On Wednesday, November 5th, the Daviess County CEO cohort traveled to the southwest side of Washington to meet with Sheldon Graber, the innovative owner of Yacht House Marine.
Sheldon is both a seasoned entrepreneur and dedicated mentor who has been instrumental in guiding others toward business success. Recent success stories include Washington Brake and Alignment, a thriving enterprise that has benefited significantly from Graber's mentorship. Sheldon is also a Mentor to Austin Smith through our CEO program, Thank you Sheldon!
During the visit, Sheldon emphasized the critical groundwork required before launching any business venture. Under the principle of "before you turn on the lights," he stressed the importance of meticulous planning, covering essential elements such as utilities, insurance, legal entity establishment, and salaries. His advice resonated deeply with the cohort as he underlined the necessity of knowing your numbers—a fundamental aspect often overlooked by aspiring entrepreneurs.
He shared insights on maintaining professionalism, understanding the distinction between services and products, evaluating risk factors, preserving the corporate veil, and above all, upholding integrity in business dealings.
Graber left the cohort with a powerful reminder: "Remember, failure is out there, just like the Sam Walton story." This insight serves as a beacon for resilience and perseverance when facing challenges.
The Daviess County CEO cohort extends sincere gratitude to Sheldon Graber for generously sharing his time, providing invaluable insights, touring the facility, and walking them through a yacht.
