Allen Baler is an experienced entrepreneur and a partner of 4Patriots, LLC, a business that helps people become more self-reliant and independent. Baler co-founded the Tennessee based company in 2008 after gathering relevant experience from companies such as Easton Press and the Danbury Mint. He graduated from Harvard University.
Allen Baler resides in Nashville with his wife and three daughters. Baler loves spending time with his family and friends and takes advantage of any free time he has by spending it with loved ones.
How do you make money?
My company, 4Patriots, makes money by marketing and distributing a variety of different products. We offer everything from survival food — able to last for 25 years — to a water system that purifies water from virtually any source to make it clean, delicious and safe to drink.
What’s your favorite part about your business?
My favorite part about the business is that every day is different. Some days I’m dealing directly with customers, other days I’m working on infrastructure and developing our team, and still others are geared towards forward thinking. Meaning, looking at how as individuals and as a company we can continue to grow and overcome important challenges. Coming in each day knowing this day will be different from the last is exciting.
What are you focusing on right now in your business?
Currently, we are looking forward to growing the business. 4Patriots is still fairly small. I know there is an apparent need for the products we provide. I’m focusing on helping 4Patriots become the go-to and most essential choice for disaster preparedness supplies.
What is one marketing strategy that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
One marketing strategy that has worked well for generating new business is through email marketing. We are able to optimize our efforts through utilizing partial records. These records were all potential customers at some time and expressed interest in our products. By emailing these partials on a regular basis we re-inform and re-educate these customers and are ultimately able to generate new conversions.
Partials are a fantastic way to expand your internal marketing efforts. They are warm leads that are aware of what your company offers. They just need to be reminded of why they first signed up or expressed interest.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
The most satisfying moment in business would have to be creating a company where people genuinely love the work they do. It’s amazing to see how our employees have grown over time to form the company we are now.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
My hardworking mentality helps bring me success. I continue to push myself until I know that I truthfully have given it my all. I have always been extremely motivated and hardworking. That trait has stuck with me my whole life and has really helped me to be where I am now.
What books have inspired you?
I really love creativity books—books that give you another perspective and outlook. I’d have to recommend: “The Startup Playbook: Secrets of the Fastest-Growing Startups From Their Founding Entrepreneurs,” by David Kidder. It really shares an array of lessons and entrepreneurial experiences.
Do you have any advice you want to share with an aspiring entrepreneur?
One of the biggest pieces of advice I learned was how to manage your time. Time—and the energy associated with it—is limited. We only get a certain amount of hours in a day. You must be able to master your time to be as productive as you can be.
Learning to manage your time will pay dividends in productivity. Take time to make some type of table of workflow to better help understand your time spent in certain areas.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how would you like to be contacted?
Absolutely, I’d love to be a mentor. I owe a ton of my success to my own mentors. I can be contacted through my personal LinkedIn account.