MARY ELLEN SHEETS, FOUNDER OF
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, SHARES WISDOM

"It's all about focusing on your customer..."

The E2detroit 2008 Team had the good fortune to sit down with keynote speaker, Mary Ellen Sheets, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the very successful TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise dynasty. In a candid interview, Mrs. Sheets shared insight, wisdom and good common sense ideas that should inspire entrepreneurs and motivate them on their respective paths to success. Here are some excerpts from that interview:

Q: What is the single most important piece of advice that you would like to share with entrepreneurs, who are just beginning?
A: "Don't give up. Work on your business every day, even if it's something as small as planting a posy in front of your office!"

Q: Considering the current state of the Michigan economy, what are some of the benefits to starting out in the entrepreneurial world?
A: "I started TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® in the early 80s, during a recession. The state regulations were horrendous. The police tried to arrest me for moving someone outside of town (I didn't know about the license!). Don't think about the Michigan economy. Focus on your customers."

Q: What are some of the challenges that you have, personally, overcome to become the successful person that you are?
A: "I was divorced with 3 teenagers. I didn't know anything about moving, franchising, accounting and yet I built this huge company. Moving especially is a good old boy business. I persevered and ignored them. So I will say it again --- Focus on the customer."

Q: Do you feel education or experience plays a more vital role in being an entrepreneur? Or is there another key quality that is even more important?
A: "I was not educated. I didn't finish college, although I wish I had. Perseverance is more important. So is integrity. And above all, customer focus!!!"

Q: What are the barriers to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
A: "Fear, laziness, dishonesty, being cheap, not giving back to others, mistreating employees..."

Q: What do you see as the two biggest challenges facing new start-ups or small businesses today?
A: "Lack of confidence; not believing that you can do it. Being afraid to change. Hanging on to your day job."

Q: Why would you recommend that aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners attend E2detroit 2008 and other similar events?
A: "It's a relief to meet others who are trying to start a business. Sometimes you don't get 100% support from friends and family. Most big businesses started in someone's basement or garage and most of these entrepreneurs had a spouse saying, 'When are you going to get a real job?'"

Q: How do you know which types of projects/ideas will be successful in ensuring the success of your business?
A: "Try it out. If it doesn't work, try something else. Believe me, it's much easy do make changes when your company is small!"

Q: Based on your experience, what are the key traits that successful entrepreneurs need to posses?
A: "Energy, perseverance, integrity and care for others. A good idea, too."

Q: We often learn more from our mistakes than our successes. What are the crucial pitfalls to avoid in setting up a new business?
A: "Not having the right team to assist you, early, is a mistake. Get good legal advice as soon as you can afford if. Get a good CPA as soon as you can afford it. Maybe talk to these two people and work out a deal so you can pay later."

Q: What are the most valuable community resources that you recommend for new businesses?
A: "Chamber of Commerce is a big one. Go and pass out your cards, even if you are a shrinking violet! Local colleges can help you, too. Women in Business gave me support."

Q: Which books would you recommend for entrepreneurs? There are so many good books now on business, franchising, etc.
A: "My children run the business now and swear by GOOD TO GREAT by Jim Collins."

Q: Why should a young entrepreneur choose Detroit or Michigan to start a new business vs. somewhere else?
A: "I love this state. It's so beautiful. Everyone will be grateful you didn't bail out. It will get better."

Q: Franchising is a great option for the new entrepreneur. From your experience, what are the top 3 benefits for someone taking the franchising route?
A: "The mistakes have been made, you have a peer group to talk to at any time, and the training is great... Almost everything has been done for you. It's a wonderful concept."

An Overview of Mary Ellen Sheets

Mary Ellen Sheets is the founder and chair of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® INTERNATIONAL, Inc. located in Lansing, Mich.

In the 1980s, Mary Ellen's two teenaged sons, Brig and Jon Sorber, started a small moving business to earn extra spending money. Using a 1967 pickup truck, they placed an ad in a local shopping guide that read, "Two Men and a Truck to move your belong-ings" along with a stick figure design by Sheets. Sensing an opportunity, Mary Ellen decided to run the small business from her home after the pair left for college. She hired two employees and purchased a 14' truck for $350 - her only investment to date in the company. The company continued to grow. In 1989, Mary Ellen awarded the first TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® location outside of Michigan to her daughter, Melanie Bergeron.

Today there are more than 200 locations worldwide. They are in 31 states, Canada and Ireland. There are more than 1,300 trucks on the road. Mary Ellen considers herself very fortunate to have her daughter, Melanie, as CEO and son Brig as President and son Jon as Executive Vice President.

In 2006, Mary Ellen was a finalist in the Ernst and Young International Entrepreneur of the Year award. In 2005, Mary Ellen was the first woman honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the International Franchise Association. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has also been highlighted in several books, including: Start Small - Finish Big, Women Entrepreneurs Only, and Glorious Accidents, What's Luck Got to Do With It? Millionaire Women and Masters of Success.

You can meet Mrs. Sheets at the unique and exciting E2detroit 2008 event, where she will be one of the keynote speakers, on October 8th, 2008 at Wayne State University in Detroit. Click Here to Register Now! and take advantage of "early bird" pricing available up until August 31, 2008.

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