Eric-Theodore Yepao is the CEO and founder of Nordland Holding Europe GmbH, a company that creates private cities. A private city offers residents the basic services of a state within a defined territory with all rights and obligations being defined by contractual obligations. Currently, he has dealings all over the world including cities like Paris, France.

Eric-Theodore attended Harvard University and became involved in investment banking. He felt disillusioned with investing in countries that violated human rights or in companies that did not give back to the communities where it is present. He then became passionate about corporate responsibility. Eric-Theodore believes strongly that businesses have to play a role in society for the wellbeing of all stakeholders, typically the employees themselves, but also the community where the business is.

Where did the idea for Nordland Holding Europe GmbH come from?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I have been an investor for a while, and I was thinking of how we could do business differently in order to change the world for the better. I think businesses should have a human face. I think we should have a long-term strategy in business to act in a responsible way towards the community.

Previously when I was an investor at various companies, I felt there was too much focus on making a quick profit. There are more important things to consider. As a socially responsible investor, I will not invest in countries that violate human rights. I will not invest in companies that are using child labor. I also will not invest in polluting industries. Businesses do have the power to change the world and improve it. They can improve the well-being of their employees and of the areas where they are present.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I awake very early in the morning, about 4:30 to 5:00 am. I like learning all the time- doing searches, reading the news, and finding out what is going on in any corner of the world. Whether it is politically, economically, or culturally, I like learning and doing searches. I am very passionate about discovering new things. When I get all this information, after all of the searches, I ask, what can I do to improve a business and how can my business have a positive impact on the community where I am present.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I’m passionate about putting ideas into practice. I always try. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail. Even if an idea fails, it is not the end of the world. I will be learning from the mistake and I will try again, but this time without the mistake.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: Every trend is exciting to me because I am a very opened minded person. I am not an egocentric person that focuses on one field. I am open to many fields. I will learn something from any field. I consider any sources. A very important trend is curiosity, searching, learning, discovering, and trying.

In many businesses, there is a lack of innovation and passion. Many businesses are following each other. Today there are very few true entrepreneurs. Many people set up businesses without being passionate about it. They might go into an area because it seems fashionable.

I am the opposite because I am an entrepreneur. I am willing to try anything, any ventures, and put new ideas into practice. I always try to be a disruptor.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: My habit is to always work and always be learning. Learning is the key to everything, learning about our own business fields, learning about our environment, learning about our partners- simply learning all the time.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I would advise my younger self to be open-minded and curious. Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to move outside of your comfort zone.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I believe in freedom of mind. I don’t believe in something just because it comes from an authority. Of course, I do not agree with rebellion, but I always encourage people to think outside the box, stand out from the crowd, and think for themselves. People often disagree with me on this and think I should follow the trends or more accepted ways of doing things.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: Entrepreneurs have to believe in what they do and to be truly passionate and optimistic. Believing in yourself, not giving up, and being persistent is very important.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I am someone who likes communicating with people. Communication, constant learning, and innovating are all things that have helped me to grow my business.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I can look back now and see that early in my career, I was naïve, unprepared, and even at times immature. I was setting up hedge funds in technology companies, especially in ecommerce, around the time of the DotCom Bubble. Stock prices were rising. We did not really check the viability of some of those stocks and do the proper due diligence. We were following along, like sheep, without thinking. Unfortunately, April 2000 was the end of the DotCom Bubble, and there was a crash on the stock exchange. But of course, I have learned from my early mistakes and my experience. I do not just blindly follow the crowd anymore. It is important to make your own assessment. I will not rely only on advisors or experts without checking things myself or doing my own inquires.

The most important thing is not being scared to make a mistake. Trying and making a mistake is a blessing because we learn from our mistakes. The worst thing is to make a mistake and not learn from it.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: The concept being advanced by my company is the establishment of private cities. My company specializes in developing private cities. If you look at what is going on around the world in public cities, there is a low quality of life. There are issues with crime. People are getting depressed in the big cities around the world. Private cities offer a higher quality of life for their residents, freedom, privacy, and safety.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: When I was in England, I was able to buy some old stamps dating back to the time of King George. I bought them for the equivalent of $100, but it turned out they were worth over $4,000.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: Wikipedia is a mine of knowledge in so many areas, and it is a great place to start researching.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: I recommend The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu was a Chinese strategist 3,000 years ago. It describes how to win a war without using force. Instead, he focuses on using a strategy of charm and disarming your opponents. It is the ancestor of what we call today “soft power.”

What is your favorite quote?

Eric-Theodore Yepao: “Knowledge is power.”

Key Learnings:

Eric-Theodore Yepao:

• Learning is very important.
• Be curious.
• Stay open-minded and innovative.

The post Interview with Eric-Theodore Yepao, Founder of Nordland Holding Europe GmbH first appeared on Tekrati and is written by admin

Haroldo Jacobovicz is an entrepreneur and civil engineer, who has a passion for information technology. He is also the founder of e-Governe Group, Horizons Telecom, and Horizons Datacenter. These companies were developed to bring together the best strategic resources, human talent, and technical expertise to help solve information technology problems using the most innovative solutions available. The impact of these companies, in both the private and the public sector, has been instrumental in transforming markets all over Brazil. Horizons boasts a 100% fiber network, multi-point redundancy and the most advanced equipment available anywhere on the market. It’s grown from its founding in 2010 to become one of the most respected telecommunications suppliers in Brazil. This led to the launch of Horizons Datacenter in 2020, an extension of the Horizons Telecom mission to bring cloud capabilities, connectivity, and more to organizations everywhere.

Haroldo Jacobovicz was born in Brazil to two civil engineers. His mother, Sarita, was only the seventh female civil engineer in her state at the time, and Haroldo was inspired as he watched her and his father create value and physical structures where once there had been nothing. While he initially followed directly in their footsteps, attending four and a half years of civil engineering school at the Federal University of Paraná, he eventually found that he was more interested in emerging information technologies. He then saw his parents as more spiritual inspirations, inspiring him not to follow directly in their footsteps but instead to follow their vision of creating something from nothing in order to serve the greater good.

