Interview with Markus Biegel, Serial Entrepreneur

Markus Biegel is a serial entrepreneur and business consultant. He started his first company, a tech startup in the education sector, in 2007. In 2008 he launched his consulting company named Startup Elite which has served to date over 100 clients internationally. In 2009 he became a business partner in the clothing line Unified People which he grew into an internationally recognized name and founded his digital media company named Need Media Now which has launched over 30 websites since the company started.

Markus Biegel, Serial Entrepreneur and Business Consultant

How does a company become successful and stay successful? How much risk does a company need to take to make it?

A company certainly does not become successful by playing it safe and following the traditional ways of doing business. As an entrepreneur you are taking on a lot of risk as is but you got to be careful about selecting what you are willing to risk and, at the same time, what you are not willing to risk. Being an entrepreneur does not mean that you should be fearless. Risk has to always be managed otherwise you could fall hard.

There is nothing wrong with the traditional ways of doing business (most of them work just fine) but as entrepreneurs you can often not compete based on “traditional ways” so you have to be innovative. If you are not an innovate person or have a person like that on your team your chances to succeed are in greater jeopardy.

A company's greatest assets are the people working in it. A company cannot grow faster than it can acquire quality people. Therefore becoming successful and staying successful is greatly a function of being able to recruit and retain great people which is not easy in the startup world when you only have small budgets for personnel. Luckily nowadays young ambitious people are not just looking for well paying jobs but "cool" jobs which is where startups can try to put together a value proposition that will get them quality talent without having to pay top dollar.


What is the most common mistake that you see entrepreneurs do, especially those that are new to starting a business?

Especially for entrepreneurs, who are just starting out, the most common mistake is not asking the right questions and not asking enough of them. Sometimes entrepreneurs rush into some entrepreneurial venture without a business plan and without doing their homework. Going in somewhat blind is a recipe for disaster.

Sometimes a business idea may seem very simple and that is why new entrepreneurs are just rushing into it but experienced entrepreneurs already know that a business that may look simple probably has some hidden complexities in it. When you can anticipate your problems it allows you to prepare for them so that when they knock on your door you know how to handle the situation.


How do you come up with the ideas for your entrepreneurial ventures? How do most entrepreneurs get their ideas?

Sometimes you just get an idea out of nowhere, I suppose that happens to people all the time. The difference is that some people think deeper about those ideas, they analyze them and write them down while others don’t bother thinking it through. I believe a lot of people are pessimistic about their ideas and therefore they don’t think of them as “worth the time” to give them a deeper evaluation.

Most entrepreneurs that I met with over the years got their ideas from identifying problems. In our lives we probably encounter various types of problems on a daily basis. Whether it is the bad service at a restaurant or a product that is missing and would help you so much in a particular situation or a service that you wish existed. Once a person has identified a problem some choose to complain, others choose to find a solution.

Regardless of whether you first have an idea or a problem identified, at the end of the day you will need to have both. Based on those two variables you should be able to come up with a strategy, a few marketing ideas, maybe financial model etc. and all of the sudden you have somewhat of a  business plan. Where you go from there is up to you.


Since you just mentioned a business plan. How do you start writing a business plan? Do you have any tips you can share with us?

Some people like working of a template or using a software while others like to start from scratch. On that note I would not recommend ever paying for a template or software if you value your money because there are plenty of free resources out there that you can use which are just fantastic.

When I write business plans I like starting from scratch. I just grab a blank piece of paper (or blank Word Document) and just start with a sentence about the idea for the business. Then I write whatever comes to mind while at the same time organizing all the content that I am writing into sections like Marketing, Finances, Operations and so on.

After I have written down everything I can think of  I go into my custom business plan template and copy paste the sections I have in there and check what sections I still need write more about. This way the business plan evolves naturally instead of trying to force myself to think about topics like Target Market, Company Weakness, International Expansion and many others. If you force yourself to think about something your brain might not want to play along but if you just write what comes to your mind that is probably a way more effective (and also more fun way) to write your business plan.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

Once you have a solid plan then you are ready to start your business. The most effective way to grow your business from there is to get other great people involved. Combining the strengths and networks of two or more people can make a huge difference to any new entrepreneurial venture.

It is crucial that you select people that will add value to your business. If you get people involved just because they are willing to help they may distract you from getting work done instead of being the helping hand that they are supposed to be.

Need Media Now Co-founders: Christy Buena and Markus Biegel

What do you look for in selecting business partners? What does it take to get on board?

I believe that having passionate and committed people can be far more important than money for any entrepreneurial venture. I look for partners and key players who have complete trust and respect for each other or who can develop that level of trust rather quickly.

I don't look for people who follow exactly what I say, I look for people who push back when they know something that I don't. I am not interested in working with people who work long hours, I want to work with people who deliver excellent results no matter how many hours they spend in the office. Ideally I want to work with people who are fun to be around, you need to have a sense of humor.

You would obviously want someone who knows the industry, has a successful track record of working in the industry and has all the skills required to make your business a success but without sincere passion and commitment for your business they are not going to perform well and therefore not make the cut.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

I get to enjoy a great amount of freedom which tends to increase the more successful I become. I can technically wake up whenever I want but in reality I am up and working while most people are still in bed. I make my own schedule which is nice but my schedule is usually filled with meetings and work sessions all day long. Waking up early and working long hours does not sound like something positive about being an entrepreneur but it actually can be just that considering that you are doing what you love all day long.

The challenge you face as an entrepreneur is to delegate all the work that you are not good at or rather not do to someone who is more passionate about that sort of work. That way you get to enjoy doing the work that you are most passionate about without neglecting the other important tasks. This emphasizes again the important of hiring great people that you can trust to do good work.

Network with Markus Biegel: 

LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/MarkusBiegel

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MarkusBiegel

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MarkusBiegel

Connect with Need Media Now:

Website: www.NeedMediaNow.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NeedMediaNow

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/NeedMediaNow

Read More

Interview with Scott Erickson

About Scott Erickson:

Scott Erickson has been a full-time entrepreneur since the Spring of 2010. In 2011, he founded the Scott Erickson Entertainment Group (SEEG). The mission of SEEG is to “better the global community by providing the best arts and entertainment.” Scott says that "my aim in life is to experience the best and fullest. I want it all. Ambition is no stranger to me."

You have been a full-time entrepreneur since the Spring of 2010. What was the most difficult part in getting started and making it work?

The "hardest part" and MOST important part about starting anything meaningful in your life -whether it be a business or otherwise - is finding the resolve to do it. "No matter what" must be the attitude. Start there and hotwire your mind and spirit with the belief that you CAN make it work.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

The best part of being an entrepreneaur is the simplicity. Every choice is in your hands, and it's the drive you employ and the intensity that you take in all you do. When you get through the early stages, the sense of freedom and opportunity is impossible to ignore.


You have an advertising and experiential marketing company with two of your best friends. Do you have any tips for entrepreneurs who are in the similar situation and struggle with keeping the friendship alive while trying to grow the business?

I no longer am a part of that company, and sold my ownership to focus on my entertainment companies. We are managing and developing the two artists (Ajax Stacks and Biff Tannen) we support at Diligent Music (http://diligentmusic.com).

I still work with Rob and Jeff and other friends.

The key to any relationship - personal or professional or any combination of the two - is honest communication. You need to agree on the vision and direction of the company - especially with partners. Be diligent in communicating problems and solutions.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

It's harsh, and I mean no disrespect to those who try and fail, but a defining quality in an entrepreneaur is tenacity. You can't give up. Ever.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur in the entertainment industry?

