Q&A talks to Eric Lopez, owner of Arrowhead Leadership Consulting LLC.
Can you describe your business?
Arrowhead Leadership specializes in transforming managers into effective leaders who drive outstanding results and foster a positive organizational culture. Our team is comprised of six seasoned leader development coaches, all veterans with extensive experience in leadership both in the military and civilian sectors.
Our suite of services includes keynote speaking, leader development workshops, one-on-one coaching, group coaching, as well as strategy and operational planning.
We cater to a diverse range of clients, including businesses, organizations and nonprofits, seeking to enhance their culture and cultivate leaders who can enhance team efficiency and profitability.
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How did you get into this business?
My passion during my 25-year career in the Army was developing young men and women into leaders of character, and I wanted to continue to focus on leader development after I retired. When I became part of the civilian workforce, I saw a real need for leader development in many of the businesses and nonprofits that I encountered.
So, I started with one client and helped coach one of their employees who was being promoted into a critical leadership role. Subsequently, they asked me to coach two more of their employees, and Arrowhead Leadership grew from that point.
How has your business grown in the past year?
In the past year, Arrowhead Leadership experienced significant growth and achievement. We expanded our team by welcoming one new coach, and we successfully onboarded four new clients.
However, our proudest accomplishments are our volunteer and pro bono efforts, especially in the New Haven area. I spearheaded the Leader Prep Academy, a program dedicated to aiding urban, minority youth in improving their test scores to qualify for enlistment in the Army. This initiative yielded tangible results, with two local women successfully enlisting in the Army.
Moreover, I actively volunteered by coaching a local basketball team, providing strategic planning assistance to various nonprofits, and serving on the CT Office of Workforce Strategy Veterans Committee.
What’s a major challenge your business has overcome in the past year?
The biggest challenge we faced in the last year was formalizing our business structure and operations processes. As Arrowhead grew, we were deliberate about building a formal operating system to set clear goals, delegate tasks and establish priorities. While this endeavor proved to be a challenging and time-intensive process, investing the effort upfront yielded excellent returns in organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