With a curiosity about the transformative innovations that shape the world, Haroldo began reading everything he could get his hands on about the future of technology in newspapers and magazines. Meanwhile, he recognized that while luck was an important factor in business, hard work and well-developed talent were essential for creating something lasting. He didn’t waste any time diving into the world of information technology, convincing three friends with deep knowledge in that field to form a company called Microsystem just before they all graduated. While their product, a solution designed to help businesses automate their inventory and cash management, would be widely used in today’s world, at the time it fell on deaf ears not yet ready to adjust to the future of automation. Microsystem would close down just a year later. But this early failure had no negative effects on Haroldo’s vision. If anything, he felt even more sure that while the world at large may not be ready to accept the future of information technology at the time, a day would soon come when it would shape the entire world.

In fact, Haroldo quickly found that the small businesses he was pitching on automation were the wrong audience. Larger corporations were already seeing the writing on the wall when it came to the future potential for these technologies, and Exxon Mobil (then known as Esso) saw massive potential in the ideas of this Brazilian engineer. They hired him from a group of over 200 engineers and he quickly rose through the ranks to become a market analyst and head of commercial tactics and new business at the company’s Brazilian headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

But Haroldo’s dreams always lay in entrepreneurship, and he knew that there was even more he could be doing to usher in the future of technology. This eventually led to the founding of e-Governe, Horizons Telecom and its companion businesses, which Haroldo continues to help lead into the future to this day. In this interview, learn about what inspires and motivates Haroldo and how he continues to innovate after over 30 years in the business of IT and entrepreneurship.

Where did the idea for Horizons Telecom come from?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: When I was still in college, I started a company called Microsystem with three friends who had deep knowledge of the Information Technology field. It was designed to help businesses improve and simplify their inventory management and other tasks with automation. It ultimately failed because the small companies we were pitching weren’t ready for it. But I still believed that there was a future in innovative computing and IT work. I didn’t want to give up.

My career took lots of curving paths from that point, but they eventually led me to develop business in the software for management segment focusing on public agencies for 20 years. When I figured out that the quality of these services were impacted by the quality of the internet and the telecommunications networks, that was the very beginning of my work launching Horizons Telecom.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: For me, creating effective habits is one of the most important things. Being present in what I do is fundamental. A productive day is one in which I dedicate my full attention to everything that occurs from sunrise to sunset. I wake up at six in the morning and connect with my body through a series of physical exercises. Then, I have a light meal and read the most recent news from newspapers and magazines on my tablet. Next, I’ll take a shower so I’m ready to go to the office. The routine of decision making, phone calls and meetings normally continues throughout the morning and afternoon. But it is at lunchtime that I get to have the best conversations with the team. I always like to invite someone to lunch in order to create closeness, to get to know more about their life outside the company, such as their family and hobbies. In a relaxed chat, many innovative ideas and projects also emerge.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: I tend to be intuitive by nature – there are things that catch my attention without much rational explanation. I just see potential. When that happens, I look for people who are in the business to help me understand better, contribute ideas and get involved. In general, these are projects related to technology and civil construction, which I know best.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: In college, I read a thesis that pointed out the way of providing services with monthly fees as the most promising business model of the future. The author, Morris-West said that selling meant having only one-on-one contact with the customer – the thing was to keep the link for as long as possible. We can all see now how prophetic that message was for the business world today. Today I see technology giants like Microsoft and Amazon moving towards the monthly fee model. I believe it is beneficial for those who provide the service and for those who use it: the provider needs to maintain the quality of delivery and the customer only continues to use the service as long as he or she is satisfied. Everyone wins.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: I read, read, read. While I do love great books, what I read tends to be the most up-to-the-minute magazines, newspapers, and journals surrounding my industry and the world in general. I’m a huge believer in staying constantly informed and learning as much as you can about the world as it is now. I believe my habit of voraciously reading everything I can get my hands on in terms of relevant magazines and newspapers is one of the secret weapons that’s been able to help me have a very successful career as an entrepreneur and businessperson.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: I would tell him to study more. When I left college, being the eldest of four brothers, I felt pressure to make money soon, to start working. So, I prioritized this and stopped spending the time necessary to continue studying. Today, I see that I could have done both and that ideas for business models would probably arise while working or inside a school. I would also encourage myself to earn an MBA abroad and learn different languages. Besides English, I would say something less obvious like Arabic, for example.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Haroldo Jacobovicz: I only consider a person as “practicing a sport” if that activity is frequent, regulated, has defined objectives and continued evolution. People play football, tennis or cycle on the weekend and say they are playing a sport. That is not a sport, that is a hobby, a recreation, or a pastime.

A real tennis player sees the sport as a metric to achieving high performance. It is the exercises of strength, conditioning, sweat and focus that is required to perfect technique and make a real tennis sportsman. The game itself only shows its good conditioning and technique. To achieve high performance, it is necessary to establish goals, define strategies, focus and dedication. The same goes for business.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: Everyday I wake up at 6 am and do an hour of physical activity in the building’s gym, with a personal trainer. I am disciplined, I follow the training logic and the results achieved to have positive reflexes in health and disposition. This is one thing that I know for sure has a deep impact on my daily energy and disposition to go through a busy day.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: I made sure that I knew what I was doing as much as possible before I dived into the business. Obviously, you can never predict exactly what will happen, and there’s a lot of learning that happens as you go. But the fact that I was able to make some mistakes and learn with them at the very beginning of my career, having experience in big companies – private and public ones – before flying by my own helped me grow the business at a good rate rather than facing more stumbles than necessary early on.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: When Microsystem failed, I wanted to make sure I learned the right lesson from it. Sometimes we learn the wrong lessons from our failures and successes, and it derails our progress. What I learned from Microsystem wasn’t that what I was offering didn’t have value, it was that I would have to find the right audience who was ready to appreciate it. We learned that small businesses weren’t ready, but large enterprises were. That was how I ended up at ExxonMobil initially.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: The membership model is what I always advise entrepreneurs to look at. Ongoing revenue, ongoing engagement with your customer base. I don’t give specific advice about what businesspeople should go into, because it’s so personal to their interests and skills, but I always say that they should start with a membership-based pricing model.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: My daughters convinced me to adopt a dog named Nahla, a caramel SharPei dog, who is super docile and sweet. Dogs reinforce fundamental values like loyalty, companionship and respect. In a strange way, they make you want to be better in your life, more genuine, more compassionate. The whole family loves dogs and we have already adopted some mutts, too. Sometimes we help to find a new home for abandoned puppies. The money we spend caring for these dogs is always worthwhile.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: Horizons Data Center technologies! In a sense it’s the tool that makes me more productive than anything else. I use it to help transform the world. Does that count?

