Mike Sullivan, president and owner of Southeast Sealing Inc. in the Peach State, runs a tight ship and shares how he built his company through hard work and a dedicated focus.
Name: Mike Sullivan
Business: Southeast Sealing Inc.
Employees: 15-18
How did you become a small business owner and why?
I was selling industrial cleaning supplies to small businesses along with large firms like A&P and some larger companies. I was making my calls on the folks that had their own companies, and I realized I was born to be one of them. I just needed to figure out a way to have a business.
What makes Georgia a good place for your business?
I’ll tell ya, the airport. Over 50 percent of our business is retail stores and that’s polishing concrete, dyeing concrete, staining it, reconditioning and putting down concrete toppings on floors. We do this across the entire United States. So we have an airport that is right here and we can get anywhere in just a few hours—except Hawaii, which, you know, takes a while. There’s not another city where you could operate a business like ours and have the ability to get to so many cities.
How has NFIB helped you run your business?
I think the one thing about them helping me is that their voice is heard, their voice is loud and it has an impact. Without NFIB, companies like mine would probably be regulated out of business.
What advice do you have for other small business owners?
If you start a business, don’t think it’s going to be 40 hours per week. Just don’t even dream of that if you want to be successful. In the first 10 years of Southeast Sealing, I missed my son’s birthday parties, I missed my daughter’s birthday parties, I missed Valentine’s Day and taking my wife to dinner. I worked on New Year’s Eve. I worked on Christmas Day. I was just plowing ahead and thank God I made it. So, if you’re not willing to do that, then this is not for you. There’s a price to pay to get to where we are today.
What do you like to do off the clock?
I love two things in life besides my family. That’s a good golf course and driving a four-wheeler in the desert.
