Meet Avi Savar. After spending years working with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, Savar launched Big Fuel Communications in 2004, one of the first branded content and social media companies in existence. Since then, he has successfully turned the New York-based company into an industry leader in marketing and communications, collaborating with several major brands, including MySpace, Fox, NBC-Universal, Neutrogena and Colgate-Palmolive.

For years, Savar worked as an independent producer, creating programming for industry heavy hitters such as MTV, VH1, Fox, and ABC. However, despite this success, Savar kept searching. His goal is always to build something valuable and keep building.

“I know that Big Fuel will not be my only endeavor,” Savar says, noting that what drives him is a passion for motivating people and the vision to see things that are not there yet. “Making something out of nothing–that’s what I love.”

While working for Viacom in 2004, Savar noticed that the broadcast television model was beginning to shift. With the emergence of digital content, Savar saw his opportunity to pioneer a new, innovative form of communication. That’s when Big Fuel Communications was born.

Savar attributes the company’s success to his ability to make calculated decisions while adapting to a constantly shifting economy and market. “I’m inherently a risk-taker,” Savar says. Comfort is the enemy of growth, he adds. “I constantly strive to push myself, my business and the people around me forward.” Knowing that he’s a risk-taker forces him to pay close attention to detail and make careful assessments of what’s happening in his business, the industry, and amongst the competition.

The entrepreneurial

world is often unpredictable, and some days are more challenging than others. Nevertheless, Savar has never considered throwing in the towel. There were certainly rough times, he admits, but Savar never saw failure as an option.

“Adaptability, flexibility and perseverance are keys to building success–and most importantly,” Savar says, “the ability to learn and grow from every situation, both good and bad.”

It is this ability to persevere through adversity that has resulted in great achievements. However, one individual can only take a business so far. Most of the time, the success of any business ultimately depends on the team in place. Savar says that knowing this has led him to surround himself with amazing people.

“[I have] a team that can provide me with all the information required to make calculated decisions,” Savar says. “[My] team can sometimes become the voice of reason. Being both a risk-taker and being humble are characteristics that have meant the most to me.”

Building this team culture has been integral to creating Big Fuel’s strong foundation. Savar says it has helped foster a productive working enviornment and made the “extremely hard” work he and his team do fun.

“I am very proud that we have built a place [where] people want to work, a place that is truly an extension of our collective personalities. I feel a strong sense of pride coming to work every day when I look around at what we have built together,” Savar says. “That sense of pride is what I enjoy most about being the boss.”

Savar points out that nothing comes easy and that if something is worth having, it requires hard work. He encourages young entrepreneurs to be resilient because there are no short cuts. There really is no “off” switch when running your own business, he adds. And ultimately, success usually comes down to drive and perseverance.

Says Savar, “Successful people do what unsuccessful people don’t.”