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: It’s not technically a book depending on how you define a book, but in college I read a thesis that pointed out the way of providing services with monthly fees as the most promising business model of the future. The author, Morris-West, said that selling meant having only one-on-one contact with the customer – the thing was to keep the link for as long as possible. We can all see now how prophetic that message was for the business world today. Today I see technology giants like Microsoft and Amazon moving towards the monthly fee model. I believe it is beneficial for those who provide the service and for those who use it: the provider needs to maintain the quality of delivery and the customer only continues to use the service as long as he or she is satisfied. Everyone wins.

What is your favorite quote?

Haroldo Jacobovicz: It’s hard to name just one, but one of my favorites is: “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” It’s commonly cited, but it’s just so meaningful to me because of what I’ve seen in my life. My mother, for example, was one of the very first female civil engineers in our state. She faced all kinds of challenges, obstacles, unfair disadvantages that had nothing to do with her talent or hard work. She just kept going. Kept working. Kept at it. That has been one of my greatest inspirations, and it’s also keen business advice. The companies that succeed are those that keep trying after the others have given up.

Key Learnings:

Haroldo Jacobovicz:

• Staying up to date on the most current journals, newspapers, and magazines is an essential way to inspire innovation, follow the trends that are shaping the world, and spark creative solutions to problems that are affecting people and businesses around the globe.
• It takes a combination of hard work, talent, and luck to succeed. Luck can’t be created out of thin air, but it can be encouraged by putting yourself in the right place at the right time.
• Perseverance is an essential skill in business and life. Those that succeed are the ones who are willing to keep trying after others give up.

Originally published on Ideamensch.com

The post Interview with Haroldo Jacobovicz, Founder of Horizons Telecom first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Total Home Protection greets the new year with us today by telling us what they have planned! With the news coming straight to you from the CEO of Total Home Protection himself, David Seruya.

Hello, thank you very much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you? And, when did you decide to get into the home warranty industry?

David Seruya: Hello, my name is David Seruya. I’m the Founder and CEO of Total Home Protection, a home warranty company based in New Jersey.

Before I worked on Total Home Protection (THP) though, I was a mortgage broker at an NYC firm called Universal Mortgage. I think I was about 21 years old, or thereabouts, by the time I decided I wasn’t really the type of guy that was going to be content just working under someone else. Which is what led me to start my own business, and later, to founding THP.

How was 2020 for you? Were there any big changes in how you did business at THP?

David Seruya: 2020 was a big year for us when it came to reducing our labor costs and improving our telephone hold times. I’m sure that’s something a lot of other people had to deal with as well, what with COVID and the high unemployment rates that came along with it.

Fortunately for us, we got an early start with our newly developed AI-based CRM platform, but, even so, it was evident that automation was something that we had to integrate more into what we do.

What guiding principle will be guiding you for 2021?

David Seruya: Our focus for this year is to do our best to make the customer journey as smooth and as pleasant for our customers as possible.

And how do you plan to make sure that you’re staying true to this principle?

David Seruya: We plan to continue developing our process to include more automation. Until we can come to the point where we can confidently say that we’ve automated as much of the Customer Journey as possible — without sacrificing our quality of service.

And finally, do you have any last-minute advice for other business owners who may be experiencing the same growing pains as you are with THP?

David Seruya: Don’t rush. It’s tempting to put things out there, but don’t make any changes that you aren’t comfortable with or that you haven’t tested. Tests are meant to improve upon things, after all. So, skipping that part of the process will only result in more issues for you in the future. And, during times like these? It’s all the more crucial that you avoid those issues.

The post David Seruya | What’s Next for Total Home Protection? first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Olivia Summerhill, the founder of Summerhill Wealth Management, works exclusively with affluent women, protecting their lifestyle throughout the divorce process. Olivia works closely with her clients’ divorce mediators to negotiate the most advantageous settlements.

After the divorce finalization, Olivia uses her knowledge of behavioral finance to work with her clients on topics relating to a divorce’s impact. Specifically, on psychological behaviors such as self-awareness, money patterns, and effective financial decision-making, her female clients can control and maintain their living standards.

Olivia is one of few financial professionals to hold Certified Financial Planner, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Behavioral Financial Advising credentials.

Where did the idea for Summerhill Wealth Management come from?

Olivia Summerhill: After numerous women came to me for help with financial plans post-divorce, I realized they needed someone in the financial field to help them during the divorce process. They needed someone to prepare them for the real world when they were on their own financially post-divorce. They also needed someone to be their financial ally and powerhouse, so they did not get taken advantage of during the divorce process. I did my research and discovered that nobody was indeed doing this niche in the financial industry. I focused on ultra-high net worth women because I can relate, make them feel comfortable, and am good at understanding their complex needs.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Olivia Summerhill: I focus on what matters and stay productive by being proactive with my time daily. I always make the workday productive by keeping all distractions on low or off and have found it calming to keep them off during the weekends.

Every day, I wake up at 4 am to work out and eat a healthy breakfast. Then I fill out my gratitude journal and read around 30 minutes on a business topic. About 8 am, I look at my day and focus on work in my home office. I take short breaks often, use a stand-up desk, always have lunch, and take time to walk the dog. I typically work until 4 pm and then have a volunteer or board meeting in the evening. I usually eat around 6 pm and am in bed by 8:30 pm.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Olivia Summerhill: I bring them to life by taking action on the idea. For example, recently, I was running and thought about how fun it would be to start a charity that raised money while I was running. I researched and talked with the right people and now am collaborating with Ironman Foundation. Every dollar I raise while training for my first Ironman goes directly to Savvy Ladies, a non-profit that has financial resources for women. Having that idea and taking action allowed me to incorporate my personal and business brand.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Olivia Summerhill: Working remotely and virtually connecting! I have been using video conferences for a few years and working remotely on and off for years. Glad that everyone else is seeing it as standard.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Olivia Summerhill: Getting up early and not making any excuses for going to bed early. I wake refreshed and avoid making bad choices at night when my willpower is low.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Olivia Summerhill: Never think that being so driven and unique compared to your peers is a bad thing.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Olivia Summerhill: Financial planning is simple, and everyone can quickly grasp it if they start slow.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Olivia Summerhill: Be selfish with your time. Even when I am giving my time away, I always volunteer my time to causes I care about deeply.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Olivia Summerhill: Sticking with my brand and not taking on business unless it was a good fit. If someone comes to me looking for financial investment advice, I will refer them to a financial advisor. I only focus on finances within high net worth women and divorce.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Olivia Summerhill: I did not know how to create a website and market my brand using social media. I overcame it by reading as much as I could on the subject, interviewing plenty of firms that could help and comparing what they said, and going with my gut. Sometimes you have to spend money on something you do not know, and sometimes it is best to learn and do it yourself. I eventually hired a marketing firm to help but knew a great deal about the topic, which lead to making informed marketing decisions.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Olivia Summerhill: Creating a stroller that does not need you to push, it will automatically register you slowing down or speeding up.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Olivia Summerhill: Yesterday I bought a few new books on habits, success principles, and business. I will never know enough and always am looking for what others have done better!

