Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is BizON Founder and CEO Nunzio Presta, whose company allows members to easily buy or sell businesses and franchises. We caught up with him to hear about the inspiration behind the idea and where he sees the company in five years…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m guiding the ship in one direction at my startup, BizON. BizON is an online marketplace where members can buy or sell businesses and franchises easily.
Why did you start working at your company?
The idea of BizON came about when I tried to sell my small business, which I started while I was still attending school. I searched for options to sell and quickly came to find that there was no viable option to easily sell my business. The lack of options led me to the creation of the solution to my problem as well as the problem of many others. That is how BizON was born.
What was the inspiration for this career route?
Being an ex-professional hockey goalie inspired me to create my own business and dive into the world of entrepreneurship as it gives me the same rush and excitement that hockey did. Being entrepreneurial is all about dedication, commitment, hard work, perseverance and being goal oriented, things that I have become accustomed to.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis?
The best part of what I do is watching my members connect. I truly believe that doing what you love is extremely important and my marketplace provides an avenue for people to find the business of their dreams and also equips my members with an avenue to easily sell their business/franchise due to personal or professional lifestyle changes.
The most challenging part?
Proving my team and startup has what it takes to be a Unicorn business.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
I believe in work/life integration – in which work is life and life is work. There are no distinct boundaries between the two and therefore I do not have to give up something in return for something else. As a startup there is a big misconception of work/life balance. What I do is prioritize and schedule everything I do in order to ensure I have time to do the things I love. As a family-oriented individual I value my time with my family as often as I can have it.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself growing BizON globally and helping entrepreneurs not only start businesses from scratch, but also grow existing businesses to greater lengths that were not originally imagined.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
What is life but a series of challenges? Everything I do in order to move my business forward consists of problem solving and figuring out how to engage in meaningful conversation with partners and potential members that see the value in what my team and I are creating.
What does success look like to you?
Success to me is to wake up every morning loving what I do.
Does Money = Happiness?
Absolutely! Many people say money is the root of all evil and I would disagree. The way you treat money is the root of all evil. In my opinion money will give me the ability to create other amazing and valuable things for people to use and that makes me happy, not materialistic things.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Launching the beta for BizON. It was a fabulous feeling to see all the ideas and hard work become reality. Then, watching members join and use our marketplace gave me an even better feeling. I created something that people actually have a need for and actually need help with. Whether it is selling their business/franchise or finding the business/franchise of their dreams, we’re there to help.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
I know this may sound cliché, but it’s to never give up if you feel strongly about what you aim to accomplish. Not everyone will share or believe in your vision – but that doesn’t mean that you are not on your way to creating something amazing or achieving greatness. Work hard and keep moving forward.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Marcello’s. It has a great family environment with great Italian food and wine.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
I love cooking. My passion in life is creation (this is way I love entrepreneurship). Cooking provides me with this same feeling. Watching my ideas develop from a thought to reality inspires me.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
San Francisco, in particular Silicon Valley. It is beautiful and a constant reminder that the biggest tech companies that have changed the world took much time and patience to achieve where they are at today. It gives me the inspiration to keep on going and believe that my business has the potential of being at that status one day as well. It is also cool to see that these extremely powerful companies are run by people like you and me.
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Muse – Butterflies and Hurricanes.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
I would most likely be a chef because of my love for food and my passion for creation. I have some experience working in restaurants in the past and I loved seeing our chef’s plate ideas turn into something real that customers loved.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Pencils of Promise. I believe in empowering people rather than throwing money and material things at them. At Pencils of Promise they aim to support world with greater educational opportunity for all.
What to you is notable?
The fact that in the next 5-10 years 10.5 million North American boomers will be retiring and looking to sell their business. Also, the whole space commercialization race that is happening between SpaceX and Virgin Galactic is pretty notable in my opinion.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone.
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