I first met Steve Jolley five years ago in Goldsboro, NC. At the time he was running Lighthouse Mortgage; a company that his father and himself had created and operated. As the economy shifted Jolley was smart to stay ahead of the trend and he moved to Wilmington, NC to open the insurance company Anchor Adjusters. Jolley also has a side business of chartering deep-sea fishing trips through his company Knot Reel Adventures.
1.Tell us a little about yourself: I am not necessarily a leader, but certainly not a follower. Although I am definitely an “outside the box” thinker.
2.What made you want to open this business? I wanted to be able to have fun while paying the bills.
3.Did you have prior experience or knowledge of the industry? A prior career in the mortgage industry provided the back drop to build the insurance company off of. As for the other (deep-sea fishing), I have fished as long as I have done anything else.
4.How many employees do you have besides yourself? And how do you select the people that join your staff? Currently none. I have employed as many as 5 at a time. I always went with how someone carried themselves in the interview. Anyone can look good on paper.
5.What do you like most about owning your own business? I like knowing I can take off whenever I want.
6.What do you like the least about owning your own business? Not having enough time to ever take off.
7.About how many hours do you work per day or week (on average)? 10 -12 day
8.Are there things that you would do or handle differently if given the chance? No
9.Do you have any advice that you would like to offer to potential entrepreneurs? If you’re never up; then you’re never in.
