When you first started your career/business did you feel passion for your work?
When I first started my “career” it was in an industry diametrically opposed to what I currently do and have done since 1980. A year or two after graduating High School, with no completed college education I followed my heart and my love of music. I earned my living playing music and whenever you are blessed, for any period of time , to pursue your love it is always with a passion.
When you first started were you able to visualize your final outcome?
We were very successful and our claim to fame was that Styx and REO Speedwagon opened for us on separate occasions, as well as Cheap Trick. We always pictured ourselves as much more talented than the “competition” (other bands) but never visualized ourselves any further in terms of success. Unfortunately we were immature, had no management or mentors, and we were unable to unanimously chose a common path.
The band broke up and I began purchasing talent and producing for Alpine Valley Music Theater and continued to work in the business end of the entertainment industry hoping to find out why a group of musicians as talented as us was unable to become successful at the highest level.
What were your top three obstacles/challenges?
A death in the family, emotionally supporting my mother, and entering/learning a new business.
I became extremely successful and created a huge income at a very young age. I was 27 years old, living on Lake Shore Drive, had offices in the penthouse of the Playboy building, and was buying talent for theaters across the country.
Then my father passed away at a very young age. At this point my whole focus shifted from the life I just created to moving back with my mother. My father died with no major life insurance, no estate planning, and no path for my mother. He left a small payroll processing company that had 30 clients and generated about $30,000 in annual revenue. The value of selling the business would have been approximately $30,000 and my mother would have been faced with going back to work after raising three kids and not being employed since World War II.
How did you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
Faith, prayer, and love.
Do you feel that as a man you had greater advantages in the business world?
Absolutely.
Did you have mentors?
While in the entertainment business I was mentored by a partner by the name of Don Seat. He was one of the agent/manager/producers to produce one of the early Beatles concerts. He also brought the Jackie Gleason show into its glory. He was very involved in growing me as a promoter/producer.
When my father passed away his brother, who was the accountant for most of the 30 small clients in the family business mentored me and my brother as we tried to learn and then grow the business.
Do you feel you were traditional in terms of your steps to your Optimal Level?
No. Having no formal education, and never having planned on anything from being a musician, to producing and promoting concerts, to ending up in the payroll industry, I am one of those entrepreneurs that that became successful by doing the following:
a. Never quit (when most intelligent people would have)
b. Took on projects while under capitalized (when banks turned us away)
c. Woke up one day, looked around, and realized we had created quite a company
As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
That what you think about the most becomes your reality. If you think you can you will, and if you think you can’t you won’t. Plus faith practiced at all levels from faith in yourself to faith in people, to faith in God will always serve you well.
Any regrets?
No time for that. Life changes in an instant and if there is something you want to experience in your life the only reason you are not experiencing it is because you think you can’t.
Do you believe luck had something to do with your rise to where you are now? Do you feel you paid a price to be as successful as you are now?
Luck as defined by most differs from my definition. To me luck is the manifestation of good things out of the principles you live by. If we don’t pay for something it is not appreciated as much. So even though the price to some may be high, the reward far outweighs the cost.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other men and women on their way to their Optimal Level?
You become what you think about the most.
What do you think is the biggest business or career mistake people make?
To quit.
Do you have any other tips for professionals or business owners?
Pay attention to and love your family, build a spiritual community you are part of, and see only the best in everything.