The most important skill to have in the entertainment industry is more of a character trait. It's humility.

The business is inherently full of ego, and those who communicate the best, give praise before asking for it and simply get the work done are those who will enjoy a long and successful career.


Henry Kravis once said that "A real entrepreneur is somebody who has no safety net underneath them." What are your thoughts on that quote?

Kravis has it right. You can't have a "Plan B," because you will fail many times before you succeed. If there's a backup plan, you'll get to it fast and you won't end up where you wanted to.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

My colleagues and employees keep me motivated. Once other people start to rely on and look to you for leadership, everything changes."


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your businesses? Any specific tips for serial entrepreneurs who juggle multiple businesses at a time like you?

The most important thing you can do to grow your business is "get help."

For me, it's been two kinds of help: insightful mentors and trusted colleagues/employees.

The mentor will help you flesh out ideas and form a vision. The colleagues and employees will help you realize that vision.

Get help.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

First: Take care of your body and mind. Listen to music that inspires and energizes you, excercise, eat quality food, and take time to rest - its going to be a long road. You have to be on your A-game.

Second: Surround yourself with people that you can really trust AND those who excel in areas you don't.

Above all else: Don't beat yourself up too much. Keep a high standard, but know that you will make mistakes. It's about what you do after you screw up that counts.


Contact Scott Erickson:
Website: http://scotterickson.net/
Twitter: @scottcerickson

Read More

Interview with Gia Revelli

Gia Revelli has been an entrepreneur for more than 10 years; a licensed Realtor and fitness instructor. Her first company was Long Beach Investment Group where she begin her path in the Real Estate and Mortgage Industry. She has assited numerous families in selling, purchasing and refinancing their homes; she continues to grow in her business by following the market closely and learning new programs that are designed to help homeowners, especially the ones who are experiencing hardships.

Along with her passion for Real Estate, she has always allowed herself to kick off her heels and direct energy towards fitness. Her passion for dancing and fitness encouraged her to pursue teaching. In 2010, she became a Certified Zumba Instructor and feels fortunate to be able conduct both of her passions; Real Estate and Fitness.

Gia Revelli (Copyright: Markus Alexander)

How did you get started in real estate?
I was working as a receptionist at a mortgage company and soon realized that Real Estate was a career and an industry that you can ride with successfully if you are savvy with its opportunities. I obtained my license 10 years ago and I fall in love with Real Estate over and over again.


Was it difficult to do all the classes and get licensed?
I had wonderful mentors. The state exam was not difficult, but then again, I studied A LOT! I appreciate all the knowledge I have gained throughout the years which have helped me tremendously in servicing my clients the best way possible.


What area of the real estate job do you enjoy the most?
I love showing homes and being able to hand a family the keys to their new home; it's an honor to be able to be part of such event.


What are common problems in the real estate market?
Presently, it's what we would call a seller's market. There are many buyers for one house and first time buyers are faced with competing with investors. As property values are very affordable and rates are at an all time low, i believe this year IS the best time to purchase.


How do you market yourself and your Real Estate Services?
Most of my clients are refereed to me by former clients. I am very fortunate to have built relationships and be able to continue to service others with their Real Estate needs. I also send hand written letters to families who are experiencing a hardship and need to explore all their options. Social media is the most efficient way to have others learn about how you can assist them.


What are some goals you have in your career for this year?
To help my clients find the perfect home! To help those families who need an exit strategy explore their options regarding their home. On a personal level, I am looking forward to purchasing residential income properties this year.


Zumba Con Gia: www.ZumbaConGia.com

Read More

Interview with Nuncia Ammirata

Nuncia Ammirata (Buenos Aires, Italo-argentina, 1975), I am Fashion Designer and I graduated from the University of Architecture, Design and Town Planning of Buenos Aires (1999).

In 2002 I decided to move to Italy. I actually live in Florence.
I’ve worked for 8 years on shoes & accessories design.
For 5 years I worked as fashion designer for footwear companies in the Italian district “Marche”, well known worldwide for his excellence in shoes production 'Made in Italy'.
In my last job I worked as a fashion designer for "Patrizia Pepe Firenze", where I was part of the design team in the accessories department, designing shoes, handbags, etc.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

I decided to change my working approach when I figured out the idea of experimenting other ways to offer my work and creativity.

There is a quotation by Emerson Fosdick, which I find very motivating: "Freedom is always dangerous, but it's the safest we've got".


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

To be able to be in touch with different companies, to meet more people and try to find different ways of dealing with your work. Every collection has its own life. Working on them is an exceptional mental exercise for me. It's great to know that new interesting projects may come out in the future. I hope to have my own collection brand one day in the future.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

Search for the clients, get them to know me. The new “working time frame”, is just another factor that you have to get used too.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

In my particular case, to be able to understand the necessary products for each brand I am working with, and to provide the company with the best choice. In general, the most important thing is to focus on an objective and never let it go, keeping open mindedness to the possibilities we have. It is very important to create opportunities and to get used to the risk.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

I think the main motivation still comes from the beauty of creation. I am always eager to know new things, I find great interest in general culture, which makes me grow. Images, words, smells and feelings.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Personally, working as a regular employee in a company, among other things, made me understand that daily routine may make you hate what you like the most. To be independent, on the other hand, means to face risk, to be ready to new situations or create them; and thus, you find much more satisfaction in what you do. In this way, you offer yourself to the market, so to speak, and you find yourself open to new experiences all the time. Working and living go hand in hand to me, so being happy doing what you like is fundamental.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

I It could be not being able to administer my time wisely sometimes. I am very fussy about detail and I have no limits with my working hours. Anyway, I am still learning to maximize methods ...


Jack Welsh once said that "An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." What are your thoughts on that quote?

Yes, with the rhythms of the market, the faster you adapt to change the more easily you win, or I would say, the faster you predict this change.


Greg Norman once said that “Our success is a direct result of knowing how to market a brand and having the right people representing the brand.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

I agree. It's an important part of success. A brand is a philosophy, a lifestyle; and so, the elements this brand is composed of must be coherent with the frame of mind that "originated" it.


Albert Einstein once said “I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

It means that we can go further by being adventurous. we mustn't act passively accumulating unfinished things.


Excluding yours, what business or company do you admire?

I personally admire Brunello Cucinelli's company. He is a philosopher and created this humanistic company.
His motto is “To make work more humane, and to put the man in the center of the productive process”
“To give a company a sense that goes beyond mere profit, and to reinvest to improve the worker’s life, and to enhance and save the beautiful things in the world”.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

In my case, it was a growth to begin working as a fashion designer freelance, here in Italy. Actually I think that communication is for me an important point to improve trying to reach results.

I will be able to answer this question completely with the passing of time.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

We should trust ourselves, we should believe in our projects and be fully convinced of what we want. Determination, patience, timing, listening and watching are key elements. We should be ready to keep up with time. we should get used to risk. Make different experiences can surely help to know better the market.



Company Description:

Actually, since a few months, I work as Fashion Designer Freelance, collaborating in the shoes collections design for several companies.

Read More

Interview with Desmore Nero

Desmore’s passion and love of fashion and beauty has inspired her to launch her own website. She enjoys helping Mothers look good and feel fabulous through helpful styling tips, beauty advice and inspiration. Her goal is to give her readers the tools to step out into the world with confidence and enthusiasm. Empowering them to walk tall, love their bodies, enjoy life and feel inspired. Having had worked in the Fashion and Beauty industry herself, completing a diploma in Public relations and Marketing, she is living her passion, dream and vision.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

My passion had started whilst studying Public Relations and having worked in the Fashion and Beauty industry. Since having my son my passion has escalated.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

Meeting and networking with people of various walks of life. It also allows me the flexibility to incorporate being a mother to my son and spending time with my husband.



