Joe Olujic is an experienced executive who has served as the chief officer of various businesses in both the hospitality and gaming industries. Leaning on his vast and varied experience, Mr. Olujic has taken on a number of sizable projects while working in a variety of leadership roles and has consistently stimulated the continued growth of each organization for which he has worked.
Mr. Olujic has overcome several challenges throughout his career and can cite a number of successful endeavors as a part of his extensive resume. He has assisted companies in expanding the industries in which they operate while also increasing the profitability of these organizations as well. Throughout his career, countless organizations have been able to call on Mr. Olujic to improve operations and to oversee positive organizational changes.
A great deal of Mr. Olujic’s expertise is in the gaming industry, but he also possesses significant experience and expertise in finance and hospitality. With 15 years of experience in the gaming industry serving in executive roles, Mr. Olujic has spearheaded several entrepreneurial opportunities to great success and has offered his consultation on a number of other projects as well.
How did you get started? What sparked this business idea?
I got started in the gaming industry many years ago, and I have also felt very passionate about remaining involved in the industry for the remainder of my professional career. This project that I am now working on is one way to remain involved in gaming that draws on my experience and knowledge of the industry.
How do you make money?
We earn profits in the same way that others in the gaming industry do, but we also have added revenue streams that include hotels and related hospitality services. We felt it was very important to diversify the offerings we provide to our clients.
How long did it take to get your business into the black?
I have been in the gaming industry for many, many years, so not very long at all. There was a great deal of planning that was done in advance of our first opening, and we felt very confident that we would be able to generate enough interest that we could be profitable on an immediate basis.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
As I mentioned before, I have a lot of experience on which to draw and I have never been one to lack confidence either. I did not have any doubts, and I fully trust the staff that we have put in place to ensure our continued success.
How did you get your first customer?
We generated a lot of initial interest through traditional advertising and were very pleased at the fact that we had an excellent turnout on our very first day of operation. It was actually a greater turnout than we had initially projected, but we also tend to make fairly modest projections.
How are you marketing your business? What strategy works best?
While we have always relied on traditional advertising and word of mouth, we have found that our social media team has been able to really get people interested in our services. The social media marketing has been exceptional thus far. We have found that we are not only able to generate interest in this way, but that we have also been able to generate loyalty and engagement on a regular basis.
Is there a trend in your industry that particularly excites you right now?
The gaming industry is experiencing growth across the board, and that is very exciting in and of itself. The industry is gaining traction in places where it has not been traditionally popular, which is also a very encouraging development.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
Having to make the decision to go forward with the addition of the hospitality portion of our business immediately was something of a calculated risk, but it has done exceptionally well for us right away. Even though it was successful, it was still tough to weigh all of the data that we had at our disposal as we made our decision to go forward with that aspect of the project.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
When I commit to a project, I like to fully commit. All of my time and energy is devoted to ensuring that everything about the project is in perfect order and is positioned to succeed. I believe that my work ethic has proved vital not only to my personal success, but also to the success of the companies that I have been fortunate enough to work with throughout my career.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
The most satisfying moment was the day we opened and saw the parking lot filling with cars. There were more people than I had expected, and when I got a chance to walk through the parking lot, I saw a lot of out-of-state plates. It was very rewarding to know that we had made such an impression that we were able to draw clients in from significant distances.
Tell us about one of your hobbies when you’re not working.
I enjoy gaming, of course, but I have been considering taking up cycling. A few of my friends in the industry have told me that long rides can be very relaxing and often result in the stimulation of new ideas.
How do you balance your time among so many different projects?
I have been smart enough to surround myself with hard-working, trustworthy people. I am able to oversee so many different projects because I work with so many capable and intelligent individuals who share in the organizational goals that we have created together.