Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eric Zackrison, President and CEO of IDI.US Inc., located in Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
IDI stands for the Interpersonal Dynamics Inventory, a multi-rater behavioral style instrument that allows participants to get a picture of the roles they are taking on their teams through the eyes of their co-workers.
Our customers fall into two groups:
- Facilitators, coaches, and consultants that are looking for a tool that gives their clients an accurate read on the way their interaction is perceived and the roles they are taking on their teams.
- Internal consultants looking for tools to support team building, coaching, and leadership development in their organizations.
Tell us about yourself
After 20 years in the restaurant industry, the last 10 as an owner developing and opening five different establishments, I went back to school to get my MBA and Ph.D. Coming out of that, knowing that I did not want to go into academia, I looked for opportunities that spoke to my entrepreneurial spirit and used my academic background.
A natural fit was to look to IDI, which my father had developed in the late 70/80s and which was well established in the Swedish market but had no presence in the US market. As I built out IDI and my own consulting, I was always amazed at how powerful it is for participants to be able to not only measure their own perspectives on their behavior but then get to compare that to the way other people see them.
IDI.US Inc. drives me in three key ways:
- Seeing people's growth as leaders and coworkers through a clearer focus on relationships.
- Supporting others in the growth of their own work.
- Seeing my father's work expand.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Hands down, it is the people that I have developed as leaders. As a restauranteur, I was always thrilled to see those I had trained as leaders move on to run their own places. Now with IDI.US Inc., I get to spend most of my time and energy facilitating others to become better leaders.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The uncertainty and fact that all of your decisions come down to you. Whether you have 2 employees or 500, your choices impact more than just you, and wrong moves can be even more challenging when you know you have negatively impacted those around you.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Take your time and plan.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Just do it. (I know this runs counter to #1, but don't allow yourself to put it off forever)
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.idiusinc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDIUSinc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idius.inc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-zackrison/
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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