Bob Schlegel - Angels and Entrepreneurs: A Lifestyle Formula for Starting Your Own Business and Riding the Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

Advance Praise for
Angels and Entrepreneurs

My wife and I have been dear friends with Bob and Myrna Schlegel for more than twenty-five years, dating back to my days filming the Walker, Texas Ranger television series in Dallas. In fact, our twins were ring bearers at his oldest daughters wedding. Although Bob has yet to master my signature roundhouse kick, he has many other talents. Ive watched him grow his very successful companies over the years and he is truly a natural born entrepreneur. And so, this book is a great resource for others nourishing an entrepreneurial spirit as well as a philanthropic heart and the desire to use their God-given talents to serve others. Angels and Entrepreneurs will inspire you and light the way for you!

Chuck Norris

I know talent when I see it. Talent is great. But what really separates talent from success is perseverance, determination, and hard work. Bob is the perfect example of that. He took his God-given strengths and worked hard, never giving up when things were challenging. In this book, Bob coaches you through some tough plays and shares what he has learned through his wins and losses. He is a man of great character, strength, and generosity as evidenced in the stories throughout this book. This book is a WIN!

Jerry Jones, Owner, President and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys

Angels and Entrepreneurs is an inspiring book sharing the lessons learned and ups and downs all entrepreneurs will inevitably face while navigating business, relationships, and life. A must-read, not only to learn how to make money and be successful in business, but also how to build a life filled with gratitude and healthy relationships.

Jim Treliving, member of Dragons Den and owner of Boston Pizza North American Franchisor

A must-read inspirational journey on the road of life. A story of love, passion, and perseveranceand the American Dream!

Jeffrey A. Rich, former CEO of Affiliated Computer Systems (ACS)

My friend Bob Schlegel tells it like it is. If youve ever thought of becoming an entrepreneur or if you are just curious about what makes entrepreneurs do what they do, this is a must-read. If you are already an entrepreneur, you can take Bobs hard-earned lessons to the bank.

Craig Hall, Real Estate and Wine Entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author

I may be biased because I count Bob and Myrna among my closest friends, but Bobs life story of drive, tenacity, and self-reliance is a wonderful story. Entrepreneurs are a fascinating breed, and I never tire of hearing their inspiring examples of hard work and determination. It is incumbent upon all of us to cultivate and nurture the entrepreneurial drive in others, for they are our future.

Trisha Wilson, Founder and retired CEO of Wilson Associates Hospitality Design Firm, and the Wilson Foundation

Angels and Entrepreneurs is the perfect title for a Bob Schlegel bookbecause he is both! The consummate angel and entrepreneur, Bob has never known a stranger or a failure. Every stranger is turned into a friend, and every failure into a learning experience. Bob has served as an inspiration to me and will be a guiding light, both personally and professionally, for all who read the book.

Jim Keyes, Jim Keyes, Retired CEO 7-Eleven Corporation and founder, Education is Freedom Foundation

For more than two decades, I have watched Bob successfully balance the integrated aspects of faith, family, and business. This book is inspiring in that it captures the essence of the building blocks of his success including his roots, his perseverance, and his indomitable spirit.

Brian Derksen, CPA Retired Deputy CEO, Deloitte

Growing hugely successful companies while always putting his family first, Bob Schlegels entrepreneurial journey and well-rounded lifestyle has long been an inspiration to me. Bob has given me valuable advice in business, relationships, family, and more. This book filled with his and Myrnas stories and lessons will help readers pave the path of successful and meaningful entrepreneurship.

Jeff Sinelli, Founder and Chief Vibe Officer, Which Wich Superior Sandwiches

A SAVIO REPUBLIC BOOK

An Imprint of Post Hill Press

ISBN: 978-1-63758-151-3

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-63758-152-0

Angels and Entrepreneurs:

A Lifestyle Formula for Starting Your Own Business and Riding the Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

2022 by Bob Schlegel

All Rights Reserved

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the personal and professional advice present within this book is useful and appropriate, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any person, business, or organization choosing to employ the guidance offered in this book. This is a work of nonfiction. All people, locations, events, and situations are portrayed to the best of the authors memory.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

posthillpress.com

New York Nashville

Published in the United States of America

This book is dedicated to my father, a natural born entrepreneur even if he never used the term, and to my mother who pushed me to go beyond my dream of being a gas station pump jockey, and complete high school and college instead. And finally, also to my wife/business partner and our entrepreneurial children. Without their inspiration and encouragement this book would not exist.

Table of Contents

After more than thirty years building two industry-leading businesses from the ground up, my wife Myrna and I found all that wed worked so hard to accomplish threatened by our bankers and their lawyers in 2009.

Two factors beyond our control had brought the wolves to our door. A surprise government ruling halted our plan to sell our most successful start-up, the landscape materials manufacturer Pavestone Company, for $540 million. Then, the Great Recession hit, dramatically driving down the value of that company.

I had borrowed more than $200 million in loans that were partially guaranteed by me personally. I used that money to finance the growth of Pavestone, which included the construction of sixteen concrete plants across the country. When the federal government stopped the sale and then the global economy plunged, the banks began demanding their money and threatening to seize everything we owned. It was a perfect storm!

We were blindsided and sent reeling by this one-two punch. Myrna and I will always remember this as the most challenging period of our lives.

I refused to declare bankruptcy out of a sense of obligation and honor. We had to sell off other businesses that wed built with our children to help them in their own entrepreneurial careers. We also cut back on our philanthropy.

We fought through it, rose above it, and got over it. Thanks to the angels in our lives.

I will write in much greater depth about that epic struggle and ultimate victory in our familys entrepreneurial career later in this book. I shared a bit of that story here because I want you to understand that my goal is to provide you with a full understanding of both the ups and downs of creating, building, and owning your own businesses.

My family and I have had a blast, and we are still deeply involved in entrepreneurial endeavors that, most recently, have been challenged by the global pandemic, as well as all of the economic upheaval that has accompanied it in the dawn of a new decade.