Timothy Lantz
Founder/president
Pantheon BC
6020 S. Buckhorn Ave., Suite 207, Cudahy, WI 53110
Industry: Business/management consulting
Number of employees: 4
Family: Wife, Megan; daughter, Chloe; and dog, Maria.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“I think the smartest thing we did in the past year was simply being open to new opportunities. We were presented with opportunities to apply our core services at different phases of the business cycle – start-up and M&A – that were not originally planned. These projects created new revenue streams and allowed us to greatly expand our client service offerings, while remaining consistent with our mission, vision and overall business plan.”
What’s new at your company?
“Because we are still a very young firm, I can honestly say that everything is pretty new. The biggest development right now is the launch of BC University, the educational arm of Pantheon BC. BCU will host its first ‘semester’ of workshops beginning this August. Classes are targeted at small and micro business owners, and will focus on teaching fundamental business practices related to strategy, finance, sales and management. Attendees will then apply these practices directly to their businesses during the sessions with the support of our staff.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We plan to add additional staff conservatively, as justified by our continued sales growth and utilization. Since December 2009 we’ve added a full-time consultant, a satellite office in Waukesha, and completely redesigned our website. We are currently evaluating some potential investments in 2011 that would allow PBC to
expand its geographic reach, but our primary focus will continue to be client service in existing areas and markets, and ensuring the successful launch and early growth of the BC University program.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“I’m anticipating the same basic challenges that every young company has. We have to work hard to grow sales, build infrastructure, continue to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace and, most importantly, continue to drive great results for our clients.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Like many sectors, I think the hottest trend right now in our industry is social media. A lot of small business consultants and other service providers are making the move into social media to connect to prospective customers and to try to rapidly establish credibility.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“I’ve heard some great ones over the years, but if I had to distill them down into a single philosophy it would be this: Serve your stakeholders, produce results, act with integrity, and continuously strive for balance.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“I’m extremely grateful that I have been able to meet and learn from many talented and inspiring people throughout my career. Andy Ziegler, of Artisan Partners and Erin Hills, is definitely one of the people I look up to most when it comes to business. I’ve been fortunate enough to know Andy on a personal level, but also to work on a small project for him. I learned a lot from that experience, especially about the value of assembling the right team of people within an organization and then empowering them to use their talents and abilities to the fullest extent.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. Everything is small stuff.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“I was assigned to a project at a hospital in Texas, and I came up with an incentive program for the department we were working with. If they hit the goal, my whole team would come to work dressed up like contestants from American Idol. They hit the goal and we dressed up. I went as Bo Bice, who had just come in second to Carrie Underwood that season, but when I got to work, people actually thought I was him! I couldn’t make it to a meeting without someone stopping me in the hall for an autograph or photo op.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I try to stay active and spend as much time as possible with my family and friends. I’m a surfer, snowboarder, soccer player and runner. My wife and I love to travel – I’ve surfed breaks in nine states and in three foreign countries. I also coach youth soccer and high school track. I’ve been playing drums since I was a kid and even though I’m not in a band anymore, I still practice pretty regularly and indulge in the occasional jam session. I even sat in with the band at my own wedding for a song.”
