Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Cramer.
Tom, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, my story includes being the Founder and CEO of seven corporations.
When I was 27, I was the co-founder and CEO of American Business Overseas (ABO) which exported American made goods to middle eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt. ABO was an Export Distribution company. Started with $12,000 … we had enough money to finance our first 4-week trip overseas. We were able to finance inventory for 6 and 7 digit sales orders by arranging back to back letters of credit. I sold out to my partner to become co-founder of BORIS Systems.
When I was 31, I was co-founder and CEO of BORIS Systems. The company developed and sold MLS database management computer software and super-mini-computer systems to Real Estate Boards and Multiple Listing Services nationally. The average sale was $600,000. Within 5 years of start-up, the company penetrated 25% of the market by replacing competitor’s systems. The company was sold to Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo).
When I was 38, I was the Founder and CEO of Cramer Enterprises, Inc. which is a Television Direct Response Marketing Company. The company licensed new technologies and executed national market launches on television through the use of Infomercials and Direct Response Commercials. One of its projects had first-year sales of $8 million dollars and a second-year run rate of $30 million dollars. Unfortunately, the product was copied by eight competitors, and subsequent patent lawsuits were too expensive to sustain the business. I learned that there are companies whose business model is to knock off highly successful, patented products, and win lawsuits because they have deeper pockets than anyone else (we ran out of money fighting the lawsuit) … a sad commentary on our legal system.
When I was 45 I Founded and was CEO of Hot Glove, Inc. which is a sporting goods retail distribution company which developed, manufactured and distributed sporting goods accessories for the sports of baseball, basketball, soccer, and golf. Hot Glove products are sold in 15 national and regional retail chains including Wal-mart, K-Mart, The Sports Authority, Dicks, Modells, Champs, Hibbett, Dunhams, MC, Galyans, Big 5, and Academy. The business was sold in 2005 to Unique Sports Products, Inc. www.hotglove.com.
When I was 48, while still operating Hot Glove, Inc., I was Founder and Chairman of The Brain Trust which is a company that specializes in consulting to CEO. The Brain Trust is an Atlanta area CEO Peer Group of 16 individuals in each group. Each member is a CEO, President or General Manager of a non-competing company. We meet once per month for a half day where we learn from experts and give advice and counsel to each other. I also provide one on one counsel and coaching to each member as needed. The Brain Trust has a total of 3 Atlanta area groups made up of 45 members. www.braintrustceo.com.
When I was 57, while still operating The Brain Trust, I was Founder and CEO of Wisie, Inc. which is a company that provides web-based personal self-development video content for the entire family through its web portals: www.Wisie.com, www.WisieForSuccess.com, www.WisieForRelationships.com and www.WisieForKids.com.
Wisie.com and its specifically positioned sister websites deliver daily inspiration, motivation, guidance, advice and wisdom for self-improvement in the three key areas of human life – success, relationships and children. Through the collective consciousness and participation of its customers, Wisie, Inc. provides a positive contribution to transformational and personal self-development… that will result in changing the world … By changing people’s lives, one life at a time. www.wisie.com.
When I was 62, while still operating The Brain Trust and Wisie, Inc., I was Co-founder and Chairman of Interactive Assets, Inc. (IA). IA intends to be a collection of Internet businesses, which provide platforms for people to connect with other people, content and resources they find value in. Our intended portfolio of companies focuses on useful content generation, search engines, practical and fun applications, educational gaming, mobile, and social media. www.interactiveassets.com.
You can see my Linkedin profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-cramer-9682b01.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
While operating American Business Overseas, we only had enough money to take our first 4-week business trip to Saudi Arabia. We had to come back with orders or we were out of business. After our first trip, we had enough orders to stay in business until our next trip. That was the same situation for our first 4 trips … so there were some pretty difficult times. Beginning with our 5th trip, we finally started making a profit.
