(Newswire.net — July 28, 2021) — Originally from Lima, Peru, Saul Mishkin is a business developer, inventor, father of six, and founder of NEX-XOS Worldwide. Saul studied at the prestigious Universidad de Lima where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. He created his first company, Green Leaf, while still enrolled in school, and developed it into one of the biggest multi-service landscaping and cleaning companies in Peru. After traveling around the world in search of new technologies and equipment for his burgeoning business, Saul Mishkin made some contacts who asked him to start acting as a Latin American trade representative. He agreed, and so began his interest in international trade, commerce, and distribution. Later, he would apply this knowledge to fostering networks in different sectors of the economy, including mining, construction, security, and commodities.
Saul Mishkin immigrated to the United States with his family in 2006 searching for new business opportunities. After a few setbacks, his entrepreneurial instincts took hold, and he founded NEX-XOS Worldwide in 2011. NEX-XOS has steadily grown into one of the leading companies in shelf-stable food manufacturing and meal kit assembly in the United States. Presently, he serves as the company’s president and CEO. Saul is fluent in four languages: Spanish, English, French, and Hebrew.
Let us start by telling us about your business.
To begin with, the business was conceived as a means of accomplishing two goals: one, to feed people in an inexpensive, environmentally sustainable way on a mass scale; and two, to help eliminate food waste, at least in part. All the while making a profit, of course. What we do is the manufacture and distribute shelf-stable foods and meal kits. Over the years, our processes have been refined to the extent that we produce a fraction of the standard waste and are always looking for ways to decrease it. I’m very proud of that.
Please tell us how you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
Our customer retention efforts mainly focus on great customer service, consistent quality, honoring contracts, and delivering exactly what we say we will when we say we will. Because most of our customer base is not made up of individuals, but rather large companies, government entities, and NGOs, we basically do not advertise at all, and our marketing efforts largely center around meeting their practical needs. So, I hope our customers are raving fans, but it’s much more likely that they view us as consistent and reliable.
Please tell us the one thing that separates your business from the competition.
Although there are other companies that do what we do, there are none that do it in such an eco-friendly manner. As I mentioned in the previous question, compared to other manufacturers in the industry, our manufacturing process produces a fraction of the waste. We accomplish this by very strict work processes and custom-made equipment. This fact is very important to me, as I have six children. I want them to grow up in a world that isn’t decimated by the ill effects produced by human activities. I want them to have clean air, clean water, and land that can support growing enough food for every human being. These sentiments are at the core of our business plan, and I don’t think our competitors can say that.
And to finish this section, please tell us what the one major key to your company’s success is?
Everyone at the company—from me as the president and CEO down to the newest hire—works incredibly hard and sticks to the company’s vision for the future. That is the major key to our success.
For our readers just starting to build a company, what advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?
No matter how difficult life can be, if you have the right support system and you work hard and you put your whole self into whatever venture you’re undertaking, anything is possible. Also, success will come much easier if you surround yourself with good, honest, and trustworthy people who possess talents that you don’t have and that you can learn from.
For entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what big piece of advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?
Failure is ultimately a very good thing because it provides an invaluable learning experience. There is no such thing as an entrepreneur who succeeds in every single venture they attempt—and if there were, they would be much the poorer for it! They would never have to challenge themselves. They would never have to evolve. They would never build any character.
In today’s fast-changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?
Aside from reading news articles, online periodicals, and social media, I have an extensive network of very informed businesspeople and other professionals that keep me abreast of the relevant changes in their various industries. It’s a tremendous resource. One can learn a lot simply by talking to people at social events or sharing a meal with a well-positioned person.
What is your “Why”? In one sentence, why do you get up in the morning?
I have to; I have no choice; I am compelled to invent, build, and develop in the best possible way.
In one sentence, what is the most important thing one has to do to be a great leader?
Cultivating the ability to innovate and adapt are about the most important things a leader can do.
In one sentence, describe how important your customers are to your business?
Our customers are primarily—though not limited to—large-scale organizations, government-run or otherwise, such as militaries, disaster relief agencies, prisons, or charitable enterprises that purchase our products in bulk, and they are extremely important to our business.
In one sentence, describe a positive way that technology can make the world a better place?
My company uses the most cutting-edge technology to manufacture shelf-stable foods and meal kits, thus ensuring that much less food is wasted and many more people are fed.
In one sentence, tell us something positive to motivate our readers?
More people are living lives free from poverty and hunger than ever before in the entirety of human history.
In one sentence, tell us how you start your day to get ready?
Exercise—it would be difficult to endure the 10 or 12-hour days I typically work without staying in decent shape.
In one sentence, describe how you handle rejection and setbacks?
I brush off the rejection or setback itself but go to great lengths to understand why it happened and whether or not I can learn anything from it or prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.
In one sentence, describe what your hiring philosophy is?
I build my team around the two major factors of competence and integrity, and later trust comes into the mix after a certain amount of time.
In one sentence, describe how you keep your sanity in a competitive business environment?
My wonderful blood and work families keep me sane simply by being themselves and interacting with me.