Florin Ilie is the Founder of After5.io. Florin is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Florin Ilie and I were founders of a very successful startup together, and I am delighted to have Florin join us for our Leaders Roundtable series. Florin has become a leader in helping companies solve problems with unique and innovative technology solutions.
Florin provides the leadership and energy that has inspired his newest creation of After5.io. Florin Ilie joins other leading Founders taking part in our well regarded Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Florin join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
and achieve their dreams.
Florin, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day at After5.IO to answer our questions about leadership, and entrepreneurship.
1. Florin, please tell us about After5.io. What is the elevator pitch?
After5.io is a community driven network of software and marketing professionals for hire as consultants, contractors, and teams. Professionals join us to expand their network and opportunities, grow their professional careers, while diversifying and supplementing their income. Small businesses join us to gain access to qualified and experienced talent which is often times out of reach when competing with today’s tech giants.
2. What is the one thing that makes After5.io amazing for its clients?
The exceptional talent available as individual contributors or as established, proven teams available on demand.
3. Florin, you have had great success as an entrepreneur. Please tell us what is the key to being a great entrepreneur?
Drive. Passion. Tolerance for uncertainty. A personal mission. Gotta love money.
4. Florin, you have successfully started many excellent ventures. What is the best advice can you give to a young entrepreneur just starting out with a new venture?
Do something you love. In my experience, the amount of time, focus, and consistent, grinding work financial “success” requires is astonishingly high. The stress and number of things you have to give up in your life are off the charts. I don’t know how anyone would be able to do it if they don’t absolutely love what they do and don’t love money.
5. What is the one thing that you, as a person, want to be known for?
Empowering people to own their professional and financial lives. In my fantasy world every person would be a “business owner”, able to retain the equity and good will they create and be in a position to leave a legacy to their families.
6. When building a startup business, what is the one most important thing to keep in mind at all times?
For the type of businesses I build: delight customers while turning a profit.
7. When hiring employees, what is the one most important thing you look for?
The one thing we don’t do at after5 at this time is hire employees. We do hire contractors however. The first thing I’m looking for is passion for their craft. I’m looking for people who absolutely love what they do and have a genuine passion for it.
8. What is your “Why”? Why do you get up in the morning?
- Take care of my family
- Do what I love while making money
- Make some people happy: the clients and the people I work with
- Leave a legacy to my family and the people I serve
- Enjoy the fruits of my labor
9. What is the one thing that makes a great company?
People working there are happy, customers are delighted, all the while making a positive impact on their communities and the world as a whole.
10. What is the one thing that makes a great leader?
Love. Genuinely caring about people.
Florin Ilie, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We appreciate you participating in this important roundtable interview series, and helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course After5.io, nothing but the best.
Thanks again!