While operating BORIS Systems, we grew so quickly we ran out of money at least 6 times and missed payroll 3 times. We were able to keep things together, grew to 150 employees and eventually had a successful exit by selling the company to Norwest Bank which eventually became Wells Fargo.
While operating Cramer Enterprises, Inc., one of our projects had first-year sales of $8 million dollars and a second-year run rate of $30 million dollars. Unfortunately, the product was copied by eight competitors, and subsequent patent lawsuits were too expensive to sustain the business. I learned that there are companies whose business model is to knock off highly successful, patented products, and in lawsuits because they have deeper pockets than anyone else (we ran out of money fighting the lawsuit) … a sad commentary on our legal system. This company was on its way to becoming a $100 million dollar company but had its legs cut out from under it by a scandalous and unscrupulous company.
Since the age of 31, I experienced the following serious illnesses:
1) Aplastic Anemia, a terminal (usually) disease of the bone marrow (lasted 4 years)
2) PNH, a blood disease and form of bone marrow cancer that is terminal for 97% of people who get it. (lasted 20 years requiring blood transfusions to stay alive)
3) Crohn’s Disease (lasted 20 years)
4) Lyme Disease (lasted 22 years)
5) Ehrlichiosis (lasted 22 years)
6) Babesiosis (lasted 24 years)
7) Bartonella (lasted 22 years)
8) Melanoma (skin cancer) twice (required surgery and was caught early enough to avoid death)
9) Prostate Cancer (very aggressive version requiring major surgery 3 times)
10) Bladder tumor surgery
I worked through all of these illnesses, despite many surgeries and hospitalizations and even though I had to take naps almost every day to have the energy to continue my work. Today I am cancer free and I have recovered from all of my illnesses.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Brain Trust story. Tell us more about the business.
Well, my main business now is The Brain Trust which provides CEO Peer Groups for business owners and CEOs.
The Brain Trust (TBT) is an Atlanta-based CEO advisory group comprised of CEOs, Presidents, Managing Partners and business owners. Our monthly, half-day CEO peer group meetings are designed to provide a safe place for members to share information and provide counsel to each other. TBT exists as a CEO peer advisory group, enabling our members to dominate their industries by leveraging winning strategies and innovative thinking.
Over our 20-year history as Atlanta’s #1 CEO Peer Group of company presidents, general managers and business owners, emerging and established leaders have joined our CEO advisor programs to gain better insight into how they can take their organizations to new heights.
We recognize that the journey of growing and managing a business covers a long and often stressful road. Luckily, in business, there are often no “new” problems. This is where a CEO peer group membership can be key. By networking and information sharing with the region’s brightest leaders, our members are able to thrive in a CEO advisor-rich environment designed specifically to help high-level executives learn and grow.
What sets us apart is that our 3 leaders are all former successful entrepreneurs who have founded (started) a combined 16 companies. 95% of the leadership in competitive companies have never been CEO of a company.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Well, I guess you could say that I had bad luck and good luck at the same time. Some of the health problems that I had were related to bad luck, however, it was a blessing at the same time. I learned to overcome those challenges and came to appreciate life and my family to a much greater extent than I otherwise would have.
When I started Cramer Enterprises, I needed to raise $100,000 to get the company started. This company was going to launch itself into the business of selling products on TV through Commercials and Infomercials. I asked my neighbor to introduce me to a friend of his that made investments in startup companies. It turns out that when I met his friend, he was actually wanting to be in that business … the exact kind of business I was starting … and he made the investment within 2 weeks of meeting him. That never happens, so that was a very lucky experience.
I have also been very lucky to have mentors and partners in my life that helped me to become successful and who also enriched my life. And I am very lucky to be married to my soul mate and a person that helped save my life, my wife… a world class healer, Marilyn Cramer. www.lighthealer.net.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1010 Olde Towne Ln; Woodstock, GA 30189
- Website: www.braintrustceo.com
- Phone: 678-770-0074
- Email: tom@braintrustceo.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/tcramer1
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-cramer-9682b01/ (Linkedin)
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