Nichol Holwege, Program Manager is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Nichol provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of successful business and real estate empire.
Nichol Holwege joins other leading Bestselling Authors, International Speakers & entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Nichol join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Q: Let us start by telling us about your business.
Maple Lake Academy is a residential treatment center specializing in their work with adolescents on the autistic spectrum. Our students are high functioning and come to us from all over the country. Maple Lake Academy is a private placement having most clients placed with us by their parent(s). Maple Lake Academy has a fully accredited high school and is accredited by Cognia. Maple Lake Academy also works with adolescents suffering from depression, anxiety, OCD, family relationship issues, and academic struggles. Our typical client is a highly anxious child on the autistic spectrum struggling in day to day life with social skills, life skills and in academics.
Q: Please tell us how you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
Maple Lake Academy individualizes their approach for each client based on that client’s needs. We are not a once size fits all program. We really take time to approach each client individually based on need. Our therapists are all master or doctorate level professionals with several years of experience. We not only treat the individual client, but we work with the entire family unit.
Q: Please tell us the one thing that separates your business from the competition.
Maple Lake Academy truly is the expert program when it comes to working with adolescents in this setting on the autistic spectrum. We were one of the first programs of its kind in the nation when we opened organized in 2003 and opened our doors in 2005.
Q: And to finish this section, please tell us what the one major key to your company’s success is?
Highly trained experts working with adolescents on the autistic spectrum. We train our professionals and our residential staff continuously. Maple Lake Academy uses the attachment model as we work with our clients.
Q: For our readers just starting to build a company, what advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?
Be patient. And, your number one priority should always be the client and their needs.
Q: For entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what big piece of advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?
Don’t be reactive. Slow down and respond with care.
Q: In today’s fast changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?
Sometimes it is difficult. Take time for self so that you are available to your clients and your employees to meet their needs.
Q: What is your “Why”? In one sentence, why do you get up in the morning?
I get up and go to work because this is what I am passionate about. Seeing the students/clients make change and become successful, happy teenages is very rewarding. Seeing families who were once struggling and so unhappy to become a family that is smiling, having fun, communicating, and enjoying one another is an experience that makes me happy and keeps me moving forward.
Q: In one sentence, what is the most important thing one has to do to be a great leader?
Listening and seeking information is critical.
Q: In one sentence, describe how important your customers are to your business?
I love our clients and they truly become a part of the Maple Lake Academy family.
Q: In one sentence, describe a positive way that technology can make the world a better place?
Technology makes everything better from communication, timeliness, organization, ability to be on the go while taking care of business.
Q: In one sentence, tell us how something positive to motivate our readers?
Life is busy and hectic at times. Slow down and take time for self care.
Q: In one sentence, tell us how you start your day to get ready?
Heading to the gym, reading a positive affirmation for the day, prayer, and taking time for my morning routine is critical.
Q: In one sentence, describe how you handle rejection and setback?
Rejection is difficult. If I know I am living right, living by my morals and standards with integrity and doing my best then I have to let go of the rest.
Q: In one sentence, describe what your hiring philosophy is?
Looking at potential and ability to learn and grow with the company. There are some very talented people we have hired who didn’t come to us with lots of experience. As long as one is willing to learn we are willing to give them a chance.
Q: In one sentence, describe how you keep your sanity in a competitive business environment?
Focus on my goals for the company, not worry so much about what everyone else is doing or not doing.
Nichol Holwege, 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 your entire business, nothing but the best.
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