Big picture
Reason for starting business: Laid off just a few months shy of 50 years old.
Most difficult part of decision: Not very difficult, in a sink or swim moment it’s good to know that you can still swim.
Biggest plus of ownership: The empowerment of being in charge of your own destiny.
Biggest drawback: Negative of ownership is the flip side of the positive. Being in charge puts all the responsibility on you. So it's very dependent on your state of mind, success or failure is up to you.
Biggest misconception: Misconceptions, mis-communications, mistakes - all the same and they just can't happen. In this business it's very specific and individual graphics projects that have to be perfect and delivered on time, if not they're useless. That's the prime reason for the 100% satisfaction guarantee. Every job begins with a one page document that includes the unique specifications, production, turnaround time, and price commitment. Client's signature (plus mine) is required before the work moves forward. In five years time, we've been very close to perfection. August 2007 we printed an incorrectly spec'd restaurant window graphic. That one messed job still bothers me.
Biggest business strength: Very fortunate that many long term clients continue to compliment us with glowing endorsements for reliability, quality and dedication to excellent customer service.
Biggest business weakness: None. Well okay, maybe it’s outreach time management and not putting enough energy into bringing in new clients. Fortunately solid referrals turn into new business.
Biggest risk: There really isn’t much risk, Great Kolor is a tight little business.
Biggest mistake: Except for the one mis-spec'd window graphic, honestly I can't think of any.
Smartest move: Mid 2009 decision to put resources into the organization of a brief and to the point non-profit education program called the Not-For-Profit Publicity Workshop. Three were held in 2009 and four more are scheduled for 2010. The volunteer venues like ODC Dance, California Historical Society, Mission Cultural Center and Robert Cameron’s Environmental Journey have all been excellent and feedback from the Non-Profit's has been terrific.
Daily routine
Most challenging task: The demands of ever faster turnaround times. Least favorite task: Paperwork.
Favorite task: Aligning clients needs with output capabilities. Biggest frustration: Voice mail tag.
Source of support in a business crisis: My much better half: St. Michelle.
Dreams
First move with capital windfall: Repair our home, pay off the mortgage and take a much delayed three month around the world vacation, just me and the Mrs.
Key goal yet to achieve: Financial stability. For a very short moment it was in hand, then the housing bust cleaned my clock. That's okay, lesson learned, we'll get there. Five year plan: Take that three month vacation.
Inducement to sell: I really enjoy doing this so it would have to be a spectacular buyout to induce selling.
Personal
Most-admired entrepreneur: Benjamin Franklin.
Stress reducers: Listening to motivational CD’s on the drive home. Favorite restaurant: Nordstrom’s Café.
Favorite pastimes: Hiking the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range with my sons. Favorite destination: Mt Evans, CO.
Favorite book: “The Magic of Thinking Big”, Dr. David J Schwartz. What is on your iPod: Don’t have one.
Automobile: Pontiac Aztek. It's loaded with features including an icebox and tent, gets great gas mileage, it's not ugly (to me : ) and I really like it!