There are certain guidelines for making a good cocktail. One part this or that, a garnish here or there and maybe a mix or muddle. Most importantly - is it shaken or stirred? When a recipe is concocted just right a perfect cocktail is the result. The steps of a recipe relate to the entrepreneurial business world. With each step and process meticulously done right, it results in a success story. Take it from seven prominent Fort Worth businessmen who enlightened us on what their recipe is for success.
Michael Winfrey
American National Bank & Trust, President
Favorite Drink: Ranch Water
How do you define success?
For me, success is a balanced happiness in my relationships with God, my wife, son, family, friends and business partners. I have carved out a home in Fort Worth for my family by first struggling, but ultimately being successful, in my banking career for the last 25 years. The struggles I faced were the building blocks of my success.
What's your recipe for success?
I succeed by enthusiastically living in the moment while knowing that overcoming failure, trouble and fear is part of the journey.
Ryan Mahan
Real Property Management Trailhead, Owner
Favorite Drink: Tito's and Topo Chico
How do you define success?
Success is a moving target as our goals and priorities change over time. There is a huge difference between how I perceived success as a young adult as compared to how I perceive success as a husband, father, and business owner. For me today, it’s about a sense of pride in creating value for others. I experience success by being able to provide for my family and by helping my clients achieve their financial goals.
What's your recipe for success?
I believe that one element of success is built by establishing genuine relationships based on integrity and respect, which allows for a foundation of trust and open communication. Equally important is keeping your commitments and treating others needs as if they were your own. I think this holds true at home, socially and in business. If these elements are in place, you have a shared investment in mutual success.
Ron Walters
Walters Insurance Services, LLC, Owner
Favorite Drink: Crown and Coke
How do you define success?
My two domains of success are professional and personal. Being fulfilled. happy, safe. healthy, and loved are the picture of personal success. To me, Ralph Waldo Emerson describes overall success best, “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is success."
What's your recipe for success?
My recipe for success is first and foremost providing great service. To be willing to listen carefully and to teach and be taught. Ultimately, success is based on values, perseverance, passion and building relationships. It is extremely important to treat people with respect, integrity and honesty; continuously striving to improve in all those areas.
Dion Lampe
TotalCare ER, Senior Director of Community Liaisons
Favorite Drink: El Cocktail del Pueblo
How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t defined by who you are as a person, it’s how you grow as a person. That means that you live each moment to the maximum with a positive attitude, smile and genuinely enjoy life. Success is about having the ability to have financial stability and a healthy work/personal balance. For me, a strong relationship with God is a must; it took time for me to understand that you never stop growing — in your family life, in your professional life, and, most importantly, your spiritual life.
What's your recipe for success?
I think the recipe for success is to never stop growing. During times of prosperity and times of struggle, the most successful people always find a way to grow and learn new ways of living out their personal values. Nobody is perfect and everyone has aspects of their life they would like to be better at. So, the true measure of success is how much you can recognize those opportunities and find ways to grow — grow yourself and those around you. I also think that success follows those who have built trusting relationships, because they have connected with people and built a name that others will know in a positive way.
Bob Rooke
Gavrel Furs, Owner
Favorite Drink: Hibiscus Tea
How do you define success?
Success to me is defined by the people around me: my employees, my customers, and those whom I deal with in business feel that I give them my best. This includes being personable, caring, and serving with excellence in every aspect of my business. Providing high quality products and customer service is the foundation my business has been built upon.
What is your recipe for success?
In the early days of my business, I took the time and effort to learn everything there is to learn about being a furrier. I studied fur types and quality, fur care and cleaning, restyling and complete garment manufacturing. I also decided early on to run my business as the family business that it has always been, which means my customers will be treated as family and friends. We have no snooty employees to disrespect you. Only friendly and helpful staff.
Dennis Kelley
VIP Total Health and Hydration, President/Owner
Favorite Drink: Old Fashion
How do you define success?
Success sounds easy to define on the surface as most people tie it to their ability to make money. While making money is important, for me, it is only a very small element to consider. I have people that depend on our company for solutions to health concerns. I also have employees that depend on a paycheck for their families. My success is defined by my ability to satisfy all the complex needs of others while earning a living for my own family! Taking care of people is success!
What is your recipe for success?
Being humble and willing to admit there are things you just don’t know is my recipe for success. I rely on data and the people I surround myself with to make the best possible decisions. Working as a team, we develop high quality, effective solutions for the health and wellness needs of our clientele. Our team believes in delivering these solutions with a client-first approach. We ensure that we deliver top tier service always!
Luis Rodriguez
The Exercise Coach, Owner
Favorite Drink: Sand Point Pinot Noir
How do you define success?
There is personal success and professional success, for me. As I look at it, health and financial stability and family and friends define my success; if you don’t have those things, it’s difficult to say you have succeeded. Ultimately, I would define success as: “what are you contributing to the people and things around you, and how are you making your community better?” If you can say that you are making your community better, you’re successful.
What is your recipe for success?
Being from the Army, I have principles that I order my life by and that has ultimately defined my success. I also try to work smart. When you put perseverance, dedication, passion, and a love of others and the customer all together, the money takes care of itself. And of course, come to the exercise coach!
With my business, I also surround myself with employees of high moral character. When I hire someone, I look for integrity, intelligence, intellectual curiosity and loyalty. Having the right people around you and not being afraid to simply take a chance every once in a while always helps, sometimes it pays to be a rebel.