Q 1. 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: Founded in 2005, MedMark (“MM”) is located in my hometown of Scottsdale, AZ. I am a native Phoenician, born and raised. MM is a targeted, niche dental print and digital marketing company that specializes in reaching the Endo, Implant, Ortho, and Dental Sleep sectors of dentistry on a national level.
Q 2. 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 think that I was born to be an entrepreneur. My personality is 100% about accountability, living up to my word and surrounding myself with a great team. Also, I’ve never really had any interest or desire to work for someone else when there is an opportunity for me to build a business. I feel blessed to have been given some innate talents that I can share with the world through my entrepreneurial endeavors. Although I am college educated, I have always stated that I came up thru the “school of life”. The various experiences, both good and bad, that I have had throughout my life have shaped me into what/who I am today and what I’m able to accomplish in both my business and personal life.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)?
Ans: The truth is that I had no other choice! Twelve years ago, I was in rough shape. I had just lost another publishing venture because of my partner’s illegal activity, leaving me with a heavy burden of unpaid bills. On top of that, I was going through a horrible divorce that also took a very heavy financial toll. I felt like my world was ending, both personally and professionally. Not one to lay down and die (no matter how much I wanted to) I sold what I had left and started over in an 800 sqft condo. I started MM in the spare bedroom with only one computer which I had to share with a part-time assistant. I came to the dental industry through a friend of mine who introduced me to the Doctor of Dentistry magazine, who was looking for a publisher in Arizona. I took on the project and, in a few short years, had the highest revenue and most successful DOD franchise in the country. Shortly thereafter, I started another dental publication, Endo Review of Arizona, and, I am proud to say, it was a success. ERofA led to Endo Practice US, which quickly led to IPUS, OPUS and DSP. I credit my success in the dental industry to the many contacts that I have been able to make and the relationships that I have been able to develop. So, like many entrepreneurs, I took a chance when I had nothing to lose and have been running ever since.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: First, NEVER QUIT (even when you really, really, really, really want to!) Second, ALWAYS listen to your gut. It’s rarely wrong! Third, NEVER stop believing in yourself and in the fantastic team that you need to surround yourself with!
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Persistence, Common Sense and Empathy
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: Ah, that’s a trick question… Entrepreneurs don’t work “hours a day”. If we did, I’d say that I work 25 hours a day, 8 days a week! I like to say that if you’re doing what you love, work doesn’t feel like work. So, the lesson here is if you don’t LOVE it, don’t do it!
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Keeping a positive, healthy mental attitude. I rely on reading, studying and listening to mentors who’ve attained the success I’m working towards!
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business?
Ans: I truly believe that the best way to market your business is to stay in your lane within your NICHE and concentrating on being the very BEST at what you do! This is what we do in the dental industry. I will admit that I pay attention to the competition and how they’re moving within the industry, but I stay laser focused on what and how we are operating, to keep us most current, relevant, and innovative in this space!
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it?
Ans: I’ve never had investors. I’ve done everything related to financing my business the HARD way! Started 12 yrs ago flat broke, mentally defeated, with almost nothing to my name. I used a small line on a credit card took a small loan from my mom’s LOC on her house. (This was VERY stressful and I can’t say that I recommend it to anyone) Luckily I was able to pay back that line in about a years’ time. After that I followed a simple formula. I only spent the money I had (shocking concept, right?) and was as thrifty as I could be so that I could invest more into my company. Those steps allowed me to build a sustainable revenue stream.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: NEVER GIVE UP!!!! There are many, many days where you will want to “chuck it in the F**K IT bucket” and run away to a remote island, never to be seen again. As much as you want to do this, don’t! Perseverance, maintaining a strong mental attitude, faith and prayer and a very healthy dose of luck will help you get through the tough times. I honestly feel that success comes NOT from being the smartest, having the most money, and how organized you are. Rather, it comes with HARD HOURS of WORK and NEVER stopping… even when ALL signs are telling you to!
Q 11. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good employees are the MOST important! Without a strong, capable team that believes in me and my vision for the company, I’m nothing! My motto is “Teamwork makes the dream work.” ?
Q 12. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: What’s giving up???? ?I don’t know this term you speak of! Lol…
Q 13. What motivates you?
