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Nickolaus, Founder & CEO at Konnekted Coworking: Advize Career Interview
A dynamic career journey, marked by adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit, is showcased by Konnekted Coworking's Founder & CEO. The path included diverse roles in security, real estate, and the restaurant industry, culminating in launching a coworking business amidst pandemic challenges and while pursuing an MBA. The interview reveals a demanding yet rewarding CEO role focused on team leadership, securing funding, and navigating the high-stakes real estate sector.
Success, according to this individual, requires focus, effective communication, and a willingness to learn and delegate, balancing ambition with self-awareness.
The interview offers valuable advice for students, emphasizing the importance of networking, proactively managing mental health, and understanding that a serious approach to college yields significant future rewards.
This individual's journey highlights the power of adapting to challenges, learning from mistakes, and developing a leadership style focused on empowering others.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Nickolaus Violin
Founder & CEO
Konnekted Coworking
Cal State Northridge, 2017
UCAL Anderson | MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Marketing
Real Estate
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path Of A Founder And CEO At Konnekted Coworking
Nickolaus's career path showcases adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit; after a full-time job and then working in the restaurant industry while attending college, Nickolaus transitioned through roles in security, real estate development ("I always wanted to be in the real estate sector"), and finally, launching a coworking business ("a new kind of approach to the coworking model") amidst pandemic-related financial challenges and while pursuing an MBA at UCLA. This demonstrates a willingness to pivot and build upon prior experiences to create their own opportunities.
Main Responsibilities of a Founder and CEO at Konnekted Coworking
As Founder & CEO, Nickolaus oversees all aspects of Konnekted Coworking, from "internal operational planning" and technology management to design, events, and securing a physical location. The most insightful part of the interview reveals a strong focus on team leadership and building a positive culture, stating that "the most important part of my job...is managing the team and making sure that I remain a good leader".
A Day In The Life Of A Founder And CEO At Konnekted Coworking
Nickolaus's day, as Founder & CEO of Konnekted Coworking, begins with a cold plunge and prioritizing communication with the COO about the physical space; the remainder of the day involves ongoing research, networking with investors ("VCs, angels"), and managing communications, reflecting a shift from administrative tasks to securing funding and expansion.
Most Important Skills for a Founder and CEO at Konnekted Coworking
For a CEO, "focus, time management, commitment, and patience" are paramount, especially given the constant demands and lack of external direction; the ability to delegate and make quick, informed decisions based on summarized information, rather than mastering every skill personally, is key to success in this role.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Founder And CEO At Konnekted Coworking
Nickolaus, Founder & CEO at Konnekted Coworking, finds the greatest fulfillment in "making things happen," citing "little wins" like closing deals and overcoming obstacles with their team as euphoric experiences. A key aspect of this enjoyment stems from mentoring and supporting their co-founder and team, fostering growth and confidence—a contrast to their own "rub some dirt on it" upbringing, highlighting a leadership style focused on empowerment.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Founder And CEO At Konnekted Coworking
Nickolaus, Founder & CEO of Konnekted Coworking, identifies "focus" as the biggest challenge in his current role, largely due to ADHD and the constant need to prioritize competing demands; the interviewee further speculates that for CEOs with families, "time management and focus" become paramount, highlighting the crucial balance between career demands and personal life.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Coworking Industry as a Founder and CEO
Nickolaus enjoys the "people facing" aspect of the coworking industry, finding fulfillment in "understanding what drives people" and using this insight to better serve their company and staff. The high stakes involved in real estate, with its "expensive endeavor" and significant financial risks, also appeal to their competitive spirit and drive for high performance.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Real Estate Industry According To A Founder And CEO At Konnekted Coworking
Konnekted Coworking's Founder & CEO, Nickolaus, identifies "driven, outgoing, ambitious, and communicative" individuals as thriving in the high-stakes real estate industry, emphasizing the importance of consistent communication and networking, even if it involves "doing things you may not otherwise wanna do." Success requires a proactive, long-term vision, with a willingness to "work, put in the extra time," understanding that delayed gratification leads to future rewards.
What a Founder and CEO at Konnekted Coworking Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Coworking Industry
Nickolaus, Founder & CEO of Konnekted Coworking, learned that the overwhelming feeling of being "so clueless" is common, wishing someone had advised them on managing those moments. The interviewee's advice is to proactively plan for mental breaks, countering the pressure of always "being moving, always be doing," as this approach to work is unsustainable for most.
Entry Level Positions for Aspiring Professionals
Nickolaus, Founder & CEO of Konnekted Coworking, believes "almost anything can be entry-level if you're willing to come in with the attitude that I'll learn," citing roles like marketing, accounting, sales, and customer service as readily accessible to undergraduates. The key, according to Nickolaus, is demonstrating a willingness to learn, accept instruction and criticism ("expect that you're gonna fail, expect you're gonna do things wrong and be fine"), and possess traits like ambition and a strong work ethic, which outweighs the lack of extensive prior experience.
Significant Career Lesson From a Founder and CEO at Konnekted Coworking
Nickolaus, Founder & CEO of Konnekted Coworking, learned the significant career lesson of mastering "the right thing to say and the right time to say it," illustrating this with a past experience where telling a superior to "get your ego in check" prematurely ended their professional relationship; this highlighted the importance of choosing words carefully and considering the context and impact before speaking, emphasizing that "once you've said it aloud...you can no longer unsay it."
College Experiences That Helped a Founder and CEO at Konnekted Coworking Succeed
Nickolaus, Founder & CEO of Konnekted Coworking, advises students to approach college with a level of seriousness proportionate to their career goals, emphasizing the importance of "learning, making the right connections," and ensuring a smooth transition into the professional world. The interviewee stresses that while enjoying college is crucial, a serious approach yields a better return on investment, as employers value graduates who transition directly into careers, demonstrating a clear understanding of "what the goal is with college."
How Identity Has Influenced a Founder and CEO at Konnekted Coworking's Career
Nickolaus's tightly wound, high-achieving personality, while driving success, initially led to perfectionism and missed deadlines due to a relentless pursuit of "perfect," requiring a conscious effort to prioritize "getting things done well" over unattainable perfection. This self-awareness, coupled with understanding their outspoken nature, has been crucial for navigating professional relationships, learning to calibrate communication styles and avoid past mistakes like "going off on managers."
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