Jay Goltz | CEO/Founder Goltz group

Jay Goltz

CEO/Founder Goltz group

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Chicago, IL

Jay Goltz
Biography

After graduating college, and against the advice of just about everyone, Jay Goltz decided to open a custom framing shop on Clybourn Ave., a then abandoned factory district on the edge of Lincoln Park. He worked in a frame shop while in school and thought he could provide a better experience for the customer in both design and service.

Within a few years, Jay grew Artists Frame Service into the largest custom frame shop in the country- about twenty times the average.

Over the next twenty years, Jay expanded by adding Jayson Home, Bella Moulding, and Gallery 1871. His business now employs 130 people and occupies an entire city block on Clybourn Ave. (now a vibrant shopping district) and an 85,000 sq.ft. warehouse and factory. Less than one percent of businesses grow to this size, especially in one generation.

Jay's story is also unusual because his businesses encompass retail, manufacturing, direct sales, and e-commerce. He has never had a full-time job or a mentor, so he learned by making "every mistake in the book". The problem was that there was no book he could find that covered all of the realities of growing a business, from management to finance to marketing, so he decided to write "The Street-Smart Entrepreneur:133 Tough lessons I Learned the Hard Way". He was featured in the book, Small Giants, which lead to a cover story for Inc Magazine. He went on to be the lead blogger for the NYT small business blog for five years and is frequently featured in the business media. He recently joined The 21 Hats podcast team where he talks about what it really takes to run a business. His speech reviews always include the words "real", "take home value" and "inspiring".

Current: Coleman Center's Breakthroughs Symposium

Time 18:37

More Videos From Jay Goltz

Coleman Center's Breakthroughs Symposium
Time 18:37
Small Biz Sounds Off By OPEN Forum
Time 02:15

The Power of Being a Little Bit Better – Execution over Brilliance

Jay illustrates how being a little better than the competition will have a profound impact over the long haul.

How to hire and when to un-hire
Setting standards and control systems
Training that makes a difference

Using Left Brain Strategies to Succeed in the Right Brain Business World – Misconceptions and Missed Opportunities

A frank discussion on the challenges of running a business in a creative field where you work with people that have more of a creative mindset than a business background.

It’s not about compromise, it’s about collaboration
Great passion doesn’t make up for bad math
Determining the appropriate goals for marketing efforts

Customer Service as a Competitive Weapon - Is the Customer Always Right?

Jay reveals how using conventional training and worn-out clichés will result in mediocre customer service at best.

Why it makes sense to lose money on some sales
Turning upset customers into brand evangelists
When training doesn't work

Doing Business in the New World – From Defense to Offense

Staying ahead requires companies to reevaluate their business and need to leverage new technology.

Budgeting for new technology and new people
Increasing sales by strategically redeploying resources
Recognizing and reacting to changes in your business ecosystem

Jay Goltz
Featured Book

The Street-Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard Wayby Jay Goltz

The Street-Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

by Jay Goltz
Get more details and availability

Jay Goltz

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