Home > Starting a Business > Success Stories > Complacency: The Enemy of Success

Robert Tuchman: Young, Fearless and Fed Up Complacency: The Enemy of Success Avi Savar built a successful business by taking risks and adapting to an ever-changing market. By Robert Tuchman   |   June 4, 2010 Print Email Share Get the Mag Weekly Updates Comment There is a popular idea that if a person is not always moving forward, he is moving backward. Nevertheless, a sense of complacency is something that plagues many individuals throughout their professional careers. To many, it seems only natural to coast along when they achieve a certain level of success. However, within the entrepreneurial world, the most successful business minds are never content with the status quo. There is always room for improvement, always room to grow. Meet Avi Savar. After spending years working with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, Savar launched Big Fuel Communications in 2004, one of the first branded content and social media companies in existence. Since then, he has successfully turned the New York-based company into an industry leader in marketing and communications, collaborating with several major brands, including MySpace, Fox, NBC-Universal, Neutrogena and Colgate-Palmolive. For years, Savar worked as an independent producer, creating programming for industry heavy hitters such as MTV, VH1, Fox, and ABC. However, despite this success, Savar kept searching. His goal is always to build something valuable and keep building. “I know that Big Fuel will not be my only endeavor,” Savar says, noting that what drives him is a passion for motivating people and the vision to see things that are not there yet. “Making something out of nothing–that’s what I love.” While working for Viacom in 2004, Savar noticed that the broadcast television model was beginning to shift. With the emergence of digital content, Savar saw his opportunity to pioneer a new, innovative form of communication. That’s when Big Fuel Communications was born. <a href=”http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh%3Dv8/39f4/3/0/%2a/j%3B226495157%3B0-0%3B0%3B48992401%3B4307-300/250%3B37434956/37452833/1%3B%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttp://clk.atdmt.com/M0N/go/245657028/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/55404785540478″ target=”_blank”><img src=”http://view.atdmt.com/M0N/view/245657028/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/5540478/5540478″/></a><noscript><a href=”http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh%3Dv8/39f4/3/0/%2a/j%3B226495157%3B0-0%3B0%3B48992401%3B4307-300/250%3B37434956/37452833/1%3B%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttp://clk.atdmt.com/M0N/go/245657028/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/55404785540478″ target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ src=”http://view.atdmt.com/M0N/view/245657028/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/5540478/5540478″ /></a></noscript> Savar attributes the company’s success to his ability to make calculated decisions while adapting to a constantly shifting economy and market. “I’m inherently a risk-taker,” Savar says. Comfort is the enemy of growth, he adds. “I constantly strive to push myself, my business and the people around me forward.” Knowing that he’s a risk-taker forces him to pay close attention to detail and make careful assessments of what’s happening in his business, the industry, and amongst the competition. The entrepreneurial world is often unpredictable, and some days are more challenging than others. Nevertheless, Savar has never considered throwing in the towel. There were certainly rough times, he admits, but Savar never saw failure as an option. “Adaptability, flexibility and perseverance are keys to building success–and most importantly,” Savar says, “the ability to learn and grow from every situation, both good and bad.”

As a child, Shamus had a passion for comic books and sports cards. He explains how growing up around his parents’ Rockland County, N.Y., comic book store rooted pop culture in his blood. “The store, the items, the collectibles were always something we did together,” Shamus says. The frequent family trips to comic book shows are etched in his memory. However, he never imagined that comics would become such a significant part of his future.

After graduating from State University of New York/University at Albany in 1991, Shamus began writing a small newsletter for the family store. The newsletter grew in popularity, and people seemed genuinely interested in the production of a larger publication. At age 21–and with little savings–Shamus borrowed money from friends and family and launched Wizard Magazine, the first color magazine devoted strictly to the comic book industry.

Since then, Wizard Entertainment has produced several leading industry publications, including ToyFare, InQuest Gamer, Anime Insider, Special Forces and Toy Wishes, all of which have become centerpieces in the world of comic books, video games and action figures. Wizard Magazine has been named one of the country’s top 20 magazine launches in the past 20 years. The popular magazine covers just about everything relevant in popular culture today, from the newest video games to toys and comic books.

“If there is something the collector, or the first adopter, is involved with, we are delivering it through print, online and at our conventions around the country,” Shamus says. As the company evolved, the business transformed from newsletters and magazines to growing digital arm–including podcasts, newsletters and exclusive interviews–and convention business.

Shamus attributes this success to knowing what consumers are interested in and connecting them with what is hot today. “You have to want to be a leader and not go by the status quo all the time,” Shamus says. “You also have to not be afraid to take chances and sometimes have to make unpopular decisions for the good of the brand. This cannot be an emotional process to be successful; it has to be very focused on progress.”

Cultivating a positive working environment is key to sustaining that success. By surrounding himself with individuals who love the work they do, Shamus has created what he calls a “culture of success” within the Wizard Entertainment family. This, Shamus says, has enabled him to establish a strong foundation for his business.

He credits his father for instilling in him an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Shamus says that watching his father make sound decisions, he learned to follow his own path in business and stick to what he believes in, despite opposition. He adds that he enjoyed the freedom of growing up in an entrepreneurial environment as well as the process of building his own business. He realized that in order to do what he wanted to, he had to do it on his own. Despite collaborating with several major corporations to build his brand, Shamus still found a way to stamp the work with his personality.

What advice would Shamus give to young entrepreneurs looking to follow their dreams? Once they get the capital they need to launch their business and follow their dream, to , Shamus says, guard it like it’s a child. “As great, as unique as your ideas are, you must be properly funded and understand what it takes to get a business running successfully,” he says. “The worst things we see are great ideas with not [enough] capital to execute them. You need the capital to make the business run properly and give you the chance to be successful.”

