Check Out Joe Berman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Berman.

Hi Joe, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
IT WAS 2009, I HAD BEEN WORKING MY ENTIRE LIFE IN EXECUTIVE RETAIL POSITIONS WITH SOME OF THE TOP RETAIL COMPANIES IN AMERICA,

WORKING LONG HOURS FOR LIVABLE WAGES, GIVING AWAY MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF IDEAS AND MARKETING STRATEGIES.
SINCE 1995, I’D BEEN PROFESSIONALLY FIXING HR, OPERATIONAL, MANAGERIAL, STAFFING, PURCHASING, BUDGET, AND REVENUE ISSUES, AND CREATING TRAINING MANUALS THAT BROUGHT IN TENS OF THOUSANDS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER STORE COMPANYWIDE FOR VARIOUS COMPANIES.

I WAS AN EXPERT, I WAS INCREDIBLY GOOD, I WAS SOUGHT AFTER AND HIGHLY RECRUITED,
BUT I WAS OVER IT!!!

I’D GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I FELT LIKE IF I WAS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET PAID THE SAME, TREATED POORLY, AND HAVE MY IDEAS IMPLEMENTED ONLY TO CREATE REVENUE FOR MY EMPLOYER WHILE I STILL MAINTAINED THE SAME STATUS QUO, IT WAS TIME TO GO OUT ON MY OWN.

I OPENED MY FIRST BUSINESS, SUNDAY CYCLES BIKE SHOP IN 2009. IT OPENED IN THE MIDST OF THE WORST ECONOMY MY GENERATION HAD SEEN. WITHIN SEVEN YEARS, WE DID THINGS VERY DIFFERENT. THAT LITTLE HUMBLE SHOP GREW INTO ONE OF THE MOST ESTABLISHED AND RECOGNIZED BICYCLE SHOPS IN PHOENIX, PIONEERING NEW FORMS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, ENGAGEMENT, PHILOSOPHIES, AND OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES. MY BUSINESS WAS RECOGNIZED BY NEW TIMES AND PHOENIX MAGAZINE AS THE “BEST BICYCLE SHOP” IN PHOENIX, TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

BUT I BURNED AND STRESSED MYSELF OUT AND INSTEAD OF ASKING FOR HELP, OUT OF FEAR….
I CLOSED THE BUSINESS!!!

THIS; WAS ONE OF THE WORST DECISIONS OF MY LIFE. HAD I ASKED FOR HELP, HAD I NOT TAKEN IT ON ALONE, HAD I NOT BEEN SO PETRIFIED OF GIVING UP “CONTROL”, SUCCESS, OR FAILURE, HIRED A COACH, OR A MENTOR, OR CONFIDED IN AN ALLY WHO BELIEVED IN ME AND PUSHED ME, THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.

FAST FORWARD TO 2016, ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS BOUGHT AND SOLD, AND MORE LESSONS LEARNED. THEN AFTER LOOKING AT BUSINESS MODELS AND FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES DURING COVID, I REALIZED THAT I WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PROCESSES OF ENTREPRENUERSHIP, PASSIONATE ABOUT TEACHING, PASSIONATE ABOUT LEADING, BUT NO LONGER PASSIONATE ABOUT BEING A BRICK AND MORTAR PIONEER.

I WANTED TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE LEARN FROM MY SUCCESSES AND MY STRUGGLES .

I WANTED TO FIND A WAY THAT I COULD BE OF THE MOST SERVICE TO THE MOST PEOPLE, IN THE BEST WAY, FOR THE MOST AFFORDABLE PRICE. THAT WAS THE CATALYST FOR BERMAN THE BUSINESS COUCH AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT.

I’M HERE TO HELP AND I WANT TO HELP. BUSINESSES RUN BETTER WITH MENTORS, GUIDANCE, ALLIES, AND CHEERLEADERS. I’M ALL OF THOSE IN ONE .

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. I’ve encountered lots of obstacles, lots of detours, and lots of alternative routes. Expecting a smooth road, and frankly, taking the easier route, isn’t one of my skill sets, nor always a smart route in general

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have an incredible knack for taking the time to learn about my clients, and getting involved in their business. This way I can better understand their needs and opportunities, struggles, strengths and goals; and therefore wrap my head around the tasks they deal with like it was my own business. This helps me move forward strategically and make their life easier, quicker.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’m a third-generation Phoenician, I’ve seen the city grow since 1973. I love the trails, the desert, the proximity to outdoor recreation, and the huge diversity within our central Corridor. I’m a spinal trauma and Fibromyalgia warrior, so the valley heat is my friend. I would have to dig pretty deep to find dislikes for the city that really matter beyond me.

Contact Info:

• Email: bermanconsultingservices@gmail.com
• Website: bermanbuildsbusiness.com
• Instagram: @bermanthebusinesscoach
• Facebook: Berman the business coach