1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
My goal when working with our partners is to find solutions to pain points in their business. Many times the business concern is deeper than they first envisioned and educating them on this revelation is sometimes challenging, because they are not ready to hear that conclusion. But ultimately implementing an agreed upon solution and improving our partners’ business results are incredibly rewarding.
2. Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
I admire Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks. I love his passion and vision for Starbucks. He built a business selling a product for a premium that many people have access to for much cheaper, or even free, and that is amazing. Starbucks is a destinational brand that consumers will go out of their way to purchase. In addition to the product, he believes in giving back to his employees (health care, free tuition, etc.), which is admirable, too. The combination of passion, vision, and responsibility are attributes that all leaders should strive to have and share.
3. What has been the high point of your career so far?
I really enjoyed my time working in international sales. I had the opportunity to travel to nearly 50 countries and learn how business is conducted in other parts of the world. I am fortunate to have experienced firsthand some of the greatest treasures in the world. From a business perspective, interestingly, when you take away all the cultural differences (which in some cases are significant) it really comes down to building a relationship with your customer based on trust and providing them value. And for the partnership to work it needs to come from both sides. Technology is providing business new ways to grow internationally (Skype, email, text, etc.) and from that perspective, I feel more and more each day, that we are truly becoming a global market place with local influences.
4. Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
It is okay to take risks and trust your instincts. When I was starting out in business and looking at opportunities, I tended to fall on the conservative side. I would say that I tried to be risk averse. Also, money isn’t the only thing that should matter. Enjoying what you do is most important.
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5. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
Madison is a progressive city. People are involved in change here. When I traveled in my other jobs, I didn’t find this anywhere else in the country.
The mindset is urbanesque. Everything is on the table. People want to see the community thrive. They want the things that are good for you. In tech, they are developing products here that support that type of lifestyle and mindset.
6. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I am not sure how “talented” I am, but I really enjoy woodworking, especially with reclaimed wood and barn wood. I like the idea of taking something that has some level of history and has been discarded, and making it into something new and usable. I find it enjoyable to use my creative side for developing a vision of a finished product and then utilizing the other side of the brain to do all the math and geometry that may be needed to build it. I have a real sense of accomplishment when a product is complete.
7. What are your guilty pleasures?
I really enjoy listening to the Howard Stern Show on satellite radio. Although many people believe he is all about “raunchy” stuff, his show is so much more. Howard is truly is one of the best interviewers. The guests he has on the show really open up and share experiences you will never hear on the predictable talk shows. Not long ago Howard interviewed Bill Murray and I found it so interesting that I couldn’t stop listening. I ended up sitting in my car in the parking lot of Copps for over an hour!
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