Ken KaufmanWhat was the inspiration for starting your business?
My initial inspiration to start my business came from three different sources – my boss, my wife, and entrepreneurs in general. Allow me to explain…
I was serving as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a $100 million dollar company when I approached the President and asked him to allow to take over and turn around our only struggling division. I was confident it could be done in 6 months or less, and I would be able to keep many of my CFO duties through the process. His response became one part of my inspiration: “You are too valuable where you are.” I was looking for a challenge, and he was looking for stability. I knew I would not be happy there long-term, and this became part of my inspiration.
The second part of my inspiration was my wife. I started a business when we were first married that I had to abandon before we could get it off the ground and profitable. I had not returned to entrepreneurship since then, although it is where my heart really lies. I needed the full support of my wife, and I received it. She is a major source of my inspiration to succeed.
The third part of my inspiration is the passion I have for helping business owners, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. I have served as an executive for two entrepreneurial companies that have grown to in excess of $100 million in annual sales. I know the day-to-day challenges these owners, CEOs, and entrepreneurs face, and I was experienced at solving the cash flow, profitability, operational, and other challenges inherent to high growth firms. I had also seen the results of mistakes made by this same group. I was confident that most start-up, emerging, and medium-sized companies could use the perspective of a seasoned executive, and I was committed to delivering that service at a price they could afford.
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