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Olivia Summerhill: Grammarly software allows me to quickly check my emails, newsletters, interviews, and more for grammatical mistakes. It automatically is connected to my email, and I run everything else through the app to make sure I am keeping my punctuation and wording in check.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Olivia Summerhill: Jack Canfield’s Success Principles book is all about not making excuses, taking 100% responsibility for your actions, and never giving up. Everyone should read this to learn more about themselves and how they can improve their life, no matter where they are financially or emotionally.

What is your favorite quote?

Olivia Summerhill: Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing. -Denis Waitley.

Key Learnings:

Olivia Summerhill:

• Be selfish with your time
• Stick with your brand
• Get up early
• Do not make excuses
• Learn from others

Originally published on Ideamensch.com

The post Interview with Olivia Summerhill, Founder of Summerhill Wealth Management first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Luke Battiloro is no stranger to outrageous achievements, and today, we will be learning how to build a successful business in the midst of the economic uncertainty that was 2020
Luke Battiloro took on the challenge of being one of the first people to sell alcohol online and managed to come up on top! Leaving any of his potential competitors back in the dust and marveling at his triumphs.

So, make sure to stick around till the end and learn a little as Luke Battiloro shares his hard-won strategies for building a successful e-commerce business in 2021.

Hello! Please tell us a little bit about yourself to start us off.

Luke Battiloro: Hello. My name is Luke Battiloro. I’m the founder and CEO of Vavoom Vodka, which is a Vodka brand that is on the higher end of the spectrum.

Before I got into alcohol, I was pretty deep into other industries though. The first thing that comes to mind were dietary supplements, which were all the rage back in the early 2010s. And another big one would be CBD, which me and a close friend of mine got heavily involved with back before it was ever even popularized.

Can you tell us a little bit about Vavoom Vodka?

Luke Battiloro: Well, if we’re talking about the nitty-gritty. We developed Vavoom Vodka with the word beauty in mind — and all the connotations that word is associated with. This meant that we made sure to use only the highest ingredients to produce one of the smoothest Vodkas available in the market today. Along with specially handcrafted glass bottles from Milan that we chose to really push that image of ‘beauty’ and grace that we were looking for.

A message that goes hand in hand with the movement that our company is passionate about. Which is encouraging and empowering people to become more ‘beautiful’ — whatever that may mean for them.

Okay, now turning towards more technical aspects for a bit. Can you tell us a little bit about how you’ve built a successful e-commerce business?

Luke Battiloro: When it comes to e-commerce businesses, one of the more important things is definitely marketing. That’s pretty straightforward. You can have the best of everything, but if there’s no one looking for it, then you better believe that you’re not going to be selling anything. This is one of the things that I’ve always prioritized, especially as someone who used to work strictly as a marketing producer — creating leads for other businesses. For that, finding the right sales channel is another thing that you keep an eye on. You can probably expect some level of success by marketing your products through as many channels as you can. But some sales channels definitely deserve a little bit more attention based on how well it’s doing.

Also, make sure that you’re prepared when the customers start coming. Customer Service can really make or break your e-commerce business, so make the preparations needed to meet their expectations. And, above all else, try to set up achievable goals. Don’t stress yourself out too much — try to stick to what is realistic in terms of revenue and your total business structure.

What aspects of your e-commerce business did you find yourself prioritizing last year? And, how has that changed your plans moving forward?

Luke Battiloro: Last year, with COVID and all the repercussions that came along with it, being able to ship goods was one of the biggest challenges that many companies in the alcohol industry dealt with. Suffice to say, it had almost everyone struggling. Not just when it came to delivery speed but also in making sure that all packages were insured for up sales.

The big e-commerce companies didn’t make things any easier on us either. With Amazon and Amazon Prime, people got used to things like next-day shipping and they were not happy about having to wait 7-10 days to get what they ordered. New Direct-To-Consumer companies have been cropping up in China as well, selling things at incredibly cheap prices, which some customers go for, despite the 2-3 weeks shipping delay. So, like an e-commerce business in the midst of 2020, you had to balance both of those things — providing quality products at a good cost and shipping them express —to make it out on top.

What is one tool that you think that those just getting started with their own e-commerce business should use?

Luke Battiloro: Shopify is a good one. Especially if you’re looking to get the ball rolling. That may sound a bit biased coming from a Shopify partner, but I don’t know that there are many who can argue against my reasoning in this case. Shopify is undeniably one of the best software for building up an e-commerce business on your own, after all. It’s highly intuitive and highly effective.

What marketing tactics have you been using lately to increase your conversion rates?

Luke Battiloro: For my business, I’ve found that creating urgency has been highly effective at getting us sales. Because our Vodka is on the higher-end, price is definitely one of those things that our customers are concerned about. And, with quick flash sales that are over in two to three hours, we’ve been able to entice a lot of customers that may be a little hesitant in making a purchase.

How about brand reputation? How have you built up your brand to be one that your customers can trust?

Luke Battiloro: Ah, this one is definitely all down to customer service and reviews. Reviews for getting the customers foot in the door, and excellent customer service for making sure that they actually stay with you.

And for our last question of the advice section, what is one thing that you’ve learned recently that you think that other e-commerce brands may find helpful?

Luke Battiloro: Don’t forget the little guy! I think it’s easy to get lost in the promise of those big agencies, with their guarantees and their long work histories. But, they’re not going to be able to do everything for you. And as a third-party entity, remember that they will never truly be working 100% for your interest. So, don’t forget the people that are actually on your side. The people that have been working with you this whole time, and who stand to benefit from all your victories — not just theirs, like most agencies prioritize.

