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.
Ken, you have always been an inspiration to me. Your go-getter attitude coupled with your high ethical standards earned the respect of an entire class of MBA's, many of whom certainly thought of themselves quite highly and for good reasons. It takes a lot to impress such a group, but you did it because of who you are. I have loved seeing your success from afar as a friend and classmate. You're an inspiration to us all, and I give you at least some of the credit for helping me realize it was finally time to follow my own dreams.
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