The mission of your website is very positive and unique, how did you come up with the concept?

I had seen it as a niche I wanted to pursue. Having mothers across the world believing in themselves, their ability to be anything and everything possible, enjoying fashion, beauty and motherhood.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

Finding a Web Designer that would share my vision, passion and translate my concept into a website. Christopher Samios is my Website Designer and I have to mention without his continuous help, support and input, my website would not be what it is today. He has made the most difficult part, easy.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Vision, creativity and perseverance


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

It’s the feedback and interaction I share with my readers and the people I meet in my everyday life.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

When working for yourself, you have the ability to demonstrate your own creative skills, create your own vision and most of all live your own dream. I find working for someone else can become quit restrictive at times, you are following someone else vision and direction. I am not a stream runner, I am more of a free spirit.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

I would not say it is a failure but as times I can become too ambitious with my time. I am a firm believer that there is more than 24 hours in a day.


Excluding yours, what business or company do you admire?

I should say the person I admire the most is Rachel Zoe, I admire what she has done in the world of fashion and styling. She has shed a light of the world of being and becoming a stylist. Her brand has taken over the world. She has become a household name, a brand and an inspiration to many stylists to come.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

Taking risks and not becoming discouraged by negative comments. Although this has been minor, it gives me the drive to be even better.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

Believe in you, believe in your brand and most importantly trust your instinct. Dare to dream the impossible dream and don’t be afraid of taking risks.



Company Description:

A business where I provide Fashion and lifestyle advice to mothers through blogging.



Website:

www.mothersgetinspired.com

Read More

Interview with Paulo Bento

Paulo Bento has been working as an entrepreneur, business developer, consultant and trainer since nearly 20 years ago. After graduating with honors from Jones International University with an MBA with major in Entrepreneurship and a Course of E-Tutor he is starting also to work as an online facilitator in the areas of Entrepreneurship, Business Management and New Ventures.

In his Professional Experience he has been University Professor, Teacher, Visiting Professor to teach courses in e-learning format, Speaker, Trainer and Consultant for hundreds of organizations and thousands of participants.

Paulo founded and has been CEO of some consulting and training firms specialized in the areas of marketing / sales, digital marketing, management and internationalization. He had also functions of Internship Mentor, organized and coordinated several meetings and conferences. He is proficient in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French with several courses and diplomas taken in Europe and the USA. He is or was a Member and Founding Member of several academic and professional organizations.

Paulo was selected to integrate several outstanding publications worldwide including Who's Who in the World and received several awards such as Honor Award for Best Student. He had several articles published and books or manuals created. He has also coordinated and developed more than 30 projects on the Internet.

He founded and coordinated several online Professional Clubs. His hobbies include Sailing, Photography, Painting, Reading, Internet, Technologies and Traveling, having been in several countries in America and Europe.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

When I was a little kid, I had a small newsletter that I was accustomed to develop with the help of my lovely grandfather - he was a great person, full of enthusiasm, and was the “co-editor” of our newsletter that, after done, we usually sold for some cents to some family members. Another episode of that entrepreneurial spirit is that, as I was the best student in class from 6 to 10 years old, sometimes I produced some extra pictures and sold them to some classmates. A few years later, I graduated from Business School and, after working several years in the consulting industry and in the education and workshops/seminars sector, I decided to start my own firm, nearly eleven years ago. Now I am in my third firm, with several business units and plans to expand. Among those plans is next step, globalize the businesses, which is the present dream, that I hope to turn into a reality within 5 to 10 years from now.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

My favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur should be the freedom to dream and realize our dreams, freedom to learn, ability to create services and products that lead the society to better times, ability to make a difference in others lives. And to have the possibility of doing this at a global scale, what is easier to do today than anytime before.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

The most difficult part in getting started should have been the steps to conquer enough market to have the business running without the need to go to the bank to ask for credit. Positive cash flow was always very important for me and sometimes that is not easy to achieve as we could have not enough sales or have some clients not paying on time, or costs higher than revenues.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

In my opinion, the top skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur are persistence, perseverance and determination.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

What motivates me should be a strong faith in God and in the belief that we have a mission to make the life on Earth better. I believe also that the better you are the most is expected from you to make life better for others, especially for the ones who don’t have the same opportunities than you have. Said in other words, for me each day is a new opportunity to achieve better results and become stronger and closer to our main goals. And our goals should include ways of helping others to have faith in their capabilities and finding the best partnerships with other firms and professionals for mutual benefit. By the way we have a site on web dedicated to business partnerships, ! Better Partnerships ! at http://www.betterpartnerships.com, a project to which you can also be linked through LinkedIn.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

The major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else is like the difference between a tiger and a cat. Entrepreneurs want to be free and better than the others, take the risk; they should have the ability to fail and try again until they reach success, they should be self-motivated and those who work for someone else usually don’t have those traits of character and prefer to be accommodated to what life has for them.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

I don’t see failures as bad; usually I see failures as different ways of doing things that usually carry some opportunities with them that we have to explore in order of achieve even higher and better results than if we didn’t have those “failures”. Those “failures” are the best ways for us to learn.



Jack Welsh once said that "An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I agree with that quote because in these fast times companies need to stay constantly offering new and better products or services and that is only possible by having a strong ability to learn and transform that learning into new and better products, services and methods. And all of that at a fast pace, as we are in the era of speed.


Greg Norman once said that “Our success is a direct result of knowing how to market a brand and having the right people representing the brand.” What are your thoughts on that quote?

That seems to be true as brand management and sales management are both crucial for any business to be successful.


Albert Einstein once said “I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.” What are your thoughts on that quote?

In my opinion both are important and, depending on the sector or phase of the economy, one can prevail over the other.



Excluding yours, what business or company do you admire?

There are many businesses and companies from different sectors and sizes that I truly admire, but if I have to choose one it seems to me that I would pick Disney, founded by a true entrepreneur that had a vision and a dream, fought for them, turned them into a reality and, with the companies and products he created helped and continue helping so many people to dream all over the world and to have faith in their dreams. And the dreams are, in my opinion, the basis for any entrepreneur to start the road to success. Other businesses and companies that I admire include Google, Yahoo, DreamWorks, LinkedIn, Rolls Royce, Porsche, Lego, Trump Organization, Lufthansa, NASA, private universities such as Jones International University, SCI-Arc, MIT, ISCTE, Babson College, Simon Fraser University, companies and institutions that have had a great role in starting and spreading the online education such as Jones International, Apollo Group, among some many others.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

The most crucial thing that I should have done (and still doing) to grow my business should have been to dream big and always tried to offer the best quality at a good price, stayed careful with money and cash flow and maximize marketing and sales as they are the basis of any business and, all that, with a good plan.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

The advice that I would give an entrepreneur who is just starting out should be that, before starting any new business, they need to evaluate all possibilities and opportunities, develop a good and easy to implement business plan and start to act, with discipline, hard work, stay strong in face of some disappointments that should happen, be very careful when choosing partners, partnerships, collaborators, and be ready to live a great adventure.



