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Are you an Innovator or a Commander? First CCR webinar shows the mindset and skill sets needed to solve problems
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t is not all about the product. Businesses new and old need to solve problems in environments where their talents and services are both known and needed. That is how Zachary Green introduced the importance of warrior skills in business during his recent Commercial Construction & Renovation webinar, “Are You an Innovator or a Commander?” The webinar was sponsored by Pivotal Retail (https://www.pivotalretail.com). The former US Marine, firefighter, CEO and the best-selling author of “The Warrior Entrepreneur, spoke extensively about his military training and its invaluable role in growing a successful business and overcoming challenges—which nearly
Zachary Green
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — ISSUE 7, 2022
derailed the company that eventually earned more than $30 million in revenues. Green said that most small businesses fail within the first six years and that nine in 10 are out of business within 10 years. "I’m sure this is no surprise to the millions of contractors who have tried to launch businesses, no matter their expertise or skill sets. Unfortunately, the journey and miscues are typically the same over and again—a continued emphasis on the product rather than marketing, sales and distribution." Green says these were among the many lessons he learned while growing MN8 LumAware/Foxfire, a leading manufacturer and supplier of photoluminescent firefighting and building evacuation safety equipment that he grew from the trunk of his car to a multimillion-dollar organization. “I went from $5,000 in sales over six months to $100,000 in orders after attending my first trade show,” Green said. “The problem is that I had no way to fulfill the requests. As a result, I nearly lost it all after refinancing my home, borrowing