Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Staten III.
Bobby, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always done my own thing. As an only child, I had to learn to entertain myself. For me, creating the things that I envisioned was my preferred source of entertainment. From comic books to self-produced mixtapes, my teenage years were the inception of my entrepreneurial efforts. I started my first business, 2nd Letter Productions, at the age of 15 with a good friend of mine. We would record music on weekends and occasionally DJ birthday parties for our peers.
Business felt very natural to me. The freedom to ideate and implement a shared vision was very fulfilling. However, after high school, the haze of practicality overrode my wild childish ambition. I tabled my record executive aspirations in pursuit of a career in Information Technology. In 2004, with a degree in tow, I strapped on my lifejacket and floated away towards perceived stability.
10 years later, I was stuck. I’d built a successful career in a specialized field as an IT Project Manager. I’d been blessed with opportunities to implement change and drive business value on a global scale across several different industries. I’d achieved the benchmarks that I’d set for myself on my graduation day. I had the wife, the salary & bonuses, the material possessions, the hefty travel reward balances… but there was an emptiness that I couldn’t place. What appeared like success to most, felt shallow and short-lived to me. Despite pithy attempts to revive the hustler’s spirit, I found myself in a rut. The redundancies of my day-to-day life were mind-numbing. I yearned for the opportunity to fully leverage the gifts that I’d been given to serve others. However, the comfort of the security blanket that I had knitted over time fueled my complacency. Until the blanket met a match…
In 2015, the company that I worked for was acquired and my project was canned. Ultimately, I was laid off 90 days later. Just as I was preparing to clutch my security blanket for the long ride, it was snatched away. Somebody had a different plan. I took the time to unpack what the first ten years of my career had taught me. The patterns, the best practices, and the pitfalls to avoid. After months of reflection and research, I decided to launch Appleseed, a consultancy aimed at implementing sustainable solutions for small businesses.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, but no journey worth traveling is!
I’m not a natural salesman. Therefore, business development has been a skill that I’ve had to develop and be intentional about.
Additionally, I’ve had to overcome the inclination to do everything myself. As a small business owner, it’s very easy to slip into that habit. I regularly challenge myself to find opportunities to hire help, automate, or delegate.
Please tell us about Appleseed Consulting.
Appleseed exists to strengthen businesses by equipping them with the strategies, processes, and solutions necessary to stimulate growth and excel in the global marketplace. We specialize in strategy, performance improvement, and project management. Through this three-prong approach, Appleseed provides comprehensive service that drives desired outcomes for our customers.
Our project methodology is what distinguishes us from other consultancies. Experience has taught us that every business is different. By taking an individualized approach focused on four key attributes, we are able to develop sustainable solutions for businesses that add value and support business growth.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t live a life of regrets. I believe that every detour is a purposeful waypoint along the path to our destination.
However, in business, I would divert more resources and energy to building a team, sooner.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3101 Cobb Parkway, Suite 124
Atlanta, GA 30339 - Website: http://buildfromthecore.com
- Phone: 404.620.0602
- Email: info@appleseed.services
- Instagram: instagram.com/iseeopportunity
- Facebook: facebook.com/buildfromthecore
- Twitter: twitter.com/BuildFromCORE
- Other: twitter.com/iseeopportunity
Image Credit:
Burroughs + Knight Photography
Soigne Photography
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