R. Brad Martin
Saks Incorporated, Chairman/CEO
1. What advice would you give someone starting a business?
"I think for someone starting a business the key is to have a plan, to do your homework and to anticipate what it is you want to accomplish. What can go right, but also spend some time thinking about what can go wrong. Not to focus on failure, but to mitigate the circumstances and conditions that could indeed go wrong with your plan. Once you have thought through, once you have prepared, once you have done your homework and once you have the plan, then work like the dickens to make it happen."
2. What are the most significant ways entrepreneurs impact their industry and their community?
"I think an entrepreneur helps his community through the utilization of creativity. An entrepreneur sees the landscape differently and utilizes the resources available on that landscape to create economic opportunity, to create jobs, to create energy, and, in fact, on occasion, to create a much higher quality of life for those in the community."
3. Why is Memphis good for entrepreneurs?
"I think the Memphis area is terrific for entrepreneurs because there are so many examples that we can look to. So many who have gone before who have been willing to take their talent, their values, their energy and do extraordinary things with that combination of assets. So we have plenty of people who we can learn from. We also have plenty of people who are willing to help. There is a "can do" attitude in this community and a lot of people want to help you do it."
For More Information: http://www.saksincorporated.com
|