Thank you very much for joining us for this interview! Before we end things though, should any of our readers be interested in learning more about you, where would they be able to find you?

Luke Battiloro: While I’m not the most active in social media. I do have an Instagram account that I keep up to date with stories and the like. It’s just as much for me as it is for the people who want to know the man working behind-the-scenes. So, if you want to check it out, just look up @lukebattiloro on Instagram!

The post Luke Battiloro on Building a Successful E-Commerce Business in 2021 first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Brian Mingham is the Founder and CEO of CFSI Loan Management, Brian is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Brian provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of CFSI Loan Management.
Brian Mingham joins other leading Bestselling Authors, International Speakers & Entrepreneur, CEOs and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Brian join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.

Let us start by telling us about your business.

Brian Mingham: CFSI Loan Management is a risk mitigation and portfolio management company specializing in construction loan management. Our company helps lenders reduce construction loan risk on residential, commercial, and multi-family properties for conventional, warehouse, SBA, and commercial lenders. We work with large and small financial institutions as well as commercial lenders to protect our clients’ interests throughout the entire construction loan phase. Our goal throughout this process is to provide industry best practices and risk mitigation procedures to monitor construction projects. Some of the primary services include contractor and project reviews, funds control, draw inspections, and portfolio audits.

We also review project feasibility and can confirm a contractor’s ability to complete a project. Our company will initiate a comprehensive review of a contractor’s qualifications to ensure that they can complete the planned asset on time and within budget.

Please tell us how you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?

Brian Mingham: Every interaction is built on integrity. We have a high-touch, customer-centric approach which allows lenders to concentrate on originating construction loans while CFSI manages the construction phase from beginning to end. Our primary goal is to ensure that our clients receive the best and quickest service possible. At the core of CFSI, we focus on people, standards, and service, all of which focus on improving the client experience.
We manage everything so that our clients don’t have to. As a detail-oriented team, our clients appreciate that we go above and beyond their expectations.

Please tell us the one thing that separates your business from the competition.

Brian Mingham: Our company stands out from the competition due to our diligence, attention to detail, and unbeatable industry knowledge. There is no single company that stacks up against CFSI. CFSI hires and trains the best people and inspectors in the business—our people make our business great. We have a strict vendor selection criterion, and a formal due diligence process that helps us to manage quality while ensuring our clients receive the best and quickest service possible.
From managing the construction budget to reviewing project feasibility, our team is dedicated, focused, and passionate about what we do, and that is what separates us from the competition.

And to finish this section, please tell us what the one major key to your company’s success is?

Brian Mingham: We have incredibly high standards in the way we conduct business and interact with clients. If there is an opportunity to go above and beyond, we go above and beyond—no questions asked. Since I founded the company in 2012, our clients have always come first.

For our readers just starting to build a company, what advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?

Brian Mingham: First and foremost, find a mentor. I have met too many entrepreneurs who try to ‘go it alone’ when they don’t have to. Entrepreneurship is a road well-traveled, and there are hundreds of thousands of people willing to pass on valuable industry knowledge to an ambitious business owner. There is no golden formula for entrepreneurship, especially considering the diversity of businesses, products, and services out there. So having someone you can speak to when you run into problems, need to scale, or are looking for a network connection, is priceless.

Second, be patient. There is a common misconception that building, growing, and scaling a business overnight makes it a success—it doesn’t. A business is like a pyramid, the hardest part is building the foundation. If you get the foundation wrong, you will be unlikely to grow your business.
Lastly, remain open-minded. When you start a new business, you likely have an idea or vision about where you want to be, and how you’re going to get there. My best advice? Be stubborn about your goals but be flexible about your methods. Starting a new business will throw challenges at you that you could not have imagined, so be willing to adjust your plans accordingly to achieve the same outcome.

For entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what big piece of advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?

Brian Mingham: Remember that it is the only failure if you give up. We all face challenges as entrepreneurs, but it is our resilience that makes us successful. If you keep an open mind, you will find opportunities at every turn. The key is not to focus on problems, but rather, to come up with solutions as quickly as possible. Give yourself space and time to reflect upon the problem, but not so long that it paralyzes you from acting.
Secondly, you have to take care of yourself even when your business is struggling, because if you don’t you will eventually burn out. Take breaks and allow yourself to re-evaluate whether where you are is working for you. Sometimes we get so caught up in meetings, phone calls, site visits that we forget to manage a focused vision of the future. Your job, as a business leader, is to remain agile, flexible, and always focused on your future trajectory.

In today’s fast-changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?

Brian Mingham: If you’re constantly seeking new information, you will always be behind. My best advice is to sign up for e-mail newsletters relevant to your industry and put time aside every morning, afternoon, or evening to read through that content. This is a simple hack to stay on top of what is happening without having to put in too much effort.
Another great way to stay on top of your industry is to network with other professionals with similar interests. Organize monthly ‘information sessions’ where you share new information, technologies, and resources to help one another stay abreast of things. Not only does this allow you to stay ahead of the game, but it allows you to continually build and strengthen your network.
Lastly, sign up for seminars, workshops, and conferences whenever you can. If you can’t attend due to other commitments, consider sending a dedicated employee in your place who can diligently report back anything you might need to know.

What is your “Why”? In one sentence, why do you get up in the morning?

Brian Mingham: My ‘why’ is to help others reduce their risk and build safe and connected communities. At CFSI Loan management, our primary goal is to help lenders reduce risk related to construction projects nationwide. But what we really do is help other people achieve their dreams by ensuring that construction projects run smoothly from start to finish. Our clients are passionate about their projects, and it is a joy to aid in bringing them to life.

In one sentence, what is the most important thing one has to do to be a great leader?

Brian Mingham: If you want to be a great leader, you need to be open-minded’. Leaders who refuse to see other viewpoints or perspectives are unlikely to motivate inspired teams. No matter how long you’ve been in business, who you know, or what you have accomplished, if you do not have an open mind your business will eventually stagnate.

Being open-minded means adapting to the needs of your team, it means looking for solutions rather than focusing on problems, and it means no idea is inherently a ‘bad idea’. This is the mentality that allows my team to experiment, use their intuition, and act in a way that feels right to them.

In one sentence, describe how important your customers are to your business?