Sturner knew he wanted to work in sports from a very young age. He was an avid tennis player, becoming the No. 1 ranked singles player at Boston University. However, the realization that he would not become a professional athlete led him to the next best thing.

Sturner took on several internships in sports marketing and event management, including brief stints working for NBC at the Atlanta Olympics, ESPN at the X-Games and a year in Sydney at the Sydney Olympics. These experiences, Sturner says, were key to his current success, providing him valuable opportunities to learn the sports industry and build a network of strong relationships. He later took a job as a sports brand manager at Lycos before going into business for himself.

While he started Leverage Agency out of his apartment with just one client, Sturner’s passion and determination has paid off big-time. Leverage now represents more than 30 sports, entertainment and media properties. Leverage’s services include sponsorship packaging, strategy and sales, content distribution, asset valuation/ROI

analytics, public relations communications, corporate consulting, creative web design, and social media marketing.

Leverage Agency takes a comprehensive approach to sports marketing, fusing powerful sales and consulting techniques with proprietary ROI analytics to create unique strategies that best align with each one of their clients. It’s an approach that has resulted in the company’s exceptional industrial accomplishments to date.

Among those accomplishments are building an impressive list of influential clients that includes the LPGA, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, U.S. Open Tennis, Ironman Triathlon Series, the Sony Ericsson Open, Top Rank HBO Boxing, Ice Skating on NBC, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Roundabout Theatre Company, ASA Action Sports, and many more.

“We help brands like Nivea, Gillette, KFC, Kraft Foods, AT&T, Nestle, Progressive, Amway Global, 3M, Anheuser Busch, DirecTV, and many more reach and engage their target audience through sports and entertainment opportunities,” Sturner says.

Leverage also works with champion athletes such as former Heavyweight Champion of the World Evander Holyfield, seven-time world champion and current WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquaio and Meb Keflegzghi, the first American to win the New York City Marathon in more than 30 years.

Most recently, Sturner’s fearlessness has led him to ink an unprecedented deal with Top Rank Boxing, one of the most respected brands and promotion companies in boxing. Leverage will spearhead the first-ever fully integrated boxing advertising and sponsorship platform. This is the most extensive sponsorship platform in the history of the sport.

Sturner’s success can be largely attributed to his passion, which permeates the Leverage Agency. “Following your passion makes working fun and becomes almost like a game,” Sturner says. “If you are just worried about perception and taking a job because of money or status versus not pursuing your passion, you will not be happy or fulfilled.”

His fearless, fresh attitude toward his cut-throat industry is really what makes him a young entrepreneur worth watching. “I love what I do now,” Sturner says. “There are no boundaries or people telling me how and what to do.” He adds that one of the great perks of being an entrepreneur is being able to visualize something and go out and make it happen.

“I love coming up with solutions for brands and watching the creative sponsorship happen at a game, or on a television show. To make an impact on a brand through the passion of sports and entertainment marketing is what I love.”

That doesn’t mean he plans on hitting the breaks anytime soon. Sturner has an aggressive plan to double the agency’s revenue. Future plans include a strong focus on growing the event ownership aspect of the business.

“We own the rights for the Harvard-Yale hockey game this year in New York City,” he says. “We see event ownership as the next step in the maturity of Leverage.”

To other young entrepreneurs looking to break into sports marketing, Sturner says, “Always get contracts for every deal you do, even if you think you trust the person.” He adds that the most important people in your business are a good CFO and a good lawyer to take care of the details so you can focus on the big picture–business development and the strategic direction you want to take. “It is very important to surround yourself with people who complement your weaknesses.”

It can be a very difficult thing to run your own business, and the hardest part for Sturner is learning not to be involved in the minutia of every detail. “You want to keep your authenticity,” he says. “But you also have to let go and give assignments to the people you trust and instill entrepreneurial spirit in everyone to make it happen–and think and act BIG!”

Once Sturner has dominated the sports marketing industry, then what? “I am passionate about tennis, and I have always had a dream to own a tennis club or training academy. I grew up playing very competitive junior tennis and [made] some of my best friends from the sport, and I want to give back to show my appreciation. That is [my] dream.” The Ben Sturner Tennis Academy…has a nice ring to it.

