I recently went one on one with Mark Groussman, Chairman of Stoner’s Pizza Joint.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First thing’s first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Mark: I worked on Wall Street for many years and during that time, I worked on the market’s shutdown. The most shocking part of the shutdown was how quickly and easily it shut off. It brought to light that the economy could spiral downward at any given time. The two crashes I have experienced so far have made me realize that there will always be ups and downs in the market. When either comes, you simply need to embrace it and go with it.

Adam: In your experience, what are the critical steps to growing and scaling your business?

Mark: You have to be there every day. You need to be present daily and be able to adjust to the modern trends. Commitment and grit are the key ingredients to any successful business. When life throws you an obstacle, adjust and stay the course every day. 

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?

Mark: The two most important qualities in an effective leader are commitment and honesty. Keeping your eyes set on your goals will push your team to do the same. Treating your team members with respect by being honest with them promotes trust and connection. 

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Mark: As long as you’re a committed business owner and strive toward your goals every day, your staff and team members will notice what you're doing and strive for excellence, too. You'll have your ups and downs, but as long as you see them through and commit yourself to your success every single day, the people you count on in your business will do the same.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?

Mark: Never give up, be honest, and stay committed. Never giving up is key because things can sometimes get difficult and scary. If you are committed even during those tough times, then you will only succeed. Being honest is also important because bad things can and will happen, but as long as you're honest with yourself and the people around you, you will get through it.

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?

Mark: Anything you want somebody else to do, you have to make sure that you can do it yourself first. You need to prove that you are a part of the team and understand the importance of every member’s work in the business. 

Adam: What are your best tips on the topics of sales, marketing, and branding?

Mark: You have to believe in your own product. If you believe in your product, then you will convey that to your potential customers. Then, you should be able to successfully market that product and your confidence in it. Living and breathing your own brand, then portraying that confidence in it goes a long way in marketing and sales. When you do that, you will easily be able to get others to believe in it, too. 

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Mark: Always save for a rainy day. Anything is possible, but not everything will go to plan. If you are prepared for those rainy days, you’re far more likely to make it through just fine.


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

Follow Adam on Instagram and Twitter at @adammendler and listen and subscribe to Thirty Minute Mentors on your favorite podcasting app.