'We do work around the globe, not just here in Chicago'
Q: Describe your company.
A: The Specialized Marketing Group Inc. is a marketing agency with a focus on supporting companies to help promote their brands. We work with some of the best and most well known brands each and every day.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
A: We as a business have been growing since our inception 15 years ago, we continue to add business professionals where and when needed to support our company and our clients.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
A: Our challenge is always seeking more and delivering better for our clients each and every day.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
A: Which one? Because we are so diverse, there are new trends in each of the three major divisions we work in.
In the promotions area, Bobble Heads are coming back. In event marketing it's the POD program, which allows quick and simple on site client set up for events. And in the sports marketing space, there are new and exciting things each and every day.
Q: What was your first paying job?
A: I worked at Fretter Appliance Store in Glenview.
Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie CEO, what would it be?
A: You're always a rookie. No matter how you look at it, you learn something new every day.
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
A: It's important for us to have fun doing what we do. I want our team to come to work everyday and enjoy what they do. Sounds too good to be true, right? It is … so 95 percent works.
Q: From a business outlook, who do you look up to?
A: My dad. He's perhaps the role model that most kids strive for. I watched him build a business as I was a kid growing up and hope to be half of what he is one day.
I am proud to say, I am close but would not be there without his leadership and thought process throughout.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
A: We do work around the globe, not just here in Chicago.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I love spending time with my family.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: Years ago it would have been a John Grisham or Nelson Demille book. Now it's an iPad and a business magazine.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: I have an amazing group that I work with. I worry about our team from time to time and if I'm doing the right things to keep them happy.
Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?
A: Because of the nature of our work, it's more likely that we would put our client's name on a sports venue before ours, as a matter of fact, we have.
Q: What is the worst job you've ever had and what have you learned from it?
A: Truly, I have been lucky to never have a bad job. I've sold appliances, cars, balloons and more. All of these opportunities have taught me various things but the best lesson learned is never judge a book by the cover.
I worked at a car dealer on the South side of Chicago and this couple came in to buy a Camaro. They started the buying process and we ran their credit, they called it qualifying the customs. Needless to say, after running the credit the manager said to let them go.
I actually did not listen and in the long run, the customer wound up buying two cars from me that day. It shocked the manager and me but they wrote a check from their bank account!
Q: What does your typical day look like?
A: There is no typical part of my day except waking up in the morning at about 5:50 or so and going home at night to spend time with my family.
At the office I usually get pulled in a few different directions at one time and have productive meetings and conversations about various business and client topics throughout the day.
Q: What is one trend that really excites you?
A: I'm not a trend guy. I don't focus on what other people are doing. That said, I love that the cotton shirts are coming back.
Q: If you were not doing this, what do you see yourself doing?
A: I think I may consider racing cars or just spending more time with my family.
Q: What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
A: I love LinkedIn and Facebook for the ability to connect people near and far. I love iTunes and the ability to capture music current and old at any moment from anywhere in the world.
- Kim Mikus
• We are looking for suburban CEOs and company presidents to participate in our coffee break feature.
Email Editor Kim Mikus for details. kmikus@dailyherald.com.
Jordan S. Bressler
President and CEO
<b>TSMGI (The Specialized Marketing Group Inc.)</b>5202 Old Orchard Road, Skokie 60077
Industry: Marketing
Number of employees: 38 Website: tsmgi.com
Age: 45
Hometown: Deerfield