I have always been fascinated with marathons and how they provide great insight to what life is like as an entrepreneur. How awesome is it to watch people push themselves to the limit for a dream that they have been training to achieve for months in advance?  There is nothing easy about running your own business, but if you can survive the ups and downs and keep pushing for success, it can be very rewarding.

In any marathon, I have noticed a similar progression as an entrepreneur who is starting a business. Below are the 5 areas in which entrepreneurship and marathon runners share similar experiences.

Pre-Start

When a marathon runner sets out to train for a goal, the best runners always have an extreme level of commitment and enthusiasm. They are determined to win the race and do whatever preparation is necessary for achieving their goal. I have talked to many people who think marathons are absolutely crazy. Who in their right mind would ever think it’s a good idea to push their body to the point of running 26.2 miles as fast as they can? This is the same thing that entrepreneurs face when they are starting a business. In the early brainstorming sessions, entrepreneurs are enthusiastic and out to conquer the world. The new idea that they intend to create into a business is going to be earth changing and help people all around the world. Entrepreneurs have a goal in mind for their business and become 100% dedicated to achieving their goal. Depending on who they surround themselves with, I have also seen entrepreneurs labeled as “crazy” for setting out to do something different than the status quo. Whether you are a runner or an entrepreneur, taking on challenges and creating new things is nothing out of the ordinary. It is something that in many cases comes naturally.

Start

This is the starting phase of a marathon. The runner has trained for weeks in anticipation for the big day of the marathon. The runner fulfilled their workout plan and can’t wait to actually run in the event. As they reach the starting line, they are focused on their goal, so when the gun goes off, they are ready to dash across the starting line in pursuit of their goal. When the race starts, they are feeling great! Entrepreneurs treat the launching phase of their business the same way. They have spent months preparing their business plan, cash flows, hiring staff, etc, all in anticipation for the big day when they officially launch their company. Their adrenaline is racing and they can’t wait to get out and sell the product that they have been developing and preparing for a long period of time. Once they launch the business, their first few clients make them feel like a million bucks. They are really going to make this company succeed!

Trial Stage

Have you ever been running and feel like you hit a wall and cannot go any further? This is what it feels like in this stage of a marathon. After a few miles of feeling good, their comes a point when your body hits a wall and tells you that you cannot go any further. The thoughts in your head tell you that it isn’t a good idea to keep moving forward, your muscles are too tired and finishing this marathon isn’t possible. At this point every marathon runner needs to make a choice, do they quit and admit that they can’t reach their goal, do they decide that they need to rest and walk for a few miles before deciding to run again, or do they become even more determined and push harder despite their body telling them that it is too tired? The best marathon runners keep pushing. When you start your own business, there is going to be times when you have to meet challenges head on without any choice to change course. Maybe your sales numbers are down for the last quarter, maybe you had some key employees quit and decide to move on, maybe some of your products malfunctioned and had to be recalled. The possibilities are endless. This is the point where many entrepreneurs throw in the towel and let the negative thoughts in their mind and the negative thoughts of others around them affect their business.

Second wind

After your body tells you to stop and give up but you keep on pushing and find a way to keep going, their comes a time when you find a second wind to carry you toward success. Any great athlete that gets interviewed talks about “being in the zone” and letting the game take over. This is similar to running a marathon as well. At a certain point, your adrenaline kicks in and you find a new burst of energy to keep going toward your goal. In many cases, the same thing happens in business. Some companies or individuals have the greatest success after pulling themselves out of the lowest points in their career. I always love hearing about entrepreneurs who had their backs against the wall, but kept pushing forward toward their dream despite times being tough and eventually going on to become amazingly successful. Their are a lot of people who say that they have failed but instead of failing, have only quit too soon, when success was right around the next corner. Never stop pushing forward toward your dreams.

Final stretch

This is the part of a marathon that really separates the good runners from the champions. At this point in the race, you are exhausted, your body aches, your second wind has worn off once again, and you know that the finish line is almost in sight! Once again you are faced with a decision. Do you continue to push hard through the finish line, or do you give in to the negative thoughts of your tired body telling you that you can’t make it. Entrepreneurs are faced with the same challenges. Maybe your business is booming and you are working 80+ hour weeks just to keep up. When you are the face of a business, it becomes so important to deliver results for your customers regardless of what you have going on in your personal life. At this point you are so close to your goal that you need to sacrifice and keep going.

