Tony Salerno, Founder of Outlaw Western Located in New Port Richey, FL

by | Jan 13, 2016 | Business

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Q 1.    Give our readers an introduction to your business. Include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.

Ans:     The name of our business is Outlaw Western we specialize in western wear such as cowboy boots, cowboy hats, western apparel for men and women, and accessories. Our DNA is western wear and customer service. Our product is available on line at www.OutlawWestern.com where you will receive discounts and free shipping. You can also veiw our product at our store Outlaw Western located in Gulfview Square mall in New Port Richey Florida.

Q 2.    Give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).

Ans:     Tony Salerno, father of 5 married to the same woman Debbie Salerno for 24 years. Bachelors degree in theology. Associate pastor and CFO for Calvary Chapel Worship Center a church in New Port Richey Florida for 25 years. Founder of Outlaw Western in 2010.

Q 3.    What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?

Ans:    Believe it or not I was inspired to start a business by the great recession of 2008. As I saw the downward spiral in the economy I realized the need to have multiple revenue streams. The business was not originally called Outlaw Western. I started it under a different name still selling apparel online. My wife and I love the western style and wear boots all the time she loves horses. I realized that where we are located there is not another western wear retailer with in 25 miles. So we started to change what we were selling and and met the need in the community. After a much research with domain names we came up with Outlaw Western. Outlaw Western is located in its third location the first two did not work to well. However at this point it is a growing business

Q 4.    What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?

Ans:    Don’t give up 2. Have realistic expectations 3. Location is everything 4. Know your market 5. Profit margin is really low online 6. Starting a business is a long process

Q 5.    What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Ans:    Adaptability 2. Technical Skills (You can’t pay other people to do everything for you) 3. Accounting skills (in retail you need a pertransaction profit and loss analysis)The Stomach for business 5. People skills

Q 6.    To what do you most attribute your success?

Ans:    I am a Christian so I must give credit to Jesus Christ 2. I have a wife that tolerates me. 3. Great team of people

Q 7.    How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?

Ans:    SEO 2. Facebook Advertising 3. Hand out coupons in the store 4. Word of mouth Hand out business cards

Q 8.    Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?

Ans:    I actually did the boot strap method of business. I literally purchased on item and sold it took the profit and then bought more inventory. This has made the process long and slow. I have not taken out a loan I run the business on an american express cash card

Q 9.    What is the best way to achieve long-term success?

Ans:    Short term sacrifice produces long term blessing. Don’t take short cuts be honest put the customers first. Pour in to employees mentoring them and training them. Be an example

Q 10.    Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?

Ans:    I would like to see Outlaw Western continue to be a blessing to the community and to its employees as well as my family. I would like to see it continue to grow in to multiple locations as well as expand its product and inventory line. We are adding some out door products to what we sell such as kinves survival gear etc.

Q 11.    Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?

Ans:    I work for a Church Calvary Chapel Worship I am a pastor there however I am not THE pastor. This church is amazing because it is not in a financially well to do area yet it continues to succeed in its mission of soul winning and discipling new converts.

Q 12.    How important have good employees been to your success?

Ans:    Extremely important: If you can’t raise up and train good employees your business will be limited to what you can achieve personally. Even if you personally work 80 a week if your business is successful the work load will exceed what you can personally accomplish. Hiring is extremely important because you must be able to trust employees to be honest and work hard while you are not there. 60% off all retail theft comes from employees. Employees must be well trained and then excpected to work the whole time they are on the clock.

Q 13.    How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?

Ans:    It just depends on finances. As soon as I can get a clear picture that the idea is not profitable I will stop persuing it. This can take a while because most ideas do not catch on over night.

Company detail:

Company        : Outlaw Western
First Name      : Tony
Last Name      : Salerno
Address          : 9405 US 19 Suite 525B
City                : Port Richey
State               : FL
Zip Code        : 34668
Tel No            : 727-847-7406
E-mail Id        : service@outlawwestern.com

Facebook     : https://www.facebook.com/OutlawWestern

Twitter        : https://twitter.com/OutlawWestern

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