Category Archives: Entrepreneur Written Interviews
Interview with OIx2 CEO and Co-Founder Jason Pace by Paolo Narciso
Jason Pace is the current CEO and Co-Founder of OIx2, the leading provider of text chat, video chat, and social media interaction solutions for companies that want to interact with their customers on the Web. OIx2 is the latest of this serial entrepreneur’s telecommunication based startups. Mr. Pace started his first company, Tapestry, in 1995 before selling the company five years later to Eclipse Networks. After several years in executive leadership at Amcat, AT&T and Touchstar, Jason founded his second telecommunications company, Bluewave Technologies in 2008, growing the company to become one of the leading global, hosted, software as a service telecommunication companies. The company merged with Futureview Technologies a year later, creating one of the leading video interaction solutions in the world. In 2010, Mr. Pace successfully exited the company to form OIx2 growing the company across two continents and introducing several innovative products, including the highly acclaimed SBX platform that allows businesses to better manage their customer interactions on Facebook, Twitter, and other leading social media sites.
I conducted this interview with Mr. Pace from his office in Houston, Texas.
Randy Morgan Owner of Randy’s Custom Golf Interviewed by Rick Childress
Randy Morgan is the third generation of his family to work in the golf industry. His grandfather was a golf course superintendent; his mother was a caddie, and Randy has worked in the golf industry his entire working life. He started as a cart boy at a golf course in Tryon and later worked in the pro shop for several years. Randy later worked in the pro shop at Silver Creek Plantation, in Morganton, for 14 years.
Randy is one of the few entrepreneurs who started his own business to spend more time with his family. Even though golf is Randy’s passion, the downside of working at a golf course is long hours, especially on weekends. He decided to open his own golf shop two years ago, in downtown Morganton, partly to free up Sundays for his family. Randy missed being able to attend church with his family but since opening his business he has become a deacon in his church which would not have been possible while working for a golf course.
Randy selected downtown Morganton as the location for his store for several reasons. He liked the store size and rent when compared to similar properties. The amount of traffic in this location was also to Randy’s liking. Across the street from the store is a popular local restaurant that is frequented by local golfers during their lunch hour. Randy has noticed golfers looking out of the restaurant while eating and then visiting the store after lunch. Randy would ideally like to be located at a driving range facility but there were no such facilities available. To save money Randy did most of the work to remodel the building prior to opening himself. The only work that he paid for was to build a putting green in the front of his store.
Randy’s Custom Golf carries new and used golf equipment for golfers of all skill levels from the new golfer to professionals. Randy can also customize the equipment he sells to match the physical stature and swing characteristics of the golfer. He uses technology including a launch monitor to analyze the golf swing so that the golf club can be modified to match the golfer. Randy has ordered a golf simulator which will allow customers see a projected image of a golf course and play a round of golf by hitting real balls into a screen with their own clubs. The computer will project the results of the shot based on the way the ball was struck. The result is a fairly accurate depiction of what the shot result would have been in actual play. Randy hopes the simulator will draw golfers into the store this winter, providing revenue from the game itself as well as equipment sales.
Randy’s equipment sales have received a boost from the recent addition of Taylormade golf clubs. Taylormade is one of the most popular brands of clubs so becoming a dealer has been a positive development for Randy, resulting in a 300 percent increase in equipment sales. He has scheduled a demo day with the Taylormade rep at a local driving range. He has advertised the demo day in the local newspaper as well as on the local radio station. He is hopeful that the demo day will be well attended and result in equipment sales as well as publicity for his store.
Randy uses a variety of advertising and promotions, such as demo day. One of his most successful forms of advertising is through facebook. He also believes that the magnetized signage on his truck has resulted in a number of phone calls and new customers. Since he worked at Silver Creek, a local golf course, for 14 years Randy was well known to local golfers when the business first opened which helped with word-of-mouth. Randy is also the only local shop that provides full service club repair. When the store first opened two years ago club repairs accounted for about half of revenues. As equipment sales have increased this ratio has dropped to about twenty-five percent of revenue. Repairs will continue to be an important source of revenue and to maintain repeat business. Golf club grips, for example must be replaced once a year, on average, and more often depending on the frequency of play or practice. Golfers also are notorious for changing clubs often to improve play so when they come in for repairs or grip replacement they will often purchase a new club.
