Competitive Advantage: Rob Lombardi’s Tactical Blueprint for Decades of Business Success | S2 Ep. 173

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Competitive Advantage: Rob Lombardi’s Tactical Blueprint for Decades of Business Success" | S2 Ep. 173

Introduction

In episode 173 of IBH Media's acclaimed series, Founder's Story, host Daniel welcomes Rob Lombardi, the CEO of Lombardi Interiors, a company boasting an impressive legacy since 1964. The episode delves into Rob's remarkable journey from being an athlete to a successful entrepreneur, exploring the synergies between sports and business, the mental fortitude required for sustained success, and strategic approaches to maintaining a competitive edge in a constantly evolving marketplace.

Transition from Athlete to Entrepreneur

Daniel opens the conversation by highlighting Rob's unique transition from the athletic world to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the rarity of sustaining a business across multiple decades.

Daniel [02:01]: "Rob, you have a very interesting story going from athlete to entrepreneur. I can't wait to dive into exactly what translated from your time in sports to your time in business."

Rob explains that his shift was gradual, rooted in his inherent competitiveness and desire for self-reliance, traits honed through his athletic career.

Rob Lombardi [02:53]: "I always knew I wanted to work for myself. ... being a CEO, running a business, that's definitely what it takes to be successful."

He underscores the parallels between the solitary nature of tennis and the demands of entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of self-motivation and resilience.

Transferable Skills: From Tennis to Business

The discussion progresses to the specific skills Rob acquired as an athlete that have been instrumental in his business endeavors. Rob draws a clear connection between the strategic mindset required in tennis and effective business management.

Daniel [05:07]: "What other things did you learn, being that you are in this individual sport, besides the obvious, like waking up early and showing up?"

Rob Lombardi [05:32]: "The mental part of the game in tennis translated well. ... controlling your emotions and keeping a positive momentum in a match ... translates into the business world."

Rob emphasizes emotional control, strategic thinking, and the ability to swiftly adapt to changing circumstances—skills that are equally vital on the court and in the boardroom.

Mental Toughness: The Backbone of Success

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring the mental challenges Rob faced both as an athlete and as a business leader. He candidly discusses his struggle with emotional control and how he overcame it to make informed, rational decisions under pressure.

Daniel [06:43]: "How did you control your emotions and mind and not just want to give up?"

Rob Lombardi [07:23]: "I read Jim Lages' book on mental toughness ... realizing that if I get upset or angry, you're not going to make the best decision for your employees and for your company."

Rob shares how training with world-class athletes instilled a deeper work ethic and dedication, which seamlessly transitioned into his business practices, fostering a culture of perseverance and strategic decision-making.

Sustaining Business Success Over Decades

When asked about the keys to sustaining Lombardi Interiors for over six decades, Rob attributes success to continuous self-challenge and setting ambitious goals. He discusses how maintaining a growth mindset and embracing challenges has kept his business resilient through various market shifts and crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rob Lombardi [09:34]: "Making probably challenging myself, realizing that I can do more ... always go back to the competitive side of myself to rise up to that challenge and dig deep."

Rob elaborates on the importance of simplifying decision-making processes, focusing on core strengths, and maintaining strong relationships with employees and clients to navigate through turbulent times.

Navigating Disruption and Staying Ahead

The conversation shifts to the topic of disruption, particularly technological advancements and market changes. Rob shares his strategic approach to staying ahead by focusing on customer needs, quality service, and strategic branding rather than chasing the latest trends.

Rob Lombardi [12:24]: "Are you providing a service to them? ... I can't necessarily be the cheapest guy in town, but I know I can outservice a lot of my competition."

He emphasizes the significance of understanding one's market niche, maintaining high service standards, and adapting to changes without losing the personalized touch that sets Lombardi Interiors apart.

