Getting to Know You: Anthony Khoshabe, Entrepreneur

Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Anthony Khoshabe was introduced to the world of entrepreneurism at a young age.

Raised by multiple family members who owned and operated their own companies, he learned the basics of business while still a teenager. After graduating from Northeastern Illinois University, Anthony Khoshabe entered the realm of private commerce without hesitation, eager to create his own enterprise and make his mark.

With such an excellent understanding of the principles and subtleties of business ownership, Anthony Khoshabe soon made his first venture profitable and established himself as a fixture of Chicago’s business community. The clients and fellow entrepreneurs he works with have grown to rely on him as a transparent, professional, and honest businessman with a solid record of success. Now, with more than fifteen years of experience to his credit, Anthony has created a thriving company, and is actively considering creating more in the near future.

In his free time, Anthony Khoshabe enjoys running marathons. He runs in the 10 kilometer Soldier Field Run annually. Anthony also enjoys trying out new restaurants in Chicago and spending time with his wife and two kids. His company participates in several charity events throughout the year.

What do you currently do at your company?

It’s a different job every day. That is part of what I love so much about what we do. Each day brings its own challenges and everyone on the team just has to be able to roll with it. We don’t really have individual titles because we all have a hand in the day-to-day running of the business.

What was the inspiration for getting into this business?

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. That is probably where the initial inspiration for starting my own business came from. I was privy to inside business information from a young age. As a teenager, I was already helping my parents and grandparents out with their companies. It’s always been an interesting world for me. While my family had success, we were never really able to do leisurely things when I was young. We had what we needed, but there was never enough leftover to go on vacations or do fun things that cost money. When my turn finally came, I wanted to do something different. Coupled with all that insider knowledge I absorbed from my family in my youth, my education at Northeastern Illinois University gave me the edge I needed to findsuccess quickly as an entrepreneur, and the results have been fantastic. Going on vacations is no longer an out-of-reach dream for my family.

What defines your way of doing business?

First and foremost, I do what I say I do. Not only do I deliver on what I promise, but I also make sure to under-promise and over-deliver. Trust is the main factor in doing business. If you say you are going to do something, then you need to make sure you do just that. There are no excuses. If you run into an issue, find a way to resolve it. Customers and clients aren’t looking for reasons why something isn’t as you said it would be. Be open and honest. Set the proper expectations and timelines, then stay within those. Since I have been in business for more than fifteen years now, I have built a good reputation because those I work with already know they can rely on me.

What keys to being productive can you share?

The best way I have found to stay productive is to keep prioritized lists. This allows me to stay on top of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. It’s all about keeping the promises you’ve made. That’s why I make those lists. I’ll check my daily list throughout the day to make sure I have reached out to whoever I need to or followed up on projects on time. It’s important to stay on task so that when your day is done, you know you’ve accomplished all you needed to. Incidentally, this helps you keep a good balance between work and home, as well.

Tell us one long-term goal in your career.

My goal is to become a thought leader in the industry. By that, I mean someone that others look at as a person who has mastered their craft and innovates creatively within the field. I would love nothing more than for someone who’s new in business to view my career as an ideal to emulate. To me, that would be an ultimate kind of success. To inspire others is something I constantly strive for.

How do you measure success?

Having freedom is the definition of success for me. Money is a part of that, but just inasmuch that it allows that freedom. The balance I have between work and home is something that I really appreciate because I have seen the effects of working nonstop on colleagues. I am grateful that I have been able to create a life for myself and my family that allows for those leisurely things I feel I missed out on as a child. Creating experiences for my wife and children is how I measure success.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?

Delivering on your promises is the single most important thing you can do for yourself in business. We live in the age of information. Nowadays, people can learn anything from a device in the palm of their hands. Because of that, when you run a small business, you need to set yourself apart from anything customers can find online. That’s where reliability comes in. If you deliver on your promise, people know they can rely on you. You have to be the expert that they need; someone they can trust to have their best interest in mind. Be trustworthy. Offer real solutions that meet the needs of your buyer. Your reputation should precede you, and it should be a good one. No matter how far social media has come, in the business world, word-of-mouth is still the best form of marketing, and that is made or broken based on how others perceive you and how you run your business.

What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?

First, learn to operate the tools you’ll need to be successful. Task managers, and CRMs, for example. These are necessary tools to stay in touch with your team and your clients. Stay organized using lists and prioritize your time as effectively as you can. If you have several meetings in a day, map those out in advance. After you’ve mastered these tools and these skills, the next most important step is to get out there and network. As I said before, being an entrepreneur—especially a new one—requires cultivating useful connections and positive word of mouth. The more people you know in the more industries, the better position you will be in overall.

What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?

I love to learn about emergent technology. I always keep an eye on exciting new products and software due to come out in the next several months. Other than that, I really love to spend time with my family as much as possible. Building memories with my kids is so important to me. I also love to exercise. It helps keep me in good physical condition and mental health. Running marathons is something I’ve gotten into lately, so I train for those quite a bit.

How would your colleagues describe you?

My colleagues would describe me as a hands-on professional, as well as approachable and thorough in how I handle matters. I think it’s also pretty clear to my peers that I’m involved in every deal that we make. I work hard to maintain open availability for anyone who might need to talk to me. Whatever tasks need to be completed, I make sure to get involved on a deep level so that  they are solved effectively and proactively. I believe catching issues early before they become larger problems is crucial. So, I believe my colleagues would describe me as a forward-thinking team player, too.

What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?

It’s better to exceed a person’s expectations than to make excuses.