Company Description:

MINIMARK ®’s core strength and business focus is in enabling firms, products and services for the global market, including Internationalization and Localization, Consulting, Training and Coaching in the areas of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Business Strategy, General Management, Sales, Benchmarking, IT for Management, Excellence and Best Practices for national and international companies



Website:

Paulo Bento at http://www.paulobento.com



Other Websites:

! Better Partnerships ! at http://www.betterpartnerships.com
Minimark at http://www.minimark.pt

Read More

Interview with Affi Khan

I left college after studying advanced business and got straight into mobile phone sales, after reaching accolades of best sales person in the area I looked for a career in recruitment.

At the age of 18 I wrote my first business plan and at 22 I set up my first business in the medical recruitment sector. The business was a massive success which led to the inception of our first company under the Emporious Group and since then 3 more.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

As I said I wrote my first business plan at the age of 18, so I would say that was the age when I made a definitive decision to go into business, however even before that I had this ability to look at a business like a website, restaurant or a retail store and see what I would do which would make it better. I think that ability coupled with an extra high level of curiosity, made me fit for only one thing.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

Creating new things, I love building new businesses; nothing is more exciting to me than that. This also includes taking a talented individual and helping them become a great sales person and then to a great director; to me that also part of creation. I also love getting involved in new ideas especially web related, this is why online marketing is something I take a great interest in.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

Finding the right people I would say is by far the most difficult thing to do, and in my opinion is the fundamental difference between success and failure. I could not have hoped for a better board of directors at Emporious, we got that absolutely perfect. We have all the support and guidance we need and we have an extremely high level of trust across the entire senior management team. However our difficulties in the past have been finding the right people at the ground level so to speak. In hiring recruitment consultants we have unfortunately had some issues with people who can talk the talk, but not walk the walk. To solve this issue, we now have our own assessment centers were we find our own talent and we no longer hire recruiters; we train our own people, instilled with our values and ethics.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Vision and clarity of purpose, there is no shortage in this world of people who either have no idea what they want or have too many ideas of what they want to do, in my view one should never have more than 3 goals at a time and then plan the execution of your goals down to the smallest detail, so the vision of your goals is as clear as day in your mind.

Once you have got that the second most important skill for a successful entrepreneur is to implement your goals with persistence, passion and steel like focus. You must be very resilient in order to never submit to failure and overcome any obstacles that come in your way, take decisive action at every turn on your journey to success in order to avoid procrastination.

Finally strike while the iron is hot, momentum is everything; this will carry you further than anything else, when the opportunity is there and the hunger from within is there… strike! Do not delay, do not wait, success goes to those who take it.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

I am blessed with a great deal of self belief so unlike most entrepreneurs, the fear of failure does not drive me. I think for me it’s about being the best you can be, I want to reach my full potential, and I believe that once I am there I will know I have done the best I can and then I would look to add value to the world in a different way. I cannot think of anything worse than to look back at your life knowing you could have been so much more than you are.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Easy answer, self motivation! Every single entrepreneur I have even known or read about is a self starter they do not need to be motivated by anyone else and they are harder on themselves than anyone else. In my view, those people who are likely to stop working hard as soon as the boss walks out the door can never be entrepreneurs.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

There is a thin line between having self belief and being arrogant. The second you start believing your own hype you’re in trouble. That happened to me once and cost me dearly, since then I have promised myself to never let my ego convince me that I am better than everyone else and never think I cannot fail. Real success comes from humility I know that now.


Jack Welsh once said that "An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I agree, especially in the information age if we are not getting better we are getting worse. Knowledge is power and in this age the organizations that continuously learn new things and implement them will always be ahead of the game.


Greg Norman once said that “Our success is a direct result of knowing how to market a brand and having the right people representing the brand.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

Absolutely, especially in my experience, my greatest successes have come from creating new and exciting brands and finding great people to lead them.


Albert Einstein once said “I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

Again I agree, in my view that is exactly how entrepreneurs think, in observing facts of today one is only observing the result of past thoughts and actions, for us as a species to move forward we must constantly challenge what is impossible today to make is possible tomorrow.


Excluding yours, what business or company do you admire?

The Sthree Group is a phenomenal success in the professional services recruitment sector, we could all learn a lot from them. Michael Page and Harvey Nash are also great companies that I think lead the way in innovation within the recruitment industry. Outside recruitment the Virgin Group and of course Google are phenomenal businesses.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

Find the right people, if I could do only one thing in my business to add value. It would be talent acquisition. Find great people, find what motivates them and give them the opportunity to achieve it. I would put looking after your people, inspiring trust and unleashing talent to be at the top of the list of priorities of any good CEO.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

1) Plan what you want and why do you want it, your reasons have to be strong enough to withstand the barrage of obstacles that will come your way. In my view wanting to be an entrepreneur just for the purpose of getting rich is not a strong enough motive to survive the journey ahead.

2) Find out what resources you need to be successful and then go find them, if you need a mentor go get one, if you need finance go get it, whatever you need is available for you and is easier to obtain then you think. If you have a good enough plan and a good enough reason to succeed then there is no shortage of people who will gravitate towards you and support you.

3) Focus, many entrepreneurs suffer from the curse of too many ideas. A good idea is a like a belly button, everybody has one. Once you have thorough planned what you want, and you have the resources to implement it, then apply steel like focus with relentless passion and do not stop until you have reached your goal

4) The time is now, if you can achieve the above then the final thing I can advise is just go for it, do not procrastinate do not allow fear or doubt to paralyze you. It is always better to have tried and failed then to have never tried at all.



Company Description:

Emporious Plc is an investment company supporting start-ups within the professional services recruitment industry. Our foundations are built on the principles of inspiring and supporting people to achieve excellence. We offer investment, start up and strategic support to ambitious, motivated individuals and groups who want guidance in taking the very difficult leap from employee to employer




Website:

www.emporious.com

www.midasmedicalrecruitment.com

Read More

Interview with Monisha Hajra

Monisha, graduate in Chemistry and post graduate in Biochemistry from University of Calcutta, India. She also has a post graduate diploma degree in Bioinformatics. Worked with one of the India’s top bio-pharmaceutical company, Biocon as scientist.

From 2007 she has taken the challenge of being young entrepreneur. She and her partners set up a research and training institute, Institute Of Computational Biology (IOCB) at Bangalore. After successfully working with the team for 3years, she has now moved on to start ScientiaBio.

She is also a trained women entrepreneur from Indian School of Business, an initiative taken by Goldman Sachs for providing management training to women entrepreneur.

She mentors lots of young students for their career and for their research projects.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

The spirit of entrepreneurship was rooted in me when I was master degree student. But I decided to get some industry exposure before starting on my own; I was always looking for good opportunity to start. In 2007, I met with a group of like minded people who also thinks in the same direction as I do. I thought, it was the right time for me to take the risk of entrepreneurial venture.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

Challenge, that’s the key aspect which drives me. It’s difficult to run an organization if it’s just “me too” services. Though I have some “me too” services, but I manage to bring some “unique” services for which I have no competitor at least in my region or in my country.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

Since I started at young age and I deal with knowledge service, so it’s was difficult for me to convince people that one don’t necessarily need “grey” hair team members to deliver quality work.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Optimistic, Calculative Risk taker, creative, time bound, physical and mental toughness. Also, it’s very important to know your weakness and work constantly to improve that.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

Good feedback of the service that we offer, and also dream of reaching to my goal, long way to go.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

For those who worked for corporate money matters the most, and typically one focus only a specific area. But personally for me joy of doing my service gives me more pleasure, and I need to have complete eye in all operations. I may get better pay check if I join a corporate, but that “money factor” never hit my mind, even I face with some downfall.

