What made you want to do the work you do? Please share the full story.
“Honestly, it all started with a leap of faith. I spent years climbing the corporate ladder, and while it had its rewards, I always felt a pull toward something more tangible, something I could build with my own hands. So, I took the plunge and bought a restaurant.”
“That’s where the real education began. Running that restaurant opened my eyes to the immense challenges small business owners face every single day. We dealt with everything from staffing headaches to supplier issues, but the biggest hurdle, the one that kept me up at night, was **cash flow**. We had moments where we were stretched incredibly thin, and it became painfully clear that if we had established corporate credit earlier, many of those struggles could have been alleviated.
Those firsthand experiences, those cash flow tightropes we walked, were the catalyst. I realized there was a massive need for practical, real-world advice for other small business owners navigating similar waters. That’s why I do what I do now: I advise small businesses on how to **avoid those cash flow pitfalls** and build a solid financial foundation. It’s incredibly rewarding to help others bypass some of the hard lessons I learned.
Tell us 3 surprisingly easy and 3 surprisingly difficult things about your business.
Three surprising things? The first one might think is obvious but its just how much it cost to keep a small business running. You think about rent, marketing, inventory but there are so many $100, $200 or $1,000 dollar small things that are there week in and week that you don’t consider. You feel like you are having an ACH taken out every day and it adds up. Another surprising thing was just how important the small business are to the community. And not just small town, USA but metro areas to large cities. From community pride to employment. Did you know that small businesses employee employs 45.9% of the U.S workforce or about 59 million people. Lastly, just how much your staff becomes family. You work together, cry together, celebrate together and that creates a very strong bond.
Three difficult things. In the restaurant world where I was it was predicting traffic flow and revenue. There never seemed to be a reason why one random Thursday your are packed open to close and the next Thursday its a ghost town. Another is the art of the details. How to shift supply orders around busier and slower times of the year, how to really identify employee theft. Over serving, not charging, comps to friends, over pouring drinks, not adhering to portion controls to name a few. And the hardest was just how difficult it is to manage a very diverse set of people. The servers want to be treated one way, Bartenders another and the kitchen staff. Well, we would need more time to get into all their lovable quirks.
What are the 3 things you like best about your work and why?
I feel like I am making a difference in someones life. I know its helping the communities and the satisfaction of supporting small business is fantastic.
What are your greatest 3 skills and how have they helped you succeed?
My strongest skill would be my communication skills. Communicating with people has always come naturally. In conjunction with that is that I learned to listen. To not hear what is being said but to really understand what they mean. And body language pay attention and you will know all you need to know about how they feel and what they are thinking. This has helped me and can help everyone. Miscommunication causes a lot of headaches in business and really, the world.
Tell us about a time you were dead wrong about something.
Soccer. I was an executive at FOX Sports speaking at an industry event speaking on the popularity of sports and how it was the more than entertainment. It’s king of reality TV, it’s part of the very fabric of this country from professional sports all the way to kids little league. Here is where I went so sideways.
I was discussing why soccer was so popular globally. You know, Europeans grow up playing soccer, in economically challenged countries is cost effective (ball and two nets). All of that is true. However, I went on to say that while youth soccer was huge in the United States but beyond that soccer would be a third tier sport in terms of popularity, attendance, TV deals, ect. and gave a litany of expert reasons why. Well, since the year 2000, soccer has soared by nearly 70%,transforming the league from a nascent venture to one of the highest-attended sports leagues in the U.S., now outdrawing both the NBA and NHL in average per-game attendance. I was a little off on that one.
How do you get yourself out of a funk? Please share the details.
I try not to get in funk by tending to basic needs: prioritize quality sleep, nutritious food, and consistent movement. Beyond physical well-being, I actively shift my mindset practicing gratitude, engaging in mindfulness, and setting small, achievable goals to build momentum. I don’t underestimate the power of connection; I reach out to loved ones and friends constantly.
What do you value most and why?
I value treating people with kindness because it genuinely makes me feel good. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from knowing I’ve brightened someone’s day or eased their burden, and I’ve noticed it often creates a positive ripple effect, strengthening my relationships and fostering a more supportive environment. For me, kindness isn’t just a polite gesture; it’s a core personal value that helps me build meaningful connections and contributes to the kind of world I want to live in.
What are 3 of your goals (could be mix of personal and professional)?
1. Raise all four children to become responsible adults with a strong set of values.
2. Always be kind and considerate.
3. To leave a mark professionally. Early in my career, I had the privilege to help launch FOX Sports Regional networks and ESPN and I am proud of that. However, this stage of my career working with small business owners is very rewarding because I so strongly believe in their importance.
What is your favorite movie and why?
Smokey and the Bandit. It was a thing when I was young with my friends. We all know every word of the movie and seeing it brings back good memories.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
If I could go back in time, I’d give my younger self the gift of unwavering self-belief and a firm understanding that true worth isn’t found in external validation. I’d tell myself to stop agonizing over what others think and instead, focus on cultivating genuine passions, even if they seem unconventional. I’d emphasize that mistakes are not failures, but crucial stepping stones for growth, and that the biggest regrets often come from opportunities not taken, rather than risks that didn’t pay off. Most importantly, I’d encourage a deeper appreciation for the present moment and the people in it, because time moves so much faster than you think.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If yes, what is the best way to reach you?
Yes, always. LinkedIn is best. The link is below.
Just for fun, what is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla. Boring, I know, but I like what I like.