Episode 137: From Corporate HR Exec to Business Owner: Learning to Adapt

In today’s episode, Mike talks with Monte McDowell, the owner of ARCpoint Labs of Atlanta, a lab testing and services company. Monte helps his clients with workplace drug testing, DNA-based tests, and clinical lab services. He leverages nearly 30 years of HR experience to provide consultation around health, drug screening, and safety. Mike and Monte discuss the transition from corporate HR executive to business owner, including the ups and downs. Monte shares lessons on adapting expertise to a new field, seeking quality mentorship, networking consistently, and having grit through sales challenges and rejections. Monte McDowell’s Bio Human Resources consultant and entrepreneur. Franchise owner of ARCpoint Labs, a full service clinical lab testing service. We help employers maintain safe and drug-free workplaces, and individuals take charge of their health and wellness with direct access to toxicology and advanced clinical lab panels. In addition, we offer paramedical life insurance exams. Our cost-effective lab collection and testing solutions are performed by our team of certified, licensed professionals. Gwinnett County, Georgia. In This Episode… Monte made the transition from corporate HR to becoming a business owner through buying a franchise. It allowed him to leverage his expertise while still being new and challenging. He sought advice from mentors but they focused on his HR skills versus business ownership since that wasn’t their experience. It’s important to have mentors with a variety of backgrounds. As a business owner, he wears many hats beyond just HR. He’s also sales, marketing, operations – it’s challenging but rewarding to build something of your own. He encourages networking consistently to build relationships. Those connections are invaluable for advice, referrals, insights, etc. Perseverance and grit are critical – being told “no” is inevitable but you control the follow up and persistence. The ball is always in your court. Links & Resources Mentioned… Websites: epicenterspark.com cabinsforyou.com Vistage.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbunce/