"Acton's focus on entrepreneurship and a 'life of meaning' will shape the next generation of business leaders in America. And I intend to be one of them."
Robert Conley '06
Credentials:
- Currently works with Ashton Capital Partners
- Former Sales Director, eBlox Technologies
- Ten years of experience in sales and former owner of REC Enterprises (bar and restaurant business)
- MBA, Acton MBA in Entrepreneurship, B.B.A., marketing, Northeastern State University (Oklahoma)
At age 21, Robert bought his first business, a bar and restaurant, and thus his exposure to entrepreneurship began. "At 21, I did not have very much life or business experience to draw from, but deep inside, I believed in myself and my abilities," says Robert. "I grew more as a person through the sacrifice of entrepreneurship than I could ever have imagined, and it has served me well since."
Six years later, Robert sold his business and went into sales determined to gain the skills and knowledge he needed to take the next step in his career. Robert excelled in sales and marketing and over the next decade worked as a sales manager and executive for Jarboe Sales Company (a wine and spirits wholesaler), Imperial Company (Oklahoma's largest vending, foodservice and office coffee provider), Candle Corporation (a global software company), and Touchpaper Corporation (an international software company), before becoming the Sales Director at eBlox (an e-commerce platform for the promotional products industry) in Austin.
Robert is anxious to return his entrepreneur roots, "After selling my business I needed some time to digest all the things I had learned while being self employed. That was years ago and I am now ready to take a much more well rounded and mature me back into entrepreneurship."
After graduating from Acton, Robert took a position with Ashton Capital Partners, a business founded by Kevin Ashton, a former student of Jack Long, Phil Siegel, and Jeff Sandefer.
