S. Herbert Rhea
Rhea Financial Corporation , President |
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1. What advice would you give someone starting a business?
1. On the front end after you have done all of your due diligence and
created a business plan it will become apparent that success will depend
on the capital and people skills required. Service businesses generally
require smaller amounts of capital and generally succeed thru a growth
mode over the yeas. Manufacturing, technology business usually require
large amounts of capital to sustain them until they can become profitable.
Your decision as to how you raise capital, give up ownership, create leverage
by borrowing can determine your future. Seek qualified advice before you
begin. Most mistakes are made on the front end. Hard work and dedication
can overcome small mistakes but not large ones.
2. Why is Memphis good for entrepreneurs?
Every potential entrepreneur has to decide what he wants to accomplish
long term in business. There are many motivations other than money. The
danger is in trying to imitate someone else. I love Memphis and early
on decided I wanted to start significant businesses that would last beyond
my lifetime. In each business I have been involved in this was communicated
to younger management at the beginning so they would know their future
if they chose to remain and were capable. In my case I usually set a specific
time that I would step aside. This has worked and I have had tremendous
satisfaction working with wonderful partners and amazing young people.
This exit strategy has worked for me. I strongly recommend you consider
leading in your business until the point in time you can step aside and
follow.
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