Emerging Leaders program gives business owners tools to grow
Tali Weitzman
AMS Elite Solutions, Inc.
39555 N Hwy 83, Lake Villa, IL 60046
(847) 838-9501
http://www.ams-es.net/
Email: contact@ams-es.net, T.weitzman@ams-es.net Years in business: 14
Q: What motivated you to start this business?
A: AMS Elite Solutions, Inc. (formally AMS Earth Movers, Inc.) was established in 2007 by Julie Savitt [Tali's mother]. In 2017-18, AMS Elite Solutions went through a rebranding and refocusing of where to be in the next one year, three year, and ten years. We have decided to move away from the dump trucking services as our main focus (which the company was founded on) to the mobilization of moving heavier and wider loads on flatbeds and lowboys, as well as expanding the aggregate supply portion of the business to encompass more services related to concrete.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face in growing the business?
A: The biggest challenge with growing the business is taking the time to step out of the day-to-day operations and working on the company - building relationships, finding work, maneuvering through the right people.
Q: How did the Emerging Leaders program help you meet that challenge?
A: It helped solidify who the main players are in helping the company reach its three-year vision of expanding into concrete crushing. The curriculum also helped us focus on expanding our current offering of moving oversize/overweight loads to the next level, as well as customer acquisition and identifying new audiences and where to be.
Nick Zaras
Danbys Station Cafe
750 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, IL 60046
(630) 790-3268
http://www.danbysstation.com/
Email: nzar@comcast.net Years in business: 15
Q: What motivated you to start this business?
A: When I graduated college, I swore to my father, who owned restaurants his whole life, I'd never get into his kind of business. After several years of working for different companies, I had a chance to join my brother and father at our restaurant in Glen Ellyn. I immediately stepped in and got to work. I knew this what I was meant to do and realized this family business was just part of my DNA.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face in growing the business?
A: Our main concern is always the competition and what's going on in our marketplace. You have to know how customers are behaving and have a solid understanding of your competitors. The second challenge is knowing your own business financials. Do you understand what they mean, and what business practices drive their trends?
Q: How did the Emerging Leaders program help you meet that challenge?
A: We benefited greatly from the financial modules, but it was the marketing segment that opened up a whole new world to us. I discovered all this from the Emerging Leaders program, and for that I'm forever grateful.
Q: What is one tip you'd offer something starting their own business?
A: If you're starting a business, keep three things in mind.
1. Keep your vision clear and close to how you want to operate. The vision you have defines your business culture, your image, and how employees will feel about working for you.
2. Debt. Understand it and know what banks expect. The SBA was key in teaching this information. Oh, by the way, less debt is better. Don't get overleveraged.
3. DELEGATE. If I learned one word that will stay with me forever, it's this one. A company CANNOT grow without owners letting go of the daily operations. We have to strategize and keep our vision at the top of our priority list. The adage "Work on your business and not in it" could not be more true!
Emerging Leaders was my first experience with the SBA. I cannot emphasize enough what an amazing organization this is. They're resourceful and educational. They motivate and connect. They provide guidance and experience to help you through the many trials of owning your own business. I plan on staying close to the SBA through the rest of my business life.