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With a lifetime of experience, five successful entrepreneurs look back at their lives, careers and decisions in a letter to their 25-year-old self. There are few regrets, but many reminders — to always have and maintain integrity, emphasize trust in relationships and focus on long-term sustainable success, not only short-term wins.
Sue Wise, owner and CEO of Take Care Home Health & Take Care Advisor
Company: More than 550 employees spread through Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Headquarters: Sarasota
Year founded: 1995
Dear 25-year-old Sue:
You were raised on a cattle farm in a small town in Michigan by two loving, hardworking parents. Two rambunctious, energetic brothers were always at your feet, but a big sister with a big heart surrounded you.
At 23, you finished nursing school and left Kalamazoo and your family to venture to Atlanta to teach at Emory University. Barely six weeks into the new life, the phone rang. Tragically, life at that moment forever changed: Your father and brothers had perished in a plane crash, flying over the family farm. The only light was that you witnessed a small community of farmers pull together to help harvest the fields — your family’s remaining livelihood. You moved back to Michigan to cope.
You won’t yet begin to understand the underpinnings of the relationships formed in that tragic time. But I want you to realize the key was in the community and family. As you begin your lifetime relationship with your husband and consider having a family of your own (which eventually you will raise three strong, smart, beautiful daughters whom you raised to value the family bond), think about how that crosses over into your passion in life.
You will find in your heart that desire to marry the two ideals you witnessed from your mother and father: the love, labor, and dedication Bob gave to his farm (the reason why working seven days a week seems so natural) and Ruth’s sincere empathy and commitment to patients — a registered nurse working with severely challenged children, which proved ever more her patience for the change that life set for her.
Remember when obtaining your registered nurse degree didn’t feel like enough? Use your non-stop energy and intuition to pursue those passions of business and helping those in need. Is it the inability to watch your own father age and grow old that connects your deep desire to help those who are at a crisis point — to guide them and help shape their last time on this earth?
You will lean on relationships, especially when the male-dominated banking lenders have a revolving door with answers of “no.” Your father’s dedication, outside of the farm, to the community bank will connect you back home. A loan from that bank in Michigan will provide the fiscal edge to launch your dream business: private duty home health care.
Surround yourself with people whom you trust, who can be honest with you, and you can be honest with them. Just as you saw the love your father and brothers had for the land they sowed, use that same emotion, enthusiasm, and trust to build the business of your dreams.
Scott Fischer, Scott Fischer Enterprises
Company: Operates Harley-Davidson dealerships. He sold his ownership stakes in Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Fort Myers and Naples Harley-Davidson in early 2018; maintains ownership of three other Harley-Davidson dealerships, in California and New Mexico, and an events facility in Fort Myers.
Headquarters: Fort Myers
Year founded: 1987
Dear 25-year-old Scott:
At 25, your entrepreneurial brain is just taking off and your vision is going to grow exponentially! Throughout your ride, do not forget these key items before twisting the throttle:
Make it your passion to make people’s lives better. Work Hard. Ride Hard.
C.J. Fishman, Fishman & Associates Inc.
Company: Handles commercial food service equipment, design, layout and consulting
Headquarters: Venice
Year founded: 1986
Dear 25-year-old C.J:
When I started my business with one other associate all I knew was that I was becoming an entrepreneur. What I did not know was that there is no substitute for time and experience to learn what I know now.
Some lessons learned below are for your consideration to use as you begin your business journey.
So in conclusion young entrepreneur: Life is short, so work hard, play harder, have fun and make a difference in your industry and in your community.
Lauren Weiner, CEO and co-founder, WWC, Tampa
Company: WWC is a management-consulting firm that has 90 employees and $14.5 million in revenue in 2017.
Headquarters: Tampa
Year founded: 2004
Dear 25-year-old Lauren:
Relationships matter. These two words will take you farther than anything else in the next 20 years. Smarts and hard work and dumb luck will matter, but not nearly as much as these two words. That means:
Oh, and work harder than everyone else. That may not fit into the “relationships matter” advice, but it is critical nonetheless. Success is earned with blood, sweat and tears. Earn it.
Donna Huneycutt, COO and co-founder, WWC
Headquarters: Tampa
Year founded: 2004
Dear 25-year-old Donna:
Donna, at this time in your life you have a lot of tools but are just starting to gain experience navigating the world. You don’t know how your life will pan out and you worry about getting it right with every decision. Relax and lean into the uncertainty. It’s OK not to have resolution. Embrace the fact that the big picture will reveal itself over time.
On the flip side, other people think and feel differently. Never assume they think and feel like you do. Some people value clarity and truth. Others value harmony and calm. Identify their business languages, love languages and friendship languages.
Related: develop a personal Board of Advisors, 1) a friend who will always be in your corner, 2) someone who can provide constructive feedback, 3) someone who has a lot of technical knowledge, 4) someone who is a good problem solver, 5) someone who is older and has traveled the path, and 6) someone who is younger and share what the latest thinking is.
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