11 Oct How do you define success?
M. Curtis McCoy is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and business development expert.
In 2015 M. Curtis McCoy launched the “Success, Motivation & Inspiration” blog and social media groups where he encourages other entrepreneurs to achieve success in their own lives. His first book of the Success, Motivation, & Inspiration series continues this goal, combining personal life lessons with inspiring interviews.
Interview with Eric Payne (Venture Advocates)
Eric is a Managing Partner at Venture Advocates. He is one of the leading experts in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Payne started, grew, and eventually sold Nationwide Valuations, one of the nation’s largest business valuation companies. He is a serial entrepreneur, having owned and sold companies in many industries. Eric Payne is also a skilled franchise consultant and has many years of experience with startup and exit planning.
Besides being extremely skilled in the area of mergers and acquisitions, Eric Payne is also a father, a husband, a closet musician, and a personal friend. He’s one of those guys people “just want to be around”. Eric always seems to have something fun planned with a group. People always want to see what he’s got going on next.
Mr. Payne has self-diagnosed manic ADD, and he’s also an adrenaline junkie. You’ll often find him upside down on a mountain bike, in a pile of fresh powder, or high-sided on a rock while river rafting.
What is your definition of success?
I don’t think of success in terms of dollars and sense (pun intended). Howard Thurman once said something like this,
“Don’t ask what the world needs, but ask what makes you come alive because what the world needs is you fully alive.”
To me, success means doing things that make me come alive, whether sensible or profitable or not. So I’m about finances, yes, but I’m equally as motivated by family, friends, fun, faith, and some other “F-words” I suppose. I say that tongue-in-cheek. I’ll tell you what is not successful to me: blowing out family, friends, fun, and faith for the pursuit of fame and fortune. I’m reminded of a scripture,
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” – Matthew 16:26
I’m not out to gain the world, but I sure do want to enjoy it.
Read more of Eric’s interview here.
To learn more about Venture Advocates and their services, including valuing business, exit planning and franchise consulting, click here.
