Nik Froehlich

Nik Froehlich is the CEO and Founder of Saritasa. His passion for technology and the incredible enhancements it brings to our everyday lives is what inspired him to start Saritasa back in 2005. He recognized that many businesses are often afraid to adopt new technologies and sought to bridge the gap between innovation and business.

Where did the idea for Saritasa come from?

My background in technology started in my high school years; it was something I loved but decided not to pursue until I had the opportunity to build a business. In that journey, I realized I used my passion for technology to improve the day-to-day operations of my business. I realized that tech is critical to business at a very early age. To this day, I love to see Saritasa adding value to the operations and foundations in technology to multiple businesses.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My routine is simple and business-oriented. From the very beginning, I do my daily habitual check-ins with finances and then proceed to my schedule. A calendar is very important to keep up with the operations and meetings Saritasa deals with. As a CEO, you must know or be in the know – this is how you can tell if your company is achieving its goals.

At Saritasa, technology is the driving force, but the strategy in our daily operations is very much needed. We prioritize communication, structure, and making sure we are meeting to the finish line for our clients.

How do you bring ideas to life?

An idea is the start to a beginning, so I always reference my experiences when I want to bring my ideas to life. I will either call a team meeting or speak to reliable resources to discuss concepts or finalize an objective. Sometimes an idea can sound great, but if there is no current tangible way to begin, an objective can more than likely not be met.

Once I get approval or a solicitation on the mission, I usually strategize a plan for execution.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Technology improves productivity and makes it accessible to everyone. This is a trend businesspeople all over the world are starting to understand. Businesses that adopt technology will be more innovative, productive, and develop greater ideas. The biggest example is in immersive technology – both VR and AR, but a lot of that depends on the hardware. The more accessible and affordable the hardware, the more people will adopt it. Already companies are using virtual reality for training and augmented reality for marketing.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One habit I have is believing in myself and trusting my instincts. I consider myself to have thick skin, so this includes my integrity in taking reasonability in all my risks. I believe this is something entrepreneurs need to practice. Stand behind your product, mission, and values.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Hire the right people, and fire fast, along with giving people responsibility. Never compromise on your ethics. Consistently deliver the best you can and take responsibility. Your team is just as good as your leadership.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

You are worth more than you think you are. It is easy to charge more.
Trust your initial impression – your gut is right more often than not.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Adapt. Re-evaluate—Swim downstream and not upstream.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Follow the demand. Figure out what people want and decide if you can meet that need.

It is okay to not be the right person for the job. Don’t put your ego in front of what you’re trying to do. Fill a need – not yours, but your market. The biggest failures I’ve seen come from people who think they’ve identified a necessity but are just trying to solve an individual problem.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

As an entrepreneur, failure is always part of the equation. I have had my successes and failures. I have learned that you need to take full control and leadership on both. And then, when you succeed, you need to get comfortable with sharing your responsibilities to continue that success.

One failure I had to learn to overcome was simply being over my head and walking too confidently. I placed myself in situations where there was nothing I could do and not enough money to hire when I needed it for future success. There is a saying, don’t reach for more than what you can grab. I can say that is true for every entrepreneur.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

It’s hard to provide a business idea that I would not go for myself, but I would recommend approaching ideas with a market instead of a “I can change the world app”.
Soon I will be 56 and I can tell all ideas are not my age range. Look at the 25-40 crowd and look for a need. I have always found needs and filled them and that brings me success.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I can’t speak to the $100. I met a guy in a bar in NY living on strings and wanted to be an actor but could not afford it. I gave him his tuition. It made him happy and allowed him to follow a dream he otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. If he makes it to the awards one day, he promises me I will be invited.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Email, text, Skype. Communication is how I run my business. It’s enabled me to work from anywhere and our employees to work from anywhere.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Steve Jobs. This has been an inspiration and displays leadership entrepreneurs all need to read.

What is your favorite quote?

I don’t have a favorite quote because quotes do not define my identity and journey, but I do know quotes can mean a lot in moments and milestones.

Key Learnings:

-Make sure to understand your personal failures and how to grow from them.
-Prioritize setting tangible goals and how you will achieve them.
-Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to “make it”. It’s probably been made but look towards goals that need improvement or need for society.