One Entrepreneur On the Start: Adrienne Graham

This is part of a series called "The Entrepreneurs On The Start."  This interview is with Adrienne Graham.

What was your first business venture?

My first real business venture was a temporary staffing company. I started it in 1994 and grew it into a successful direct hire staffing company focusing on mid-management level positions and above. It started out as a temporary agency until I realized I didn’t like doing temporary staffing. Two years into it, I changed focus and made it a direct hire/permanent placement agency specializing in technical, finance, human resources and engineering positions. But I was always entrepreneurial as a teenager (selling lemonade and brownies in the park (I lived in the projects in the Bronx so that’s not something you’d see often); babysitting; and typing resumes for friends).

What made you want to go into business for yourself?

The small staffing firm I was working for was about to be acquired by a much larger firm. I didn’t agree with the new direction the company was going to take, so I decided I could do it better and started my own company. I had no clue how to run a business, nor did I have the start up capital or equipment to compete with established agencies. I only had a word processor (not a computer) and the yellow pages for the five boroughs in New York City. I was completely unprepared for running a business, but I just knew I could do it better on my own. And I did, for six years. I always felt that I would be a business owner. And I loved the freedom to be myself, call my own shots and make power decisions for my business and future. It’s a completely empowering experience.

Would you go into business, if you had it to do over again?  Why or why not?

Yes I would. My first business taught me a lot about persistence, networking, compromise, innovation and confidence. If I had not stepped out on my own when I did, I probably wouldn’t be the entrepreneur I am now. I had to learn to be creative and make due with what I had and what I didn’t have. Luckily the internet was in it’s infancy as being a power tool for small business. I taught myself everything I needed to know about running, growing, marketing and managing a business. It was tough at times, but those experiences strengthened me to start another recruitment firm (Hues Consulting & Management) and my current business venture (Empower Me! Corporation). I use my previous mistakes as learning lessons to help me build a solid foundation for my current businesses.

What were some of your biggest lessons learned about starting a business?

I can’t do it all alone. Entrepreneurship can be very isolating, especially if you’re not around people of the same mindset. Where I grew up, there weren’t many real entrepreneurs. My parents were of the mindset of sticking with a job for 25 years, retiring and getting that gold watch. So I didn’t have many business role models. I had to learn to get out and meet people and seek out people I wanted to learn from. Nobody was going to just give me a manual with everything I needed to know about recruiting and running a business. Another lesson I learned is to always follow my instincts. There were quite a few times that I did not follow my gut simply because it wasn’t the “in” thing to do.  I made some mistakes because I didn’t follow my first instinct (some that cost me money). I also learned to be very protective of my brand. Nobody is going to represent or care for your brand as you would. I am very cognizant of who I associate with, partner with or allow to represent my brand. All it takes is one bad incident to ruin your brand. Not everyone has your best interest at heart (and that is a lesson I’m still learning today).

What advice would you have for others considering going into business for themselves?

I would say do it, if you have the discipline and skin for it. Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. You have to be super passionate about what you do and believe in yourself, the product/service and your brand. Surround yourself with positive people and people who are going to tell you the truth even if it hurts. Find solid mentors to guide you and sponsors to open the doors for you. Treat your network and connections like a valuable commodity to your business. Hire people smarter than you are and let them do what they are great at. Delegate, but don’t ever let yourself be in the dark about any aspect of your business. And sign your own checks and maintain access to your financials at all times.

Any final thoughts on starting a business?

Figure out what you’re passionate about. It has to be something you don’t mind doing day in and day out. You are going to be the one who puts the most time and energy into your business. You have to enjoy it otherwise it becomes a “job”. Don’t let anyone squash your dreams. You have to have self confidence and belief in yourself to be successful. And always remain honest- with your clients/customers, vendors, partners, employees and yourself. Reputation is everything. It takes a life time to build and a moment to destroy. Always remain honest with everyone you come in contact with.

Adrienne Graham is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of TWO companies. She is the CEO & Founder of Empower Me! Corporation, a media, publishing and professional development organization for the upwardly mobile professional woman. She is the voice behind Views From the Top Radio Show and the creative social media visionary responsible for creating Empower Me! Radio, Empower Me Institute, Fearless Woman Magazine, & Empowered Woman TV. She has taken what started as a small professional network for women, and turned into an international multimedia and networking power brand. Graham is also CEO of Hues Consulting & Management, Inc, a diversity recruitment consulting firm.