Q1: Please provide us a suitable title for interview.
Ans: Sharing the gift of sobriety
Q2: 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: We provide highly-skilled, 24/7 concierge companionship to individuals who have struggled to maintain sobriety. We are available to go anywhere in the US at any time.
Q3: 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: After a career which included multiple stints at Fortune 500 companies, I started, grew, and sold my own business in 2019.
Q4: 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: I came to the realization that my experience in triumphing over addiction was a gift which could add tremendous value to the lives of others. I really want to make sure that people have a second chance at life, as I’ve had.
Q5: What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Don’t be afraid of failure; welcome it, learn from it, and adapt. You don’t have to be an expert at everything; hire other people who are. Do something you feel passionate about; life’s too short to live any other way.
Q6: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Putting in consistent, hard work. Listening actively to others. Fostering an environment in which feedback is encouraged.
Q7: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: 10-12
Q8: To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: I’m fortunate to have surrounded myself with incredible people.
Q9: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: I engage others who are much more talented at marketing than I am. Digital, by far.
Q10: 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: Each of my ventures have been entirely self-funded. It gives me the freedom to run business with a long-term vision, rather than taking short-term profits to please others.
Q11: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Realizing that every day is important, and taking responsibility for each day.
Q12: Where you see yourself and your business in 5 -10 years?
Ans: The most important thing to me is that we do an exemplary job of serving our clients to the best of our ability, and ensuring that our employees have a place to work that is truly life-altering.
Q13: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: I really admire Patagonia. They’re very passionate about their corporate responsibility.
Q14: How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: I couldn’t do it without them
Q15: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: Until a better idea arises
Q16: What motivates you?
Ans: Helping others and saving lives……every single day.
Q17: What are your ideals?
Ans: Humility, honesty, passion, and purpose.
Q18: How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: Most of my new ideas come about through reading, researching, and brainstorming with others.
Q19: How do you define success?
Ans: Success to me is living a vibrant, fulfilling life with a sense of purpose.
Q20: How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: At the moment, we’re focused on our marketing efforts. When we identify things that work, we do more of them. When we identify things that don’t work as well, we do less of them.
Q21: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: The freedom to be creative.
Q22: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Selling my financial practice, as it was the culmination of thousands of hours of work.
Q23: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Entrepreneurs tend to be less afraid to take calculated risks. They’re not afraid to take chances, if those chances can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Q24: 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: We are an entirely open organization, where everybody wants the best possible outcome for our clients. Each team member has very valuable skills and insights, and they are treated as such. I have been employed at organizations where communication and honest feedback are almost nonexistent, and I’ve seen the unhealthy effects that can generate for the individuals and the business as a whole.
Q25: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Terrific
Q26: If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: Would have pursued my dreams earlier in my career, rather than trying to be like everybody else.
Q27: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: My greatest fear has always been failure. I manage it by focusing my energy on the things I can control, while accepting the things I can’t control and letting them be as they are.
Q28: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: I’m not certain there’s a particular formula, but I’ve found that successful entrepreneurs tend to have a good work ethic and surround themselves with excellent people.
Q29: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans: My father. He’s overcome some very difficult situations in his life and has always been able to maintain a positive attitude.
Q30: What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans: The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
Q31: What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: I would certainly tell my younger self to slow down more often and enjoy the journey. It’s very easy to get extremely busy and forget how blessed you are to be where you are.
Q32: How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans: By encouraging an environment where feedback is listened to and acknowledged. When that exists, people will be much more communicative about what can be improved.
Q33: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans: Golf, exercise, art
Q34: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: I have to work harder than most, and I don’t have as much free time as a result.