Finish

As you watch runners cross the finish line after a long marathon, you can see the expression of relief and exhaustion on everyone’s face. Their body is aching, and they have nothing else to give to the race. They have achieved their goal and given everything they have to the race. For entrepreneurs, this is when they reach their exit strategy. Maybe it is having the opportunity to ring the bell at the NY stock exchange on the day that their business goes public, or maybe it is when they officially sell the business and cash out for millions of dollars. Whatever it is, the feeling of accomplishment is euphoric. There is nothing better in my mind than seeing someone achieve something great that they have been committed to for years. This is the stage in entrepreneurship that keeps people coming back for more and aspiring to be a great business leader among the many we have today in the United States. This is what is great about the American dream!

John Kreklow is a brand consultant at Shadow Concepts LLC and has found his niche comparing sports and business with his background from the air force and D1 basketball. Follow John on twitter @JohnKreklow

*This post is part of a content exchange with under30ceo.com

That’s why it was a no-brainer for her to get into the fashion industry and turn her passion into a career.

“It was my biggest passion in life to be a part of the fashion industry,” says Zamrudeen. “I live my life around fashion; I’m always the girl thinking and planning weeks ahead about my outfit for an event.”

At heart, Zamrudeen has always known she’s an entrepreneur. She wanted to open her own business when she was 21 years old, but she didn’t have the knowledge to do so. After working in the industry for five years, Zamrudeen had the tools, experience and connections she needed to start a business.

“I’m always thinking about what’s the next step for me. I wanted to open a clothing store, and it so happened that I love everything about fashion,” Zamrudeen says. “My fashion background and experience made it easier for me to come up with the idea of opening up my first boutique.”

To speparate her boutique–Deen–from the pack, Zamrudeen planted her flagship store in New Jersey’s Powerhouse Arts District. The combination of art and clothing worked to Deen’s advantage.

“There is no other boutique in the area that has an art gallery and clothing store in one,” Zamrudeen says.

Zamrudeen hosts monthly art events and Deen has become known as the premeir city lifestyle boutique in the area. Not everything has come easily for Zamrudeen though. She opened Deen right before the recession hit, and she had to tweak her goals and plans because of the poor economic climate.

“I had to adjust my current business planand long-term goals. I had to be smarter and more careful with my inventory,” Zamrudeen says.

The recession may have altered Zamrudeen’s plans, but her long-term goals remain intact. She plans to open up more stores in other cities and even design her own collection for the boutique.

“In the next five to 10 years, I want to see all the achievements in my business,” Zamrudeen says. “I want to get to that point in my life that makes me proud to say I accomplished everything I wanted for my business.”

Talking to Zamrudeen, you can tell she loves what she does and she’s proud of her accomplishments. She does all the buying and merchandising for the store herself, so when a customer feels wonderful about finding the perfect outfit, it makes her feel proud.

Whether it’s shopping at a trade show for the next season’s collection or finding a customer the best outfit for an event, Zamrudeen says it’s well worth it. She enjoys being the owner of a trendy boutique.

“It makes me so happy to be a part of the store and I couldn’t have found a better job because I’m doing what I love. Fashion is my life.”

Zamrudeen’s positive outlook, passion for the fashion industry and entrepreneurship was a formula for success.

For all the young entrepreneurs out there, Zamrudeen says its important to always be positive, think ahead, learn from mistakes and plan things out.

Says Zamrudeen, “As an entrepreneur you must have full confidence in yourself and your business in order for it to succeed and blossom.”

“The company was tiny, maybe 10 employees or so, and he hired me to handle the New York market,” Kanbar says, referring to his uncle’s startup business. “I worked out of my studio apartment and would sell all day and then promote in the bars and clubs at night. It was an incredibly fun gig for a 23-year-old, to say the least.”

After working at SKYY for four years, Kanbar took a brief hiatus from the liquor industry before deciding to launch his own brand of vodka. The problem for Kanbar was that vodka was increasingly becoming a “me too” business–with everyone coming out with a new brand. He knew he had to differentiate his product from the rest of the pack.

“The Red Bull and vodka craze was happening in full force at all the bars and clubs,” Kanbar says. “I thought it might be just a fad, but as we all know, it became a worldwide phenomenon and still is. My friends and I were big Red Bull and vodka drinkers, but I didn’t particularly care for the taste and all the sugar and carbs that came along with it.”