Brian Mingham: No matter what business you are in, you do not have a business if you do not satisfy your customer’. From ideation to planning and execution, if your customer’s needs are not being met, you do not have a business. When entrepreneurs come to me with their ideas, the first thing I ask is ‘Who is your target demographic/ customer/ audience?’. This is the first question that every business owner should know the answer to, otherwise, they don’t have a business.

In one sentence, describe a positive way that technology can make the world a better place?

Brian Mingham: Technology can make the world a better place by connecting us to different ideas, cultures, and beliefs. I believe that technology is just a medium, and how it is used is up to us. I am confident that every one of your readers has connected to other groups with the same interest online. Whether you’re interested in interior design or home improvement, I can guarantee that there is a group of people online who can make you feel like part of a tribe.

In one sentence, tell us how something positive motivates our readers?

Brian Mingham: Everything is fixable.’ One of the ideas that have paralyzed me in the past is the idea that what I am about to do is permanent. This belief will stop you from making mistakes, but it will also stop you from making progress.

As a business owner, the fear of making mistakes is very real and present. However, my team relies on me to be decisive, determined, and confident in my decision-making. Even if I do make a mistake, I am confident in my ability to adjust my approach accordingly. Don’t be afraid to take a step forward, be afraid of staying still, acting in fear, and allowing negative projections to control your life.

In one sentence, tell us how you start your day to get ready?

Brian Mingham: I start my day by focusing on myself.’ How you start your day often determines what the rest of your day will look like, so I like to take the time I need to focus on what matters most to me. I get up, exercise, read, shower, have a cup of coffee, and read any relevant news. Taking this time for myself allows me to take what I need so that I am able to give my employees and colleagues what they need for the rest of the day. In order to fill other people’s cups, you have to fill your own first.

In one sentence, describe how you handle rejection and setbacks?

Brian Mingham: I accept it, feel it, and then move forward. Failure, rejection, and setbacks are tough. As a successful entrepreneur, I can tell you that no matter how many times it happens, it never hurts any less. When you pour your heart and soul into anything, it always stings to get rejected. However, what you do learn is that every rejection or failure is a ‘re-direct, it is a sign that you need to try something new—it means that you are one step closer to success.
Trying something and failing is not shameful. Trying something, failing, and giving up can be. Successful entrepreneurs are not unique, smarter, or more talented than most people, but what they do have is grit. Grit is sticking with something even when it gets hard—and that is something we can all learn to cultivate with enough practice.

In one sentence, describe what your hiring philosophy is?

Brian Mingham: Always hire for skills that cannot be taught’. Too often I see companies hiring people solely on their merits alone: how many awards they’ve won, what school they graduated from, who they volunteered for. Don’t get me wrong, all of those things are important, but taking initiative, asking thoughtful questions, coming prepared, doing your research—those are the things that show true character.
We all embellish who we are on paper, but it is difficult to embellish who you are in person. How much passion, attention to detail, and excitement you bring to a job interview tells me a lot more about how you will perform your duties than what is on paper.

In one sentence, describe how you keep your sanity in a competitive business environment?

Brian Mingham: The race is long, and the competition is only with yourself.’ I spent years comparing myself to my classmates, colleagues, and friend until I realized that we weren’t running the same race. Some people find passion at 5 years old; some people find their passion at 75 years old. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how long it takes, what matters is that you enjoy what you are doing and that you are constantly challenging yourself.

Originally published on Dotcommagazine.com

The post Interview with Brian Mingham, Founder and CEO of CFSI Loan Management first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Dr. Sunil Jagani is the Founder and CEO of Bay Orthopedics, Sunil is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Sunil provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of Bay Orthopedics.
Dr. Sunil Jagani joins other leading Bestselling Authors, International Speakers & entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Sunil join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.

Dr. Sunil Jagani is a top orthopedic surgeon and is the founder and CEO of Bay Orthopedic Healing. Dr. Sunil has been in private practice for over 10 years and is experienced in treating the following medical conditions: Adult and pediatric spine oncology (vertebroplasty, tumor resections, the management of benign and malignant tumors, and minimally invasive procedures). Dr. Sunil also handles adult spinal disease surgeries such as dynamic stability treatments, degenerative disc disease, and osteoporotic fractures. Other medical issues that he treats include non-spine extremity oncology issues such as soft tissue tumors and reconstructions, tissue resections management, and soft tissue tumors among many other problems. Besides his prowess in handling orthopedic issues, Dr. Sunil is also quite good as a businessperson, and this is evident in the success of Bay Orthopedics. One aspect of his success as a manager is in setting up systems for easy booking and insurance processing. At Bay Orthopedics, clients can book online and have their medical history checked and handled in a seamlessly integrated process. Dr. Sunil has also ensured that Bay Orthopedics lists as many insurance companies as possible. He also has systems in place to ensure that when a patient’s insurance is not listed, it can be updated quickly and have them receive the treatment they need without it becoming a hindrance to their treatment. Besides his work as an orthopedist and the CEO of a successful medical practice, Dr. Sunil is also a philanthropist. He is especially passionate about charities that help children suffering from cancer but are too poor to afford the necessary treatments. He has been most active during the COVID-19 period based on his awareness that these kids are most at risk at this time when all the attention in the medical world is focused on COVID-19. Away from work and philanthropy, Dr. Sunil loves spending time with his family and enjoys taking them on holidays worldwide. He also loves camping and can be found camping with his family at different locations in California and nearby states.

Let’s start by telling us about your business.

Sunil Jagani: Bay Orthopedics is a private practice offering a wide array of orthopedic and oncological services. We are based in Los Gatos, California, and have been in business for three decades. Over the years, I have invested heavily in making patient care as friendly as possible. I have endeavored to incorporate as many insurance companies as possible, and I am proud of where we are today. In the past 5-years, I haven’t experienced a case where someone needed medical care and failed to get it because we do not support their insurance. Those who need orthopedic and oncological services can come to us for treatments on spinal disease surgery for issues such as neck and back pain, osteoporotic fractures, degenerative disc disease, among others. We also handle non-spine extremity oncological procedures such as tumor resections and management, reconstructions, and soft tissue tumors. Lastly, one can come to us for spine oncology. We do it for both children and adults. Some of the spinal oncology procedures that we do include vertebroplasty, tumor resections, management of tumors. We also handle minimally invasive procedures. We have in place some of the best customer services in orthopedic procedures. There is a lot more that I can say about Bay Orthopedics. The bottom line is that we offer world-class services and try our best to keep our prices as competitive as possible. For us, it’s more about serving the people than trying to maximize profits.

