Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dennis Berkholtz, Founder of The Anilete Group, located in Jacksonville, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We have two businesses - The National Senior League and The ANILETE Group. The National Senior League (NSL - www.nslgames.com) manages and produces National Wii Bowl Championships for seniors. The target audiences are seniors residing in CCRC's, Independent Senior Living Communities, Assisted Living Communities, Nursing Homes, and those recreating at Senior Centers. This year we added another league, The NCL National Community League, which provides Wii Bowl National Championships for Individuals with intellectual and developmental differences.
Our second business, a recent startup, The ANILETE Group, represents animated athletes whose mission is to entertain and teach a young audience about life lessons learned through sport. We design the ANILETES and serve as their agents representing sponsors/advertisers and merchandisers. The goal is to establish ourselves as a high-profile Intellectual property sharing profits with organizations providing youth sport development programs.
Tell us about yourself
I have an extensive athletic background ranging from collegiate basketball and golf at Kansas State University as well as playing and coaching in the Olympic Games in Munich and Montreal - 1972/1976 in the sport of Team Handball. The businesses I've been associated with, as well as the creation of the National Senior League and The ANILETE Group, have been driven by my love for sports and having played and coached at the highest levels. I've learned through sport and business that although winning is important, what is most important is BEING THE BEST YOU CAN BE EACH DAY! That's enough motivation for anyone.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm most proud of starting the National Senior League in honor of my parents, who were living in a Senior Living Community with not much to do. The NSL was born. Fourteen years later, seniors are still enjoying the fun and the competition.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Continuing the process of growing the business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take the time to put together a detailed business plan - your vision, your short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.
- Have a realistic funding plan.
- Be patient and stick to the vision.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://theaniletes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalSeniorLeague/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-berkholtz-b372b0b/
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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