30 Best CEOs of the Year 2020 30 Best CEOs of the Year 2020 | Page 35

business is its culture and ability to service its clients. As an organization grows, it becomes more difficult to maintain a culture and keep a larger number of people in communication with the collective strategy. technical capabilities and geographical reach. The most influential factor in Source 1’s success was having a strong advisory board and a very clear understanding of what our strengths were and perhaps more importantly what they were not. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful CEO? What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business’ success? The top three skills of a CEO, in my opinion, are the ability to build strong relationships, sound understanding of finance, and a clear vision for the future. What other CEOs do you look up to? Just start. Everyone waits for the perfect conditions or the perfect plan and this does not exist. You just have to go for it and be willing to work your face off for at least five years before you become the overnight success. I think all CEOs admire and look up to some of the big brand CEOs like Richard Branson, Mark Cuban, and Warren Buffet. However, I especially admire a couple of CEOs that built companies from scratch to be very successful SMB businesses today, such as John Campau of Comtronics and Ross Teague of ITEC; both of them have been mentors and friends to me through the years. “There is nothing more important for a successful small business than a well- defined mission and vision statements.” Can you explain your M&V statements in brief? Our vision is to keep cities safe so that people thrive. Our mission is to partner with truly great companies to expand What are your three biggest accomplishments? Growing Source 1 into one of the fastest-growing companies in Florida and North America, becoming a published author, and watching the team members of Source 1 grow professionally and personally. What do you think has been the most memorable moment in your career? I honestly would have a difficult time picking one but opening our first office internationally is pretty high on the list. If not a business leader/ CEO, what would you want to be? An NFL Quarterback. SR Robert Hessel, CEO Robert Hessel: The Leader behind the Success of Source 1 Solutions Robert Hessel serves as the CEO of Source 1 Solutions. He has over 20 years of experience in business management and has developed a worldwide business network by traveling extensively. Mr. Hessel has also served the US Navy. In addition to his success in the business world, he also holds board seats on several charities and advisory boards and is a best-selling published author.