Mark Miller is president of Osso Miller Pacific, a general contracting company that provides construction management services, including scheduling, design management, entitlements and concept estimating and specializes in the commercial and medical markets.
VITALS
Name: Mark B. Miller.
Title: President.
Company: Osso Miller Pacific.
Company address: 8400 N. Magnolia Ave., Santee.
Company phone: 619-449-0633.
Year founded: 2005.
Prior business experience: Project manager for CRSS Constructors, working throughout the West Coast and the Middle East; senior project manager for Barnhart; director of project management at the former Burnham Real Estate and director of construction at the former Koll Real Estate Group.
Average hours worked weekly: 50.
Source of startup capital: Small Business Administration loan.
2008 forecasted revenue: $7 million.
2007 revenue: $2.5 million.
2006 revenue: $4 million.
Number of employees: Nine.
Web site: Ossomillerpacific.com.
BACKGROUND/PERSONAL
Birthplace: Downey.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree, California State University at Fresno; M.B.A., University of Phoenix.
Age: 44.
Current residence: El Cajon.
Family: Wife, Martha; daughters, Erin and Kerra.
What are the biggest achievements in life aside from your business? Serving as a naval officer.
What is the biggest lesson you have ever learned? Never place someone else in charge of your business development.
Best part about working in San Diego: Weather is great for construction work.
JUDGMENT CALLS
Reason for getting into business: After getting my M.B.A., I found it increasingly difficult to work for someone else.
What need, in your industry, did you perceive was unmet? A smaller contractor with a broad range of services and experience typically found with a larger contractor.
How did you see you could do better than others already in your field? With my background in project management and real estate development, in addition to construction, I knew that I could provide more than just construction services.
How I plan to grow the business? Focused growth and steady increase of project dollar values. We are also very selective about new hires and number of projects we chase.
Greatest advantage of owning your own business: Ability to identify new opportunities and develop new markets.
Smartest business decision: Developing health care market.
Largest risk: Growing work outside of San Diego County.
Significant business mistake: Not purging the company of nonproducing employees sooner.
Toughest career decision: Taking the leap into business ownership.
Biggest ongoing challenge: I know the company I want OMP to be. The ongoing challenge is to stay on course to become that company.
The most important part of my business: Ensuring that employees are continuously challenged and always have the opportunity to grow as professionals.
My business works best when: When I don’t get in the way.
Best way to stay competitive: Never lose sight of what is important to the client and market diversity.
How I measure success: Watching employees grow in their professional capacity.
GOALS
Goals yet to be achieved: LEED professional accreditation for key employees.
My five-year business plan: Increase retail and health care market penetration. Continue to grow into other Southern California markets.
I would sell my business only if: I could get a contract with a professional bicycle racing team. Probably not going to happen.
FIELD OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Any advice you would like to give new entrepreneurs? Realize that the success of your venture is paramount. Do not let outside influences deter you from the focused and disciplined execution of your plan for success.
