for reflection, questions, and feedback, keeping participants engaged and on track.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
When asked what she’d tell others considering the BYOB course, Sunny’s advice was simple: "Come in with an open mind and be willing to take advice. Andrew has so much knowledge, and it’s worth asking questions and absorbing as much as you can."
Sunny’s journey through BYOB is a powerful example of how structured guidance and a supportive community can turn entrepreneurial dreams into reality. If you’re ready to start your own business, BYOB might just be the first step you need.
