Meet Joe Miklosi | CEO of Bridge Consulting, Former Colorado Representative & International Development Executive

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Miklosi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is an integral part of my business and life philosophy. I was fortunate to have been raised by two loving parents who continually inspired me to always believe in myself and to take risks. The Silicon Valley motto of encouraging failure by taking risks plays an important role in the mindset of any successful entrepreneur. We all fear failure but if your perspective includes an acceptance and understanding that you will occasionally fail after taking risks – you don’t experience feeling too low. You learn from the experience. I’ve played golf my entire life. One of favorite quotes was from golf legend Tom Watson. Tom said he expects to hit three bad shots in an 18-hole round of golf. When he hits a bad shot, he is able to quickly recover his proper mindset to hit the next shot well. That’s an important perspective that is applicable to every entrepreneur. I’ve never been a fan of “rah-rah” coaching. I prefer practical coaching. But we can all learn one or two golden nuggets from any leadership course. Recently, a friend taught me the concept that we all have a superpower or super skill. Mine is determination. I enjoy when a prospective client tells me no. It motivates me to contact a dozen other prospective clients. I used to serve in the Colorado State House of Representatives. To this day, it’s the most interesting and challenging job I’ve ever had. I knocked on over 40,000 doors of voters asking for their vote and listening to their concerns. I’ve never forgotten this skill of determination and to learn how to be a better listener.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’ve had a diverse career. I’ve helped start a software company, worked for President Bill Clinton, served four years in the Colorado State House of Representatives, ran for U.S. Congress, and worked in the nonprofit sector in 35 developing nations on both health care and agriculture international development projects to reduce poverty. I wanted to start a consulting company that combined my diverse interests, skills, and professional experiences. My motto is that takes the time, talent, and treasure from the government, business and nonprofit sectors to solve today’s most challenging obstacles. In 2015, I created Bridge Consulting – a Public Benefit Corporation – to capitalize on my diverse, multi-sector work experience. Bridge Consulting, B-Corp. is a full-service consulting company that provides international business consulting; public policy, government relations, and lobbying consulting, and nonprofit fundraising, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and public-private partnership (PPP) consulting services to a variety of domestic and international nonprofits and small businesses. No are no get-rich quick schemes. Success stems from the fundamentals of hard work, being both strategic and practical, hiring people smarter than you, never giving up, being creative, sticking to your values but be open minded enough to weigh competing values, and taking your work – not yourself – seriously.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I would encourage a friend to visit Colorado in March so they could ski and golf in the same day – a cool Colorado tradition. Next, we would go to the Lincoln’s Road House – the best dive bar in the history of the world. Lincoln’s Road House serves the best cajun food in Colorado. On weekends, Lincoln’s Road House hosts talented jazz and blues bands touring through Denver. Live music in an intimate setting is the best! Then we would visit the Clifford Still museum in Denver. My ex-wife and good friend, Jennifer, still gives a fantastic tour at the museum. Jackson Pollock received all of the headlines in the 1950’s but Clifford Still was more talented. Prepare to be impressed. Finally, we would take a road trip because the best conversations happen on road trips or on a hike. We would visit the eastern plains of Colorado and stop by quaint and forgotten little towns like La Junta. The eastern plains of Colorado quiets my restless soul.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe everything to my mother. She had a horrible childhood and spent years in an orphanage. She never lost her sense of hope and she instilled that in me. When I was a young boy, she used to yell out the door as I walked to school that “I love you more than a million dollars and you can do anything you set your mind too!” I thought that was normal until I aged and realized that most folks don’t grow up in that kind of supportive, positive environment. I wish every kid could experience that type of love. It’s the most empowering thing in the world.

Website: www.BridgeConsulting.info

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