Take Things Slowly: Interview with Chris Williams, Founder and CEO of CW Petroleum Corp

I recently went one on one with Chris Williams. Chris the founder and CEO of CW Petroleum Corp.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Chris: To get to where I am today, it required a lot of hard work and perseverance. I had to work two jobs, educate myself in customer service, and remain determined. In my opinion, experience is instrumental to growth. While working two jobs at the same time was one of the most challenging chapters of my life, it was pertinent to my growth in the industry as it provided me with experience in multiple areas of business. Without it, I would not have been equipped with the same set of skills when I took the plunge as an entrepreneur. 

Adam: In your experience, what are the key steps to growing and scaling your business?

Chris: Scaling a business is by no means an easy feat. There is no one tried and true way that is going to work for every business model. However, I found it important to first and foremost create a plan of action. This allowed me to visualize where I saw the business going and I could easily map out the steps to get there. It is important for the longevity of your business to do proper research going into the development of a plan to scale, such as studying the marketing, questioning colleagues, and further researching your product to see how well it stands up against the competition. 

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?

Chris: Communication is single-handedly the most important quality a leader can have to benefit their business. Why? Communication is needed in every aspect, and at every step, in business in order to keep operations running smoothly. As an effective leader, you will need to be able to communicate your expectations and the needs of the company to your team members. This will translate in how they view their goals within the company, what they strive for, and their mindset regarding the company and even their coworkers. Always keep in mind that even the small details matter when you are an effective leader. 

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Chris: Value your team members because they, in-turn, add value to your company. Your employees are the lifeblood of your business. Put in the time and the energy to properly train your team members, as well as listen to their opinions. There's a reason you hired them! Garnering the input and support of others will help you and your team think up new ideas, solve problems easier, and boost the morale of the company. There is nothing you can't do with a quality team that is ready at the helm. 

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders?

Chris: The three best tips I have are to pay attention to the small details, be a steward of your product, and value your customer service. The devil is in the details of all your paperwork. Even the smallest details could have the largest impact on your business, so it is important that you do your due diligence when it comes to every aspect of your business. Leave no stone unturned when it comes to reading materials, policies, and contracts. Be prepared to stand behind your product, but also be open-minded to improvements. There is always a threshold, however small or large, for improvement of your product. Remember that without your customers, you wouldn't have a business. So, put your best foot forward when it comes to your customer service protocols. 

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading and managing teams?

Chris: Give power to your employees, as they are what keeps your company operational. Provide them with the tools and the guidelines that they need to succeed, which will allow them to make decisions. Superiors and managers should be equipped with standard operating procedures and handbooks to allow them to effectively manage their teams. Team members should feel comfortable being innovative and inquisitive, allowing them to come to their managers if they have any questions or concerns. Of course, big decisions within the company should always be overseen by you. 

Adam: What are your best tips on the topics of sales, marketing and branding?

Chris: Anyone experienced in sales will have the ability to sell a product, but this does not speak on the product's quality. The best sales advice you can get is that you want to strive to deliver a quality product each and every time, while also maintaining a high level of customer service. Ensure that each team member is well trained in customer service protocols that align with your business model. Investing in yourself and your business will lead you to seeing a return, especially when it comes to marketing and branding. Ask yourself, "Who needs my product and how will it benefit them?". This will allow you to find your targeted demographic to begin launching your campaigns. 

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Chris: Everyone starts from somewhere. Most of the time, we all are starting from something small. It is important, especially in these early stages, to take things slowly. Don't dive right into the deep-end of the pool, walk into the shallow end. If you rush yourself and your business, you will soon find yourself in too deep. Once you are in over your head, the process for rescuing yourself and your business can be long and exhausting. So, don't put yourself there to begin with. Start slow and you'll start to see yourself grow. 

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Chris: When it comes to business, there is never a one-size-fits-all model. You will need to recognize the unique needs of your business, as well as where your individual strong suites lie. Identifying your weaknesses can help to safeguard against any potential issues in the long run. It will also help you to develop the best team that can balance each other. Don't be afraid to test the waters when it comes to innovative ways of doing things or even a product, as everything everywhere has started with just an idea.


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

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