by Mark Altman
I always dreamed of becoming a sportscaster. As a young kid, I would play basketball and hockey in my driveway, announcing players’ names, and I couldn’t wait to watch, play, and, especially, commentate on sports. I pursued that dream until, at the age of 23, a series of poor choices changed the trajectory of my life. I became a father unexpectedly and suddenly had to figure out how to support my family. My thought process shifted from what I wanted to do, to what I had to do.
Feeling lost, low on confidence, and not knowing how to ask for help or what to ask, I survived on food stamps and a minimum-wage job and naively convinced myself that sports gambling could pay the bills. While working as an Assistant Banquet Manager at a local hotel, I experienced managing and relating to different personalities and generations. This allowed me to learn how to confidently and effectively communicate with others and advocate for them, if not yet for myself. I observed how poorly people treated each other, which motivated me to champion on behalf of those who found themselves judged, discarded, minimized, or stigmatized.
Eventually, I transitioned to a sales position because, throughout my childhood, I was repeatedly urged to pursue a career that involved helping, educating, and/or interacting with people. Though successful in my role, after four years, the company I worked for closed. I found myself at a crossroads. I realized that I finally had the confidence and courage to pursue the challenge of entrepreneurship instead of living someone else’s dream.
At age 29, I started my first company, experiencing risk, growth, frustration, and near bankruptcy. A decade later, I would ultimately be recognized as one of Inc 500/5000’s fastest-growing privately held companies in 2010 and 2011. I leveraged that recognition and the unprecedented growth to sell my company in 2011.
After fulfilling a two-year obligation to the acquiring company, I knew it was time to fulfill my passion. I processed all the lessons, victories, and missteps and finally recognized my core values associated with determination, perseverance, and resiliency. This allowed me to pursue my passion for helping individuals grow their confidence, communication skills, and mindset. I understood the importance of being judged for who you are, instead of who you were. All the mistakes and perceived failures taught me the importance of experiential learning and a growth mindset that led to the birth of MindsetGo.
What started as a part-time side consulting business has transitioned to a successful and highly reputable company specializing in interpersonal skills, utilizing emotional and conversational agility that spans generations and cultures. MindsetGo is sought out by executives and leaders worldwide.