You’ve seen the stores, now meet the mind behind them. Rich Balot is the founder and CEO of the largest U.S. chain of Verizon retail stores, Victra. Today Victra has just under 1,750 locations and almost 10,000 employees, and is expected to generate $3B in revenue this year. And it all started with Rich and his brother opening one store in Wilson, North Carolina at 19 years old.
During our conversation, Rich recounts his entrepreneurial story of starting and growing Victra. He shares the realities of starting his business in college, seeking mentorship, and how he avoided “the business outgrowing me”. He also dives into a misstep that almost ended the business, and discusses how moments like that are what make the most successful entrepreneurs. Rich's story is proof that the greatest leaders aren't the ones who never stumble, but the ones who know how to ask for help and turn a misstep into a massive comeback.
Connect with Rich
You can find Rich Balot on LinkedIn, he also welcomes emails and shares his email address in the podcast.
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