River City Six: George Hefley
Achievement Unlimited, Inc. (www.successisahabit.com) is a locally owned and operated leadership development company working in partnership with all types of clients across the Omaha Metro and nationwide. George Hefley is the Vice President of Achievement Unlimited, Inc.
Tell us a little about your business.
We work with organizations to help them increase profitability, and we work with people to help them achieve professional and personal success. We offer a lineup of educational training courses and materials designed to help business owners, managers, and salespeople long after the training process ends.
How did you get started in the business?
Achievement Unlimited Inc. was founded in 1994 by Rose Mary Hefley. It was originally established to meet the needs of SMBs who wanted to improve their leadership/management skills and supporting processes. Although we’ve adapted to meet the needs of our growing client base over the years and expanded our offerings accordingly, this has remained our primary focus.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Promotion and capitalization of new concepts and integrated systems. Creating and attracting capital for new ventures is always a daunting task.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Assisting entrepreneurs in creating and growing business opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing, distribution, and service industries.
Tell us a little about your family.
My wife, Rose Mary, and I have two daughters and five grandchildren who all reside in the Washington, D.C. area. We also have a foreign exchange daughter who came to Nebraska in 1992 from the Czech Republic and is now a U.S. citizen living here in Omaha.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Surviving cancer. It’s been eight years now.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Auto restoration and road trips.
What are you the most proud of?
Aside from being a part of building a successful business alongside my wife, it’s been the work I’ve done for and with other cancer survivors.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be careful what you wish for.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
FUN!
If you had a theme song, what would it be?
I’m a Believer by Neil Diamond
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To cure cancer.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to carry a tune.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
A Time to Heal. It’s a cancer support group that provides support, education, and empowerment to cancer survivors and their caregivers.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough.
What is your favorite movie?
Doctor Zhivago.
What is your favorite TV show?
The Gong Show; also an oldie but a goodie!
What is your favorite local restaurant?
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Carl Jung.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 880-5046; Email: George@successisahabit.com; Website: www.successisahabit.com.