Member Spotlight on Marc Couvillion
Member Spotlight on MARC COUVILLION
Former President, Tiger Billboard Advertising
Interview conducted by Winnie Hart, Communications Director
Please tell us briefly about your company.
We
owned and operated Tiger Billboard Advertising, a local outdoor
advertising company, which we sold at the end of 2006 to Lamar
Advertising.
Why did you join EO and how long have you been a member?
I
felt alone in an extremely competitive business, and simply needed to
discuss complex business and personal issues with a group other than my
family. I've been a member for eight years.
When did you first realize you were going to be an entrepreneur?
When
I received my first dollar from selling greenback turtles I caught
when I was seven to the local pet store. Every now and then I would
find a turtle with a brown and black shell, and I convinced myself and
the pet store that it was rare... and sold it for twice as much!
You recently sold your company 'Tiger Billboards' - was it something you planned to do?
Green
as can be, I started the company not knowing anything about a sale or
exit strategy. After a huge business lesson/mistake learned from being
so "green," I realized that our company would eventually be worth
something substantial. With this knowledge, we grew our company much
smarter, knowing our big day would eventually come.
How much money did you have to invest to start your business?
Hardly any. I borrowed $185,000 from my father.
What are your current annual revenues and number of employees?
We have terminated all of our employees, and our office is closed.
What can you share with us about selling a company?
Even
though we knew the sale was an absolute event in the future, we weren't
prepared when our buyer called. Luckily, our extremely competitive
relationship made the transaction happen fast (2 months). My advice is
to start preparing right now. First, get your books in order, get
overly organized, create your growth plan, and get aggressive even if
you don't plan on selling anytime soon. Secondly, I would suggest
having your retirement planned out as best you can (finances, spare
time/hobbies, next line of work, etc.). Lastly, make sure your eventual
buyers know your name!
What's next?
Once
I can get comfortable that I can start and run a new business with less
stress, I will start a new gig. I hope to act on the hundreds of ideas
that pop into my ADD head each day, with goals of obtaining patents and
launching new products.
Why do you think you have been successful?
I'm very passionate about my work. I'm hard working, persistent and extremely competitive.
What do you do for fun these days?
Play golf, duck hunt, fish and lots of relaxing.
Who has the biggest influence on your life?
My
Grandfather was an inventor and could create anything, and my Father
who gave me my work ethic and realization that hard work does pay off.
If you could spend an entire day with one person, who would it be?
Steve Jobs.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Work hard and take risks.
