Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jim Cathcart, Founder of Cathcart Institute LLC., located in Austin, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Cathcart Institute is in the business of Helping People to Succeed. We were founded in 1977 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and we serve a worldwide audience of Success Seekers across all industries and professions. Our primary products are: live presentations by (me) Jim Cathcart, video training and Zoom coaching, books, audio programs, and Mastermind events.
Tell us about yourself
I love teaching, coaching, and performing, so when I discovered the field of professional speaking, I knew I was home! Growing up, I lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, and my Dad was a telephone repairman. Mom was a homemaker who took care of my little sister, me, and my grandparents, who lived with us. I was an average student, not an athlete, ranked 176 in my high school graduating class of 430. And I expected to live an unremarkable life.
One day in 1972, I heard Earl Nightingale on the radio. His inspiring message gave me a formula for transforming my life, and I followed his suggestions fanatically for five solid years. Sure enough, my entire life changed. I lost 50 excess pounds, became athletic, advanced rapidly at work, became a full-time trainer teaching other people's courses, and had better experiences with my family, friends, and colleagues. Plus, my life became more joyful and notably more profitable! All from implementing one simple daily idea: "Spend an extra hour each day studying your chosen field, and you will become an expert in five years or less."
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
• In 1974, I sold Earl Nightingale's recordings door to door to businesses in Arkansas. By 1984 his company was selling my recordings worldwide, $3.5 Million worth of them in the first two years alone.
• I became president of the National Speakers Association, was inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame, received Toastmasters International's Golden Gavel Award (that Nightingale had also received), was inducted into the Sales and Marketing Hall of Fame in London, and received The Cavett Award from the National Speakers Association.
• I also received 2021 an honorary degree in Business from High Point University.
• My heroes from long ago became my friends and colleagues.
• From 2015 to 2019, I was hired to deliver lectures to tens of thousands of people in mainland China and Taiwan. I spoke in 23 major cities, published four books in Chinese, and conducted training on river cruises and at resorts all over Asia.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
People and Profits are the two biggest challenges. Over my 45 years as a business owner, I've had many business models, and my staff has varied from 10 full and part-time to just one assistant to outsourcing all services and working solo for real. Through all of this, we have enjoyed enormous success. Weathering recessions, wars, business betrayals, and more, we have been able to sustain a top-of-industry position and an ever-growing business. The keys are to measure what you care about, have total integrity in your business operations, make clear unshakable agreements with your coworkers, and deliver more than your clients expected.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Spend lots of time on your Why. Have an unshakable answer to the question, "What do you want?" Know exactly why you are doing what you do and how it matters to others.
- Do everything with integrity. Be the most trustworthy person in the room. Never compromise on this.
- Increase the % of your operations that is intentional. Do everything with confidence, clarity, and courage because that is what you are meant to do.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
My other love besides business is Music and Motorcycles. I've ridden motorcycles all over the world, and I'm a Life Member of the American Motorcycle Association. My wife and I sing, and I play guitar professionally. I've performed for hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, and I have a music website GuitarMusicLive.com.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://jimcathcart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.cathcart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimcathcart/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathcartinstitute/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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