Question: What inspired you to start your own business (moving from a corporate setting)?
Answer: Although I enjoyed life in the corporate world, I always felt like the long hours and time spent traveling and commuting (away from my family) was to fulfill someone else's dream of what the company should be. I wanted to develop my own company so I could make the decisions as to what our corporate personality would be and how we would treat our customers. I wanted to choose people who shared my core beliefs about how how a successful company should operate and would measure success the same way I did. It can be daunting to start over, especially on a financial level, which is why I have a tremendous amount of respect for every person who leaves the corporate world and starts their own business. It requires a tremendous amount of courage and self-belief.
Q: How do you keep Momentum on “the cutting edge” in the field of advertising & design?
A: Momentum stays on the cutting edge by staying abreast of everything that is occurring in the industry — that is done by participating in seminars, reading trade journals and participating in advertising agency associations. We are part of an organization that shares "best practices" among advertising agencies throughout the country in non-competing geographic areas. That allows us to see what is working (and not working) and allows us to determine if we should invest the time and money required to incorporate new things into our work environment or client strategies. It also means attempting new things and embracing new technologies. You have to invest the time, money and energy necessary so that you can bring your clients the best solutions to their marketing and advertising challenges.
Q: Describe to us your “dream client.”
A: My dream client is an educated client — one that truly understands marketing and advertising principles and embraces them. They're a client who understands that you need to advertise both during good times and bad and maintains a healthy enough budget to achieve their marketing goals. It is also a client that has an open mind and is interested in trying new things and avoiding the status quo. They would also enjoy being challenged by their agency and are open to new recommendations provided they are well thought out and/or quantified. The product and/or service they represent is irrelevant.
Q: You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place?
A: Rule #1: Only people with great attitudes are allowed on the island — those who don't must immediately be banished before they can negatively influence others. All good relationships, whether business or personal start with a great attitude.
Q: If you could invite one special guest of honor to your birthday party, who would it be?
A: My special guest would be Warren Buffet — considered by many as the most successful investors, businessman and philanthropist in history. He is a self-made man whose keen understanding of American businesses and finance have made him one of the respected men in the world. Although there might be a more famous or contemporary person to invite — there is perhaps no one with as much practical insight regarding successful organizations, management styles and business philosophies that I could think to speak with. I know I would walk away with some practical "gems" that would make me a better businessperson.
Answer: Although I enjoyed life in the corporate world, I always felt like the long hours and time spent traveling and commuting (away from my family) was to fulfill someone else's dream of what the company should be. I wanted to develop my own company so I could make the decisions as to what our corporate personality would be and how we would treat our customers. I wanted to choose people who shared my core beliefs about how how a successful company should operate and would measure success the same way I did. It can be daunting to start over, especially on a financial level, which is why I have a tremendous amount of respect for every person who leaves the corporate world and starts their own business. It requires a tremendous amount of courage and self-belief.
Q: How do you keep Momentum on “the cutting edge” in the field of advertising & design?
A: Momentum stays on the cutting edge by staying abreast of everything that is occurring in the industry — that is done by participating in seminars, reading trade journals and participating in advertising agency associations. We are part of an organization that shares "best practices" among advertising agencies throughout the country in non-competing geographic areas. That allows us to see what is working (and not working) and allows us to determine if we should invest the time and money required to incorporate new things into our work environment or client strategies. It also means attempting new things and embracing new technologies. You have to invest the time, money and energy necessary so that you can bring your clients the best solutions to their marketing and advertising challenges.
Q: Describe to us your “dream client.”
A: My dream client is an educated client — one that truly understands marketing and advertising principles and embraces them. They're a client who understands that you need to advertise both during good times and bad and maintains a healthy enough budget to achieve their marketing goals. It is also a client that has an open mind and is interested in trying new things and avoiding the status quo. They would also enjoy being challenged by their agency and are open to new recommendations provided they are well thought out and/or quantified. The product and/or service they represent is irrelevant.
Q: You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place?
A: Rule #1: Only people with great attitudes are allowed on the island — those who don't must immediately be banished before they can negatively influence others. All good relationships, whether business or personal start with a great attitude.
Q: If you could invite one special guest of honor to your birthday party, who would it be?
A: My special guest would be Warren Buffet — considered by many as the most successful investors, businessman and philanthropist in history. He is a self-made man whose keen understanding of American businesses and finance have made him one of the respected men in the world. Although there might be a more famous or contemporary person to invite — there is perhaps no one with as much practical insight regarding successful organizations, management styles and business philosophies that I could think to speak with. I know I would walk away with some practical "gems" that would make me a better businessperson.
