Today we’d like to introduce you to Bradley Lyon.
Bradley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first job after graduation from college was with Coffelt Candy, managing a Salt Water Taffy and Fudge business that was contracted with a large amusement park. On my very first day of work, I was responsible for over 70 employees that had been working for the company for the past one to eight years. I knew how I would feel if I had a job and had worked hard to move up the ladder, only to have the company hire someone from the outside to be the manager. I learned some very important lessons from that company that has shaped my future. I learned about the value of mutual respect and having a positive attitude.
After working for four years for the candy company, I was offered a job with Marriott Corporation as an assistant manager for a fast food restaurant. I had worked at a different fast food restaurant when I was in high school, but I had never managed one. I found myself again in a situation where I needed to lead a group of employees with varying amounts of experience while learning about the business myself. I was successful building respect and motivating the employees to the high standards of the company.
After five years in the fast food industry, I heard that The Sharper Image, one of my favorite electronic gadget catalogs was opening a store in my area. I had been very happy working in the candy and fast food industry, but my real passion was electronic gadgets and audio equipment. I applied for a management position with this company. I was hired as a Sales Associate for the brand-new store, and after two weeks of sales training, we opened the store. At the end of the first day of operation, the regional manager pulled me aside and asked me if I would join the management team as the Senior Sales Associate. I would not only sell, but I would be responsible for the training and scheduling the other Sales Associates.
The Sharper Image was rapidly growing their retail business at the time, and I had the opportunity to travel to help open other stores. I started out in Washington, DC, and then was promoted to Assistant Manager in another brand-new store in San Antonio, Texas. After just a year and a half with the Sharper Image, I was promoted to Store Manager and transferred from Texas to Redondo Beach, California.
It wasn’t long after moving to California that I met my wife. We got married about a year after I moved to California and my life and priorities changed. Working in retail (much like candy and fast food) meant that I had to work nights and weekends. My wife had a Monday to Friday 9-5 job. I realized during our first year of marriage that it was difficult for us to spend time together. I started looking for a job with hours like my wife’s.
My wife’s sister’s husband owned a PIP Printing franchise in downtown Los Angeles, and at the time I was looking for a 9-5 job, he had the opportunity to expand his territory. He knew my experience and offered me the ability to buy into the business as a partner. This was in 1989, and the printing industry was just starting to go through the changes from analog to digital, and from typesetting to desktop publishing. I saw this as a challenge, and being an early adopter of computers, I knew that I was slightly ahead of the competition.
I owned and operated the PIP Printing franchise in downtown Los Angeles for almost 16 years. This is where I learned the most about running a business, making decisions, and being accountable for my choices. I also learned about building relationships with vendors and customers and continually improving my processes and products.
Some of the most important business lessons that I learned were when my wife was laid off from her job of almost 20 years, and my PIP Printing franchise needed to be upgraded to meet the changing needs of my customers. I made one of the most difficult decisions of my career – I had to close the business and sell off the assets. I felt like I had failed. I had failed my wife, my business partner, and myself.
The failure of my PIP Printing has become a stepping stone to my current success. I realized how much businesses can change and how rapid the changes can occur. When I first opened the PIP Printing, we did not have a single computer in the store. All the equipment was analog, none of the machines had any memory or capacity for storing data, and the process of printing included photographing the original and creating a plate for the printing press. Fax machines were a new technology that allowed people to transmit black and white images over the telephone line. The internet and email were not yet mainstream, and cellular phones were very expensive to own and use.
After working for two large online printing companies, along with my experience with my PIP Printing franchise, I identified the most common reasons that businesses struggle. I have put together processes which address these concerns and help business owners to grow and succeed with measurable results.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Growing a printing business during the internet revolution was a challenge. The challenge was not with learning or adapting the new technology, but instead, it was with having equipment become obsolete faster than it can be paid off. It was necessary to be on the leading edge of technology, but that came with a high cost and short lifespan.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lyon Strategic Consulting – what should we know?
Lyon Strategic Consulting, LLC, was started in January of 2014 to provide a service to small and medium-sized businesses. Recognizing the strategic, cultural, and structural changes that have affected businesses in the past 25 years, Lyon Strategic Consulting, LLC was set up to provide businesses with processes which would allow them to be more successful. Lyon Strategic Consulting, LLC helps organizations align their plan, people, and systems to gain a competitive edge.
Our pricing structure is based solely on return on investment for our clients. I cannot expect my clients to have confidence in my processes if I do not have confidence in them myself. We believe in measurable results. This allows us to continually evaluate our progress and make the necessary adjustments.
Another thing that sets us apart is our Mutual Evaluation process. The business relationship between Lyon Strategic Consulting, LLC and the client begins with a Mutual Evaluation. This Mutual Evaluation lasts between one and five days. The Mutual Evaluation, which is free and without any obligation, is as the name implies, an opportunity for both the client and Lyon Strategic Consulting, LLC to determine if consulting services would benefit the client and if the client desires to engage the services of Lyon Strategic Consulting, LLC.
During this time, a representative from Lyon Strategic Consulting, LLC will meet with the business owner, CEO, COO, and any other decision makers within the client company. Also, during this mutual evaluation, based on the client company’s permission, the representative would observe the overall operations of the business, and if requested, would focus on departments or individuals.
The mutual evaluation process concludes with a meeting of the decision makers where a detailed plan of strategy is discussed, and a decision is made regarding moving forward.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First, my father, Denny Lyon, was a community leader in a small town in Michigan. He was very active in-service organizations, the school board, and the chamber of commerce. He showed me that giving back to the community not only benefits the community, but it benefitted him.
Second, my first employer after college, Dwight Coffelt. He was the first entrepreneur that I ever met, and through him, I understood how it is necessary to risk losing to be a success.
Finally, and most importantly, my wife of almost 30 years, Donna Lyon. She has been by my side through my different work endeavors and is a great listener. We have traveled some difficult roads, but they have been less difficult because we have done them together.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LyonSC.com
- Phone: (424) 265-9598
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyon_strategic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LyonStrategicConsultingLLC/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bklyon
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lyon-strategic-consulting-llc/
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