347. Growing a Business by Growing People
Meny Hoffman
Meny’s business was growing. He was doing everything, and doing it well, and hiring people who did likewise. Yet he knew he had to change when he found himself blaming employees because the company’s growth was not meeting his expectations. He realized he had to look to himself to find a better way to run the company.
Meny Hoffman is the CEO of Ptex Group, an award-winning marketing agency headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y. A lifelong entrepreneur, Meny is passionate about collaborating with growing businesses to create winning strategies that yield results. He is a published business author; founder of the Let’s Talk Business™ email series; initiator of the LTB Business Summit; and featured keynote speaker at conferences across the USA.
How Did You Start Using Your Talents?
“When kids my age started using the computer to play games, I used it to create stuff. I started creating design work for my friends and family. When friends started a lemonade stand, I was the kid they asked to do their advertising. I started doing freebies, then I moved into being a volunteer for nonprofits doing fundraisers…and so it grew from there.”
The Most Impactful Turning Point?
My first ‘ah-ha!’ moment in business was when I said to myself, ‘Look: whatever I’m doing now, I’m doing everything!’ And I’m trying to bring in people that are trying to do everything as well. If I want to grow and create something, I need to pull myself out and work on the business, and create people and procedures and processes and operational structure where those people can work more effectively in the business. I realized that, if I want to create the foundation of growth for my company, there is something out there that I need to do differently than I did yesterday.”
The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?
“A light bulb went on when I realized that passion alone is not enough. Without clear goals, you can live your life with passion, but without financial success. Passion is the number one driving force for every successful entrepreneur, but clear goals and a plan for financial success are crucial.”
Steps to Success from Meny Hoffman
1. Figure out who you want to be
2. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing or how you’re doing it, you must take action.
3. Take responsibility. If you work for a company, ask for a conversation with your boss about the company’s growth potential and ways to better use your talent.
4. If you cannot find a suitable fit in your current company, take your talents elsewhere.
