Carl Moose is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience spanning business development, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and energy solutions. Holding a degree in Geology from the State University of New York at Brockport, Carl’s career journey has taken him through multiple industries, including banking, commercial real estate, and renewable energy. He began his career in equipment sales before transitioning to banking as a commercial banker and M&A analyst, where he developed expertise in portfolio optimization and facilitating strategic mergers.
In 2004, Carl was recruited to serve on the board of directors for a California-based global energy company, where he played a key role in raising capital and driving international expansion. His passion for strategic problem-solving and business revitalization ultimately led him to GreenLight Energy Solutions where is the Executive Renewable Energy and Business Development Consultant For Greenlight Energy Solutions. Carl leverages his diverse background to drive sustainable growth and innovation. At GreenLight Energy Solutions, Carl helps residential, commercial, and industrial clients achieve energy independence and significant savings through cutting-edge renewable energy solutions.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Carl serves as Chairman of the Great River North Business Association and is an active member of the Commercial Roofers of Chicago Association. His leadership and commitment to sustainable energy and business growth have made him a key figure in the renewable energy space.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I typically wake up by 6 AM to get my day started then get to the office or my first appointments, which may be a breakfast engagement or a client site visit. Next, I go to my office, where I meet with my partner to review the plan for the day. Everyday has some similarities but every day is unique. What makes the day productive is that meeting with my partner and team to collaborate.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When I have ideas, which pop into my head quite often, I concentrate on them, evaluate the viability of the thought, and give them energy based on whether the idea can practically come to life and if that idea is in line with my vision of our business.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Because we are in the Renewable Energy business, the environment that we are currently experiencing is very exciting! I have been in the renewable energy business since 2004, and I have never experienced the environment like today, where the government, utilities, and social consciousness are all aligned with the idea of harnessing the energy of the sun to power our use of electricity. Also, when you think about it, using the power of the sun just makes logical sense.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Believe it or not, very simple things, such as: reading daily, concentrating on breathing to relax and meditate, not engaging in any business or transaction that does not benefit everyone involved.
To be honest, acting with character & integrity. These are things that cost very little, if anything, and are so simple to do and helps me be productive in business.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Focus on the things that will move you toward your goals, every day, and surround yourself with good people, that are successful in life and business, who are aligned with who you want to be!
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I firmly believe that we are the master of our soul, the captain of our fate, and in complete control of our thoughts, feelings, actions, results, and ultimately our reality.
There are few people that I have met that firmly believe that as much as I do. When I engage with people that follow this philosophy, we have incredible conversations, and usually develop deep relationships.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I take time to meditate at least once a day.
By taking time to settle your mind, get grounded, and concentrate your thought energy on what you want to focus on, it is key to achieve whatever you set your mind to!
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I find myself “drifting” during the day, I stop, physically & mentally and I neutralize my thoughts. This allows me to ground myself. When you find yourself in a “negative” mindset, you must get to “neutral” before you can move to “positive”.
Being aware of when you are off-track, or being negative is one of the most important things you can do in order to get back on track and focus on what you want to accomplish.
Being overwhelmed, negative, or unfocused is not unique to me, and it happens, from time to time. The key to staying positive is recognizing when you are drifting into a negative mindset.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One key to growth in business is to build a solid team that is in harmony with you and the rest of your team. Choosing the right people that bring the skills required to win, and people that can play well with others on the team is a winning formula.
I played hockey since I was a young boy, which taught me that being a good teammate and playing the best you can, allowing your teammates to play their role for the benefit for all to win is in everyone’s best interest.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One of my biggest failures was thinking that I could do all things in business myself, on my own, without the professional help from accountants, attorneys, or consultants. Being a lone-wolf is not a way to go far in business or life.
When I failed, I had to pay for the consequences of that failure and I became very humble, and realized that you can go fast by yourself but going far requires a solid team. Another lesson I learned is to eliminate the things that do not move you toward your goal, and delegate the things that are required to be done, which can be done by others more effectively and efficiently than doing them yourself. Spend your time doing the things that you are really good at, that you enjoy doing, and that are in line with your vision and ultimate purpose.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
With AI emerging as a global technology for us all to benefit from, I would suggest that you study ways to leverage AI in every way possible to perform research and create content rather than hiring people to perform that work, or do that research yourself.
I do not believe AI will ever replace humans, however, AI is a tool that we can all use to maximize our efforts in business. With that said, if you ever had the idea of writing a book, a series of books, or a training manual, AI is a great way to create a ton of research and content, which can be edited and memorialized as a piece of work that sets you apart as a subject matter expert.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
As a team we use Zoom, Loom, and Chat GPT on a regular basis. Obviously, Zoom is used for remote meetings.
Loom is used for creating videos for meeting follow-ups and trainings, and Chat GPT is used to create content for various purposes. My team uses these platforms on a daily basis.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
The best money recently spent was a bit more than $100, because $100 does not go very far these days unfortunately.
We recently joined a Professional Association and sponsored a Casino Night fundraiser for association members. That investment gave us recognition in front of our target audience, which led to several new relationships, which led to contracts that have paid us dividends far beyond our original investment.
Investing in associations and networking is a key part to allowing people to “know, like, and trust” you, which is critical for people to engage in business with you, or make referrals for you.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
I have several favorite non-fiction books that I have read many times and study regularly. Since graduating from college, I have read hundreds of works from biographies to “self-help” books to scientific information papers.
One of my ‘go-to’ books is the classic “Think & Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, originally published back in 1928. I am a member of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, and a recognized expert of Napoleon Hill’s masterpiece. “Think & Grow Rich” covers the 13-Principles of Success, which can be applied everyday in every area of your life. In 2017, I read 188 books, and usually have 3 or 4 books on my night-stand, reading one chapter from each book every night. That just happens to be my method of consuming valuable information.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I am a big fan of the Nextflix Documentaries. One of my favorites is “The Men Who Built America”, which tells the stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Charles Schwab, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein, and other forward-thinking icons.
I believe we can learn a ton about successful businesses by people who have been successful in business. Many business principles that led these people to success over 100 years ago can be applied today. My good friend says “success leaves clues”, so look for the clues and you will find success.
Key learnings:
Relying on good people and giving them clear direction, the tools they require for success, the freedom to do their work with reasonable autonomy, and rewarding them accordingly is one thing I know is important.
Always keep an open mind, be willing to admit that you may not have all the answers and/or ideas which are required for your success.
Focus on the things that are most important to your vision and purpose, remain aware of your awareness, and when you find yourself drifting, STOP and reset to get back on track.