Company: Brian Moran & Associates
1. Please provide a 2 sentence biography for yourself and/or mission statement.
I have been involved in helping business owners and entrepreneurs realize their dreams for the past 25 years. My goal is to give them to tools and road maps to help them successfully navigate their different paths to success.
2. Describe your business and why you started it. What is it that differentiates your business model from others?
My company does two things: We help business owners/entrepreneurs run better companies, and we help large marketers do a better job in reaching this audience. Our secret sauce is the network of top subject matter experts we created in all of major segments of the SMB market. In addition, we have access to the top small business organizations and leaders in those segments.
3. What is one challenge you’ve experienced with your business and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge is saying “no” to new opportunities. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of great ideas. We need to be smart about choosing the right opportunities and partners that make sense for our business model.
4. Which entrepreneur inspires you and why? What industry do they work in and what accomplishment is unique to them?
My parents are my greatest source of inspiration. Both were attorneys and provided me with such invaluable nuggets of advice and information over the years. They also gave me the support and the confidence I needed to always get back up when business knocked me down.
5. What is one development you foresee in your industry in the next 10 years?
In 10 years, it will be 2024. I can’t even imagine what the world and small business will be like in that time. Hopefully we will have overcome the risk, fear and uncertainty that is pervasive in the market today.
6. What trait is most important to succeeding in entrepreneurship?
Perseverance--Don’t ever stop trying.
7. What is one piece of advice you would give to someone considering starting a business?
Have a real business plan on where you want to go with your business. Also, decide how you plan on getting there. Then, have a backup plan because, as we all know, life and business never go according to our original plans. Without these two items, you severely limit your chances of long-term success. There are simply too many mines, obstacles and detours on the road you are on. At some point, one of them will knock you out of the game.
8. What if your favorite book on entrepreneurship and one lesson you learned?
I have two books that I recommend the most to fellow entrepreneurs--“Road Rules” by Andrew Sherman and “The Knack” by Norm Brodsky. They embody most of the principles and lessons you need to know to run a successful company.
