Why I Hit Pause
Entrepreneur|July/August 2017

My company had grown big—the wrong kind of big. So to survive, I had to strip it all down.

Matt CimagliaMatt Cimaglia
Why I Hit Pause

When I graduated college in 2002, I knew I didn’t want to work for anyone else. So I founded a video production company called Cimaglia Productions. Did I go to business school? No. But I loved making videos, so I went on a campaign to impress every client I could—and, I suspect, won my first contracts by underbidding bigger agencies. Hey, I was just a kid with a camera.

The next 10 years were about growth. I worked with major clients like Mercedes-Benz and Lavazza Coffee, and I created the first-ever high-definition segments for NBC’s Dateline. I said yes to basically every job and hired dozens of full-time cinematographers, editors, and producers. I doubled my company’s size every year for five consecutive years, and I leased an office in Chicago’s bustling downtown.

Denne historien er fra July/August 2017-utgaven av Entrepreneur.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July/August 2017-utgaven av Entrepreneur.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ENTREPRENEURSe alt
The Better Way to Fail
Entrepreneur US

The Better Way to Fail

The next time something you do flops, here's a new way to learn from it.

time-read
3 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
Making the Midlife Leap
Entrepreneur US

Making the Midlife Leap

After getting laid off in her early 50s, Keri Gardner decided she wanted to control her own fate-so she bought a franchise with her 401(k).

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
A Quick Guide to Franchise Ownership Costs
Entrepreneur US

A Quick Guide to Franchise Ownership Costs

Franchising costs money. Here's what everything means.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
This Doughnut Franchise Is Hitting the Road
Entrepreneur US

This Doughnut Franchise Is Hitting the Road

To grow, DonutNV needed a steady supply of delivery trailers. So last year, it started making them itself.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
3 Steps to Find Your Perfect Franchise
Entrepreneur US

3 Steps to Find Your Perfect Franchise

There are many brands out there. Finding the right one is up to you.

time-read
3 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
This Fencing Franchise Is Ready for Growth
Entrepreneur US

This Fencing Franchise Is Ready for Growth

Superior Fence & Rail nearly doubled its sales in one year. How? By stepping back and focusing on fundamentals.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
What Are a Franchisee's Role and Responsibilities?
Entrepreneur US

What Are a Franchisee's Role and Responsibilities?

If you're going to be a franchisee, you should know exactly what's expected of you.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
This Dog-Training Franchise Is Zooming Ahead
Entrepreneur US

This Dog-Training Franchise Is Zooming Ahead

After a rough few years, Zoom Room made major changes...and has emerged as a stronger, faster, very well-behaved business.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
What's the Real Damage?
Entrepreneur US

What's the Real Damage?

Most clean-up companies just fix messes, like fire or flood damage. But 911 Restoration's new CEO saw an opportunity to help with the other emergency they often encounter: customers' emotional trauma.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
Mental Health Services, Franchised
Entrepreneur US

Mental Health Services, Franchised

The U.S. is facing a growing mental health crisis. Ellie Mental Health wants to be the solution.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Fall/Winter 2024