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Secrets to Entrepreneurial Success Part 2: Ditch the designer digs.
By Celine McArthur Thu, July 14, 2011 12:11 pm EDT
"This year’s list is extremely diversified with 10 companies from real estate and construction," says Eleanor Snite, Research Director, Jacksonville Business Journal.
Florida State College at Jacksonville constantly develops and rebuilds programs to meet the needs of employers--including its Building Construction program. We interviewed the founder of a construction company that made it into JBJ's top five to learn how he's not only surviving—but thriving—in this challenging economy. It's advice that applies to anyone in any industry.
Ali Hakimi is the founder and president of Pars Construction Services. Hakimi emigrated from Iran in 1979 to go to College and pursue the American Dream.
"This is the best place to be... I understand what it takes to live here," says Hakimi.
Hakimi also knows what it takes to build a successful business here. Pars Construction is ranked by Jacksonville Business Journal as one of the fastest growing companies in Jacksonville. Fastest growing in one of the slowest recovering industries requires an aggressive and creative business strategy. Here’s how Hakimi says he gets the job done:
Adapt to Change
Hakimi: “If there are buildings to build... okay. There is horizontal work—all the public work. I’m talking about the city of Jacksonville or Jaxport or the airport-—we adapt to it."
Cash is King
Hakimi: "We didn’t need to go to the bank and borrow the money...We had enough cash to start because all of us worked for a big company, so we saved and everybody had some money."
Minimize Costs
Hakimi: "All I need is space to operate. I don't need a fancy office—a fancy penthouse in downtown Jacksonville."
Learn from the Best
Hakimi: "We used to work for the best in the business. They have done it throughout the years, and then you work for them, they teach you... I learned from them, I picked up some great tips and applied them on a smaller scale."
Last but not least, Hakimi says his small and streamlined business approach allows him to compete against the big companies—because they often have to bid higher in projects to cover larger overhead expenses.
About the AuthorCeline McArthur is the Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications at Florida State College at Jacksonville. A veteran television news anchor and award-winning investigative reporter, she came to Florida State College in July of 2009 following nearly a decade of anchoring and reporting at a Jacksonville TV station, with previous stints in markets as diverse as Washington D.C. and Austin, TX. Celine earned her Master of Arts in Communications and Public Policy from American University and her Bachelor of Science in Journalism at Boston University. Her secret password is energy.