After merging his mortgage company with Dundee Bank in 2007, Joe began looking for a new opportunity to pursue. At that time, social media had just emerged as a new phenomena. Extensive research led him to believe that this was a great opportunity. After two years of helping small businesses ease into the realm of social media, he partnered with a video producer and launched V180 Media. V180 Media is a video production and New Media strategy company. They help entrepreneurs and non-profits share their story on the Internet to generate more business and create more impact. They focus on three areas when they help share their client’s stories using New Media: Strategy, Content, and Traffic.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge was being an owner of a mortgage business when the economy turned South a few years ago. Growing and nurturing a successful business, and then watching it get kicked around by the economy, is a very difficult thing to take.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Starting all over at age 37 with an idea for a brand new concept and seeing that idea turn into a viable, growing business during one of the toughest economic times.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Amy and I just celebrated 15 years of marriage. We have four wonderful children ages 6-12. Last year they were all in elementary school together and I had the most precious experience ever of being able to take them to school and pick them up every day at my alma mater, Loveland Elementary.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When I made the decision in 2001 to be an entrepreneur for the rest of my life.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I don’t ever really take days off, but I do enjoy vacations with the family to places I’ve never been before.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I have a degree in Chemical Engineering.
What are you the most proud of? – My children.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – You can always choose your attitude no matter what the situation.
What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish? – Start a social entrepreneurship fund to invest in sustainable non-profits.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Time travel.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I’m really fast.
Which talent would you most like to have? – Programming skills.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Atlas Shrugged
What is your favorite movie? – The Godfather
What is your favorite TV show? – Mad Men
What is your favorite local restaurant? – La Casa Pizza
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Pamela Anderson
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – joe@v180media.com or @omahajoe on Twitter.