Mauricio Velasquez, MBA, is the founder of the Diversity Training Group. He’s a Diversity and Inclusion Trainer, Consultant, Unconscious Bias, Trust, Emotional Intelligence Trainer, Consultant and Expert Witness, and Executive Coach.
Along with his team at Diversity Training Group, he focuses on combatting workplace bias, prejudice, and discrimination. As a son of immigrants, Mauricio was inspired from a very young age to do something about these issues, and that’s exactly what his business is all about.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here, we sit down with Mauricio to learn a bit more about his journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. Tell us a little more about your journey as an entrepreneur – how did you get started?
Mauricio: I got started when my last employer broke a major promise to me, and I decided to leave rather abruptly and start my own firm. To keep overhead low, I had my office (and my home) on a houseboat in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore as my first office.
Q. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive?
Mauricio: Learning how to tell my story has been amazing for my productivity and success. I say, be creative and innovative in how you market yourself and your firm. No one knows who you are at first, so find a way to stand out. It’s the best marketers and sellers who get the clients, it’s not always about who’s the smartest consultant.
Q. How do you stay organized with such a busy schedule?
Mauricio: I went through a Priority Manager training many moons ago – organized my office, my role, my work, and my priorities. That training has helped me a lot. I also understand that time is impossible to manage because it’s finite. What we can manage is our priorities to use our time wisely, and that’s what I do.
Q. What motivates you?
Mauricio: Helping others is my biggest motivation, especially the people who are “different” and therefore marginalized or excluded in any way.
Q. What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Mauricio: Investing in my own office has paid off. I pay myself (landlord and tenant) rent, and it is a great way to “pull money out of the firm,” and you don’t have to pay FICA, FUTA, etc.
Q. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs invest their time in?
Mauricio: I would say, invest in finding mentors to help you avoid the many mistakes you will make that will slow down your success. Also, learn to be creative and innovative in how you market and sell yourself.
Q. What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice you’d like to give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur, coach, or business owner?
Mauricio: Don’t wait, do it now. Start small and grow your business. Don’t let the idea of perfection keep you from starting now.
To keep up to date with Mauricio and his journey, connect with him on LinkedIn.