Also, an entrepreneur may not get any kind of luxury that he/she will get sitting in a corporate chair. One should be ready to face that.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

Planned for an event for limited number of people, but eventually there was huge turnout with discounted fees, and I allowed all of them to register. Finally it was a huge mismanagement and not very profitable also.

Learning: Quality service comes with certain price tag, stick to that. Allow the people for “either take it or leave it” if they want to avail a quality service.


Jack Welsh once said that "An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I agree. Most of the time entrepreneurs are very passionate about their work; sometimes they forget the competition of the market about the same product or service. One needs to keep an eye constantly on market demands, and try to find a service which probably your competitors may not have.


Greg Norman once said that “Our success is a direct result of knowing how to market a brand and having the right people representing the brand.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

Well, I don’t agree with this comment fully. A start up organization might find difficulty to hire the “right experienced person” who can market their brand. I personally look for people who are very dynamic and talented. For knowledge industry, it’s the quality and deliverable which are more important parameter than packaging it in nice way.


Albert Einstein once said “I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

Very true. As I mentioned earlier, one dared to think slight differently. There is no joy in being just “me too” type company. One need to take the risk of developing something new, which may or may not sell.


Excluding yours, what business or company do you admire?

Google, it’s the company I truly admire. One of the best example of a company run by successful young entrepreneurs.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

Building relationship with my clients. Quality of the service should be so good that they themselves will become my advertisement .


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

I come across with many young minds who claim that they have “great idea”, but they need investor to start working on the project. They need to keep in mind that investor will like to put their hard earned money into those projects which will get them maximum benefit. Investment in life science sector is comparatively low compared to other sector. So, one need to learn how to self generate funds.
And for those who have already started, don’t just give up in one downfall, it’s bound to come. But make sure you have the determination within yourself that you will make this work.

To be a successful entrepreneur, one should not have the fear of failure, but should have the willingness to learn from the failures.



Company Description:

Product development and services in Computational Biology area.
Helping Biotech and Clinical Trials and related companies to get outsourced work.
Training in various domains of life sciences especially Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Clinical Data Management, Pharmacovigilance.



Website:

www.scientiabio.com

Read More

Interview with Cindii Eggers

I guess I have to say that my starting my own business came from a mixed bag of need and desire. I found middle age, especially coupled with divorce, to be a decisive time of my life. If you would have asked me where I would be in my early forties even five years ago, I most probably would’ve answered that I would be happy contemplating retiring from my public service position as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and as a special status deputy sheriff. After divorce, I realized that I had many goals and desires to fill and that if I wanted to do any fulfilling, it would be by me and only me. And time was of the essence. It was a frightening and liberating feeling-all at once.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

After resigning the position I had been in for quite a few years, I decided to move back to my hometown and gather my thoughts and just “be” for a month or two. I had made a comfortable life back where I had lived before and I don’t mind telling you that I was a little bit more than scared. But this feeling wouldn’t go away and I have learned to trust that feeling, or the inner knowing that one learns within oneself. For example, I had managed to become a radio talk show host/personality by telling my thoughts and dreams to a semi retired editor friend that I knew. I wrote some copy back in the day for his newspaper, back when I was a stay at home mother and he would actually come by my house and pick it up and have a cup of coffee if his schedule allowed. This was back in the early 80’s and things were a lot different then. This editor friend, he was tight with the higher ups at the radio station I eventually worked for. We “did lunch”-myself, the editor, and the program director of the station. This “high powered” and I say this tongue in cheek here, lunch was at a diner. I had a hamburger. Funny what you remember. I like to think of Seinfeld when I tell this story. I got offered a half hour talk show of my own design from that! No experience, just gumption and a gift for gab and some luck too, I guess. I do hesitate saying luck because to me luck is simply opportunity meeting preparedness. Anyway, I remember when I left the diner, I went to a payphone and called my husband. (Again, back before cell phones) He couldn’t half believe what I was telling him - but there it was. I almost couldn’t believe it myself. I stayed at that radio station for 3 yrs and my show went from a half hour to an hour and a half. All the programming was my own design. I picked and called my own guests, local and national. So from there I knew that I could anything I put my mind to. I still live that way. So the hardest part for me was deciding what I wanted to do. It fell into place from there.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

Doing what I do is the proverbial two-edged sword. On one hand, I choose my own hours, I choose where to do the actual work, I get to meet new people all the time. For example, I am writing a screenplay for a small budget film to be shot in Cleveland, Ohio my home town. With that in mind, I am creating a scene and using some radio contacts from back in my radio days. I cannot say who they are yet, but they are sports figures and local celebrities. So, I get to see them again, I get to meet new people, and one of the biggest perks? Travel! However, I have to mention the downside. I am the one responsible for the bottom line. If there is a dry spell with work, I can suffer.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

For me, the most difficult part of getting started was getting my mojo back for this particular field of work. People in the creative fields such as art and writing I think will agree with me and know what I am talking about. I had to get my mindset back to the artsy right brain type of thinking and away from the analytical thinking of my prior position. Once I “felt” the part, I started putting my feelers out and connecting again with old contacts and putting myself out there in the arts community. I am still a new company, but with each connection I make and each thing I write, it gets easier and better. And with the new technologies of today they play a big part in contacts and opportunities. But anyone reading this knows that. But for the young ones who have always had a computer, or a cell phone, back when I started my career out of the house, I got to tell you, it was a whole different ball game back then. There were no FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter or any of that. Can you even imagine not having these networking tools now?
Some of us can because we lived it!


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Well a few things. One needs a back-up plan, and a support system.

For me, I have a very loving group of people around me supporting me. Although it can appear from the outside that owning your own company is glamorous and filled with excitement, I can tell you that for every one hour of what can be perceived as glamour or excitement, behind it were hundreds or thousands of hours of work, sometimes extremely boring groundwork. And let’s not forget the lean times. My business is still new and I am still getting myself launched. I won’t even go there about being a woman as this can be used as an asset, to be quite honest with you. So I won’t go there about that. But one has to be quick- for in this line of work, what you may be thinking of doing might already be in the finishing stages somewhere else. It is easy to get beat out just by timing. Or lack of it. But the ideal thing of all to have in this type of career is a positive attitude. This trait cannot be bought but it is essential, in my opinion, to succeed. So, tenacity, fearlessness in risk taking, creativity and a positive attitude would be my answers here.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

I love waking up each day with the knowledge that when I am working on a script for example, what happens next is up to me. Every little detail, at least at inception, is from my brain.

The fun part also is that as I write or create whatever I am working on, can spin into motion something else that either allows me more work, or meeting new and exciting people. The motivation of what is around the bend is unknown but within my control, at least to some extent anyways, is just wonderful!


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Well, at least with working for someone else the first thing starting out is security of that paycheck. Actually, that is a constant factor. That great security blanket on the weekly or biweekly paycheck is something that is hard to wean from. But I think the major difference to me at least, is as a former nine to fiver, there was a set schedule. I still have one in a sense. Most people have work patterns but it has changed drastically over the past few years. In doing what I do, there is a freedom that comes with it. Once you get past the whole “Oh my God, I am totally responsible for the Outcome” you get a sense of freedom that is very liberating.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

I don’t like to think in terms of failures. But I will say that starting out I was intimidated by the thought of going into a world that was a little bit foreign for me. I didn’t jump on opportunities the way I should have and looking back there were plenty of them out there and I missed them. But with mistakes and failures, as long as we embrace them and forgive ourselves we can learn and grow from them. And especially starting out at the age that I did! I can remember asking my son (back when he was young, like ten or so) to teach me how to create a screen name on the computer. I asked him because I didn’t want to look foolish in the eyes of my peers. I have since gotten a little better about asking for help when needed. I laugh when I think back on that now. I could have a lot of I shoulda-coulda’s but I don’t beat myself up over them.


