Loading...Risk/Reward: The Entrepreneur’s R&R: Grab Life with Entrepreneur of the Year Rivers Corbett
November 24th, 2009 in Uncategorized
6 Comments »
Tags: business coaching, Connection, dancing in the moment, Entrepreneur, Impact, Leadership, Mentor, Partnership, Small business owner, Start Up Entrepreneur
Rivers Corbett is a force. His entrepreneurial story is epic. He’s a charismatic, experienced business leader and his passion for helping entrepreneurs is contagious. Read on to find out why the interview with Rivers was special for me.
We will pick up the story around the time when Rivers borrowed $1M as a young man to buy out his father’s hodge podge of businesses (an old marina, convenience stores, a nursing home and a wholesale meat operation). The loan enabled him to return to New Brunswick, the province he loves, as an entrepreneur with an income right off the bat. In hindsight it was a good decision although it was not without its pain including a hostile takeover by the board of directors of the nursing home.
All those original businesses have since been spun off or closed. Rivers’ main business is now The Chef Group which just celebrated its 10 year anniversary. 
The Chef Group is like the Ford modelling agency but for chefs in the Atlantic provinces. We create culinary adventures and push the envelope on food delivery and food education.
Even the Chef Group story is epic as Rivers lived through embezzlement by his now ex business partner which was uncovered just last year. Fortunately, The Chef Group (now with 15 full-time employees) has come out strong and this year’s focus is on maximizing efficiencies to increase profits.
For an entrepreneur like Rivers who likes to chase shiny lights, buckling down to focus on efficiencies to increase ROI takes discipline. Fortunately, Rivers knows how to keep focus on his main business and indulge his passion for new business by helping other entrepreneurs through coaching and mentoring.
Named as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005 by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Rivers is a life- long advocate for entrepreneurs as he believes they are the backbone of our economy. Beyond the award, his most proud moments came when he reached a million in revenue for the first time and successfully battled depression twice.
What’s come more easily than he ever imagined is his willingness to expand his risk. He’s had colossal successes and failures in business and each time his confidence has grown through his learning.
I can now say with confidence that I will never have to be employed by someone else again. The money for my kids’ education is in the bank. I could never have gotten to this place without taking the risks I did. Each time I had to manage my fears in order to move forward. Now it gets easier and easier to take smart risks because the rewards are so great and I know I will survive.
Rivers has three themes that have served him well as an entrepreneur:
1) Attitude-he works a lot on personal development and surrounds himself with positive people including a business coach
2) Cash- he is always looking for access to cash (i.e. credit) for a day when he needs to put it into play
3) Team- he creates a team not only among his staff and suppliers but also among his family, friends and business supporters like his coach
I have booked Rivers for 39 minutes to share his top 8 things you have to do to survive and thrive in business beyond year five. Join us for this complimentary teleseminar on December 9th at 8 p.m. EST. Click here to register for 39 Minutes with Rivers Corbett.
Rivers and I have also teamed up to offer a mentor coaching program for start up entrepreneurs called The Business Success Train. I couldn’t think of an entrepreneur I would rather partner with for his depth of experience and passion are so compelling. It doesn’t hurt that we share maritime roots. We are both so very excited to help start-up entrepreneurs (from year 0-5 in business) through our Business Succcess Train program……join us on the train to your success!
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Rivers,
Excellent article and looks good on you. Keep up the great work and good luck with your mentor coaching program.
Terry
Thanks for your comment. Feel free to spread the word to entrepreneurs from 0-5 years in business about our upcoming 39 min with Rivers…www.discovertheknowledge.com and of course, about our Business Success Train mentioned in the article.
Lisa
Great story Rivers . . . I love it!
Awesome!
Proud of you Rivers. Still grabbing life, soaring with eagles, inspiring others and giving back. Does it get any cooler? Yes it does – becoming one of our instructors in Atlantic Canada. We’re delighted to have you on board.
Thanks for writing, Dr. Roberts. Rivers was just telling me about The Go Forth Institute yesterday. You are fortunate to have recruited him.