
A: No, it didn't. In fact, in the summer of 2003 we were awarded a manufacturing contract from a multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 telecom company. Our revenues grew exponentially, and I was again reminded that there was a bright future ahead.
Q: How did the contract requirements impact you personally?
A: From a personal standpoint, I decided to move from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, a university community, to the greater Los Angeles area to position myself to help manage the contract, but to also pursue additional new business opportunities.
Q: As a hands-on CEO, how did you adjust to working remotely?
A: Operating remotely had its challenges, but in Southern California I was positioned to engage more industry leaders, and it also helped facilitate my business travel via LAX. I remained active and hands-on, however, my focus changed from day-to-day tactical decision-making, to strategic planning, and relationship-building.
Q: You were now managing yet another transition?
A: Yes. But although we had successfully navigated the transition from a small startup to an established business, the Fortune 500 contract and my move to LA helped me realize that I was still thinking too small. I began to look for alternative growth patterns that were not limited to increasing hotel phone sales, but toward sustaining exponential growth.