Jack Welsh once said that "An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." What are your thoughts on that quote?

As far as Jack Welsh’s statement I would have to say that I totally agree with him. It is a little different for me, seeing as for now it is just me and whomever I am working for at the time. But the essence is true. For larger companies, it can be a daunting task. I have the beauty of small size, at least for now.


Greg Norman once said that “Our success is a direct result of knowing how to market a brand and having the right people representing the brand.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

Greg Norman and I think a lot alike. I will translate it this way into how I see his statement. Celebrity endorsements for one. When I think of Ed McMahon, I think of the Publisher Clearing House and that huge check. Or how Nascar uses celebrity to promote everything from fuel to decorative plates. How about the frogs and the Budweiser beer? The genius is getting the right people or ideas branded onto what you selling. After a while, the product or concept takes a life of its own.


Albert Einstein once said “I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

As far as Albert Einstein is concerned, the man was a genius. I tease that he was an alien with expanded powers that few of us can comprehend. I viewed his traveling exhibition of letters, photos and ideas and works at a science museum a few years back. Unbelievable! I back him up on his statement. Sometimes you just have to pull the trigger on that idea. I cannot stress this enough. And trust. Sometimes it is inspired thought and it would be foolish not to act on it.


Excluding yours, what business or company do you admire?

As far as admiration for a business is concerned, the first one that came to mind is one started up by a girlfriend that I only met once, but am still in daily contact with thanks to the internet. I loved her personality and quick wit right off the bat. Angela Blaylock Nielsen. She is Owner and Creative director of One Lily. They are an award winning company that creates websites and has numerous website related services. She started her business from the ground up- all this with young children, a staff she hired and works with closely, and a deployed husband in the Marine Corps. I met her when she was just starting out and I knew that she was different. I was right.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

The Most Crucial Thing in growing my business is networking and staying on top of current events and trends. When I am not sure of something, I ask someone who knows the answer. And to be honest, sometimes you just got to fly by the seat of your pants and trust. And pray and give thanks. I do that too.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

To Those Starting out I would recommend to go with what you love. At the end of the day, doing what you love to do makes all the work and all the sacrifices worthwhile.



Company Description:

The beauty of what I do is that I can pick and choose who I want to work with, and when.

Currently I am considering buying into an already established media concern, but for now I work on my own. I write screenplays and other things associated with writing, and also am an abstract artist and beginning photographer. I came up with the name GalleryCEA which stands for Gallery Cindii Eggers Arts. It name simply means I have a gallery of things that I do and am not pegged down to any particular skill set.



Website:

www.linkedin.com/in/cindiieggers
www.artvitae.com/cindiieggers
www.twitter.com/GalleryCEA

Read More

Interview with Scott Herring

Scott Herring has over 22 years experience in all aspects of software development: system design, programming, consulting, training and support. Scott started True Focus Solutions after leaving his position as Senior Vice President at Counterpoint Systems, where he directed the business for North America and architected service-oriented, Internet and N-tier software systems for clients including Universal Music, 20th Century Fox, and MTV/Viacom. True Focus is Scott’s second start-up (the first was fresh ground software).



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

My father started his own electrical engineering consultancy when I was very young, so I grew up in a “self-employed” household, witnessing the feast-and-famine cycles until the business became quite stable and successful. After graduating from college and working for a few small companies, I was confident that I could run a business better than the folks I had worked for. I prefer to work with a small team of smart people, and it’s easier to do that with my own business.


How did you know your business idea was the right idea?

We started True Focus Solutions in early 2008, before the banking crisis surfaced. Funny enough, we were looking at writing a small system to help a company write and track reverse mortgages. In meeting with people, we were warned about the looming meltdown with mortgages in general. The same tools and architecture we were describing for reverse mortgages made sense, with a few design tweaks, for the relationship managers (RMs) at banks. Watching the financial crisis, with over 100 banks closing in 2009, we knew that there was going to be a need to change systems to be better with metrics and workflows.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

True Focus is my second software start-up , and based on my first try, I always said “I wouldn’t wish entrepreneurship on anyone!”. It’s hard work , which I suspect is why so many companies fail. I also have found the chicken-and-egg problem. The first time, we built software first, and almost starved in the process. With True Focus, we spent a great deal of time creating the framework for the company and the defining the business first, with the goal of getting funding. After that, it was time for product development. Neither path is “right”, but if I could do it again, I’d probably build a simple version of the product first. In this economic environment, investors are choosing companies that already have revenue.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

1. Communication with customers, employees, investors and vendors
2. Prioritization
3. Ability to motivate others (especially to work for cheap or free at the beginning!)


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

I definitely experience peaks and valleys. It feels like each learning curve ends with yet another learning curve… I have partners and friends who keep me accountable. My personality is about getting things done, so each time we reach a milestone, my energy goes back up.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

When you’re in most corporate environments, you have room to coast. When you’re starting up a company, speed is paramount, and coasting only hurts your chances.



What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

In the early days of True Focus, I presented a few times before we were ready. The tough questions, though, are the ones that make your business better. You can’t plan for everything, but you can be prepared to learn and adjust.


Henry Ford once said that "A market is never saturated with a good product, but it is very quickly saturated with a bad one." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I’m not sure what Mr. Ford was trying to say, and I don’t really agree. If he was pointing to fads, we have a fad with iPhone and iPad right now, but both products have changed their market’s landscape. Phones were changing incrementally until Apple launched iPhone, and who would have thought tablets would be all the rage? Game changing products can saturate, or substantially capture, a market.


Walt Disney once said that "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I agree that doing is better about 90% of the time. Sometimes the talking part is underestimated. I’m a proponent of the emerging User Experience (UX) and Customer Experience disciplines, which are more interested in talking before doing because ready-fire-aim isn’t always the best approach.

That said, action gets results. We love iterative development techniques like agile programming, which can be powerful if used properly. Having somewhat of a roadmap from talking is a key factor.


Zig Ziglar once said "If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I practice vision techniques all the time, something I learned when training for my first marathon. It certainly helps if you can visualize where you want to go, whether it’s in sports or in your start-up. I associate “getting there” with “winning”.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

I think too many firms are sales-driven rather that customer-driven. If you want to build evangelists among your customers, the most crucial thing to grow business is to deliver products and services that solve their pains. Sometimes that means foregoing early income while you build things or fix problems now. I’ve worked places where finding a client who would provide a reference wasn’t easy because the delivery wasn’t as promised during the sale. Eventually growth stops.



What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

Try to find a mentor, someone who has started a successful company. Learning from their experiences can prevent you from repeating history, at least in some areas. Any entrepreneur has to work hard and learn from mistakes, but avoiding mistakes in the first place will help you be more productive in the long term.



Company Description:

True Focus Solutions creates integrated business development software and offers professional services that enable consumer and business banks to manage marketing & sales, engage clients, and keep digital assets at their fingertips. By delivering tools that improve on marketing & sales workflows, our Rich Prospect Management (RPM) business development software suite can help True Focus Solutions’ customers increase revenue and contain costs.