The result was JETT, a premium energy vodka–vodka infused with caffeine, guarana and ginseng–produced in France. Since caffeine, guarana and ginseng all have a bitter taste and/or dark coloring, JETT went through rigorous testing during development to ensure that even with the addition of these ingredients, the quality and flavor of the vodka remained uncompromised.

Kanbar faced other problems: Most consumers didn’t know his product existed, and he didn’t have the means to compete with bigger companies.

“I’m a very small shop with a very small marketing budget, and I’m taking more of a grass-roots approach to building the brand,” Kanbar says. “I love the freedom and control I have doing it this way, but it makes things incredibly challenging when your competitors have millions of dollars to throw around. You have to have incredible patience and belief in your brand.”

Kanbar credits JETT’s success to its unique position in the vodka category. “It really hits all ages,” Kanbar says. “From the twentysomething club-goers who want an alternative to Red Bull and vodka to the 50-year-old executive who wants an enhanced but sophisticated cocktail after work.”

As for the future, Kanbar doesn’t have an exit strategy. JETT is currently sold exclusively in the Los Angeles area and is doing well.

His strategy is similar to the one his uncle used at SKYY. Maurice Kanbar spent a few years building the SKYY brand and a loyal following in San Francisco before deciding it was time to expand.

“A lot of startup brands spread themselves too thin by rapidly expanding when there’s simply not enough demand established to support it,” Jeff Kanbar says.

Kanbar wants to build the brand and introduce it to more markets. “Vegas, New York, Miami and San Francisco are definitely at the top of my list,” Kanbar says. “If I can make a good living and continue having this much fun, I hope it never ends.”

What motivates us? Most people think that the more money you give someone the better they will work. I don’t think this is the case anymore. We’ve gotten tired of the mundane, doing only what your boss says lifestyle. The carrot-and-stick approach no longer works as well as it did in the past.

Humans have a deep desire to be self directed. I am one of those humans. I have a burning passion to be self governed. This can be difficult when you are not your own boss, especially an intern, but it happens. As I write this I am being somewhat autonomous. All I was told was to come up with an idea and write about it. So I decided to write about how people enjoy coming up with their own ideas and how productive they can be.

For all of the non business owners, take advantage of this opportunity when it arises. This is a great way to show your boss what you are capable of. A lot of great things can be accomplished through self directed tasks such as this.

Take Wikipedia for example, founded by Jimmy Wales. He, along with Larry Sanger, launched a non-profit reference website. Before this Wales was an options trader making a lot of money. So this man, who is performing a sophisticated job making a lot money, decided to do his own thing in his spare time for no profit. Why? Because of autonomy. He had a desire to be self directed and he put his idea into action.

Another example is the Australian based company Atlassian. Every quarter they let their employees work on whatever they want over a 24-hour period in a comfortable, non business-like setting, usually a bar. And all they ask is that once that time is over that they present to their bosses what they have come up with. The company is almost as productive in this short amount of time as they are the entire quarter. This again shows the effectiveness one has when give the opportunity to be self directed.

This is something all of us are capable of. Set aside some time to come up with your own ideas, challenge yourself, be creative. If you’re a boss, give your employees the opportunity to do something like this. You’ll be surprised as to what you might find.

If you are in passionate pursuit of your dreams, what you study in college may not necessarily determine your ultimate career path. April Singer Straten, creator of Rufus, studied broadcast journalism and spent five years in London introducing the Nautica brand to Europe, before launching a successful men’s shirt company.

Upon her return to the U.S., Straten noticed the market lacked a more “relaxed” shirt for males apart from either classic boxy shape or European slim fit shirts. Setting out to create a brand that spoke directly to this underserved category of more casual American style, her boyfriend (now husband) was an instrumental source of encouragement.

Starting a business in a market she knew only as a consumer was what Straten found most difficult. “Probably the biggest challenge was the initial launch of the brand,” Straten says. “American’s are very brand conscious so trying to launch a new brand with zero brand awareness into the retail community was a challenge.”

Today the industry has changed considerably, as recent economic downturn has cut into margins. Despite such challenges, Rufus has remained a key brand in a very competitive apparel market for the last six years. It’s all about approach, and Straten’s is based on commitment to impeccable quality, consistent deliveries, and dependable customer service.