Please tell us how you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?

Sunil Jagani: Let me start by saying that our primary objective is not to make customers raving fans of our services. In fact, if we can treat people in a way that they get well and not come back, we would be happy. It would mean that we are doing our job right. That said, we ensure that patients leave a good word about us by treating them right from the moment they step into the time they receive treatment. One of the techniques that I use to keep patients happy is by streamlining the booking process. People can book for our services online and we instantly schedule them while also taking in their past medical information. We have also made sure to accept most insurance companies and facilitate a client to get help in case they do not accept their insurance company. This, to a large extent, has given us lots of referrals. Most importantly, I give my all when handling patient issues. I have had a high success rate with my patients, which has been instrumental in bringing in new patients through referrals. I feel blessed to be in a position where I can touch people’s lives and help them live out their best years.

Please tell us the one thing that separates your business from the competition?

Sunil Jagani: That would be my focus on giving patients the best care possible. There are lots of people in my line of work that only focuses on the bottom-line. For me, the bottom-line comes second. My primary concern is to ensure that the patient gets well, then the rest can follow. Many are times when I have treated people who cannot afford my services. I don’t make it the norm, but I believe it is a reflection of my good services and patient referrals reflect this reality. I would never ask for a better response than I get. For everyone that sends a good word out to us, be blessed. With the positive awareness that you guys have created, we can change many other people’s lives for the better.

And to finish this section, please tell us what is the one major key to your company’s success?

Sunil Jagani: The key success to my business, as I have elaborated above, is selflessness in service delivery. I would also credit my company’s success to the hard work of my employees. I may be a good doctor, but if I did not have good employees, I would possibly have to deal with delayed admissions, among many other issues. My staff has been really instrumental in helping me deliver quality services and uplift my private practice profile. They ensure that the scheduling process is smooth and give customers the best possible services. I really value these guys and the work that they do for me. The facility is like a well-oiled machine, and these guys are a critical component of it.

For our readers just starting to build a company, what advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?

Sunil Jagani: I would advise them to follow their passion when starting a business. Business is very challenging, and if you are not passionate about it, you are likely to give up before you achieve anything. When I was starting my medical practice, I spent a whole year without getting a client. If I didn’t have a passion for medical practice, I would have given up.

For entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what one big piece of advice can you give them when times get a little challenging.

Sunil Jagani: I would advise them to persevere. As long as the process is right, you will overcome those challenges and thrive. In the early stages of my business, I struggled a lot, but I trusted the process. That is how I got to where I am today.

In today’s fast-changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?

Sunil Jagani: I am an avid reader of business news. I use them to get a feel of where the economy is going and adjust my stock investment portfolio accordingly. It is a strategy that has worked well for me so far.

What is your “Why”? In one sentence, why do you get up in the morning?

Sunil Jagani: To use my medical skills in changing people’s lives for the better.

In one sentence, what is the most important thing one has to do to be a great leader?

Sunil Jagani: A great leader needs to be empathetic.

In one sentence, describe how important your customers are to your business?

Sunil Jagani: They are the ones who have kept me going for over 30 years.

In one sentence, describe a positive way that technology can make the world a better place?

Sunil Jagani: Technology can cure most diseases.

In one sentence, tell us how something positive to motivate our readers?

Sunil Jagani: Keep going no matter how tough things get, you will succeed eventually.

In one sentence, tell us how you start your day to get ready?

Sunil Jagani: I start my day with 30 minutes of meditation.

In one sentence, describe how you handle rejection and setback?

Sunil Jagani: I never let negative thoughts control me.

In one sentence, describe what your hiring philosophy is?

Sunil Jagani: Passion first, skills, and experience second.

In one sentence, describe how you keep your sanity in a competitive business environment?

Sunil Jagani: I take time off to meditate.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sunil.jagani.7355/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sunil-jagani/

Originally published on Dotcommagazine.com

The post Interview with Dr. Sunil Jagani, Founder and CEO of Bay Orthopedics first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Elias Neibart is the founder of Elias Neibart Tutoring.  He was a Pat H. Odom Dean’s Achievement Scholar at Emory University.  Neibart graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Emory University and is currently working and tutoring before attending law school.

At Emory, Elias Neibart was a Junto Fellow in the Program in Democracy and Citizenship.

The Junto Fellowship is a part of Emory University’s Franklin Fellows Program, which encourages the critical study and supports classroom learning with film discussions, reading groups, and attendance of fine arts performances. Junto Fellows receive curated course offerings in literature classics and other liberal arts topics, all focused on critical reasoning skills such as analytic reading and cogent writing.

In pursuit of his goal to become an attorney, Elias Neibart has undertaken practical steps to build the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the legal field.  He spent the summer of 2016 as a judicial intern in Essex County, New Jersey, shadowing Judge Michael L. Ravin and becoming familiar with the parts of the trial process.

In the summer of 2017, Neibart became a legal intern with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. He observed court proceedings and analyzed various forms of evidence, including surveillance videos and witness statements. He also built experience in authoring a number of legal document types, including motions to suppress and post-conviction relief briefs.

Elias Neibart accepted a summer internship with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In this role, he assisted in the writing of subpoenas and the preparation of evidence for federal criminal proceedings.

During college, Elias Neibart also conducted research focusing on the founding of the United States of America and the United States Constitution. Neibart participated on the Emory University Mock Trial Team, where he was a nationally recognized mock trial competitor.

Elias Neibart currently works in New York City, and he will soon attend Harvard Law School.

We were able to arrange an exclusive interview with Elias Neibart to learn a little more about his professional journey and future academic plans.  An excerpt from this interview can be found below.

How did you get started?

Elias Neibart: The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test administered by The Law School Admission Council several times annually at designated testing centers all around the world. After self-studying for the LSAT for six months, I decided that I wanted to share my knowledge, strategies, and test-taking skills with other prospective law students.

During the summer of 2019, I officially founded Elias Neibart Tutoring. As the founder and owner, I exercise full creative control over lesson plans and student development.

What inspired you to start this business?