Website:

http://www.truefocussolutions.com

Read More

Interview with David Nies

Since 2001, David has been successfully advancing his career on the selling side of the advertising desk. Having sold for daily newspapers, broadcast television, and regional radio markets he developed a sustained and strong sense of the traditional mediums. After some time spent on the buying, planning, and implementation side of the desk David was able to experience how and where the traditional advertising mediums could be improved. This background led to David and a business partner launching Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing, Inc. with offices in Jacksonville, FL and Denver, CO.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

I decided I wanted to be an entrepreneur after the debacle that was Enron, WorldCom, etc. I dreamed for years about climbing the ladder to a corner office, but seeing people lose all of their eggs from one basket falling changed that desire. From then on out, I decided I wanted to control my own destiny.


How did you know your business idea was the right idea?

Gut feelings led to the initial investigation: people use their phones more and more, period. Next, an in-depth business analysis proved revenue growth potential was there. Finally, I pulled from past experience, namely in radio advertising, to formulate a unique approach to molding mobile into the traditional advertising mediums for overall advertiser penetration and success.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

Helping advertisers through the learning curve! Mobile marketing very much was and is the Wild West. There is no standard method for pricing, for sending messages, for developing applications, or launching mobile banner ad campaigns. This makes it incredibly difficult for advertisers, who are already wearing ten hats, to understand and embrace mobile. For us, this meant a much longer sales cycle than is experience with traditional advertising.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Faith in your decisions is critical. In an industry that changes as rapidly as the mobile industry, it is easy to chase too many new products and lose focus. I am sure to always analyze all new opportunities but am careful to not pursue all of them and lose who and what we are.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

Showing our clients success! I originally got into advertising to actually make a difference and be creative, not to simply meet a budget and make commissions. I carry this passion through in what we do today and it motivates me everyday when we produce results.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Aversion to risk. There are many adjectives to describe entrepreneurs but I believe almost all stem from the willingness to lose big. Entrepreneurship isn’t gambling but the loss potential is much greater than working for someone else.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

Not anticipating the much longer sales cycle when we first started this business. It caused revenue to fall short of expectations. The lesson learned was how to shift budgeting, forecasting, and planning to embrace the longer sales cycle and still create a quality, relationship-based client base versus rushing the process.


Zig Ziglar once said "If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I believe this quote is true; the mind is a very powerful thing and it will do what we tell it. Belief in one’s self is critical to success. Another favorite is by Thomas Edison and it reads “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” These two quotes reference belief and action; those two combined are a recipe for success.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

The most crucial move we made was proper planning. Being an entrepreneurial spirit, I am inclined to act instantly. However, proper planning both laid the proper groundwork to being and also helped keep the business on the correct path during times of question.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

Begin your research, planning, and then act…today! There is no time like the present. The economy and politics will always be debatable and, as an entrepreneur, you will have to work through all of it. So get started today and make your plan a reality.



Company Description:

Ballyhoo is a leader in all things mobile: SMS campaign management, mobile application development, mobile website development, mobile banner ads, mobile search, and in-application ads. Since the inception of Ballyhoo Mobile Marketing in May 2008, the company has grown by 300% annually thanks to successful campaigns helping advertisers both measure the return on investment experienced with current advertising and develop new campaigns that reach more deeply into customer relationships through mobile marketing technology. Ballyhoo lives its goal every day by creating mobile marketing campaigns that blend perfectly with an advertiser's current marketing mix and strategy.



Company Website:

www.BallyhooMobile.com



Personal LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidnies

Read More

Interview with Gary Ong

I graduated with a diploma in electronics engineering but instead of sticking to my education discipline I wanted to join the media and advertising industry. After I graduated, I worked for a publishing firm handling advertising sales, it was here that I learn the ropes of publishing and have a taste of the advertising landscape.

I moved on to start Goda Media with another friend. Goda Media is an events and publishing company specializing in corporate events and custom publishing. In 2010, we registered a social enterprise called Cause Private Limited. Cause serves to provide an online platform to bring together people from different backgrounds with a common social change they wish to engage and rectify. The platform is still under development and should be launched by September 2010.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

I have always had a keen interest in business and entrepreneurship since young and thus I always read up on a lot of entrepreneur stories, innovative companies and well known business leaders. I guess it would be natural for me to try my hand in entrepreneurship eventually. The chance came when my friend invited me to start a new company, with each of us bringing together our own set of skills. I took the chance thinking I was young and had no major commitments, thus a lower risk involved.


What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?

I would say my favorite aspect would be the ability to put action to our ideas. The chance to be creative, to try new plans and to innovate. I find it difficult to have this amount of space when you are employed as there are always a set of rules, or a system you have to follow.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

The whole process of starting up is quite a challenge. The most difficult part I would feel is managing the financials and bringing in the business as a small company. Money is always the blood line of any company and we have to be very careful in how we spend and how we direct our resources for the optimum results. As a small company, you have to work doubly hard to bring in the contract instead of your competitors winning the business.


What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Leadership, daring initiative, strong business acumen and good knowledge of financials.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

Sense of responsibility and ownership drives me forward. The new challenges we face every day and the need to prove ourselves ensures we are always striving to better ourselves.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Complacency. I guess when you are working as an employee you tend to get comfortable with the job, with the pay and lose the instinct of survival. As an entrepreneur, you are always out there working hard and thinking out of the box to ensure your company survives and grow.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

A failed venture with another partner. I learned to be more careful and likewise to always look forward, we learn from our mistakes but we must always ensure we do not make old mistakes but rather new mistakes so the learning process continues.


Jack Welsh once said that "An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." What are your thoughts on that quote?

Jack Welsh is one of the business leader whom I always enjoy reading about. His turn around act of GE was phenomenal and inspirational. I agree with Jack Welsh that being adaptive is extremely important, as the business environment always changes and new competitors enter the industry, if you are slow to adapt and slow to notice where changes have to be made, prepare to lose your pie to companies that are able to maneuver faster and more effectively.


Greg Norman once said that “Our success is a direct result of knowing how to market a brand and having the right people representing the brand.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

Branding is important as once your brand is able to gain the mindshare of its consumers, you become recognizable and top of mind value. However, I feel branding is a factor of business and it is more important to first build a great product. An excellent example is Google, no branding campaigns, no marketing spent, no ambassadors.


Albert Einstein once said “I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.” What are your thoughts on what quote?

If no one takes chances or risk, where would we be right now? I once read this quote which I would always remember “If you risk nothing, you risk everything.”


Excluding yours, what business or company do you admire?

Google. From a simple idea to a great product. They maintained 2 focuses when they started out, product and customer and they just depended on that. Google basically went against the odds and change the way people ever searched for things.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

Willingness to seek advice. As a young entrepreneur, there is only so much I know and there are many other businessmen out there who has a lot of experience. So why take the risk to make mistakes when you can learn from the mistakes of others


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

Listen hard. Before you start your venture and during your venture, a lot of people would have a lot to say. Listen… they might know something you do not. Take it in and think carefully about what they say, process the information and decide if it is something you need or can work with. So listen and do not forget.

Along the way, you would also meet a lot of the naysayers, whose vision are not as far as yours and can only see their toes. Never ever let them put you down, listen, take it with a pinch of salt and remember you always knew what you wanted



Company Description:

Goda Media – Events and publishing company, specializing in corporate events and custom publishing. Cause Pte Ltd – Social enterprise serving to act as a centralized online platform to bring together different people with a common idea. Cause also provides an online store that sources products from different SEs all over the world.



