Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Roitblat.
Bob, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Reading biographies of successful people kindled within me a strong desire to do my own thing; to make my own way in the world. Being a teenager during the late 1970s Disco craze also helped. I had a working knowledge of electronics and many bars were eager to get in on the fad. They were willing to take a chance on a kid because none of the established audio-visual firms had any more experience than I did. The legacy firms also were quoting big fees.
I outfitted several clubs with new lighting and sound systems. This also gave me the opportunity to talk with the owners about their business and offer some general business advice. As it would happen, one of my clients tragically lost their manager and needed someone to take over their struggling restaurant and club. It was my first turn-around.
Ever since I have implemented ideas I generated. Running the companies during the start-up and growth phases, and selling them off when all the processes are in place and the operation is running smoothly.
About 14 years ago I was invited to join an investment group that wanted to greatly expand their core business. What the group of people and their invested pool offer is a chance to open more businesses more frequently. I joined the group and collectively we opened 7 more businesses. After about 4 years we packed 6 or those 7 businesses and sold them in a roll-up–to another organization that wanted to dominate the market.
All the time I was started and running my own companies I was also consulting with or presenting to other business owners. Offering advice and direction on how to improve their current operation start a new business or exit their existing business.
Four months ago I sold my remaining stake in the last of the 7 businesses I started with the investment group. I focus exclusively on speaking and consulting.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Charles Dickens’ opening lines from “A Tale of Two Cities” describes it best: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” The freedom of being an entrepreneur is exhilarating, but the price of that freedom is responsibility. While my staff can go home at the end of the day and not worry about the business until tomorrow I have to carry that angst constantly.
As a responsible business owner, I made sure to make payroll every week–for everyone else. I got paid only if there was cash available. Which sometimes there wasn’t.
There were many nights in the early days of many of my business where I slept on the floor of my office because I was too tired to drive home after working 18 to 20 hours.
And then there were those times when I could stand back and see my ideas come to fruition. To see what we built. To see that these businesses were employing, at one point, 150 people. And that we were helping our customers be more successful.
I’ll also admit that it’s thrilling when a buyer hands me a seven-figure check and I get to do it all over again.
Please tell us about Mainsail Consulting Group.
All of my companies focused on high-touch high-technology. In addition to the lighting and sound system business, I started a computer products distribution company, a computer rental company, a fixed-point wireless Internet company and seven out-patient imaging centers. Which means that we applied technology in a customer-centric way. We didn’t develop high technology.
I focus my speaking and consulting on developing leadership capabilities. Which means I help business owners and executives become the leaders their team deserve, and I help organizations raise the effectiveness of their innovation efforts.
My competitive advantage is the depth and breadth of my experience.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Winning a fishing contest when I was six. Winning is always fun. Also Friday night dinners at my grandmother’s house. Think of the Sunday dinners at “The Blue Blood’s” Reagan family.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.roitblat.com
- Phone: 847-572-3269
- Email: bob@roitblat.com
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/bob.roitblat
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/BobRoitblat
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