Mollie Jackowski
ENTRE: 1350:EXV Foundations in Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur: Mike Vasquez
Company: St. Gregory Retreat Centers, PACE Health Management, and CareMedic
Overview
St. Gregory Retreat Centers opened in January 2007. Mike and Rose Marie Vasquez’s vision was to offer the most successful, proprietary, and evidence-based therapies for those who struggled with addiction. Their mission is to empower people to change their lives through faith, hope, and compassion.
Instead of the traditional 12-step methodology, St. Gregory approaches substance abuse as a behavioral problem that can be fixed by using the same “tools” that empower people in other aspects of life. The program focuses on how to not continue the abusive behaviors …show more content…
Vasquez’s business ventures required that people “bought in to his ideas”. Because his concepts in PACE Health Management, CareMedic, and St. Gregory’s were unique ideas that he had no experience with. He spent lots of time trying to convince the right people that there was a need and that need was conceptualized into a solution.
“ That process created lots of passion, which is what it takes-passion that asks, “why can’t this be done” and a business model that shows if it can. When that happens there is a return on investment opportunity.”
Mr. Vasquez had to learn the importance of capitalization and control. He assed that the toughest challenge of starting and running his business was making sure it was correctly capitalized. Capitalization is key to corporate performance, which allows execution of a business plan. Control allows the owner to be responsive to market opportunities and changes. “Capital can be a tool to grow and execute, not an operational distraction.”
Most Rewarding Aspect
Because Mr. Vasquez’s business is about helping people change their lives and stop substance abuse, his reward of the running the business is …show more content…
Vasquez was named an American Success Story by Entrepreneur Magazine in 1994, named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000; and inducted into the International Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Yet, when asked on whether it changed his approach he answered, “ I don’t think it has, but it has provided the confidence that if you do the right things, it can work.” Confidence doesn’t mean that you have to boast about your accomplishments. It means that you have the ability to stand firm in why your idea is the best and why you are the best person to lead it. Showing confidence in your ability also means recognizing when you aren’t the best person for the
ENTRE: 1350:EXV Foundations in Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur: Mike Vasquez
Company: St. Gregory Retreat Centers, PACE Health Management, and CareMedic
Overview
St. Gregory Retreat Centers opened in January 2007. Mike and Rose Marie Vasquez’s vision was to offer the most successful, proprietary, and evidence-based therapies for those who struggled with addiction. Their mission is to empower people to change their lives through faith, hope, and compassion.
Instead of the traditional 12-step methodology, St. Gregory approaches substance abuse as a behavioral problem that can be fixed by using the same “tools” that empower people in other aspects of life. The program focuses on how to not continue the abusive behaviors …show more content…
Vasquez’s business ventures required that people “bought in to his ideas”. Because his concepts in PACE Health Management, CareMedic, and St. Gregory’s were unique ideas that he had no experience with. He spent lots of time trying to convince the right people that there was a need and that need was conceptualized into a solution.
“ That process created lots of passion, which is what it takes-passion that asks, “why can’t this be done” and a business model that shows if it can. When that happens there is a return on investment opportunity.”
Mr. Vasquez had to learn the importance of capitalization and control. He assed that the toughest challenge of starting and running his business was making sure it was correctly capitalized. Capitalization is key to corporate performance, which allows execution of a business plan. Control allows the owner to be responsive to market opportunities and changes. “Capital can be a tool to grow and execute, not an operational distraction.”
Most Rewarding Aspect
Because Mr. Vasquez’s business is about helping people change their lives and stop substance abuse, his reward of the running the business is …show more content…
Vasquez was named an American Success Story by Entrepreneur Magazine in 1994, named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000; and inducted into the International Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Yet, when asked on whether it changed his approach he answered, “ I don’t think it has, but it has provided the confidence that if you do the right things, it can work.” Confidence doesn’t mean that you have to boast about your accomplishments. It means that you have the ability to stand firm in why your idea is the best and why you are the best person to lead it. Showing confidence in your ability also means recognizing when you aren’t the best person for the