THE BIOGRAPHY OF HUGH WESLEY ROBINSON, II
My baptism in business was when I was a child. My grandfather opened up the first "Authorized Agent" of Cellular One what is now known as Verizon Cellular. I remember walking around on the store floor helping customers and answering questions about phones. I also really enjoyed helping salespeople make flyers for advertising specials to hand out. It was about that time I decided I could easily be my own boss and make money by hiring employees to do work and collect the margin for profit. So I decided to start a car detailing business where I would charge my client $20 and pay my employee $10 to do the wash making $10 in profit so long as my supplies were given to me. Something I would learn more about later in life but I tasted the potential profit and have been on the chase ever since.
Throughout my high school years, I was always was known as "the computer guy". My knowledge acquired about computers was solely crashing my own systems trying to pirate software. Back then technical support was free and I spend hours on the phone asking questions to level 3 techs causing them many headaches but becoming on a first name basis with Acer's Top Techs.
When I took a business operating systems class in college I was one of the only people in the class that had used all the main flavors of operating systems and knew how to convert things from one to another. During that time I enjoyed being on the dean's list while doing my entrepreneurial studies and was a Senior Member of the S.I.F.E. team for college business competitions. With Business Law, the History of American Business, Business Management and Ethics and Principles of Business under my belt, I felt that I didn't need to assume any more debt and I was ready to head back into the working field. Since then I have helped start 7 companies 2 of which have become nationally recognized in their fields because of my direct consulting.
HUGH's BUSINESS & TECHNICAL SKILL SET
TECHNICIAN
Although I try not to define myself as a technician, often time’s people come to me for Technical Solutions. This is not only due to my skill set that spans many technical subjects, but it is also due to the fact that I have a way of simplifying complex ideas and communicating them in an easy to understand way. Once I fix or set something up, I also give support to the solution.
CONSULTANT
There is added value in any area that I am brought in. Sometimes clients will hire me to identify problems, temporarily supplement the staff or act as a catalyst for change. The objectivity that I bring to the table as "the devil’s advocate" can often break the spell of stale ideas.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The customer's happiness is always the first priority with me. Without the customers there would be no market for products or services. I understand this and take it to heart every day. It can be the little things that mean a lot to our clients, such as remembering to refer to them by their name or taking the time to really understand their problems. Listening can go a long way. My Philosophy on Customer Service is simple. Treat them how you would want to be treated and treat the situation as if it were you going through it.
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLIC SPEAKING
Proposal Presentations, Training Seminars, Debate and any other kind of public speaking are a blast for me! Not only do I like to prepare for them but I love to deliver a knockout performance that is entertaining and engaging.
ARTIST
My entire life I have always been fascinated by art. I find that having a one-sided mechanical thought process doesn't do justice to the unique perspective that art can bring to a situation. I am not one of your tech guys that only understands binary code and bits. My creativity comes out in everything I do. My Digital Graphics, Web Design, Form Design, Photography, Mixology, and even my Entertainment Projects are heavily influenced by my art.
SALESMAN
I love sales. You either have the gift of gab or you don't. If I have a product or service that I would use, I can sell the heck out of it. Talking to people is so much fun. Even if I am not the salesperson on call I will create opportunities to combine support with upsells and future deals.
TEAM BUILDER
When I choose people for positions I first take into account the organizational development, climate, and culture of the company. Then if need be, I adjust the environment to be conducive to team behavior. Competition should be discouraged and uniformity should be encouraged. This will eliminate conflict and discord among team members. People should be in positions because of their skill set. Not superficial things such as seniority. The teams must always be held accountable across all ranks.
LEADERSHIP
A leader is someone that leads by example and takes responsibility. I never ask anyone to do anything I would never do myself. It doesn’t matter if I need to take my tie off and get dirty in the front lines, there is no problem I will not tackle. A good leader is an excellent follower and knows exactly how to show the troops how to work. I am a leader not because I want to be but because I have to be.
PARTNERS I HAVE WORKED WITH
EXPRESS FASHION
I have had the pleasure to work with, on many occasions, Columbus' own Express Fashion.
VICTORIA'S SECRET
One evening I was one of a few men in a building full of all women from Victoria's Secret. It was rather interesting to say the least!
DANCING WITH THE STARS
When I was hired to be the technical liaison for Dancing with the Stars I got to meet Jerry Springer, however, lunch with his Wife was way better.
PROJECT RUNWAY
Michael Knight was awesome. He and his entourage of hair and makeup crew did a phenomenal job. I found myself in awe as I helped manage their fashion show from my booth.
LIVE STRONG FOUNDATION
Lance Armstrong's Live Strong Foundation Event to help people living with cancer was very motivating for me. Never underestimate what you can do even if you think you are going to die. Live life like it's your last day alive. Beautiful people.