Keith Alper’s Blueprint: How To Build A Lasting Event Business With Love and Strategy
Summary
Keith Alper, Chairman & CEO of Nitrous Effect, shares his journey in the event industry and how he built a successful business. He started in his teens, working at Six Flags and eventually started his own company with his business partner. Over the years, they expanded their services and built a network of businesses under the Nitrous Effect umbrella. Alper emphasizes the importance of investing in great people and continuously reinvesting in the business. He also discusses the balance between the show and the business side of event production. In this conversation, Keith Alper discusses the importance of culture and employee satisfaction in building a successful business. He shares his experiences of navigating through recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for a rainy day fund and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Keith highlights the significance of investing in employees and creating a positive work environment, as well as the importance of open communication and honesty in business relationships. He also emphasizes the value of peer groups and regular self-reflection in personal and professional growth.
event industry, entrepreneurship, business growth, investing, strategic planning, culture, employee satisfaction, recession, COVID-19, rainy day fund, adaptability, investing in employees, positive work environment, open communication, honesty, peer groups, personal growth, professional growth
Takeaways
Invest in great people and surround yourself with a strong team.
Continuously reinvest in the business to fuel growth and innovation.
Balance the show and the business aspects of event production.
Measure and analyze data regularly to make informed decisions.
Build a network of businesses that complement each other and offer a wide range of services. Building a strong culture and investing in employee satisfaction are key to the success of a business.
Having a rainy day fund is crucial for navigating through economic downturns and unexpected challenges.
Adaptability and the ability to pivot are essential in times of crisis.
Open communication and honesty are vital in maintaining strong business relationships.
Peer groups and regular self-reflection can contribute to personal and professional growth.
Sound Bites
"We are in show business and there are people that just manage the business and there are people that manage the show."
"Surround yourself with great people, invest in yourself and invest in your business."
"We see all of our employees as family and we also see our clients as family."
"We've got to cancel our meeting. We got to cancel our meeting. We're out of business."
"How do we as a team run our business like it's a small boutique, but have the great working benefits of working for Google or Facebook?"
"If you're going to sell culture, you better have it in your own company."
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Setting Up the Interview
02:01 - Transitioning from Six Flags to Providing Services to Others
04:02 - Keith Alper's Superpowers and Expertise
05:05 - Different Games in the Event Industry
08:15 - The Companies Under Nitrous Effect
13:30 - Transitioning to a Strategic Role in the Business
17:00 - Building an Empire and Surrounding Yourself with Great People
18:00 - Transitioning from Doing Everything to Delegating
21:36 - Investing in the Business and Financial Management
25:06 - The Importance of the Show and the Business
26:25 - Decision-Making on Cash Flow and Investments
28:19 - Navigating Through Economic Challenges
29:43 - Investing in Employees and Creating a Positive Work Environment
32:23 - The Role of Culture in Business Success
33:04 - The Importance of Open Communication and Honesty
36:24 - Moving from Like to Love: Building Strong Relationships
38:26 - The Power of Culture in Top Companies
45:49 - Investing in Personal and Professional Growth
49:47 - Taking a Pulse Check and Investing in Yourself
56:38 - Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Well-being
