Tom Heeter
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Tom Heeter

Founder & CEO, SmartPay, Inc
www.tomheeter.com
Northern California, California, United States United states
Business owner
Member since January 23, 2011
VEQ: TD-TL-TM
Quote
I think being an entrepreneur is something like an infection that you just can't get over. I have personally found that if you knew all the work and effort being an entrepreneur requires, you wouldn't do it because looking back it's WAY more work that you originally thought it was going to be. So, if you have a lick of sense my advise to you would be: take the easy path and DON'T become an entrepreneur. HOWEVER! IF AND ONLY IF, you are so filled with passion to see something succeed that you find yourself eating, sleeping, and living it. Then you have "caught the bug"! YOU ARE AN ENTREPRENEUR! Like the salmon who will swim any river to reach their spawning grounds, you will do anything to see your project get launched. As a fellow entrepreneur, I understand that it is this passion that fuels us; but it is our advisors, friends and family that keep us from getting off track. Listen to your own inner wisdom, listen to others, but most of all listen to your customers. Quote_down
About Tom
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I am a(n):

Entrepreneur

Companies I've founded or co-founded:

Smartpay, Inc.; Luck Holdings, Inc.; Realty Retirement Fund, L.L.C.; Exchange Business Center, Inc.; Heeter & Associates, Inc.

Companies I've invested in:

Blocker Energy Company outside. All the above named companies.

If you are an entrepreneur, why?

I'm bursting with ideas!

My favorite startups:

I like the ones I have seen on Vator a LOT!

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

Where did I put my dang glasses!?!---I'm absent minded.

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs make?

To no longer be willing to make the next mistake.

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

1. For an idea that does not at first seem insane, there is no hope --Albert Einstein.

2. The man with a new idea is a crank--until the idea succeeds --Mark Twain

3. TIE: You gotta have faith! Don't give up! Don't underestimate yourself! Help often comes from the most unexpected places!

Full bio

You can read about me at www.tomheeter.com