Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brion Carroll, CEO of Sabrion, located in Nashua, NH, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

At Sabrion, we pride ourselves on being one of the leading consulting organizations, bringing thought leadership to any company that wants to strengthen its product development cycle, marketing strategy, enterprise architecture, monitoring capabilities, and organizational change management.

We perform IT audits, due diligence as well as business value assessments for companies that want to be market challengers. We also provide recommendations to companies that wish to innovate using industry best-in-class solutions for NPD, CAD, 2D Design, PLM, MDM, AR/VR, Training, IoT, Industry 4.0, for a full Digital Twin and the Digital Thread end-to-end solution. Our customers are products companies within the Retail, Footwear, Apparel, Consumer Goods, Life Sciences, Automotive, High-Tech, Discrete Manufacturing, Aerospace, and Defense.

Tell us about yourself

As a young child, I grew up in the lower-class neighborhood of Lowell, Massachusetts, during the drug pandemic of the Reagan administration or "Just say no." We moved around a lot, and it was difficult to find friends or even not to be bullied when arriving at a new school. I was an average student and not very ambitious in academics or sports. Most of the time, I would walk around the city streets or be isolated in my room. I had a brother, but we could not be more different and did not enjoy each other's company even for a moment. Life for me was a struggle during so many times, and I had thought that I would grow up to be a criminal or maybe even homeless. I certainly did not think I would have a successful career or be mildly good at anything. I guess while we are busy making plans or doubting ourselves, God is laughing.

My career ultimately started when I joined the US Army and enlisted under a new Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in the communications segment called "Computer Science." Not many people had a personal computer in their household at this time, and if they did, dial-up or plugging in the phone jack was the most common way to access the internet. When I arrived at my Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in Fort Gordon, Georgia, I found out that the technology in the military was far more advanced than in the rest of the world. My main responsibility in active duty was to set up wide-area networks, install operating systems and configure routers so that military companies could communicate with smaller divisions to transfer soldier records, deliver military documents from base to base, or transmit information into the field.

During this time, something within me woke up. I became extremely motivated and ambitious and complimented my role by reading books and learning further development or coding with other databases or file systems so that I could gain rank and have more freedom. Other officers and sergeants began to notice and compliment me on my solutions and hustle. I came into the Army as a Private (E1), which is the lowest rank. However, because I was extremely motivated in my active drills and expanding my technological capabilities, I made it to Specialist (E4) within only two years. This type of drive and desire to learn would ultimately contribute to my success in the private sector spanned over 20 years working with some of the most innovative and intelligent people in the world, then as an executive manager for a multi-billion dollar consulting firm, and now working as a CEO of Sabrion that advises for product companies in every industry looking to accelerate their time to market, improve their product portfolio and innovate their operational technologies to support their employees, suppliers and improve the customer experience. This is a million miles from where I started.

I wake up in the early morning when most of the world is asleep. I make a pot of coffee and sit in the quietness of the dawn to calm my thoughts. I have a set of prayers that I pray and readings that I read. This routine and most of the content is to remind me that there is something bigger than me out there that has been guiding me. After this, I navigate to YouTube and enter into the search field "motivational videos" and click on whatever video is catching my attention or one that I have not listened to yet. Then, I begin to outline my goals and tasks for the day by placing them into an electronic notepad on my desktop and leaving it open so I can see them. After these events, the day takes a mind of its own.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Anyone who is brave enough to start their company should look at that as a major accomplishment. With that being said, since starting Sabrion, I have had to wear multiple hats and set small obtainable goals while having a long-term strategy. This comes by knowing who our customer is and allowing them to get to know us. As CEO, I put in the foundational components to succeed in marketing, sales, and delivery. Because of these factors, we have had the opportunity to help some of the largest brands in retail as well as the most innovative life science companies in the world. These engagements make an impact on so many in different ways. We contribute to that impact and help make it sustainable.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Owning a business means staying engaged on so many levels, whether it's building customer relationships, creating brand awareness, supporting current engagements to ensure customer satisfaction, or contributing to sales growth. Everything has its priority and demand. Setting the proper priority and balancing my contribution and commitment is a 24-hour job. Other people in the company may be able to "punch out," but not me. I have to stay committed and consistent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if we are to succeed.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

I have worked with so many start-ups and have been involved in plenty of acquisitions and mergers. I know that depending on each organization's roots and beginnings, they all have different success factors. However, I have learned there are a few key common elements.

  1. Know your market. If you do not know the current landscape, what the need is, and where is the value proposition for your organization it is a very slim chance you will make an impact.
  2. Work hard and love your job. Nothing worth doing is easy, but it doesn't have to be a pain. Stay consistent and find joy in the simple things.
  3. Connect with your customer. Knowing your audience is critical. Understanding their challenges and what they like and giving them what they need.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sabrion-digital.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrionCarroll2/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brion-carroll-ii-9b723923/

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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