Randy would like to increase the number of club brands that he offers and to see the continued growth that he has experienced his first two years. One of the biggest surprises in his first two years of operation has been the dramatic increase in sales during his second year. He was expecting a slower, more steady rate of growth, especially during the first three years of operation.
When asked what advice he would give to new entrepreneurs Randy replied, “Do what you love to do. I love golf and I have always worked in the golf industry so this is what I’m naturally going to be happy doing. I would not be happy working in a factory or doing a trade or occupation that I know nothing about. Working for myself allows me to have control over my time so I love what I’ve been able to do.”
Randy Morgan
Chris Carroll Owner of Carroll Woodcrafts Unlimited Interviewed by Rick Childress
Chris Carroll
Chris worked as a home builder for over 20 years prior to starting his own business—Carroll Woodcrafts Unlimited. Like many entrepreneurs Chris’ business began as a hobby. He has always loved craft work as a hobby, usually making things and giving them away. Chris also always wanted to own his own business so when the housing market slumped Chris began planning his new venture. As a result of his planning efforts, Chris started Carroll Woodcrafts in 2009 and is now doing what he loves–creating a wide variety of items from wood from furniture to candlesticks. The tagline on his brochure is “If you have an idea, I can create it.”
When Chris started his business he realized that he needed to learn more about the basics of operating a business in order to be successful. Chris enrolled in a 6 week program through NC REAL, a nonprofit organization dedicated to help bring entrepreneurship and small business creation to North Carolina, to learn business basics and to develop a business plan. Chris is highly motivated to learn as much as he can about operating a business and feels that he learned a great deal through the 2 night a week workshops.
In addition to his educational efforts Chris is an amazing networker. Chris commented that “there is a story behind everything I make”, a testament to the success of his networking and the personal connections he makes. He is well known in Polk County where he operates his business. He tirelessly promotes his enterprise and networks and barters to find sources of materials. As a result of his efforts he has seen significant donations of materials and equipment. For example, a local tree trimmer delivers sizable logs to Chris’ workshop which can be milled into valuable lumber. He has also received a sawmill valued at around $40,000 as a donation. Chris may mill some lumber for the previous owner of the sawmill, if the previous owner needs the wood, otherwise there are no strings attached. Chris plans to build a solar kiln for drying the wood he mills. As a result of the sawmill, kiln, and donated logs, Chris will have significant control of the costs of materials.
Chris’ workshop is located at the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center a facility that serves as a resource center for agricultural development, farmland preservation, education, community service and business development. Chris receives the benefit of affordable rent and utilities as well as the space that he needs to operate at the Center. There are other small businesses at this location and there will soon be a small store to display and sell their products which are mostly arts and crafts. The Center also hosts events that bring in the public which provide good exposure to the small businesses located there.
Chris’ primary marketing is trade shows and fairs. He would like to have more money to invest at attending these shows because he believes that this exposure is critical to the growth of his business. The shows are also a primary source of sales, both at the show and from customers who contact Chris later after seeing his work. Unfortunately the shows are expensive so he has to limit the number of shows he attends.
He often uses networking and bartering to enter shows. For example, a high-profile show—the Southern Highland Craft Guild—has a selection process requiring a professionally produced portfolio consisting of photographs of the craftsman’s work. Chris bartered with a local photographer to take the photos and produce a CD of Chris’ work in exchange for some of Chris’ products. A panel of guild members reviews the CDs from applicants and approves or rejects the entry. If Chris is selected he will be able to show his work at the Southern Highland Craft Guild show at the Asheville Civic Center. Exposure at such a high-profile show would be very beneficial for his business.
In addition to shows Chris would also like to have more money to advertise. He does some newspaper ads but would like to do more. Other marketing efforts include work on a future website.
Although Chris believes that the poor economy has hampered his growth, he is encouraged by the amount of business that he’s experienced in this economy and is optimistic regarding his future prospects. He would like to see his business grow enough to hire 5-6 employees and to provide a steady, long-term vocation.