The Risk Project - Gary Lynch

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Gary Lynch, Founder and CEO of The Risk Project LLC., located in Mendham, NJ, USA.

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

We help our customers uncover and take action against risk in their supply chains. Specifically, we hunt down the data and linkages among all the participants in the supply chain to help the customer visualize material, information, and data flows, measure return on investment, mitigate and finance exposure, and monitor for disruptive events throughout the product life cycle.

I work with leaders across multiple industries, product lines, and companies such as NVIDIA, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Rockwell Automation, Roche, Trumpf, Huntsman, Shanghai-Roche, KPMG, Pepsi, Shire/NPS Pharma, Essilor, BAE Systems, Adidas, Cambridge Isotope Labs, Societal CDMO, and Westinghouse Nuclear.

Tell us about yourself

I have always loved what I do, helping leaders meet their customer's expectations despite the infinite disruptive daily risks they face. I am motivated by the opportunities created in the worst of times when a disruptive force is encountered. I've dedicated my entire adult life as a first responder, so I understand what's required to react, respond, suppress, and build back better from life's greatest tragedies. I enjoy the geographic, industry, and leadership diversity of my work, whether it be getting a critical drug to a patient, a laser diode into a precision cutter, a golf ball to the sporting goods store, a glass lens to the optometrist, snacks to the grocery store, or fuel fabrication to the nuclear facility.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment? Keeping the lights on! Understanding the need for cash flow and building out from the core takes tremendous perseverance, adaptability, resilience, and a strong support group. You can abandon the entrepreneurial mindset to be comfortable in a structured environment. I don't think a week goes by where I haven't thought about the easier path. However, nothing is better than to chart your course, make quick decisions, execute, and fail fast. It's the innovative, get-it-done mindset that I never want to give up.

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

I already mentioned the cash flow challenge so let me highlight another. Gaining visibility and creditability is the next most significant challenge. All the vendors and customers were interested in what my team and I had to say when I launched and led the cyber-security practice at the Gartner Group or Global Supply Chain Intelligence Practice at Marsh. The day you leave that position, most forget who you are and your qualifications. Maintaining respect and recovering the leverage you had in the market is a challenging, uphill task. Without a goal, it can tear you down and destroy your mindset. Your value hasn't changed. You need to demonstrate it in a different way when you are working with a small company or as an entrepreneur.

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

1. Thoroughly understand what opportunity you are pursuing, where there is a market and customer need, and what you do specifically to fill (and scale) the void.
2. Don't hesitate or be afraid to ask leaders for help! Successful people want to help, to share their experiences, and introduce you to others. Here's an example. I was stuck in the mud while writing my third book, "Uncertainty Advantage: Leadership Lessons for Turning Risk Outside-In." Out of money and time, I threw a hail mary pass. I sent a blind Linkedin in-mail to 10 CEOs who I knew had experienced significant disruption. I briefly explained my purpose and desired outcome. Nine out of ten responded and offered to help. John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai NA & Waymo, provided multiple meetings. For other levels, you'd be surprised how many will work for sweat equity.
3. Thoroughly understand the financials, what it takes to be profitable, appeal to investors, and most of all — protecting your cash with your life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://theriskproject.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncertaintyadvantage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gslsec/

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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