Ans: Accomplishing what others said I could not. Proving to MYSELF that I can do it. Going thru so much crap so early on in life and coming out the other side HAPPY, FULFILLED, LOVING LIFE, LOVING and APPRECIATING the PEOPLE in my life, and who stood by me in tough times! Of course, a little bit of money to spend after so much sacrifice never hurts. That said, however, I am well aware that money is NOT the ticket to happiness!!
Q 14. What are your ideals?
Ans: Being better than I (we) were yesterday…chasing myself to be a better person! Honesty, integrity, trying to mostly (not always) do what’s right. Nobody’s perfect, but if we keep accountability within and strive to work on ourselves daily, this is what gets us thru life.
Q 15. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: Honestly, they come to me at times when I’m not even ready for them such as at night, on a plane, when I’m relaxing (or trying to). My brain is most open to creativity when I’ve had good sleep and can relax!
Q 16. How do you define success?
Ans: Happiness, Love, Family, Friends, Animals, Kindness, Integrity, Comfort, Security. It’s about the journey, NOT the destination. I’m never going to wake up one day and say, “Hey, I think I’m finally happy!”
Q 17. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: One happy customer at a time! I like to say we are not creating “customers” but raving fans! If they love us and what we do to help them achieve their goals and solve their problems, they’re not going anywhere!!
Q 18. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Oh, where to start… I love the freedom, the thrill of the chase, the wins and the satisfaction of knowing I BUILT THIS!
Q 19. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: It’s got to be my Tony Robbins interviews. Those were so personally gratifying to me as I’ve followed him and his coaching techniques for half my life! The fact that MM continues to do business with him, and have him write for my magazines, is truly mind blowing. When I first met with him during the MM interviews, I told him that I had been listening to him or decades. Seeing him in person at one of his seminars was one of my life goals. Now I was actually interviewing him for my company and working with him! CRAZY! Very proud of myself for going out on this limb and reaching beyond my fear factor!
Q 20. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: They are two different kind of people, in my mind. Owning a business is NOT for the weak of heart! My dad always told me, “If it was easy everyone would be doing it”. That phrase is so true. On the other hand, most entrepreneurs couldn’t even imagine of working for someone else. I think that you just have to figure out for yourself which kind of person you are. If it’s right, you’ll know it.
Q 21. What kind of culture exists in your organization?
Ans: I’d like to think we have a culture of honestly, mutual respect and open-door communication. We are solution oriented where “can’t be done” turns into “what if we try this…” We are persistent, which is a trait that I worked hard to foster in my organization. I have always tried to be the kind of person that embodies our organization’s culture.
Q 22. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: PERSERVERANCE
Q 23. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: EVERYTHING AND NOTHING ?
Q 24. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans: It’s brought us closer!
Q 25. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: Losing everything and having to start all over…again. I mediate w Braintap, read and pray these fears away on a daily basis!
Q 26. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: Scottsdale is my hometown, I’ve never relocated from here. My family is here and it’s a kick-ass location right in the heart of the city!
Q 27. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Yes, pattern = NEVER GIVE UP! And ABC (always be closing) lol…
Q 28. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans: Animals (dogs) due to their unconditional love! No matter what, they are happy and willing to just LIVE their lives to please every day!
Q 29. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans: Right now, it’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK: A counterintuitive approach to living a good life by Mark Manson. Historically, though, it has been The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino.
Q 30. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: There have been too many to mention…probably trusting people too much that didn’t earn it.
Q 31. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans: Surround myself with the best people I can possibly have in my life and business!
Q 32. What are your hobbies?
Ans: What do you do in your non-work time? SLEEP, binge watch Netflix, read, travel, my dogs, entertain in our house, decorate house, SHOP!
Q 33. What makes you happy?
Ans: My sweet hubby, daughter, dogs, friends and family. Anything that brings me PEACE! Business on target, days without worry, achieving my goals with success and enough money to be financially secure and enjoy life!
Q 34. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Health, peace of mind, endless sleepless nights, money, friends, relationships, security.
Q 35. If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask? WHAT’S YOUR WHY???
Ans: And there are soooooo many answers to this! Ultimately, I do what I do for ME. I am always, and probably always will be chasing something within that I believe that I just MIGHT catch some day…what that is, and how that looks when “it” happens, remains to be seen! Stay tuned…?
Contact Detail
Company : Medmark, LLC
Contact : Lisa Moler
Address : 15720 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, Suite 9
City : Scottsdale
State : AZ
Zip : 85260
Phone : 480-621-8955