Elias Neibart: When I was studying for the LSAT and looking for a private tutor, I was surprised by the high cost and lack of flexibility of the major test preparation companies. Most private tutors charged well over $100/hour and had little to no availability for new clients; you had to work within their schedules, not the other way around. I started Elias Neibart Tutoring to offer a high-quality, cost-effective, and flexible option for test-takers.

There is a recent uptrend of law school applications and increased competition to get into the most prestigious law schools, with median LSAT scores increasing at 97 law schools between 2018 and 2019.  The 2019-2020 admission cycle saw a 3.3% increase in applicants, and a 2019 ABA Journal article predicts a similar increase for 2020-2021. LSAC study materials, non-LSAC books, commercial test preparation services, self-study are all options, but it was clear to me that a more personalized private tutoring option should be available to prospective law students.

Our classes are customized and personalized to meet the specific needs of our students, building on their testing strengths and eliminating testing weaknesses with cutting edge study strategies and proven test-taking tactics.

How do you make money?

Elias Neibart: After each lesson, students can use Zelle, Venmo, a check, or cash to pay for their session.  If a student foresees needing more than fifteen hours of assistance, bulk discount rates are available.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your business?

Elias Neibart: We were able to quickly adapt to the current health crisis by shifting our focus from in-person tutoring to virtual learning.  Students are able to conduct their preliminary diagnostic assessments and interim exams in a digital format, while I am able to provide one-on-one instruction and interactive content via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and other virtual learning platforms.  In many ways, online learning has presented new opportunities to engage and interact with students all over the country and offers a level of flexibility and convenience that was not possible before.

Originally published on Vizaca.com

The post Interview with Elias Neibart, Founder of Elias Neibart Tutoring first appeared on Tekrati and is written by admin

It was back in 2016, when Lindsey Myers set out on a goal; a goal to pursue her passion for building reputations and revenues through business development marketing strategies. Today, her company, Concrete Blonde Consulting, is known in the PR circuit as one of the top rated agencies.

She has been renowned as a strategic leader and has earned a reputation for counseling a vast pool of clients, which includes Fortune 500 companies as well. Her innate understanding of consumer influence and her willingness to drive profits for her clients has made her stand out as true inspiration as a businesswoman.

Exeleon Magazine caught up with this inspiring leader in an exclusive interview. In the interview she highlights her journey, her beliefs, and her idea of a leader.

What according to you makes for an inspiring leader? How do you integrate the same in your leadership?

Lindsey Myers: I believe having a unique vision and being passionate about the road ahead are the aspects of leadership which people find most inspiring. Differentiation is important in every industry and clearly defining that for your audience is one of the best ways to inspire others.

What has been your role as a leader since founding Concrete Blonde Consulting back in 2016?

Lindsey Myers: When I started the company I was a solo-prenuer and since then my role has expanded as the company has grown. However, I’ve been responsible for every aspect of the company at one point or another.

What was the thought that led to the inception of the company? What is the history behind the name of the company?

Lindsey Myers: When I was beginning my PR career in my early twenties I had a meeting at a Fortune 500 company and when I walked into the board room the CEO looked at me and said, “That’s OK hun, we don’t need any coffee” — I responded by looking around the room (where I was the only female) and then telling him that “I’d love a cup of coffee with cream and no sugar”. Throughout the meeting I went on to dominate the discussion with great insight and was responsible for crafting the lion’s share of the resulting strategy.

At the end of the meeting, the CEO approached me, shook my hand and told me, “you look like a nice sweet little blonde girl, but really you’re a concrete blonde”. And though born from a tone deaf situation I kind of liked it and decided I’d put that one in my back pocket and wear it as a badge of honor someday.

There wasn’t a specific thought that led to the inception of the company. I had initially planned to launch the firm to do business development and operational consulting for other PR firms and it organically grew into a marketing firm with a focus on business development for various companies.

What has the journey been like for Lindsey Myers, from starting your career at WordHampton Public Relations to founding one of the top-rated PR agencies?

Lindsey Myers: I’ve been excited about the PR industry from day one and could definitely be described as an overly eager intern. I always wanted to learn more from my mentors and was ambitious about moving up the ladder at WordHampton. My goal is always the same — go to bed proud and wake-up excited!! I believe that passion and joy has just attracted amazing opportunities.

Looking back at your career, what would you have done different when starting out?

Lindsey Myers: I ask myself this question all the time, but always realize that if I change any one aspect of the journey I might not have ended up in the same place. My past experiences are what has led me here — and here is pretty great!

What has been the biggest driving factor for you as a leader and entrepreneur?

Lindsey Myers: Other entrepreneurs! I love the community we have created for each other and most us live to give back to one another. I never expected to find such a supportive and kind group of people and I’m so grateful to be able to partner with them.

What would be your advice for some of the aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?

Lindsey Myers: Seek out a strong mentor and aim to become a strong mentor. Our greatest asset is our ability to lift up one another.

How does Concrete Blonde Consulting provide custom marketing solutions to its clients?

Lindsey Myers: We spend time at the beginning of each new interaction to build the relationship and ask a lot of questions aimed at unearthing their true vision. Once we understand the vision and the image the organization is trying to portray we create a strategy. By starting at the end we are able to “program” the GPS backwards and chart a course for success.

What has been the biggest roadblock during your journey? What has been your biggest learning?

Lindsey Myers: Patience. My lack of it in the beginning definitely set me back over and over again. I’ve learned that in order to be successful you have to be just as patient as you are ambitious. Thank G-d for meditation!!

What are some of the pre-conceived notions or stereotypes that you have faced being a women entrepreneur?

Lindsey Myers: I’ve found that many people often mistake kindness for weakness.

How do you plan to take Concrete Blonde Consulting forward? On a personal front, where do you see yourself standing in the coming years?

Lindsey Myers: We’re currently working to scale for impact and I’m really excited about some of the companies who are currently clamoring to work with us!

Personally, I plan to remain actively involved with the company as we continue to grow.

Who has been your biggest inspiration among women?

Lindsey Myers: Oprah! She is both a giant and a visionary and I have great respect for the values she lives by and preaches to others.

Finally, what do you think is the most important trait for a leader and why?

Lindsey Myers: Empathy. It will help you to understand your target audience and empower your employees.

Originally published on Exeleonmagazine.com

The post Interview with Lindsey Myers, Founder of Concrete Blonde Consulting first appeared on Tekrati and is written by admin