From recognizing the essence of running a “real business” to the significance of clear goals and effective execution, Turknett Leadership Group’s President & CEO, Tino Matella, has immense wisdom to share with other entrepreneurs. 

Although not the founder of his company, Tino has always had a passion for growth and impact: something that’s clear through his pursuits and accomplishments as a CEO. Discover the challenges, successes, and aspirations that drive Tino’s commitment to making a difference in the world of leadership development.

What are three things every Entrepreneur should know?

Number one for Tino is the importance of being in a business that is a “real business.” Tino expanded on this by saying that entrepreneurs should recognize that they are running a legitimate business that serves a real need in the community or the world. Understanding the value you add is essential for long-term success.

The second thing is having clarity on your goals as well as commitment to them. Entrepreneurship is heavy lifting. You need to have a clear understanding of what you truly want to achieve and be prepared to put in the effort and dedication required to do so.

Lastly, Tino mentioned the importance of a solid business plan and be able to execute on it. Having a well-thought-out business plan is crucial. However, it’s equally important to be able to execute that plan effectively – something we’ve heard before on Entrepreneur Stories. 

Entrepreneurial success often hinges on your ability to not only strategize but also implement said strategies successfully.

Additionally, Tino emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people who can fill the gaps and provide expertise in areas where you may lack knowledge or experience – another piece of advice we’ve come across before, making it especially pertinent. 

This becomes even more critical when you need to seek venture capital, private equity, or other forms of investment, as external stakeholders will expect sound decision-making and effective execution.

What problem does your business solve and who are its customers?

Although Tino didn’t start the company that he is now President and CEO of, Turknett Leadership Group, as it has been around for 36 years already, he loves the opportunity to grow things and saw immense growth potential in this company which inspired him to get involved with it. 

Turknett Leadership Group is an all-inclusive leadership development company that focuses on solving the problem of unleashing the potential in people’s teams and companies, using a model called the Leadership Character Model

It provides services in four key areas, namely coaching, learning and development, strategy, and culture work. They offer coaching services to help individuals and teams develop their leadership skills and capabilities while assisting organizations in cultivating a positive and effective workplace culture. The company provides learning and development programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals within an organization. Strategic planning and consulting services are also offered to help companies develop and implement effective strategies for growth and improvement.

The customers of Tino’s business are companies and organizations looking to enhance their leadership capabilities, improve their workplace culture, invest in the professional development of their employees, and develop and execute effective strategies for growth.

What inspired you to become an Entrepreneur?

Tino Mantella’s inspiration to become an entrepreneur can be traced back to his strong drive for growth and purpose, as mentioned above. He initially ventured into the nonprofit sector because of a passion for making a positive impact on people’s lives and communities at large. He had a background working with neglected children during college which led him to pursue a career in nonprofit organizations.

In these nonprofit roles, Tino realized that many of the principles of entrepreneurship could be applied to both for-profit and nonprofit ventures to achieve success. He held leadership positions in various nonprofit organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation, a technology association, a park district, and a leadership development company.

In each of these roles, Tino experienced significant growth and was able to make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities.

Tino’s transition to the for-profit world with his current leadership development company allowed him to continue making a positive impact while also growing revenue and margins. He found fulfillment in the testimonials from clients who credited their coaching and the services provided by his company for their career advancements and personal growth.

Looking back and knowing what you know now, would you have changed anything about how you ran the companies you worked with?

In some cases, Tino would definitely have spent capital slightly differently, a lot of times around people-orientation and people skills. Ten to fifteen years ago there was more of a commanding control style of leadership. Now organizations tend to talk about the balance between respect and responsibility. 

When Tino first became CEO, there was more of a culture of “I’m the CEO, you have to learn what I think is important and follow suit.” Knowing how this culture would shift, and being a lifelong learner himself, Tino would have adjusted the way he interacted with people within the organizations. 

Essentially, he would’ve adjusted the way he led the companies in order to ensure the right balance between respect and responsibility as a leader.

What is your proudest accomplishment as an Entrepreneur?

Tino Mantella’s proudest accomplishment as an entrepreneur occurred when he was running the YMCA in Chicago, following the Rodney King riots when there were concerns about the potential spread of unrest to Illinois and Chicago.

Tino and his team had access to grant money, and they took the initiative to bring together various nonprofit organizations in one place to collaborate on addressing the situation. They were responsible for coordinating efforts to combat the issues arising from the riots and social unrest.

One specific program they implemented was to pay individuals with some affiliation to gangs (not through-and-through members) for the removal of graffiti from buildings – even if they were the ones responsible for the graffiti. This approach provided these individuals with a source of income, a sense of responsibility, as well as a feeling of giving back to their community.

The impact of their efforts was remarkable: during the summer they ran the program, there were no gang-related murders in the troubled area of Chicago, known as Logan Square. Tino highlights this achievement as one of his proudest moments as an entrepreneur because it represents a tangible and positive impact on people’s lives and a large community that needed support and camaraderie.

What big goals are you looking to achieve?

Tino’s primary aim is to significantly increase his company’s impact over the next five years, specifically targeting a 200% growth in metrics such as revenue, the number of people served, and global reach. 

Maintaining a high Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 80 is another top priority, reflecting their dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences as everyone has to rate them between 90 and 100. Serving their customers while maintaining a solid financial income is a big goal for the company.

Furthermore, Tino and his team are introducing an online program called “Foundations of Leadership Character,” designed to promote their leadership character model and the values of balancing perspective and responsibility. Their mission is to successfully launch this program and encourage companies to adopt it. 

Tino Mantella’s journey is one of purpose, growth, and making a lasting difference. WHat is your entrepreneurial journey comprised of? What have you learned along the way? What would you have done differently? We can’t wait to chat about it! Get in touch with us today to share your own Entrepreneur Story.