Maintaining a Personalized Touch

Rob highlights how Lombardi Interiors differentiates itself through personalized customer service and high-quality offerings. This customer-centric approach fosters loyalty and sets the company apart in a market saturated with mass-produced, impersonal experiences.

Rob Lombardi [14:27]: "Lombardi Interiors really continues to create that personalized touch ... making it the best quality that I can give and really offer solutions to their problems."

Conclusion and Contact Information

As the episode wraps up, Daniel commends Rob for his enduring business success and the positive impact he's had on his employees and customers. Rob provides listeners with ways to connect, primarily through his LinkedIn profile, inviting further engagement and networking.

Rob Lombardi [18:11]: "They could go to my LinkedIn page and look me up there. ... I'd be happy to answer any questions and help anybody I can."

Daniel expresses appreciation for Rob’s insights and expresses interest in future discussions with other athlete-turned-entrepreneurs, highlighting the valuable intersection of sports and business leadership.

Daniel [18:26]: "Thank you so much for joining us today on Founders Story."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rob Lombardi [02:53]: "I wanted to always strive to be better. I had a growth mindset."

• Rob Lombardi [05:32]: "The mental part of the game in tennis translated well into the business world."

• Rob Lombardi [07:23]: "I read Jim Lages' book on mental toughness ... you're not going to make the best decision if you're upset."

• Rob Lombardi [09:34]: "Always push the bar, push the limit."

• Rob Lombardi [12:24]: "I can't necessarily be the cheapest guy in town, but I can outservice a lot of my competition."

• Rob Lombardi [14:27]: "Offering solutions to their problems is key."

• Rob Lombardi [18:11]: "Feel free to contact me on LinkedIn and I'd be happy to help."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Founder's Story offers a compelling look into Rob Lombardi’s entrepreneurial journey, illustrating how athletic discipline and mental resilience can forge a path to enduring business success. Rob's insights into maintaining a competitive advantage through personalized service, strategic thinking, and emotional control provide invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. His story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of leveraging personal strengths and adaptability to thrive in the business world.

Transcript

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[Daniel]

Hey everyone. Welcome back to Founders Story. Today we have Rob Lombardi. And Rob, you have a very interesting story going from athlete to entrepreneur. And I can't wait to dive into exactly what translated from your time in sports to your time in business, because I've heard there's a lot of correlations. I also personally know a lot of athletes who are retiring or they got injured and now they're out of the game and they have no idea what they're going to do with their life. But you are the CEO of Lombardi Interiors, which I can't believe has been around since 1964. Like, that is insane. Like, I don't think people are thinking about, you know, hopefully they can make it to two or three years in business, but not, you know, multiple decades. Well, let's start off, Rob, with how was that transition when you were an athlete and then you said, okay, I want to go into business?

[Rob Lombardi]

Yeah. I mean, it was. It wasn't like a aha. Moment. It was, it was kind of a, you know, a step process. I, I think being an athlete, you know, gave me, I just always was competitive, so I wanted to challenge myself. You know, I wanted to always strive to be better. I had, I had a growth mindset. You know, with tennis, it's, it's a one on one sport. And you know, in college it was, you know, you're out on the court, you're, you're calling your lines, you're coaching yourself, you're keeping score. So when I got out of, when I got out of college and made that transition transition, I, I knew I kind of wanted to rely on myself more. I didn't want to work for a big company, although I did start in the corporate world. I always knew I wanted to work for myself. And just because it was more challenging, it was, you know, it was lonely. And the tennis world is lonely too. You're out there by yourself. But that's kind of, that's kind of what I wanted, you know, and I really, it was tough in the beginning. I, I think that was the biggest challenge, just being on your own. You don't have human resources, you don't have a tech department. You're doing that all yourself. And that's my personality. I've always been like that. So for somebody making that transition, I think it's something you have to want, you have to be comfortable with being on your own, you know, challenging yourself every day, working hard, you know, grinding it out. And anybody that's been an athlete at a high level understands that part. The training every day, you know, getting up early, doing things that people don't see. But in the business world, it's the same. And being a CEO, being running a business, that's definitely what it takes to be successful. So I think that's, you know, that's kind of my, my background a little bit.

