The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
Garret Angelo may not have followed exactly in his father’s footsteps, but he ended up at the same destination and the industry is all the better because of it. Destinations and journeys are very much a part of Garret’s ethos and he is always willing to talk about it. Read on to learn more about Garret, why he loves the unpredictability of the collections industry, and his approach to running the family business.
Name: Garret Angelo
Company: JJ Marshall & Associates
Length of time at current position: Five years
Length of time in industry: Five years
How did you get your start in the industry?
Unlike most 2nd generation owners in this industry, I did not start working in the family business at 12 years filing media or scanning paperwork. Despite having exposure to the industry via stories from my dad and his three brothers who worked at JJ Marshall & Associates, I did not make the leap into collections as a career until after working in corporate America for 10 years. All along I knew I wanted to work more entrepreneurial at some point and the collections industry has afforded me that opportunity and much more!
What is your career highlight so far?
Becoming the President of the Michigan ACA this past year was a very proud moment for me. Gaining the respect and trust of my industry peers to be nominated and serve an association that is 81 years old was quite an honor. It also held a special significance to me becoming the 4th Angelo to serve as Michigan ACA President.
When or how are you most productive?
I am definitely a morning person. As of about a year ago, I transformed my schedule and I am up at 5am every week day to start my routine and it’s been a complete game changer for me. I prefer to schedule the majority of my meetings before 3pm whenever possible. My mornings tend to fly by whether I’m in meetings, on calls or answering emails because that’s when I’m in truly in my flow state and most productive.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
While he is not an active industry professional anymore, I’d have to my Dad, John Angelo. He is the founder of JJ Marshall & Associates and while the collections business has changed drastically since 1975, his unwavering support for the industry has not. Seeing his passion for the industry, combined with his work ethic inspired me join the industry and I’m very grateful for that.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I’d have to say that self-awareness is a great strength of mine. I know what I am good at and I know what I’m not good at. I know the areas which I need to further improve myself and may need to outwork others as a result.
What do you like most about this industry?
The relationships I’ve formed with industry professionals. I’m involved with many associations and professional networking groups and I can honestly say that the folks I’ve met through the ARM industry are top notch. The kindness, humility and professionalism displayed amongst the leaders in our industry has been inspiring for me and provides a great amount of optimism for the industry moving forward.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Like many others have expressed, I wish the general public had a better understanding of the work that we do, the value we add to the economy and the credit system, and the wonderful people that are employed through our industry. While our reputation as an industry isn’t where it should be yet, there have been great strides made.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
My degree is in Supply Chain Management and I had a great job within the supply chain of a global pharmaceutical company. I’d like to think that if I didn’t take the leap of faith into the collections industry, I would have continued to rise up through the corporate ranks to become an executive for a healthcare company.
Describe a typical work day.
Alarm goes off at 5am and I head downstairs for coffee and a little breakfast. As I’m enjoying my coffee and breakfast, I’m stacking my gratitude (thinking about what I’m grateful for) and visualizing what I’d like to accomplish that day or week. I’m out of the house and headed to the gym by 5:30am. I love exercising in the morning as I feel it puts me in the right mindset for the day, starting off the day right with an accomplishment. I am typically in the office around 8am and try to make it a point to get around to greet most of the staff as they arrive in the morning. My daily activities revolve around maintaining and cultivating client relationships, overseeing daily operations of the agency, and strategic business planning efforts. I try to maintain an open-door policy as much as possible which invites plenty of interruptions. One of the great things about this business is no two days are the same. There is always something new to celebrate or a new fire to fight.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I probably have an unhealthy addiction to watching football. In the past, it didn’t matter if it was high school, college, or the NFL, if there was a game on, I would have it on in the background. Over the few years I’ve realized there are MUCH more productive ways to spend my time so now there’s a sense of guilt if I waste too many hours over a weekend watching football. At this point my wife knows that I need to watch my teams (Michigan State and the Detroit Lions) other than that, there are other priorities now!
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What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Push yourself to do the things that you do not want to do and do them consistently. In order to experience continuous growth, one must stay uncomfortable.
What are you currently reading?
“The 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth” by John Maxwell. This is actually my second time reading this book. The guidelines provided toward personal growth are indeed invaluable. I highly recommend it if you are looking to get more of out of yourself and out of life.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I have a passion for travel and seeing new places. I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited 46 countries in my life to date and plan to keep that number growing. If anyone has desire to travel abroad and wants to pick my brain on some ideas, I’d love to play travel consultant pro bono! One of my favorite lines is that “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
My friend and industry veteran Tom Oldani from Arbor Professional out of Ann Arbor, MI
The “Getting to Know” series is sponsored by Arbeit. Arbeit is a powerful, and easy to use communications platform that empowers businesses to reach more consumers. Innovative by nature, we are constantly listening to and understanding the businesses we partner with and developing long term industry relationships that allow us to be proactive in anticipating industry needs.
