Q: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Jacob’s mission is a residential 6 bed detox located in Garden Grove, California near Disneyland. We are here to help those that have addiction issues that have spiraled their lives out of control. We have trained medical staff that evaluate our patients and implement a plan of action to make sure our clients pain and discomfort are under control, and that all medication is given properly and on time to make sure during this difficult time of detox, clients are well taken care of. We believe in quality, integrity and treating our patients with utmost respect and care. This home is beautifully decorated in Hawaiian decor and comfort and mindfulness is key to ensuring everyone of our clients are at peace during their journey to recovery.
Q. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans. I have been working since I was 16 years old. I have strong work ethics. I have a degree in business and marketing, and I have excelled in every sales job I have been employed. I have been selling homes since 1998 and have been a top producer. I also manage and rent out vacation rental homes all across the United States. I have been doing since 2005. I’m very excited about getting my State license to help those that have been afflicted by this disease called addiction, and I have dedicated this entire business to my youngest Son, Jacob that had succumb to drugs at 13 years old.
Q. 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. My youngest son, Jacob began experimenting with drugs at 13, but things progressed to severe depression, isolation and attempted suicide. I tried to help my son for 3 years but nothing helped. I had to make a difficult decision to get my Son help out of state when I discovered him taking opioids and also being used by a local drug dealer. This thing called addiction is the most horrific disease, and it doesn’t discriminate. You can be rich, poor, average, old, young, when it hits, it devastates not only the addict but the entire family suffers. This is an epidemic that is out of control. Shortly after I had to send my Son out of state, my fiancé was also abusing drugs and alcohol, and he also fell to this terrible thing called addiction. I had a very rough year last year, with my entire family falling and yet I keep going, because I know that I must do something about this problem. I also quit drinking in May of last year, to show my Son support and also, I also felt the depression and the addiction, and it’s a terrible feeling, and I know now why some do use substance to numb the pain. I must succeed in this business, this business is for my Son and all the other addicts that have lost their way.
Q. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans. I would say that anyone getting into this business, one must be one step ahead. It took me over a year and half to get my license. I had several unscrupulous dishonest consultants lead me astray and give me the worse advise. This business is like not other. Being intuitive and watching for people that take advantage is key to making it in this industry. Let’s face it, this is definitely not like opening a Hello kitty store that is a fact.
Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans. Perseverance, indurance, faith. One must believe that failure is not an option. I have had so many obstacles in my way, and yet, Perseverance is key and the desire to keep going even when the odds are against you. This business is not easy, and it’s definitely a challenge, but I have always found challenging exciting and it just makes one feel alive. Although, this has been a rough road, I feel so fulfilled with knowing that what I am doing will help people, and in this world that can be so cruel. These addicts could be your son, daughter, your wife, your husband, parents, cousins, I do not judge addicts, because they are often people you love so dearly and yet you watch, feeling numb, and not knowing what to do. But, my desire to help is true, and I will make a difference.
Q. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans. I work 7 days a week with no day off. I have the drive to make this work. I will not give up and this is the type of work ethic one must have to be successful in owning and running your own business. I have always been a hands on entrepreneur business owner.
Q. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans. I have a lot of enthusiasm and energy and no matter what, I keep positive, because I know that it is so important to have that drive, the thought in my mind, that I will do this, I can do this, I will not fail, no matter what. I have always been this way in every job, and the desire to succeed, and to do something this important drives me, and I will not stop for this very important cause.
Q. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans. I would. say so far it has been networking and meeting other facilities, and building good relationships with other facilities, and showing that we can all work together.
Q. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it?
Ans. How did you obtain investors for your venture? I have not got any investors.
Q. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans. To never ever give up. to keep thinking positive thoughts, to always visualize what you want will happen. I believe that your mind and heart are so strong, what you believe in will come to pass and become reality if your heart is right and your motivation if for good and not greed. I am a strong believer that, if you have good intentions and you have a true desire to help in this industry, one will succeed. It’s those out there that have the wrong intention, and greed, that is the root of all evil. This business must have people that care, that have integrity, because in the past, this industry has been tainted with the unethical body brokering, and illegal insurance claims. I feel long term, I will make it, but not by cheating the system, but by how good I take of my patients, and to treat every client as if they were my own daughter or Son. Because of my own personal experience I am a firm believer of karma, I believe in good. I believe that with all my heart, that this is a business to truly help people that have lost there way in this sometime cruel world. I am a warrior to fight drugs to the end!
Q. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans. I feel that I will have at least 2 residential detox, one outpatient program, so clients can continue to get help and prevent relapse, and also have a sober living house. I would eventually like to be a full service program that helps and implement a program that will help my patients long term. I am a firm believer that 2 weeks even 4 weeks is really not enough time to help addicts. They truly need a long term, on going assistance.
Q. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans. Employees are key to success. I am a firm believer of team work. The employees one hires will either make or break your company. I would say, that especially with this industry, It is better to take your time in finding the right employees. The clients that we work with are not in the best shape emotionally of physically, so having caring employees is so important. This is not the type of job that an employee just wants to get a paycheck. This job requires a lot of empathy and knowledge of addiction and how to treat them, and how to help them in such a time of need.