Website:

www.godamedia.com
www.tocausechange.com

Read More

Interview with Mark Bailey

A former government speechwriter, comedian, and program director/radio DJ from the U.S, Mark moved to Japan in the 1990s and started off his entrepreneurial experience by writing, publishing, and selling his own textbook to English students and by teaching Japanese to foreigners in Japan. After he re-started his radio career in Japan, he started taking note of the needs of Japanese and foreign residents and founded businesses to cater to these needs. These businesses and those of other successful foreign entrepreneurs now employ thousands of successful foreign residents in Japan. Mark lives with his family in central Japan. He continues to write comedy, host and produce radio programs, and run his businesses, which support, consult and mentor budding entrepreneurs online and in the community.



When did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

I decided this when I was a teenager. I had lots of experience working in bad part-time jobs (fast food, sales training, supermarkets) working for ‘bosses’ who had little to no management skill or sometimes not even what I considered to be common sense and I didn’t like feeling powerless to affect their decisions when I disagreed. I knew that if this was the type of person who was likely to be my boss at a job, the only alternative would be for me to be my own boss. Many bosses in these fields get into that position by just being in the right place or because they are someone’s relative, so I knew that if I used my common sense and were my own boss, I would like work better if I were in control of it.



How did you know your business idea was the right idea?

I spent a long time looking for the right idea to pursue as my first venture, but by keeping my eyes open, the first idea came to me from potential clients who asked me to fulfill a demand that I was 90% sure I could handle by hiring just one or two other people as the demand increased. I had been at a personnel training agency when I was approached by several new business owners who wanted me to send myself or others to train workers. Since the demand for this service was high at the time, I was able to start my own agency doing it and stay on friendly terms with my former employer by helping him fill his orders as I filled my own orders. That former employer is now a valued client of mine.


What was the most difficult part in getting started?

The most difficult part was learning how to manage time effectively via phone and email use, which can take up an inordinate amount of a beginning entrepreneur’s time. It was also a challenge to resist the urge to set up an office, secretary, and furnishings before profits warranted it. I strongly urge start-up entrepreneurs to avoid these huge expenses until after they have made enough money in orders and contract commitments to pay for most of it from profit. Operate out of your home or hotel lobbies until your profit pays for the office.



What is the top skill (or skills) needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

If we could read the minds of applicants, clients, customers and your competition, that would be the most valuable skill, but since we can’t, reading someone’s behavior and learning to predict with good accuracy what they will do before they do it, will help you anticipate employees quitting on you, dissatisfied clients, or competitors trying to get a jump on you. Once you have been burned a few times, you start to learn to listen to your gut feelings and trust them more than when you start out. This ability will allow you to anticipate the future and develop contingency plans for potential problems. A lot of unforeseen events that I have witnessed were with hindsight, fairly predictable.


What motivates you and/or keeps you motivated?

My motivation is to improve and tweak the systems I have in place that allow residual income to flow from the businesses. The key to this is pleasing clients and multiplying our base of satisfied clients, because a business with a large satisfied-client base can run like a well-oiled machine, and this means a constant, steady stream of profits for us in return for keeping the machine oiled (with client service and maintenance). It sounds like we are running a factory, but this philosophy works especially well in the service sectors.


What do you think is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?

Entrepreneurs need to have a lot more self-motivation and confidence than other workers need. It’s absolutely necessary as an entrepreneur whereas it isn’t essential for a company worker. People who work for someone else often have a hunch that they could do something as well or better than their manager(s) can. Entrepreneurs have some incentive that forces or leads them to follow up on that hunch. You’ll never know if you could have done it unless you try it (after doing prudent research). However, my hard rule is to make sure not to build it assuming customers will come. As in the movie Field of Dreams, my rule is the reverse of that film’s motto: If they come, build it (a bit at a time). Use your profit from the first orders to re-invest into your start-up, so that in case things don’t go as well as you hoped, you have put a minimum of your own savings into it.


What has been one of your failures, and what have you learned from it?

I assumed there was a demand for something when there wasn’t, and neglected to properly research the field. If I had done some preliminary and inexpensive research, I would have quickly found that there was not sufficient demand to warrant a business in this field (music promotion) at that time. In this same endeavor, I also decided on a business partner first instead of letting the business demands naturally select a more suitable partner, and filter out unqualified partners or partners with vastly different philosophies than mine. Had I done these things properly, I would have saved a lot of time and money. I eventually followed my intuition and closed down the time-consuming proposition, but had I followed my gut feeling at the start, I would have never started down this particular road.


Henry Ford once said that "A market is never saturated with a good product, but it is very quickly saturated with a bad one." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I agree with that because I think that if you as an entrepreneur can solve someone else’s problem, there will always be a market for you, and a steady stream of clients knocking on your door. Every service and product that succeeds follows this rule.


Walt Disney once said that "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." What are your thoughts on that quote?

Absolutely true, one of the things I quickly learned in using time effectively is to avoid the talkers and surround myself with the doers. The talkers will take all of your time and energy and you will end up with no time and no results. Unfortunately, I have met a preponderance of talkers like this when I recruit for my businesses. I have several assistants now whose sole duty is to filter out the all hat no cattle applicants so that I don’t waste time meeting with people who won’t be able to add value to our businesses. An example of this in my experience is the number of people who exaggerate or lie about their foreign language ability. This is something that you can’t fake because when I put you in a room with a Japanese client and ask you to interpret, it will be clear in a few seconds that you have no credibility in that skill. I guess some people get away with faking accounting or management skills, but foreign language skills are not something you should lie about as it puts every other fact on your CV in question and it ends up wasting a recruiter/employer’s time, which is a cardinal sin to those of us who have little time to start with.


Zig Ziglar once said "If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner." What are your thoughts on that quote?

I think it’s absolutely valuable advice. I usually put it in terms of people that you associate with. I have a negative friend and I have mostly positive friends. With my negative friend, we have fun complaining about annoyances but I never mention my ideas, dreams or marketing ideas for fear of having them shot down where they will die before being tried. It’s important to tell yourself what you’ve done right and what you have learned so that you can duplicate the process multiple times.


What was the most crucial thing you have done to grow your business?

We try not to say no to a client until we have tried out all scenarios of filling their need, even if that means changing company policy. I think the fact that we learned how to be flexible in filling client requests and demands, has distinguished us from our competition. There are a lot of businesses set in their ways that aren’t willing to change a long-standing rule in order to secure a client contract. That creates an opening, which we call an opportunity, and an opportunity is a chance to secure a new client. Learning to try and fill the client’s request instead of refusing to do it on principle has gained us clients that our competition practically gave to us by being inflexible. I’m not talking about blindly agreeing to anything a client says, but for example if they want a recruit to be available at 3am on Sundays and your competitors say no, you can say yes and charge a premium because the client will be happy that you are there for them.


What advice would you give an entrepreneur who is just starting out?

You have to protect your dream from negative voices, whether it be your own, or that of your family and friends. Identify those who could squash your dream before it has a chance to be tried out, and protect your dream from those people until you can decide what to do about it based on the merits of the idea and solid market research, not on what someone close to you thinks about a product or service that they know very little about. The other piece of advice is to practice learning how to always try to solve someone’s problem. Do that repeatedly and you will have yourself a viable business and clients knocking on your door.



Company Description:

We run a recruiting and talent agency for Japanese media, education, and service sectors, and also provide Japanese language support and tutoring for students of the Japanese and English languages. We also provide support, logistics, and development tools for tourists and foreign residents in Japan and on the web, such as bicycle rental, translation, job placement, and language tutorials.



Website:

www.minatobridal.com
www.startabusinessinjapan.com
www.rentabikejapan.com
www.peaceenglish.com
www.shortcutstojapanese.com

Read More