E.Q.:
What can we learn from each of these different website home
pages and from the people who run the companies?
Gwinnett's leading entrepreneurs...
Some key things to keep in mind when looking at these sites:
What do you see they specialize in?
What distinguishes these companies from their competition?
THE STORY: Bill Blake ... Since
1965, Dalton Carpets has been one of the largest retail floor covering firms in
the metro Atlanta area. The company has three locations – Norcross, Roswell and
Acworth. Our goal is to provide quality flooring products, installations and
full-service warranties to satisfy every customer's particular needs.
How I did it: Having a burning desire to own my own business, and with the opportunity, I was able to prepare a viable business plan to purchase this business from the original owner. Hard work and the right personnel have made it succeed.
My best advice: Develop a steady persistence in a course of action, have a strong work ethic and display a great attitude in any endeavor that you may undertake. Be a visionary and try to anticipate solutions to problems before they occur.
http://www.brandproperties.net/company
THE STORY: Brand Morgan ... Brand Properties is a
diversified real estate investment company speciali
zing
in the acquisition and development of office, retail and mixed-use projects.
Committed to fueling our region's long-term economic growth, Brand Properties
has joined forces with the area's leading development partners.
How I did it: The key to any successful company is creating a good team. We've created a GREAT team.
My best advice: Keep it simple: Know what you do and do what you know.
http://www.discoverypoint.com/franchise/default.asp
THE STORY: Cliff Cl
ark
is the CEO and co-founder, along with his wife Diane, of Discovery Point
Franchising, the leader in the child development/franchising business. Since
opening their first Discovery Point child development center in 1988, Cliff and
Diane have opened more than 60 centers in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and
Florida.
How I did it: Hard work, seven days a week, and risking everything every day. Success is the only acceptable option.
My best advice: Never accept that anything cannot be done. Find a way to make it happen. Favorite quote, "Chance favors the prepared mind." – Louis Pasteur
http://www.tillmanallengreer.com/splash/
THE STORY: David Greer is a
communications entrepreneur and president of Tillman, Allen, Greer – a
specialist in Gwinnett marketing and public relations services. Greer is the
founder of Gwinnett Magazine, The Gwinnett Business Journal, The Wiki Guide to
Gwinnett and the Success Lives Here initiative.
How I did it: An insatiable appetite for knowledge. Learning how to learn has been the most important element for me. I found I could learn how to do just about anything I set my mind to, and then, I put fear aside and took action.
My best advice: Challenge yourself to learn new things all the time. Get outside your normal circles and learn from people and businesses that are different from you. Then, most importantly, apply what you learn in a practical way.
http://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/
THE STORY: Demetr
ius
Jordan, area director of United Way in Gwinnett, guides efforts to engage,
develop and invest community resources in meaningful ways for human care causes
that matter most to Gwinnettians. Jordan works to maintain United Way's more
than a 100-year history of community trust, while responding to Gwinnett's
expanding needs.
How I did it: I really didn't do it. I had sharecropping grandparents with vision, hope and an unyielding faith in God that did it all.
My best advice: Treat others the way you expect to be treated.
THE STORY: Eleanor Morgan has worked with
husband, Charles, to build MD&E during the past 15 years. MD&E has a team of
seventy-five professionals delivering business IT support. Morgan has the
responsibility of being president and CEO of MD&E and has obtained certification
for the company as a woman-owned business.
How I did it: Treating both employees and customers with respect and integrity. Lots of hard work and extreme motivation to work through issues, while helping your team grow and become successful in new experiences.
My best advice: Believe in yourself. Use the gifts God has given you to your best ability with His guidance. Build a support team of individuals who are great when they work as a team. Have fun while doing this and never stop learning.
THE STORY: For more than 20 years, James Sanford h
as
advised business owners, senior executives and entrepreneurs on the key
technology decisions that affect their businesses. Founded in 1998, e-Tech
Software helps small business owners leverage their technology investment so
that their teams become more efficient.
How I did it: Forming the right relationships, working extremely hard and helping the people I work with get what they want. I've always been willing to take a risk and "see" the end result of what I've wanted to accomplish.
My best advice: You have to get started. You have to see the end result in your head and see yourself as part of that goal. Once that happens, you'll see the path to get to that goal.
THE STORY: Jay Grubb became a bu
sinessman
at 21 and was mentored by his grandfather, one of Gwinnett County's first real
estate developers. After the passing of his grandfather, Grubb and his family
battled unexpected taxes and legal fees as they watched the majority of his
grandfather's hard-earned fortune and estate deplete away. Grubb decided to make
it his personal mission to educate and assist individuals and businesses in
planning their estates and retirement.
How I did it: By specializing in satisfying the unique financial and retirement planning needs of high net worth individuals, business owners, entertainers and professional athletes. I take a personal interest in each of my client's unique financial situations, customizing a plan to meet their needs.
My best advice: My grandfather told me when I was young, "There are two paths you can take in life, the road most take and the road less traveled." The road less traveled is what I took and the reason for my success.
http://www.eagllc.com/pages/Intro.html
THE STORY: Lee Machen is founder and managing member
of Executive Advisor Group LLC. The firm helps advise business owners and
executives in creating, updating and maintaining a solid, integrated financial
plan. Machen serves on the board of Financial Services Professionals and is a
member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council.
How I did it: This summary seems to be pretty close – persistence, listening, thinking, learning and doing it better the next time.
My best advice: Be optimistic. Be sincere. Be confident. Ask questions. Take the step. Don't forget to say, "Thank you."
The story: Martin Richenhagen is chairman, president and CEO of AGCO Cor
poration,
a global manufacturer of agricultural equipment. AGCO offers a full product line
including tractors and combines, which are distributed through more than 3,000
independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries. In 2007, AGCO
had net sales of $6.8 billion.
How I did it: AGCO Corporation is committed to a philosophy of always growing – always growing our products, our people, our innovations and myself.
My best advice: When you change the way you think, you change the world.
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