When you first started in the business, what was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Mitchell: My biggest challenge was finding funding to start the business. I was laid off from my job, which at the time was paying me 60K yearly. I had only 15K in savings and no real investments, but I was determined to start my own business and not go back to working for “the man.” I cashed in my 401(k) retirement fund. Although it was heavily taxed, I used that money and my savings along with loans from friends and family as my seed money. I basically starved the first three months and ate lots of canned soup for dinner. It was a huge risk, but I was determined to be successful. I believed I would be successful.
Many trailblazers find themselves making their own rules. What rules or guiding principles have you set for yourself?
Mitchell: As my own boss and a leader for many, my business moves are watched and sometimes copied. Being an entrepreneur suits my personality and I had to let my personality be very involved in my business. Because I didn’t have prior experience in any of the businesses I own or any inkling as to how they should be run, I had to create my own rules every step of the way. I had to learn to challenge convention and to be creative and take advantage of unexpected opportunities.