WHAT DOES YOUR MORNING ROUTINE LOOK LIKE?

I have a 10 year old son so mornings are a little crazy. I get up and make his lunch, help him get ready and we are out the door for school. Next, I go to workout, this is key in keeping my energy up and mentally organizing my day. After my workout, I am back in front of my computer and attacking my day and my to do list with excitement.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Being my own boss is the best part of being an entrepreneur. I have always questioned why a certain boss I had did one thing or another and I felt that I would do things differently if I was in charge and now I am. The feeling of getting the chance to drive my company where I want it to go every day is amazing!

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?

After working in corporate American for over 20 years, I am used to having a large team and a lot of support. Now that I am on my own, I no longer have a team to turn to and most days I am on my own. I miss the opportunity to collaborate with people that I have worked with for years and the chance to give someone an assignment that I know they can excel at and deliver on. Now, I am the one that handles everything even if it isn’t my expertise which can be challenging.

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DO FOR YOURSELF EVERYDAY?

I work out nearly every day as that is my escape and commitment to myself to put myself first.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO INVEST IN WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS?

The most important thing to invest in when starting a business is your product. If you don’t have a fantastic product you will be doomed. We live in a world today where everyone rates and reviews products and if you don’t have a unique product that delivers on consumer’s needs you will be out of business in no time.

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST MOTIVATION?

My greatest motivation is me. I am so committed to the vision I have in my mind of my future and the future of my company that nothing can stop me.

HOW DO YOU STAY FOCUSED/PRODUCTIVE AND MAKE THE BEST OF THE SAME 24 HOURS THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS?

I have always known that there may be others out there with better ideas or more resources or more contacts but there will never be anyone that will get as much done in a day as I will. That is available to each of us every day and I make the most of that one advantage daily.

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO/FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA/USE AS A MENTOR?

I follow countless motivational feeds on social but in my life I have a few fantastic mentors that have advised me for years and continue to guide me today. Typically, I look up to younger people that I mentor to remember why I am doing what I am doing.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF BUSINESS ADVICE THAT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?

Companies that are based on ideas instead of hierarchy are the only kind of companies to work with.

WHAT IS THE BEST BUSINESS ADVICE THAT YOU’VE EVER GIVEN?

Don’t waste your time focusing on the obstacles, focus on solutions instead.

*BONUS*

WHAT DOES NO ONE TELL YOU ABOUT BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?

That in the beginning it can be a very lonely climb.