Oct 02, 2009 Robert Fish, President of Bankston Partners, was featured in the Mecklenburg Times as a "Power Player". The interview below will provide you with a more personal view of the leader of Bankston Partners...

Question: Give us a brief synopsis of your business.

Answer: Bankston Partners is a specialized recruiting and consulting firm that is dedicated to connecting top professionals in Accounting& Finance, Information Technology, Project Management and Sales & Marketing with emerging, midmarket, and Fortune level companies on a direct hire, project and contract basis. Through our proven unique processes, we connect our clients to the top 10% of individuals in their specialty.

Q: What is your business philosophy?

A: My business philosophy is creating a culture where employees can learn and grow – while still being a great benefit to our clients. I give them the opportunity to learn their individual strengths, and then put them in a position to maximize and capitalize on their unique abilities. I believe that you must first focus on getting your employees to a point where they have an intrinsic desire to succeed; the result is that they will provide greater service to our clients.

Q: What is your definition of success?

A: My outlook on success is based less on actual metrics; and more on the philosophy of value creation. When assessing a new opportunity – I always ask myself – what is the value I can create for the other party? Success means that my team and I have completed all of the necessary steps in the process to fulfill a clients’ need.

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?

A: My biggest accomplishment is founding my first company in 1993, while still a student at NC State University. Eventually, I was able to grow the company to over $3 million in sales by age 27.

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Launching The Diversity Forum is something that I am extremely proud of because it truly engages some of my core passions – diversity, inclusion, community education, etc. Creating a non-profit organization was a long-term goal for me and the fact that I was able to make it happen now, versus 10 years down the line, means a great deal to me. I quickly assumed the risk, dedicated the time, and created something meaningful. Through The Diversity Forum, I am able to give back to the community in a significant way.

Q: What is the best thing about your job/company?

A: I love being able to impact our clients. At Bankston Partners we are all about “GROWTH ACCELERATION”; acceleration for the companies and individuals we work with. Having such a forward-focused perspective allows us to make placements with future growth and success in mind.

Q: What is the toughest decision you have had to make?

A: Starting Integra shortly after the tragedy of 9/11 and with the Iraq War near commencement was an extremely difficult decision. We had to put everything on the line in order to start the firm, but it was something that we believed in…something we knew would be a success. Now, 7 years later we have ranked in the Inc. 5000 list and have been named a “Best Place to Work” by the Charlotte Business Journal two years in a row; so it was well worth the risk!

Q: What do you think was most important in preparing to run a business?

A: The most important thing for me was making sure I had great advisors that helped me maximize opportunities and minimize mistakes. When starting a new company, there is a very small margin for error. Therefore, it is important to have the most accurate understanding of what you are going to embark on before you take that step.

Q: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in business, that you know now?

A: I wish that I knew when, where, and what to outsource! In my earlier years, I honestly had no idea that payroll, accounting, etc. could be outsourced, so I spent an immense amount of time handling those aspects on my own.

Q: What advice would you give other entrepreneurs and business owners?

A: I would advise other entrepreneurs and business owners to do three things: 1) develop a sound work/life balance, 2) strive for sustainability, and 3) build strong trust in your employees. These three items are connected because they are all integral parts of positive growth. The first aspect is one of the hardest, but is very important. I put a lot of thought into properly balancing my work, family, and mountain racing & training; this enables me to reach my full potential. I am a more effective person overall – more creative, innovative, and healthy.

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: The E-Myth by Michael Gerber is a book that changed my life. It helped me learn the importance of the transfer of trust because that enables you to grow. First you start as a technician – handling all areas of the business. Then you become a manager – hiring a staff to assist with duties; thereby starting the process of developing trust through delegation. Finally, you become an owner/shareholder where you work on the business and not in it.

Q: If you weren’t doing what you are doing, what else would you want to do?

A: I would love to work full-time on The Diversity Forum and related initiatives. My goal is see the organization grown nationally and have upwards of 20 chapters.

Q: What do you want others to know about entrepreneurs and small-business owners?

A: Entrepreneurs and small business owners represent about 50% of the total US workforce; a vital part of the life blood of the economy. I want others to know that innovation and new jobs typically begins with small businesses and are later taken over by larger corporations. Anything the community can do to support small businesses and entrepreneurs would be encouraged because in the end – it benefits us all.