Q. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans. I don’t give up period. I consider myself unstoppable, and once I have my mind set, I will do what it takes to succeed. Especially since this business is in full dedication to my Son Jacob.
Q. What motivates you?
Ans. My love for my Son Jacob, my desire to help those that have fallen to drugs, to help those that have lost there way. When I saw my Son in deep depression and seeing his struggle, it was the most the most heartbreaking event in my entire life. I knew when this addiction hit my family, I knew that I had to do something about this. I know with my experience and empathy and a real desire to make a difference, I will help a lot of people. I know that I have what it take.
Q. What are your ideals?
Ans. I want to make my residential detox facility in Orange County, the is not known for hire standards, that has integrity and that my facility does everything by the book, and that all my employees are ethical and that I am there to ensure that my Company is successful and has the best reputation in Patient care and integrity is my goal.
Q. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans. I sometimes just dream about ideas, and sometimes they just pop into my mind. I read a lot about addiction and I always think about how I can do something different than other treatment centers, to stand out, to be a place like no other I believe in holistic healing, I have a certificate in reiki healing, I believe in music therapy, and the higher vibrations in the universe that help heal. I believe in meditation and to quite the mind, and to be at peace and to live in today, instead of worrying about tomorrow. I know that I have some great ideas in addition to the 12 steps, but to make recovery a journey of discovery.
Q. How do you define success?
Ans. To get fulfillment and happiness from what you do in your business. I feel that if I can make a difference in lives of the addict and the families and to give my love and all the support, that is what I define as success. Money is good and all, but at the end of the day, money does not always Bring happiness or fulfillment. I feel that if one feels good about what they are doing, and for me its helping people make me successful.
Q. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans. To provide excellent customer service and communication, to be consistent in communiting with your current and past clients, to ask for referrals, to keep in contact.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans. I like to be independent, I enjoy being my own boss. I enjoy doing what I love to do without someone restricting me with my creative mind.
Q. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans. When my first client told me, that my facility was the the best detox. That made my day, and when I got to tell my Son Jacob that his prayers had come true. His prayer he said was. “Mommy I pray you get a client soon and you’re successful.” That very next day after I spoke to my Son, I got my first client, and to hear from this Client that had been in and out of other treatment centers, that mine was the best made me feel like I was on top the world, thats’ for sure!
Q. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans. Entrepreneurs must have a lot of motivation and must be very disciplined to get up everyday and work no matter if you’re sick. We have to do what we got to do and have a drive to get things done. Independent thinkers and creative thoughts are key being a successful business owner. There is no 9 to 5pm as an entrepreneur. You job is never over, because you got to keep going with thoughts of what can be done to improve your business, you have to really care about your Company and not count on everyone else to do your job.
Q. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans. I have always loved Hawaii, so my entire house is Hawaii theme. I have a very good vibe in the house. After looking at other facilities, I wanted to stand out, I wanted the home to feel warm, with positive pictures in every room, to have water features throughout the house to give clients a feel of being welcome and peace is very important to ensure all clients feel welcome in my home. We will be doing luaus once a month for family appreciation day and to let families know that their support in the recovery of their loved ones so very important for recovery. Without family support, the addict could relapse, because they are hurting and need to know that their loved ones care. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur. OPTIMISM
Q. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans. NO, I did everything the way I wanted. I like to take risks, and I enjoy all the jobs I have done and companies I have started. Its a lot like playing chess, and the moves I have made have been good timing and strong intuition.
Q. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans. I am a workaholic so I do admit that is a downfall at times, because my work ends up coming first, and sometimes I don’t care to really do other things, but work. But, than again my passion is my business, so sometimes fun activity must wait.
Q. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans. I’m pretty fearless, I do not fear too much, because that just turns out to be not good. To fear things, brings one down. I go to the gym several times a week, I do yoga and I enjoy sitting in a jacuzzi under the stars to fight off any feelings of fear.
Q. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans. The home is located right by Disneyland and I know that there are not a lot of residential detox homes. I felt like this home with a pool and location would be the best suited.
Q. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans. To never give up, to persevere against all odds, to get back up when you get thrown on the ground. To not listen to the negative talk that people tend to do bring one down. A lot people like to be hater and jealous and will try to being one down, but to listen to your heart and mind and to know what you are capable of and to ignore the bad advisers and surround yourself with those that want you to succeed is the best formula.
Q. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Ans. Amelia Earhart, because she was fearless and did whatever she wanted without worrying about anything, To do what she wanted without any restrictions.
Q. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans. My father has always been the parent that gave me encouragement to always tell me that I could do anything in my life just as long as I put my whole entire heart and soul to it. He always told me to get a business degree no matter what.
Q. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans. I enjoyed reading twilight.
Q. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans. when I don’t listen to my intuition. everytime ignore that voice, I make mistakes.
Q. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans. Always learn from the your mistakes, evaluate the mistake and do not repeat only learn from the past. Improve your procedures and learn from all mistakes.
Q. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans. I enjoy biking, going to the gym, dancing, music, art, dancing, traveling around the world
Q. What makes you happy?
Ans. travel and being adventurous and visit places that most don’t go to.
Q. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans. I end up working all night long and all day, I guess I just love working it makes me so happy.