[Daniel]

I never thought about how the, how tennis specifically translate because it's not really a team sport, it's an individual sport. That's a great point. What other things did you learn, being that you are in this individual sport, besides the obvious, like you had said, you know, waking up early and showing up. Was there other things that you felt translated over?

[Rob Lombardi]

Definitely. I mean, I think the, the mental part of the game in tennis translated well. You know, I played soccer too, and it was a completely different, completely different mindset. Being with tennis, you know, you're out there by yourself. You have to control your emotions. You have to keep that momentum, that positive momentum in a match. And that translates into the business world. You lose a project or maybe lose a client and you have to just let it go and kind of move on, otherwise you're going to fail. So I mean, that tennis part, it's kind of like a, you know, think of it as like a chess match, but you're also, it's a, there's a physical aspect of it. The strategy in tennis translates well into business. And I, all my kids played and I think it's an advantage for young person to take that, you know, at least have experience in that realm in that sport.

[Daniel]

Let's dive into the mental game. I have always been one to say yes, anyone can start a business right, you can create an llc, you can, it's really easy to do, but it doesn't mean you can be successful and continue because the mental game is very, very hard. I think out of the hundreds of people we've interviewed, that is the thing that always comes up is do you have the mental fortitude to have what it takes? How did you do that? Maybe when, you know, while you were playing tennis or what did you learn that you were able to really control your emotions and your mind and not just want to give up?

[Rob Lombardi]

Definitely. I mean, that was the biggest challenge for me. You know, I'm half Italian, so my emotions run a little hot sometimes. So, you know, I remember in high school sitting in study hall reading Jim Layers Mental, the book on mental toughness. Just because it's like I, I know this is my weak point. I was always a pretty good athlete, but I never had, you know, that control, emotional control. When you're in the heat of, you know, heat of a battle on the court, you can lose it very quickly. And you've seen it in professional tennis, that momentum can change in a, in a minute and then all of a sudden you're, you know, you're losing a match. But you know, for me it was, it was definitely the biggest aspect. I mean, that was. I played with, with world class players and I think that when I, when I started training with them, I realized I wasn't working hard enough. I wasn't putting in the time. I just, you know, I was at a good level, but I wasn't nearly the level they were at. So I mean, that was eye opening too. Playing, you know, playing at a high level, realizing the dedication and the work ethic that they put in, it changed me as a person. And you know, that translates into how I ran a business too. I definitely carried that over and, you know, realized that if, if I get upset or if I get angry, you know, you're not going to make a, the best decision for your employees and for your company. So it definitely correlates, that's for sure.

[Daniel]

So you've been in business for multiple decades. What has been for you? Maybe a specific thing that you've done in order to continue. Because I think we know competition changes, technology changes, the ability to market and sell changes, people changes. So many things happen, I'm sure, over the last few decades. So what's been something for you that's been really consistent?

[Rob Lombardi]

I mean, making probably challenging myself, realizing that, that I can do more, you know, having that confidence to, to raise the bar, you know, go after certain accounts that maybe, maybe I'm not set up to go after, kind of putting those goals out there and working towards them. I think that's for me, that's, that's what I've tried to do for my company to grow. Although we're a small company, it's, you know, we're still, we're still growing and I try to always kind of push the bar, push the limit. Covid was definitely a challenge for my company. We had, you know, we had some shutdowns. We do a lot of assisted living facilities. And that was, you know, that was a challenge. And I had to kind of pivot, figure out, you know, figure out how to make it. And it definitely, you know, it definitely shakes you to the core when, when you have everything riding on, on, on your company and you also have a responsibility to your employees to keep things moving and growing. So does that answer your question? I mean, I think there are many, many other instances with employees and with certain accounts where I thought I'm going to lose this account. So I got to really be on top of it. I've got to be on my game. And I always go back to, to, you know, the competitive side of myself, to like rise up to that challenge and dig deep. And you know, it always comes down to yourself in the end, I think, I mean, I have great employees, I have a great staff, I have, you know, good resources. But at the end of the day when you, when you meet a tough challenge, it comes down to yourself and, you know, making the right decision. And maybe for me, I try to simplify things and maybe not make them too complicated. Pick one or two things that really, you know, I can go after and, you know, that kind of simplify that decision making process.

