[quote style=”boxed”]Tireless dedication to the task at hand. Nothing matters more than the task at hand and being fully present to accomplishing one task as a little battle.[/quote]
Tom Haarlander is an entrepreneur from Nashville who has an eye for innovation and a passion for wellness. During College, Tom Haarlander combined these interests to establish a business that would grow to multiple millions in annual sales. Tom’s entrepreneurship endeavors were recognized by Belmont, as he won 2nd place in the university’s Entrepreneurship Challenge and was also awarded 2nd place in the Growing Your Business Challenge. Tom Haarlander is a graduate of Belmont University, where he studied Entrepreneurship in the Massey Business School.
Aside from studying at one of the nation’s Top 25 Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Programs at Belmont University, Tom Haarlander’s experience of founding, running, and growing his own business have set an incredible foundation for his developing career. Regardless of the success he’s had so far and the success to come, Tom keeps his family and friends at the center of his life. The motivation and support from loved ones is what keeps Tom motivated and is a major factor behind where he is in his life today. Some would even say that Tom was born into the entrepreneurial spirit, as his father owned a limo company, appliance repair shop, construction company, real estate business, and much more!
Before moving to Nashville where he studied at Belmont, Tom Haarlander lived much of his childhood in Palm Beach County, Florida. Here, he was able to pursue many athletic passions such as competitive hockey that even brought him to Eastern, Michigan. When he isn’t busy crafting new business plans or brainstorming future endeavors, Tom enjoys boxing, ice hockey, and football. Tom considers the arts and athletics the perfect outlet to enjoy youth while developing a successful career.
Where did the idea for your organization come from? What does your typical day look like?
Right now our organization focuses on creating and designing tangible products for entrepreneurs in multiple different industries. This is a wonderful fit for me because it gives me the ability to work in various industries instead of being pigeon held to just one idea or creation.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Through a systematic process, we have devolved to bring something from a conceptual idea into being a tangible, functioning creation.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The growing awareness of individual’s health and wellness. Seeing individuals take ownership of themselves and taking care of themselves.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Tireless dedication to the task at hand. Nothing matters more than the task at hand and being fully present to accomplishing one task as a little battle.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I have never held a job for anyone other than myself…
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
Everything! And nothing! Entrepreneurship is a process you learn from every mistake. (On a side note, I would have definitely looked into proper structuring, boards, and liability a bit more closely.)
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Just get started. Stop asking “how” and just get started.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Absolutely commitment to delivering for your clients.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
So many… By stepping away and realizing life is full of new chances and second chances.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A way to take care of the aging baby boomer generation in the United States. Potential limited Social Security and limited Health care. A company/idea that can support this group. Only a private company has the potential to run efficiently enough to take care of this population.
Tell us something about you that very few people know?
Entrepreneurship isn’t always fun. Sometimes it is actually very, very difficult and turns out to be work.
What software and web services do you use?
Basecamp.
What do you love about them?
It keeps all of our data online and allows access for a team and clients that live worldwide.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Business Model Generation by Alex Osterwalder. This book allows you to focus on what’s important your business model rather than the traditional formal business model.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
Professor Cornwall from Belmont University
www.drjeffcornwall.com
Connect:
Tom Haarlander on LinkedIn:
Tom Haarlander on Twitter: @TomHaarlander
Tom Haarlander on Google+:
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.