Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michael Burks Jr., PhD, Founder of Nexthill Management, located in Dallas, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We at NextHill Management are in business to inspire greatness in every individual, from high-level executives to athletes. We do this by helping create the most culturally-inspired brands, events, and products. We specialize in high-level consulting, accountability & support for professional executives to athletes who run high-profile brands. I define the best practices and competitive advantages for their companies. This can include organizational development, process management, internal auditing, information technology, reputation management, and international business development.
What separates me from other executive coaching or consulting firms is we work closely with our clients to build a customized and predictable strategy model for results. Working with me means you are not just a client number in our logs but a close member of the family, and the firm takes its values straight from the founder. Family first!
My services are for elite professionals that want measurable, predictable outcomes. And as that professionals, they understand that constantly taking the long view of their business is important, and they are always looking to embrace disruptive, new, results-driven success models. With me as your trusted partner, you can look forward to gaining refreshing, unbiased advice from someone who’s faced and overcome similar challenges and got results that:
- Vertically grow your businesses
- Enhance your life’s culture
- Magnify individual productivity
- And overall takes businesses and their teams to the next level
Tell us about yourself
I am the founder and Chief Executive Advisor with Burks & Co. I have worked for more than 10 years, serving as an advisor and strategist for a host of corporate, non-profit, and government clients and even some professional athletes. I was named 2019’s Best Business Management Consultant in Dallas and have been featured in countless publications over the last decade, such as Dallas Business Journal, Business Innovators, CBS, FOX News, and even Voyage Dallas.
How I started is kind of a crazy story, actually. In the beginning, I was doing one-on-one coaching for some more beginner-stage entrepreneurs when the opportunity was first presented to me. I can never forget I was at a conference in San Deigo, and one of the presenters was on stage speaking on scaling companies and the challenges he and his partner were facing at the current time. After listening to the presenter and jotting down some diligent notes, I figured out part of an answer to his issues. All I needed was a few more questions answered, and I knew I had a solution for him and his company.
The moderator asked if anyone had any questions for the presenter, and I saw that only one person stood up and lined up for the microphone. I thought to myself, “this is my time to get the answers I need.” I rushed to the line and waited my turn. When it got time for me to ask my questions, I gave a short introduction to who I am and what I did; then, I gave my first question. When he answered that one, it started an onslaught of counter-questions for me; the back and forth went on for 2 minutes, but out of respect for the audience, I interrupted the presenter to say that if he wanted, we could continue our discovery later, and he agreed to do so.
Later, we sat at the back of the conference center at a round table with him and his team, who was there with him. And after 3 1/2 hours, I was able to devise a strategy to not only solve his challenge but decrease spending while increasing his revenue. When we finished our conversation, he asked me if I did this sort of thing full-time, and I told him no, I didn’t. He said I had a gift for unpacking business problems and devising clear and executable solutions for anyone who listens. He then went on to ask me what I charge for my one-on-ones, and I gave him what he described as an unacceptable amount. He told me to send him an invoice for $5ooo and told me that this is my business model and that is my minimum price from here on out. I did nothing but nod my head, said yes, sir, and sent my invoice, and the rest has been a blur.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think the biggest thing I have ever accomplished came to me by surprise. A lot of time, I am head down working diligently for my clients. Not aware that anyone was looking (or caring if they were). Well, I guess someone was watching and was impressed with my work because I got recognized and awarded for it. The day after my birthday (October 6th, 2019), I received an email with the subject line "Michael Burks Jr. - Dallas Awards." I almost deleted the email because I thought it was spam. But I went against my judgment, and when I opened the email and read it, I was surprised, to say the least. As I read the email, the first line goes on to say...
"It is our pleasure to inform you that on this day, October 7th, 2019 - Michael Burks Jr. has been selected for the 2019 Dallas Award in the category of Business Management Consultant." I immediately click the link and read further. I could not believe it and was totally taken by surprise.
The surprise was only because when you start a business, it is not for money or awards like this. You start your company with the goal of adding something of value to the world. But it was the biggest and most surprising accomplishment of my life.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Nothing I have achieved was easy! Just in the last ten years, I have experienced the majority of these challenges accompanied by mental and emotional issues that I consistently have to be aware of and adjust to so that they do not derail my life. Self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and anger are among those issues that stem from various experiences in my life that made the goals I chose to pursue more difficult.
In the last ten years, I have lost five close family members (three from my side of the family and two from my wife's side). I had a big scare with my daughter being misdiagnosed with leukemia during her first pregnancy with my granddaughter. On top of that, I chose to go full-time with consulting and pursue my doctorate in business at the same time.
I know you're asking how did you make it through all that? And all I can say is that I learned from my mentors and coaches that nothing is achieved alone. I was able to overcome adversity and accomplish my target goal by using my support system... leaning on my wife, children, friends, family, mentors, and colleagues was the only way I was going to make it through the hills and mountains I was navigating.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I don't want to take up a lot on this one, so I will keep it really simple.
- Find and have a clear idea of your messaging. Make sure you know what it is you do.
- Build a system to bring in clients and a process to close a sale with them.
- Devise an efficient delivery system that does not include you in the entire process.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.michaelburksjr.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelburksjr/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelburksjr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelburksjr/
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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