[Daniel]

I think a lot of people are afraid of disruption, whether that be technology or maybe a competitor who can get cheaper products or, you know, labor in being outsourced to different parts of the world. There's a lot of reasons, I think, that people are nervous right now and I think specifically when it comes to AI and technology, which might not necessarily impact you so much, but over the years, how do you look at disruption and staying ahead of the curve?

[Rob Lombardi]

Yeah, I mean, it all comes down to, you know, does, does that customer want your service? Does that customer want your product? Are you providing a service to them? And I, and I, like I said, I try to simplify things and really, you know, I can't necessarily be the cheapest guy in town, but I know I can out service a lot of my, my competition, make it personal, you know, make it, make it the best quality that I can give and really offer solutions to, to their problems. You know, think strategically, put myself in their shoes. And, and I don't think is maybe, you know, you look at some brands and you have luxury brands and, and you know, maybe it's a, maybe it's a luxury purse or a luxury car. And what makes them, what makes them different? You know, it's a car, you know, but what makes that car different? It's, it's a, it's a brand of clothing. Why are you going to pay more for that brand of clothing, you know, as opposed to the other one? And, and there's, I think, a branding side of it. People want to associate with quality, they want to associate with, with service. I mean, that's a, you know, what you mentioned the technology world now. I mean, how many times have you made a phone call and you can't even talk to somebody on the other line? It's very frustrating. So there is a niche there, you know, and you have, that's my job to figure out what that niche is. And it's, you know, the difference of nowadays it's changes so quickly. You have to really be on top of it and, you know, really understand the market and understand what your business is. And it changes so fast. So I mean, for me it's, you know, it's draining. But I think you, you kind of become accustomed to waking up in the morning and saying, what's, what's this day going to bring? And, you know, I'm ready for it.

[Daniel]

Yeah, it sounds like what I'm gathering here is Lombardi Interiors really continues to create that personalized touch and individual to the client, to the customer, which I love that. I think you're right. I think there's so many companies that.

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[Daniel]

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[Daniel]

Focus on mass sales and it's not personalized enough anymore. You can't ever get ahold of anybody. It's quite frustrating. I'm like you. I like to pick up the phone and call somebody and I can barely ever get ahold of anyone with any company. I'm even going through it right now with a large company and it's really frustrating. So I'm glad that you've continued to maintain this for your customers, which makes sense as to why that you've continued with the company for so long. So if, if you want to get in touch with you, Robert, they want to find out more information about the company. They want to maybe get in touch with you personally. How can they do so?

[Rob Lombardi]

They could go to my LinkedIn page and look me up there. That would be probably the first step. And you know, feel free to contact me and touch base through there and I'd be happy to answer any questions and help anybody I can.

[Daniel]

Well, Rob, this has been amazing. I super appreciate your time today and all that you've been doing. I learned a lot and you know, I hope in 20, 30 years from now I could say my business has survived. I mean, that is incredible. And all the people that you're impacting, from the employees to the customers, I'm sure they also are super appreciative of everything you do. And I'm, I'm very, very interested to talk to more people who are in tennis and how that's transitioned over as a solo sport into business. I'm, I'm super interested in that. But thank you so much for joining us today on Founders Story.

[Rob Lombardi]

Thank you. I appreciate it, Daniel. Have a good day.

[AT&T Representative]

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