Meet Adam Mendler of The Veloz Group

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Mendler.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Adam. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My brother and I launched The Veloz Group in 2012, leaving our respective careers to try to build something we believed in. We named the company after the street we grew up on, Veloz Ave., in Tarzana. We started by taking all of the ideas we had and trying to turn them into different businesses. After a year of realizing that we were running in way too many different directions to ever be successful, we took a step back and focused on our two concepts closest to monetization.

Over the years, we have taken these ideas and turned them into businesses that have been able to impact customers across the country – and now the world – beyond our imagination. In addition to operating Beverly Hills Chairs and Custom Tobacco, we started a consulting company, Veloz Solutions, and have worked on and continue to work on some incredible projects.

We have had more than our fair share of false starts along the way, as many of the ideas we explored did not become businesses. But each experience – including our many mistakes – has contributed to where we are now as a company and to where I am as a leader.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. I have come to learn first-hand that in entrepreneurship the path to success is anything but linear. We have had to overcome obstacles big and small, and going through the experience has given me significant insight into why so many businesses don’t make it. While there have been many struggles along the way, nothing has been and continues to be more challenging than staying focused.

I have always been an extremely focused person, but I have found that life as an entrepreneur tests and bends your focus in a truly unique way. You have so many different things you have to do each day, and so many new and exciting opportunities you can explore, but only a finite amount of time and energy. You find ways to get better by prioritizing, learning to say no and becoming more efficient with your time, but the struggle will never go away.

The Veloz Group – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We have a few different businesses. Our office furniture company, Beverly Hills Chairs, specializes in selling high-end ergonomic office furniture affordable. We are the leading sellers in the country of refurbished Herman Miller chairs, as well sell the bestselling office chair of all time, the Herman Miller Aeron chair, at roughly half off of retail pricing. We also send brand new chairs and sit-to-stand desks that are not as well-known but are great deals. We work with lots of companies of varying sizes all over the country and are proud to be able to make so many employees at so many different companies even just a little bit happier and healthier.

Our cigar company, Custom Tobacco, offers a one-of-a-kind platform for individuals and companies to create fully-customized premium cigars. In a matter of minutes, customers can design a personalized cigar band and customize all key elements of the cigar itself, including the blend, wrapper, shape and size. We have found our cigars to be extremely popular among those planning events and buying gifts, as we have observed that most of the cigars that are purchased from our website or through our concierge service are for corporate events, personal events, corporate gifts and personal gifts. As with Beverly Hills Chairs, we are proud that we created a business that has brought happiness to so many people – from those who realize that custom cigars would make a perfect gift or addition to an event and make the purchase to those who ultimately enjoy the cigars.

We also have a technology consulting and software development company called Veloz Solutions. We provide CTO-level consultants and Google-caliber engineers to small and middle market businesses that often cannot access either. While we are proud of the many projects we have worked on, when it comes to Veloz Solutions, I am proudest of creating Virtually Israel. Our VR experiences showcasing Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have been utilized by countless organizations around the world, including Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, illustrating to many that Israel is actually a beautiful, fun and incredible country.

In addition to overseeing The Veloz Group and our portfolio businesses, I spend a fair amount of time writing, speaking and advising other organizations, so there is never a shortage of things to do or work on.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as a net positive contribution to the lives of others. Do you give more than you take? My definition of success was inspired by It’s a Wonderful Life. Based on the metrics of success you learn in business school, Jimmy Stewart’s character was a failure, but there is a lot more to life than an income statement or a balance sheet.

Pricing:

Adam Mendler