This week, I will publish the second part of my interview with Trey Schaefer, owner of Magnets Fast and Art Promotional Services. If you missed Trey Schaefer Interview Part 1, I highly recommend you to read it before reading this second part.
In this part, Trey recommended a few books that he think would be helpful for entrepreneurs. Trey also talked about his future as an entrepreneur and his plan to launch a new blog. The most important part will be the important lessons that got him to where he is today.
Got you pumped up? Let’s start!
Interview with Trey Schaefer [Part 2]
Wayne: I see… Very interesting. Now, Trey, we’ll switch the topics a little bit here. I know you are an entrepreneur for quite some time now. What are the Top 3 things that you think brought you and your business to where it is today? Because I’m sure many aspiring entrepreneurs reading this interview want to learn from you.
Trey: 1. Learn from your mistakes. As an entrepreneur you’ll make a ton of mistakes. Learning from them and moving forward is what makes you an entrepreneur versus a quitter. Trial and error is my favorite way to do things. It’s either hit or miss, but when you hit something, you normally hit a home run.
Trey: 2. You have to be passionate about what you do. If you’re not, it becomes a 9-5 thing that you dread doing. When you are truly passionate about something, it isn’t your job, it becomes your life, and you start to enjoy life and help others in the process.
Trey: 3. Never stop learning and be self educated. I was never great at school. (I made a C- on the business plan for my business in college.) However, I am one that believes that grades don’t mean anything. As long as you have good common sense in the business world you’ll make it far.
Trey: I try and read a new book every 2 weeks. I love any books related to networking, entrepreneurship, or small business and marketing. I learn something new with each new book I read. (I’ll have a "Favorite Books" list on my new blog when it goes live next week.)
Wayne: I like the fact that you are an avid book reader while some entrepreneurs that I have met stopped reading after they got their venture up and running. What are some of the books that you recommend for entrepreneurs and small business owners reading this interview?
Trey: Two of my favorites are by Bob Burg, "The Go-Giver" and "Endless Referrals". I also love anything by Jeffrey Gitomer and Seth Godin. "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi. "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. "Sales Dogs" by Blair Singer. Just to name a few.
Wayne: Noted. While we were scheduling for this interview, you highlighted that you are actually going to launch a new blog. What the blog is going to be about and what you aim to achieve with the blog?
Trey: The blog will be: www.treyschaefer.com. My goal for this will be to direct people to one site. I currently have Art Promotional Services and Magnets Fast and a blog. We are also launching a new site for our magnet division called www.mailablemagnet.com which will be similar to Magnets Fast except it will be a mailable postcard magnet that you can send directly through the mail.
Trey: I got tired to trying to pick which site to send people to, so I want to have one site (www.treyschaefer.com) that I can direct people to and all my sites and links are in one place. Links to our Facebook Page, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. will be on there as well.
Trey: The goal of the blog is to try and help other business owners and entrepreneurs get their creative juices flowing and teach others how to market and promote their businesses more effectively. I’ll be doing this through blog posts and some video.
Wayne: I’m sure you’ll have tons of things to share looking at the success of Art Promotional Services and Magnets Fast. Trey, where do you see yourself in the future or perhaps in 5 years time? Will you still be in the promotional items arena or do you see yourself branching out into other industries?
Trey: I see myself still in the promotional products industry because I love it so much. In 5 years I’d like to add several more AE’s (I currently have one other person other than myself). I also want to be the go-to promotional products company in the southeast, and a big player nationally for custom magnets. If I can accomplish those things in 5 years (I’ll be 31 then), I will be very happy.
Wayne: All the best to you. 
Trey, you have definitely shared some great tips throughout this interview. Last question, how can people get in touch with you if they are interested in either learning more about Art Promotional Services or just to connect with you?
Trey: People can email me at: trey@artpromotionalservices.com or get our phone number from either site: Art Promotional Services and Magnets Fast. I also interact with a lot of people through Twitter. My name is @magnetsfast. Those are the main ways I currently interact with people, through email and Twitter. I also just started using Skype so people can call me if they would like as well. My Skype name is: magnetsfast.
Wayne: Nice. There you have it guys. Trey Schaefer, brilliant entrepreneur, owner of Art Promotional Services and Magnets Fast! Trey, thanks again for doing this with me and for the readers of my blog.
Trey: Wayne, it was my pleasure and I am honored. Thanks again for the great questions, and keep up the great work on your blog. Keep pumping out great content and you will continue to have great success.
Any Feedback on the Interview?
As an entrepreneur or small business owner, do you educate yourself continuously by reading books? If yes, what are the books you that you recommend?
If you have any questions regarding the interview or comments on the tips provided by Trey, leave a comment below.
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