1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?

Keeping production up with demand! There are so many wonderful subjects to select from and keeping up with the amount people want is challenging at times.

2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?

By inventing a new concept, a subscriber organization to self-fund the kit subjects no one else does. Our approach is more economical and is driven directly by consumer demand. Members select a kit and if there is enough support, once we have the right number of paid reservations, the kit gets produced.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Each day has a set of goals that are realistic, yet challenging, and must be met no matter what. These include business, professional and personal goals. This builds and reinforces self-esteem with a professional attitude.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

Honesty, warts and all, is the best policy. Be upfront with the customer/client. If something works, get it done. If it needs adjustments for success, do it. If it can't work, be quick to let others know so as not to waste their time and yours.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

How to Win Friends and Influence People. From this I learned to see things from another's perspective, relate to others and set incentives and goals.

6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?

Being decisive, praising the team in public, dealing with difficulties in private, always keeping your word. Set goals that can be reached for the entity and build confidence at the same time. Wisdom comes with experience, there are no shortcuts. It takes time to learn what works and what doesn't. One can be knowledgeable, but without experience, you can't get the entire picture.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?

Keeping my word. There was one project in which the costs were underestimated, however, we still delivered at the price promised, which included a large loss on production, but in the long run demonstrated that we operate ethically, honestly, and don't quit.