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Brian Owen, founder and C.E.O. of reBox

Max-Influence recently interviewed Brian Owen, the founder and C.E.O. of reBox, on the challenges of transforming an inspiration into a business reality.  ReBox is based in Waterford, Michigan and has been in business since June 2006.  ReBox resells high-quality used boxes for $1 each.  Boxes are sold in bundles of 20,30,40, and 50, along with markers and packing tape.  To get all the details of how ReBox can save you money, visit them at www.reboxusa.com.

Max-I: Did the idea for reBox come about in a moment's inspiration? Could you please describe that moment?

Brian: I was at an upscale apartment community in the city of Chicago and a gentleman was delivering moving boxes to an attorney who lived in the building.  The interaction between the delivery person and the concierge caught my attention.  When they were done speaking I began

to ask the delivery man questions.  It turns out he was just starting up this business in Chicago. 

I began to ask him a lot more questions and immediately recognized the potential of that business in Detroit.  Within a few days I had my company name and an informal business plan written on the back of a receipt.  I was not only in the right place at the right time, but I asked the right questions.  A hundred other people could have been sitting in that lobby that day and watched what I saw and it never would have crossed their minds to inquire.

Max-I: When did you know that reBox was a practical, working business model? What specific need did you identify that reBox is uniquely positioned to meet?  

Brian: Within minutes of my conversation with the delivery man in Chicago I recognized the potential of this business model.  ReBox is positioned to offer an economical and environmentally friendly alternative for people who are moving.  We are unique because doing something good for the environment is typically not the inexpensive alternative.

Max-I: What has been some of the difficulties your company's faced as you transform your inspiration into a business reality? What are some of the lessons learned?

Brian: Difficulties mostly lie in the expenses of starting a new business.  It's not always easy to come up with the capital to get what you need to be successful without giving away a piece of your company to another party.

Max-I:  The transition phase of an inspiration into a working business can be stressful at times.  What do you do to minimize stress, both for you and your employees?

Brian: We are having too much fun right now to notice much of the stress.  We just need to communicate to one another clearly and that eliminates a lot of unnecessary issues.

Max-I: As the leader, what do you do in order to make reBox a fun working environment?

Brian: At this point in the program it is more of a challenge to make things fun as my brother,mother,and I are working for no compensation.  Everything is being rolled directly back into the company.  Including my mother and brother in our company's Detroit News interview and making sure they feel just as much a part of reBox as I am is what hopefully makes it fun for them.

Of course, as we progress and become more profitable, there will be plenty of incentives to make it fun.  Overall, reBox is an easy and simple business and that makes it a lot easier to have fun at work.

Max-I: Communication of an inspiration is necessary if it is to ever be realized. Do you have any suggestions for those business owners who struggle with clearly communicating their vision to friends, family, prospective customers, and other businesses?

Brian: Have a plan.  Put it in writing.  Perfect it as you go (plans change).  Believe in it and live it and you will inspire those around you to see your vision.  If you are not passionate about your business then others will not be either.  Leadership comes from the top down and so does passion and inspiration!  You will have your doubters to be sure.  You must block out any negative feedback and only subscribe to constructive criticism.  You need to learn to know the difference.

Max-I: What other practical suggestions do you have for entreprenuers who are still in the inspiration phase of their business?  What one thought would you like to inspire them with in order to move them beyond the inspiration phase into action?

Brian: Without action an idea is worthless.  Stop talking  and thinking about it and just act.  A clearly thought out decision that doesn't work is better than indecision.  At least you have made progress and can learn from the mistake.  You cannot learn anything from indecision.

Max-I:  You're keeping your company environmentally responsible.  How else do you see reBox socially and economically benefitting the communities in which it operates?  What one thing would you say to other business start-ups to encourage their responsible, community involvement?

Brian: We have already established a relationship with a local community organization called Arts & Scraps.  We donated a large number of boxes to them for their retail packages and they were very excited and supportive.  The key to any start-up is relationships.  If you don't have strong personal relationships in all areas of life (family, friends, business, community and political) then you haven't tapped into all the resources needed to become successful.  You will not achieve if you act alone.

Max-I: Thank you for your time, input, and inspiration Brian.

Points of Influence For Our Readers

1.  Being in the right time and right place is important, but equally important is asking the right questions.

2.  Clear communication will eliminate those unneccesary issues which will inevitably arise during the transformation process.  Do you have the courage to clearly and honestly communicate?

3.  Are you a business owner?  Financially compensating your employees is obviously important, but acknowledging and recognizing them is equally important.  As business owners, we cannot fail to recognize our employees simply because "paying" them is enough.  How do you recognize your employees efforts and input?  List five practical ways your company recognizes your employees.  What has worked and what needs to be changed?

4.  You communicate your inspiration by:

     A. Having a written plan. 

     B. Changing the plan when necessary. 

     C. Believing in your inspiration in order to inspire others. 

     D. Living your inspiration with passion.

Are you properly communicating your inspiration? The quick test to determine if you are: how many supporters, inspired followers, or return customers do you have? If your standing alone with your inspiration you've failed to communicate.  Communicating your inspiration starts with one person: determine to tell at least one person every day about your inspiration.     

5.  During all phases of a business -- especially during the transformation phase with all its uncertainty -- it is the responsibility of the leader to inspire others.  How are you inspiring others?

List five practical steps you are presently taking in order to inspire those around you. 

6.  As you act on your inspiration, you must learn the difference between negative feedback and constructive criticism.  The difference?  Constructive criticism seeks to support you and your inspiration while negative feedback belittles and devalues.  Make a list of those individuals who support and those individuals who devalue.  Seek out your supporters, and avoid those who give only negative feedback -- you only have so much time for those who care about you, why waste your time with those who do not?  

7.  Action is required.  A clearly thought out decision that doesn't work is better than indecision.

8.  Act now!  You will not learn anything from indecision.

9.  Strong relationships are needed in order to be successful.  You will not succeed if you act alone.  List your social assets -- your family, friends, and other associates who would be a great help to your business dreams.  Are you properly managing these assets, realizing their full potential? Make another list, describing the ways in which your social assets are helping you to realize your inspiration.  Carefully read over the list. How are your loved ones and associates helping you and how can they help even more?  

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