If something doesn’t exist, create it.
Daniel Bloom has had a life long passion for sports cars and motorsports. Being the youngest member of a family with many car guys, he grew up in the passenger seats of sports cars. The seed was planted and extremely well watered from a very young age. When he graduated college his first job was working in sales for Porsche cars. Unable to acquire one at the time, he was finally able to experience firsthand what had always dreamed of owning. This exposure quickly turned into a slippery slope. Before long he had a BMW M3 in the garage and was out on the track every free minute he had.
After years of attending high performance driving events and various racing schools, he quickly realized his ideal driving outlet didn’t exist. There were the mostly crowded and unstructured traditional “track days” on one end of the spectrum and there were very structured, full on racing schools on the other, but nothing in-between. This realization was the impetus to launch Apex Driving Events.
Where did the idea for Apex Driving Events come from?
I love cars. Having worked for a car dealership and having spent time driving high-end sports cars, I think the idea for Apex came out of a desire to be a better driver. I couldn’t find what I was looking for in the marketplace. So I made it happen.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
During the busy season of spring and summer, a typical day starts with the gym and coffee, and then it goes right into making phone calls and checking emails. I may have some bumps in the road, but the day typically ends on a positive note. One common thread of each day is this — my belief that the way to make the business successful is staying in constant contact with your customers – new, old and potential – in any way that makes sense for them. It could be cocktails, it could be emails, it could be lunch meetings or phone calls.
How do you bring ideas to life?
It’s all about the hard work of following through on the idea. I think you have to take into the consideration what the needs of clients are, where they are in their need and take it from there – if something doesn’t exist, create it. You have to realize the opportunity and drive to make it happen.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Progress. When I have clients realize “progress” in their driving – they get hooked and want more! It’s a great feeling.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Attention to detail. It’s the small things and the subtle details that separate you from the pack.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Focus!
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
I’m always the best driver in the room.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Ask how to do a better job. Listen to advice when its offered – you don’t need to implement it.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Listen to your clients and realize when an opportunity is there. I also strongly think that you can’t be married to a specific idea — if it becomes something that won’t work, don’t be too proud to change it.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
The first business I had was a really good idea, but it didn’t make money. I didn’t think through the whole picture. You can’t just have an idea – you have to see it through with a business model in mind.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An app that allows you to start your car from your phone. Forget the car keys!
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Email marketing. I have to stay in touch with my clients and potential clients.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
What is your favorite quote?
Do unto others as you want done to you.
Key learnings:
Reflection upon where we began and where we are now.
Dont lose focus on the task at hand a keep an eye on the end goal.
There are always new ideas to purse, keep an open mind.
Connect:
www.apexdrivingevents.com/
Apex Driving Events on Instagram : @apexdrivingevents
Apex Driving Events on Facebook : @apexdrivingevents
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.