Aaron Wilson is a serial entrepreneur, business consultant & author, who has blazed a trail in an array of industries from the tech space to the realm of business coaching. Wilson has closed millions of dollars in sales, raised millions for clients in the technology sector, built the infrastructure for billion-dollar fortune 500 companies, and has been highlighted as one of the top 20 recruiters in the world.
What is your entrepreneurial story? How did you come about building your business?
It was no easy feat but after avoiding very stringent non-compete agreements and fearful threats from former employers, my former colleague and I built one of the fastest-growing & profitable recruiting firms in New York City. We left the cushion that high base salaries and robust benefits packages offered, in order to drive a paradigm shift in the way the recruiting industry was being perceived – we wanted to make a real impact. We took a chance on ourselves and began working from a two-person WeWork office in midtown. Competitors and peers in the industry were shocked by our exponential growth. All in all, America is the land of circumvention. Where there is a will, there is a way.
What is your business model — how were you able to grow so fast?
We have a multi-stream revenue model. This model spans across content marketing (which requires minimal maintenance and no human capital), executive & business coaching, and also billable hours. What enabled Wilson Talent Solutions to grow so quickly is the key differentiating factor – a personal touch. While most entrepreneurs are very transactional, we are a relationship-driven business (as a firm) and also on a micro level when connecting with clients one-on-one. Clients do not want to feel like one of many and quite frankly, while it may seem pretty simple, our competitors have not cracked that code yet.
Can you give me an overview of who you are, what is your educational or overall background? What are some of your achievements?
I am a classically trained musician and entrepreneur. I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Binghamton University’s School of Management, which is the top-ranked public business school in New York State. I have been featured in Chris LaVoie’s, Central-London based “Art of Recruiting” documentary, where I was highlighted as one of the top 20 strategic thought leaders in recruitment worldwide. Additionally, alongside a former colleague, I built a recruiting firm to a headcount of 20+ recruiters and 8-digit revenue in less than 24 months.
What have you learned through your experiences as an entrepreneur that can be used by aspiring business individuals?
There are an array of things that I have learned through my experiences as an entrepreneur that can be used by aspiring business individuals, however, one of the most important is to be mindful of who you align yourself with. Choosing prospective business partners should be a daunting task but for some, it is quite simple and not taken as seriously as it should be. When aligning one’s self with a business partner, there is a very stringent criterion that should be met or adhered to. It’s of paramount importance that you know as much information as possible about a potential partner in order to avoid litigation, avoid uncertainty, and also to ensure your time (which is your most valuable currency) is not being wasted on/with the wrong people. The aforementioned can be detrimental and set you back 1 year or more (on your entrepreneurial journey). Furthermore, it has to be the “right” fit. Chemistry and cultural fit are very important. Be sure to partner with someone who shares similar beliefs, ideals, and notions as it pertains to work. While finding someone who does not share similar beliefs can be seen as “desired equilibrium”, it can also be a disaster due to discourse arising from not seeing eye-to-eye.
What makes your business so unique and successful?
What do most consulting firms lack? They lack access to top tier talent across an array of functional areas. I have made it my mission to identify top professionals who have strong expertise in marketing, finance, investments, sales, and accounting to head up all of the aforementioned practice areas. As they say, “the proof is in the pudding”. These professionals were top performers at their previous firms and are highly respected in their niche industries. From individuals with CPA and CFA designations to individuals who have built processes that were key in initial public offerings (IPOs), Wilson Talent Solutions has industry leaders who have made substantial impacts in their respective industries. We champion the notion of being a consultancy that acts as a total solutions provider.
What have you learned through your journey as an entrepreneur?
I have learned so many things on my entrepreneurial journey but what truly stands out is the importance of remaining “centered”. To me, the idea of being “centered” revolves around the notion that you are in touch with yourself on a spiritual level. There is such a sharp contrast between executives who are “centered” and those who are not. Whether you are religious, you are spiritual, you pray to the universe or you focus on intense meditation, being “centered” is vital when channeling energy into any endeavor. Good energy and positivity beget good energy and positivity, which consequently yield positive results. It’s imperative that you keep a clear head and a settled spirit when making crucial decisions. Cloudy minds do not give birth to new ideas nor do they have the ability to exercise sound judgment.
What skills and attributes make you as successful as you are?
One of the most important skills and attributes that has assisted me in accomplishing my goals would definitely be my ability to remain organized. The organization is key in business. As an entrepreneur or a creator, your mind is perpetually running – thinking about new ideas and new ways to do things. Nevertheless, it’s so important that you take the time to write things down. When I have an idea and I am determined to bring it to fruition, I write it down with corresponding action items and deadline dates. After writing this list of action items with deadline dates, everything is then calendarized accordingly and the calendar sends direct notifications to the home screen on my phone, urging me to adhere to the deadlines I set. These are ways that we (as people) can hold ourselves accountable.
Why is online business, marketing, etc. important?
Online businesses and marketing are so important in our modern-day society because they promote a scalable way to conduct business. An entrepreneur can form, build, and scale an online business from the comfort of his or her home, while using minimal human capital or labor by leveraging tools that automate functions like sales, marketing, and business development. The aforementioned are the stepping stones toward true freedom where one does not have to be bound to his or her desk.
