Stop trying to overthink business opportunities. You don’t need to think of something new. Just think of how to do something better.
Scott Smith began his career in the Financial Services Industry where he learned a great deal about working with people and creating a service oriented team. After a few years, he joined the building services industry becoming a business partner in that industry, eventually owning a very successful building services company where he managed client expectations at a very high level while at the same time managed the expectations of employees. This created an environment that allowed employees and clients to feel successful.
With years of experience in sales and marketing, Mr. Smith decided to consider new opportunities and eventually purchased Graffster.com (which was recently rebranded to Vectrum Graphics and developed a new website. Recognizing the opportunity to help others succeed in the business world through high-quality marketing material he jumped in with both feet. There is a hole in this industry that makes it difficult for small business to create and print high-quality marketing material at an affordable cost and Vectrum Graphics aims to change that.
Recognizing that “it takes an Artist” to create high-quality marketing material, he developed a team of professionals who have the ability to design and print great marketing material. Focusing on small business, their goal is to help each client with outstanding service and creative ideas that will set their clients apart in their respective industry.
Where did the idea for Vectrum Graphics come from?
Vectrum Graphics was created out of the need for small businesses to have access to high-quality graphic design and printing at an affordable price. Initially, our focus was on business cards, but we have grown to provide many different products including brochures, flyers, banners, logos, and more.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I wake up at 4:45 to exercise at a local Crossfit Box, then spend some family time with my wife and kids before school. I generally get started with work around 8 am and finish around 6 pm. The rest of the evening I spend with my family.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life requires hard work and imagination. We will frequently discuss projects as a team and work to creatively approach each project with fresh eyes and excitement.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The growth of Internet shopping provides an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to work hard and get their message out clients who want high quality with excellent service.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Being disciplined and staying in good physical condition helps by mind and body have the energy required to work hard and spend the time required to have a successful business.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I spent about 2 weeks sorting potatoes in a potato processing plant in Idaho. It was terrible, however, despite my lack of desire to watch potatoes on a conveyor belt for 8 hours per day, I knew that it was critical to stay motivated and perform my job with quality. It reinforced a principle I had learned throughout my childhood, that no matter what I was doing, I was going to do it well!
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would be sure to ask plenty of questions to professionals and business owners who have had experience dealing with the challenges of being an entrepreneur. I believe that could have prevented a lot of headaches.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Be disciplined in following operational procedures to manage your business. The greatest success I have had is when I follow operational procedures that I have already implemented. When I stay focused on those procedures, and I am disciplined in completing those procedures daily the business and my life are easier to manage.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
One strategy is our focus on incredible customer/client service. Our client service is outstanding and we take the approach that the client is always right, even when they are wrong. We have spent extra time with design work and printing to ensure our client is receiving exactly what they purchased, and sometimes we go beyond what they expect to ensure they are happy.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I have made mistakes in hiring the wrong employees. After a couple of hiring mistakes, I spent a lot of time researching interview tactics and questions and it made a huge difference in my ability to identify the right people to hire. Obviously, I am not perfect, but I am much better at making good hiring decisions.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Stop trying to overthink business opportunities. You don’t need to think of something new. Just think of how to do something better.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
It was more than $100, but it was an overnight relaxing short vacation with my family. My business is important and supports my family, but taking time away from work and spending time with my family is critical, not only to the success of my business but to my personal success and to the success of my wife and children, our family.
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
Quickbooks is the software I use the most to manage the financial side of my business. It definitely simplifies the financial side of business.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a book that has timeless insight about how to develop lasting business relationships. The principles also apply to personal relationships as well.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
Chet Holmes, Gordan B. Hinkley, Thomas S. Monson, Dale Carnegie, Marvin Smith
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.