Joseph Ambalo is a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Joseph Ambalo Ventures, a distinguished business consultancy headquartered in New York City. Dedicated to empowering businesses, Joseph specializes in crafting innovative strategies that fuel growth, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable results for clients across diverse industries.
Born into a family of small business owners, Joseph developed a passion for entrepreneurship at an early age. This foundation inspired him to pursue higher education at New York University (NYU), where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. To further refine his expertise, he completed an Executive MBA program at Columbia Business School, equipping him with advanced leadership skills and a deep understanding of the global business landscape.
Since establishing Joseph Ambalo Ventures, Joseph has built a reputation for his ability to solve complex challenges and deliver tailored solutions that align with each client’s unique goals. His firm focuses on leveraging the latest technologies and market insights to create sustainable pathways for success.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Joseph is a proud New Yorker who enjoys the vibrant culture of the city with his spouse and two children. Passionate about giving back, he actively mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and supports local initiatives aimed at fostering innovation within the community.
With a commitment to excellence and a forward-thinking approach, Joseph Ambalo Ventures continues to serve as a trusted partner for businesses striving to excel in today’s competitive environment.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day typically starts early, with a cup of coffee and a review of key industry updates. I prioritize strategic planning for my clients, ensuring that my team and I are aligned on our objectives. I’ve built my routine around focus blocks, during which I tackle the most complex issues. I make sure to take short breaks to stay energized, as I find these help maintain productivity levels. Throughout the day, I’m in meetings with my team, clients, or partners to move projects forward. The key is to stay organized and maintain clear communication.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life starts with understanding the problem at hand and then brainstorming potential solutions. Once we’ve identified the best approach, I ensure we have the right people on board. I emphasize collaboration to leverage diverse perspectives. From there, we create a structured plan with clear milestones and accountability. Execution is where the real magic happens, and I make sure we keep an agile mindset—ready to pivot when needed. It’s essential to focus on both the big picture and the small details that ensure consistent progress.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m particularly excited about the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is transforming industries across the board. From streamlining operations to enhancing customer experiences, AI is making businesses more efficient and capable of scaling faster. It’s fascinating how AI-powered tools can predict trends, optimize marketing strategies, and help organizations make smarter decisions. As an entrepreneur, I’m focused on finding new ways to integrate these technologies into the strategies I create for my clients to maximize their potential and give them a competitive edge.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
A habit I’ve built over the years that helps me stay productive is time-blocking. I schedule my day in blocks dedicated to specific tasks, which helps me maintain focus and avoid distractions. I give myself permission to focus entirely on one thing at a time, whether it’s a brainstorming session with my team or working through a challenging client issue. Having structured time slots for deep work, client calls, and administrative tasks ensures that I can manage my day effectively without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a small practice with a significant impact on productivity.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to embrace failure and view it as a learning experience rather than something to fear. Early on in my career, I was focused on avoiding mistakes, but the reality is that failure is an invaluable teacher. I would also advise myself to take calculated risks more often and not to be afraid of stepping outside my comfort zone. Growth happens when we challenge ourselves and take on new experiences that push us to grow both personally and professionally.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on?
One thing I believe that many people may disagree with is that “work-life balance” is an unrealistic goal, especially for entrepreneurs. While it’s important to take time for personal life, I think the key to achieving fulfillment is finding harmony between your professional and personal goals, not necessarily dividing them equally. As an entrepreneur, I believe that work can be part of life’s fulfillment if it aligns with your values and passions. It’s about integrating work into your life in a way that fuels your purpose, rather than seeing them as competing interests.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One practice I repeatedly encourage is to always be learning. Whether through formal education, reading, or conversations with mentors, there’s always something new to discover. As industries evolve, so must we. Continuous learning keeps you sharp, relevant, and prepared for new challenges. Whether it’s learning a new skill, understanding a new market trend, or exploring a different perspective, staying curious and open to new knowledge has been a consistent driver of both my personal and professional growth.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I take a step back and re-assess. Sometimes, taking a short break and stepping away from the immediate task can help clear my mind. I also like to practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or a quick walk outside, to reset. If I’m feeling stuck on a project, I’ll often consult with my team for fresh perspectives. Breaking down big problems into smaller, more manageable tasks also helps to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and makes the solution feel more achievable.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
A key strategy that has helped me grow my business is focusing on building long-term relationships rather than just transactional interactions. Building a network of trusted clients, partners, and mentors has been essential to my success. By consistently delivering value and maintaining integrity, I’ve cultivated strong connections that have led to repeat business and referrals. In addition, focusing on personalized solutions for each client rather than a one-size-fits-all approach has helped me stand out in a competitive market and establish a strong reputation in my industry.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I made the mistake of trying to grow my business too quickly without fully understanding the internal systems and processes required to scale sustainably. I took on more clients than I could manage effectively, which led to a drop in service quality. It was a tough learning moment. However, it forced me to reevaluate my approach to scaling. I learned the importance of focusing on solid foundations—establishing strong operational processes and hiring the right team before pushing for growth. It was a valuable lesson that reshaped how I approach business growth today.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I often recommend is creating a consultancy focused on digital transformation for small businesses. Many small businesses are still lagging in their adoption of modern technologies like cloud solutions, automation tools, and customer data analytics. A consultancy that helps these businesses modernize could see significant demand, especially as they navigate the challenges of a post-pandemic economy. The key is to focus on providing tailored, easy-to-implement solutions that deliver immediate value, rather than overwhelming clients with complex, high-cost tech integrations.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One software I rely heavily on for productivity is Trello. It’s a project management tool that helps me organize tasks, track progress, and collaborate with my team effectively. I use it to break down large projects into manageable steps and assign specific tasks to team members with deadlines. Having everything laid out visually helps me stay on top of multiple projects simultaneously and ensures that no detail falls through the cracks. It’s a simple tool, but it’s incredibly effective in keeping our operations streamlined and efficient.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
A podcast that I often listen to and find incredibly valuable is “How I Built This” by Guy Raz. It’s inspiring to hear entrepreneurs share their stories, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned along the way. I also enjoy reading books on leadership and innovation, such as “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek. Sinek’s insights on leadership and building strong teams have been influential in shaping my own leadership philosophy. Both the podcast and the book reinforce the importance of resilience, creativity, and team collaboration in business success.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix, which delves into the impact of social media on society. It was eye-opening to understand how deeply these platforms influence our behavior, decisions, and even democracy. I believe understanding the societal impact of tech is important for any entrepreneur today, especially as we move toward more tech-driven business models. The documentary offered an important perspective on the ethics of business and how companies can balance profit with responsibility, which is something I’ve always believed in as I build my own business.
Key learnings
- Create a consultancy focused on digital transformation for small businesses
- Prioritize strategic planning for my clients, ensuring that my team and I are aligned on our objectives.
- Bringing ideas to life starts with understanding the problem at hand and then brainstorming potential solutions.