“Our customer–this mid-tier luxury shopper,” Straten explains, “expects quality and service and wants something distinctive and unique without paying one of a kind price points.” Lucky for Straten, her customers agree and are appreciative of the focus on long-lasting, consumer-focused relationships.

Straten had to learn quickly how to balance raising a family and running a thriving business in today’s volatile market. She credits technology for making it possible to run a business remotely. “When I am at our office I am focused on work, when I am with my kids I try to focus on them,” she says. Though sometimes the blackberry comes out when it shouldn’t. “I try not to be one of those moms pushing their kids on the swings while typing on the blackberry but sometimes I can’t help it.”

Rufus means red in Latin: bold, charismatic, undeniable. This compelling hue reflects the company’s approach to life, as does Straten’s plan to expand her business into the international markets within a few years. Big thinking like Straten’s, combined with ability and confidence, will get you in a position not only to achieve your dreams but to influence others to do the same.

It takes a lot of courage to leave the comfort of a high-paying job to follow your passion, especially when you’re newly married and have a child on the way. Michael Kahan left his cushy job on Wall Street to launch Kahan Travel after 10 years in the finance industry.

Kahan started receiving industry airline magazines as a teenager in the New York suburbs. “My dad and grandparents lived in California and Hawaii when I was growing up, so jumping on airplanes  became commonplace for me at a very young age,” Kahan says. “I was always fascinated with trains, buses, subways and even elevators as a kid. That has carried over to my adult life. Hotels, cruise ships and high-speed rail links as well as airplanes now have my attention.”

It took a lot of chutzpah for Kahan to change industries and start his own business. Kahan explained his thinking to me. “I spent 11 years as an equity sales trader on Wall Street and would not trade that experience or change anything,” he says. “There was a feeling that told me it was time to move on to a new challenge, working for myself and selling something I was passionate about. Transportation and travel  have always been incredibly interesting to me for as long as I can remember. It seemed like the perfect fit.”

One thing I think it’s important to note: You never start a business from ground zero. Even though Wall Street and the travel business might seem worlds apart, there are still things to learn along the way that help when the time comes to start a business.

“Although there do not seem to be too many stock traders-turned-travel advisors, I think the experience and skill set necessary for success in both careers are very similar,” Kahan says. “Most important, I learned attention to detail, the ability to multitask, communication and negotiation skills, and also developed a strong work ethic and competitive spirit.”

When Kahan launched his business 18 months ago he realized the travel business had changed a lot while he was working on Wall Street. When asked what the biggest changes have been in the industry since he started reading those airline magazines years ago, Kahan says that by putting prices and availability at the consumer’s fingertips, the internet is both a valuable partner and competitive threat.

“The other major change is the decision of most U.S. airlines to cease commission payments to travel agents for domestic flights,” Kahan notes. “Most agents and advisors now charge service or research fees to help offset this loss of revenue.”

The good news is that Kahan has been extremely successful in his startup venture. His clients say he is honest and has the highest integrity. Others point to his tremendous knowledge of the travel business, and many people say his recommendations and planning are impeccable.

Kahan credits his effort to keep things simple for his successful transition. “My formula is coming to work each day with a good attitude, hard work, building relationships  with clients and our supplier partners based on integrity and trust, and always being honest,” Kahan says. “The rest will fall into place on its own.”

I must admit, the rest usually does fall into place if you’re willing to take the leap. There’s something about passion that carries so many people to success. It’s always great to speak with people like Michael Kahan who was young, fearless and fed up–and who actually did something about it. Are you next?

