#sparkchamber 092517 Frank Dutro
Today’s #sparkchamber features serial entrepreneur Frank Dutro — he takes ideas and makes them real. For Frank, giving people another option — a better option — and helping them find their path to success is the most exciting way to create. And he is a creation machine! [Sometimes he is a fix-it machine as well ;-) — really, he is whatever the situation requires him to be!] Not surprisingly, Frank is an information junkie — he never stops learning and growing and there is always room for improvement.
An American from Northern California, he now lives with his wife and three children in Mexico City where he offers guided tours. Check him out at https://xplormexico.com/
1] Where do ideas come from?
Ideas come from problems. Successful entrepreneurs do not look for opportunities, they look for problems — problems are where the money is. Making money is not rocket science. Business is business! It does not have to be sexy or anything. Here’s an example: I had an idea for a more efficient and cost-effective water filter. One that had long life, high throughput, was self-cleaning. This product would solve a lot of problems for a lot of companies. We developed it, brought it to market, then sold the company to Dow Water and Process Solutions. It is now called the Tequatic Plus Filter. The whole concept was based on a conversation I had with someone who told me about all the problems with water filters in the world. I paid close attention. I love problems.
So, tune-in to your inner “problem” child. Most likely if you are really annoyed or pissed off about something, so are a whole bunch of other folks. Put a solid solution in place and you will be very rich!
2] What is the itch you are scratching?
I like to create. I like to take an idea and make it real and tangible; to take something that did not exist …and now it does. And (hopefully) people respond positively to it.
3] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
I get up early when needed, but I am more of a night owl. Once I commit to something, I move quickly. But then again, sometimes, it is good to do things in slow motion. I am very big on getting things done. I do the most unpleasant stuff first, then all the rest.
4] How do you know when you are done?
Sometimes you are never done. But if your sell your company, then you might be done. You should always be willing to sell the dream. If someone comes to you and offers a lot of money for your business, it is usually best if you sell. But, don’t be greedy. You never know what might happen the next day to put you out of business.