On the road to success there are going to be people who tell you that it can’t be done or that you can’t do it, but if you keep going and keep working towards your dream then anything is possible.”
Linda Kelly is the Founder & CEO of Lion Universe. Lion Universe provides the world’s first premium-full HD 3D mobile phone with no 3D glasses needed. Lion Universe’s purpose is to change the way people communicate by providing premium quality products & services that are affordable without compromising quality.
Experian Business called Linda Kelly “detailed guru extraordinaire,” and Bank of America referred to her as “the future of Trillionaire Makers.” She has taken businesses that were on the brink of bankruptcy and brought them back to life and beyond. Ms. Kelly’s business background comes in a variety of industries including Delcomber’s Communications, Diamond Entertainment Enterprise, Moran Industries (Real Estate), Elder Ear Medical, GEO Transportation, Fathers and Mothers Who Care (non-profit) and Spy Depot (Investigation and Electronics in Canada.)
Ms. Kelly’s experience & leadership abilities makes her an influencer & thought leader in the telecommunications industry.
Where did the idea for Lion Universe come from?
Lion Universe was initially founded by our CTO Enoch Brande. It was his dream to create a company that was innovative and in the field of technology. My history is in corporate accounting and telecommunications, so I was elated to be able to work with Lion Universe. I loved the idea that Lion Universe is a conscious company interested in helping humanity.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is chaotic. It is very chaotic, yet it works for me. The only way for me to have any semblance of productivity I must start off every day with exercise first thing in the morning to have the strength to get everything we need done complete. As the CEO of Lion Universe something is always going on. I am always putting out fires, working with employees, speaking with distributors and manufactures.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring my ideas to life through the team. We all come up with new ideas for the company and then round robin it. Once we have agreed on an idea then we write out a plan of execution and get to work. Things don’t always work out the way we think they should, but we just adjust and keep moving.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Any trend in technology interests me. I am always interested in making something new. I love new gadgets, programs, anything in beta or innovative. I love to watch people’s faces when people experience it and to see their reactions.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
One habit that makes me the most productive is to organize my thoughts. I must make sure that I am clear on what I want to do for the day, what I want to say, who I need to work with. By ensuring that I am organized and clear on how I want to move forward it is a lot easier to get and keep the entire team on the same page.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If given the opportunity I would tell my younger self to believe in yourself. That’s the only way to make things happen. If you let others and their thoughts to influence you nothing will ever happen. On the road to success there are going to be people who tell you that it can’t be done or that you can’t do it, but if you keep going and keep working towards your dream then anything is possible.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Pepsi. Nobody in my entire company agrees with me on my Pepsi. I try to eat healthy, exercise and drink plenty of water but I still drink a Pepsi a day. There’s something about just being able to relax and enjoy a nice ice-cold drink that makes the day a little easier. Everybody has their go to thing. Whether that’s a cold drink, coffee or whatever it is, everyone should be allowed that one thing that others may consider taboo to help get them through the day.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Exercise – Exercise is my primary focus. I believe your energy and your stamina throughout the day has a lot to do with exercise. Once I exercise I can unwind, rejuvenate and have fresh thoughts when I came back to any task.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Tenacity is the single biggest gift I have given to myself and to my business. No matter what I just keep going. I can recall many instances where things were rough, where other people would have just given up and walked away, but because I didn’t give up I was able to achieve success. It doesn’t always have to be a major win, sometimes it’s the small things. It can be negotiating a price or partnering with a distributor to have a greater reach. I never give up until I am completely satisfied.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I don’t know how to micromanage. Initially I thought that it would be something that I grew out of. That as I became more and more accustomed to being CEO I would be able to micro-manage more, but I still don’t. It stills effects the company to this day. I never liked micromanaging when I was an employee and I don’t have that trait. I truly haven’t overcome it. The failure is in some people meeting deadlines, execution, their tasks, their follow-ups. I just believe that more people would be independent thinkers and workers and would work and move as you do, but sadly many people don’t, so the company suffers.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Buying new product. I love to take any amount that I can and purchase more product for the company. At Lion Universe we are continually searching for the latest and greatest in products. I sometimes have to purchase samples or materials in order to get new items, but it’s always money well spent.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft 365.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill.
What is your favorite quote?
“Lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitute an emergency on mine.”
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Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.