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Robert Tuchman: Young, Fearless and Fed Up The Irony of the Safe Bet Michael Kahan became a successful entrepreneur after walking away from a 10-year career on Wall Street. By Robert Tuchman   |   November 05, 2009 Print Email Share Get the Mag Weekly Updates [-] Text Size [+] Recent Articles By Robert Tuchman Complacency: The Enemy of Success The Way Back Machine: Nostalgia Sells Taking Sports Marketing From Passion to Pocketbook The Passion’s Only as Good As the Plan JETT: A New Twist on an Old Favorite See all articles » It takes a lot of courage to leave the comfort of a high-paying job to follow your passion, especially when you’re newly married and have a child on the way. Michael Kahan left his cushy job on Wall Street to launch Kahan Travel after 10 years in the finance industry. Kahan started receiving industry airline magazines as a teenager in the New York suburbs. “My dad and grandparents lived in California and Hawaii when I was growing up, so jumping on airplanes became commonplace for me at a very young age,” Kahan says. “I was always fascinated with trains, buses, subways and even elevators as a kid. That has carried over to my adult life. Hotels, cruise ships and high-speed rail links as well as airplanes now have my attention.” It took a lot of chutzpah for Kahan to change industries and start his own business. Kahan explained his thinking to me. “I spent 11 years as an equity sales trader on Wall Street and would not trade that experience or change anything,” he says. “There was a feeling that told me it was time to move on to a new challenge, working for myself and selling something I was passionate about. Transportation and travel have always been incredibly interesting to me for as long as I can remember. It seemed like the perfect fit.” Content Continues Below One thing I think it’s important to note: You never start a business from ground zero. Even though Wall Street and the travel business might seem worlds apart, there are still things to learn along the way that help when the time comes to start a business. “Although there do not seem to be too many stock traders-turned-travel advisors, I think the experience and skill set necessary for success in both careers are very similar,” Kahan says. “Most important, I learned attention to detail, the ability to multitask, communication and negotiation skills, and also developed a strong work ethic and competitive spirit.” When Kahan launched his business 18 months ago he realized the travel business had changed a lot while he was working on Wall Street. When asked what the biggest changes have been in the industry since he started reading those airline magazines years ago, Kahan says that by putting prices and availability at the consumer’s fingertips, the internet is both a valuable partner and competitive threat. “The other major change is the decision of most U.S. airlines to cease commission payments to travel agents for domestic flights,” Kahan notes. “Most agents and advisors now charge service or research fees to help offset this loss of revenue.” The good news is that Kahan has been extremely successful in his startup venture. His clients say he is honest and has the highest integrity. Others point to his tremendous knowledge of the travel business, and many people say his recommendations and planning are impeccable. Kahan credits his effort to keep things simple for his successful transition. “My formula is coming to work each day with a good attitude, hard work, building relationships with clients and our supplier partners based on integrity and trust, and always being honest,” Kahan says. “The rest will fall into place on its own.” I must admit, the rest usually does fall into place if you’re willing to take the leap. There’s something about passion that carries so many people to success. It’s always great to speak with people like Michael Kahan who was young, fearless and fed up–and who actually did something about it. Are you next?

I recently posted a blog on this website about the value of an internship. I
left one thing out. An internship also helps you realize what direction you
want to go in life. It won’t answer every question you have about yourself,
but it will give you many hints.

At 20 years old I have no clue what I want to do or how I’m going to get
there. And I’m sure there are other college students my age out there who
feel the same way. If you ask business executives, most will tell you they
were in our shoes at one point also.

Being a college student is like running on a treadmill. You get all of the
benefits of running, but you’re not going anywhere. We go to class and
learn, then we intern and gain experience. But without knowing what we want
to do it’s like we’re “running in place”, which isn’t necessarily a bad
thing, but it can be tiring. Through this learning we come to find what it
is that we want to do. It eventually comes to us and something clicks. And
when it does we transform from a marathon treadmill runner to Usain Bolt.

What I have realized this summer is that I want to provide a good or service
that is beneficial to society. While I have no desire for fame or stardom, I
would love to retire one day knowing I left a positive mark on society. It
doesn’t have to be extravagant, just something simple.

Howard Knaack, founder of Knaack L.L.C., designed tool boxes for trucks and
job sites. He was presented with an idea and he made a product that would
accommodate the working man, making life more organized and a little easier.
Something like this is over looked in everyday life, but it makes a
difference.

Interning made me realize that I want to make a difference, while at the
same time chasing my dream and breaking out on my own. I don’t know how or
why interning shed this light on me, but it has. Maybe it’s because I am a
“semi-pro” in the business world now. Maybe it’s something I ate. But I now
know I want what I do in my life to be my own conscious decision, not
someone else’s.

I still don’t know what I want to do exactly; all my questions aren’t
answered yet. The one thing I do know is that I am a lot further in that
process than what I was two months ago. But if anyone has any ideas for me,
please leave your suggestions in the comment field below.