We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daryl Hych a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Daryl, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Please tell us about starting your own firm and if you’d do anything different knowing what you know now.

I started my firm based upon my past experiences both successes and failures. I met my mentor, Brendan Burchard through an email from a friend of mine. He sent me a course password to access a training he was taking title, “Total Product Blueprint” that was in 2012. I began taking this course and it opened my eyes to so many things that I had personally experienced, but I had no way of how to monetize those experiences. This course taught me to “Honor The Struggle” which meant, the things I had experienced were invaluable to those who were in my position. I learned to take all of my experiences and to begin sharing it through consultation and corporate trainings. The challenges I thought I had were now becoming clear to me and I was now learning how to construct it all in a way that I could actually benefit others. However, some things I still had to learn. For example, where do I get clients, how do I package myself as the product to sell and more importantly, how do I monetize the information I would share with other business owners.
The things I would have done differently would have been very minimal. specifically, I would have been better prepared mentally to better understand my target market, which was small businesses. Small businesses have many issues ranging from lack of funding to understanding the value of consultation services.
I would advice any young professional who might be considering starting their own firm to as Nike says, “Just Do It” fail your way forward and do not let failing prevent you from getting started and to seek mentorship along the way.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I retired from the US Navy after serving nearly 3 decades as a Navy Counselor. I am the Founder of the Hillsborough County Black Chamber of Commerce. I am an Award-Winning Instructor and Founder of The Switzer Hych Group. The Switzer Hych Group is a consulting firm that specializes in helping New Business Owners develop strategies, operational procedures and corporate training. I developed an Entrepreneurship Training Program named the Entrepreneur Think Camp focusing on helping Transitioning Military Personnel, Youth and Medium Size Companies. I am also the Publisher of Tampa Pioneer, Tampa’s Entrepreneurship Magazine. I also authored a book titled “Where Is The Chief” a book on military leadership within the Navy.

I was the Former Vice President of the local NAACP Chapter, and I am deeply involved in advocating for civil rights and equality, further demonstrating my dedication to impactful community work. As Co-Chair for Hillsborough Community College of Business I am able to contribute to the development of future business leaders, enriching the educational landscape with practical insights and strategic guidance.

As the owner of a Business Consulting Firm with over 12 years of experience in Business Consultation, Management, and Organizational Leadership my firm specializes in delivering tailored solutions that drive efficiency, enhance operational effectiveness, and facilitate sustainable growth for businesses across various sectors.

My diverse background and expertise reflect a profound commitment to excellence, leadership, and community service, making me a versatile and impactful leader in both the public and private sectors. Last, but not least I am also Volunteer Business Coach at the University of Tampa on of the top Universities assisting students in their transition from Students to Entrepreneurs.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Over the course of about 25 years I have been in business in some capacity or another, I have done everything from owning a commercial cleaning business to being an insurance agent. But in the midst of all of that I had some rough times and some great times. Those times when things were rough became the most impactful times in my life as it afforded me the best lessons I have learned to date.

Back in 2012, I met my mentor through a course I was taking, this course shaped my life to what it is today. I made a major pivot. I stopped everything I was doing and began to learn how to package my experiences into a product called “The Switzer Hych Group”. I became my best product. I no longer represented insurance companies, I no longer cleaned buildings, I no longer served coffee. I began “honoring the struggles”. My mentor taught me to honor the experiences I had and begin helping others understand that their greatest value is what they have been through.

I started consulting small businesses who were experiencing some of the same issues I faced, I went back to college and finished my degree in Business Management and I begin speaking to audiences sharing my experience and helping businesses and individuals make solid decisions based upon my life experiences.

This pivot is what brought me to where I am today.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe what helped me build my reputation within the market I serve is my ability to be transparent and genuine in my communication, consistent in my messaging and creating platforms that in many cases I can influence the narrative. I bet on me, I believe I can do all things through Christ Jesus and with that, I always seek new experiences and new opportunities that align with my life’s mission to serve humanity at its best.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.switzerhych.com