Lisa Toenniges- Opportunistic Entreprenuer

 

“As an Entrepreneur you have to look FORWARD”!!

- Lisa Toenniges of The Innovative Learning Group

Entrepreneurs know opportunity when they see it. And Lisa Toenniges is no exception to the rule. The Innovative Learning Group was started in between the closing of her former company where she worked for 10 years . “I had no time to think”, said Toenniges, opportunities come and go and as an entrepreneur you have to be ready to pounce on it when it comes. Entrepreneurs see a need and fill that need with their expertise to change the marketplace. She immediately acted by setting up meetings with clients to discuss their business with the her company insuring a smooth transition. By bootstrapping her idea she was able to capitalize on the market that already existed with her former company thus helping her a built in customer base from the start. She started in her basement with six people from her previous company. Toenniges understood that her employees were the most important asset and their expertise was the key to her success.

Sacrifices are key to taking advantage of opportunities (i.e. financially or time) because it is essential to stepping out on belief that your endeavor will be successful. This is best displayed in after 3 years of existence having a 3 million dollar business that has very low overhead and is growing “steadily and profitably”.

Lisa Toenniges inspired me because as a leader she possesses traits that would inspire others to follow into a startup that was crafted in her basement. I definitely could see myself where Toenniges is due to her vision of what is important to her. I don’t think that becoming a large faceless corporation that loses focus on the comradery of the office in a common goal to be successful is not her focus. Her focus is in her leadership and growth of the people in her office that believed in her when it didn’t look like a great idea to do so. Toenniges’ vision is to stay profitable and close to her business model rather than repeat the mistakes of her former company is what matters most. Could you say it is playing it safe…maybe but 3 million in gross profit after 3 years is pretty good. I wouldn’t complain to much if that’s playing it safe.