Mark Laport CEO, Concord Hospitality Company and Fielding Miller CEO, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors were two of the speakers at the Raleigh Chamber Young Professionals Network event on May 22nd. I asked them both two questions to spark their entrepreneurial insight at the end of the meeting and their responses were simple and impactful:
1. What was the biggest challenge to you as you started your business?
- Mark Laport CEO, Concord Hospitality Company
- Attracting Capital. He said how he had to start small, one hotel at a time.
- Fielding Miller CEO, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors
- Patience. He mentioned how patience was his biggest struggle in that he always wanted to be big right away but to grow it takes time.
- Patience. He mentioned how patience was his biggest struggle in that he always wanted to be big right away but to grow it takes time.
2. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who are growing their companies?
- Mark Laport CEO, Concord Hospitality Company
- Don't lose patience
- Focus on building relationships, not business
- Do what you say you will
- Be transparent
Fielding Miller CEO, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors
- There are no shortcuts
- Do not forget about relationships
- Lack of Patience is a double edged sword, because it gives you a "healthy sense of paranoia"
- Plan for success
- Be the person who you want to be, today
- Surround yourself with the right people
- "The Trend is Your Friend"
- If you are young, smart, and ethical, nothing can stop you