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.