Alex | Age: 21 | Charlotte, NC
Entrepreneur, Talk Show Host, Business Investor, and More
Leadership is... having the knowledge and experience to successfully lead a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.
Leadership in Life... One of the turning points in my life was when I was promoted to Vice President of Business Development for a local manufacturing company. This is one of the most influential positions within the company, and I expected to accomplish great things within that role. However, after doing extensive market research and preparing numerous reports, the upper leadership of the company never enacted on my ideas. One of my largest projects was making a ten-year comprehensive growth plan that would position the company in international markets and push revenue past one billion dollars. Still, the CEO took no interest in my proposals because they were not focused on growth. I learned a lot in this role because it was an eye-opening first-hand experience about the numerous hurdles facing mid-size corporations. However, my experience backed the fact that corporate America does not like to take large risks and that there are extensive systems to go through when pushing innovation. This inspired me to seek out work in a role where I can lead the entire firm and be in full control of all decisions. Certain people in life are complacent with where they currently are, and others continually seek to be the best. If you want to thrive, you must be in an environment of like-minded growth-oriented individuals who support your goals. I learned that the only person I can rely on is myself and therefore I must pursue entrepreneurship to satisfy my hunger for growth. That role shaped me to be the leader and person I am today.
Advice… In entrepreneurship, people are going to tell you it cannot be done and people are call you crazy. Choose to feed off their negativity and let that drive you to never stop pursuing your dreams. Your dreams are only dead when you stop working towards them, so don't let anyone stand in your way.
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