Positive mindset shapes CEO’s approach

Even though IBN Financial Services brings in around $12 million in net income every year, CEO Richard Carlesco still believes in maintaining a personal touch.

“Although I run the organization, and I have people below me that do the nuts and bolts, I’m still very much involved in the day-to-day operations and pitch in whenever I am needed. I talk to my reps every single month,” he says.

“We started this firm in 2000 – and it sort of dropped into my lap. The previous owner had a trade error that he couldn’t cover, so I covered it and bought the firm. I took 10 reps that were a part of my branch with me – and now we have around 80 reps all across the country.”

Looking back on his career success, Carlesco is reminded of his childhood – particularly his relationship with his father. When Carlesco was upset over the treatment of Indians in a Billy Jack movie, his father pointed out that there is also a lot of good in this world and prompted him to read a book about success and the power of a positive attitude.

“That book changed my life,” he says. “Because too many people concentrate on the negative things in their lives. So the days when good things happen to them, they can’t see it. But if you concentrate all your effort on the wonderful things that happen in your life, then when bad things happen it’s like dust on your shoulder. You just wipe it off. I’ve lived my entire life like that.”

Carlesco has taken this positive mindset into his professional life, too, focusing a lot of his efforts on charitable work via IBN, which is headquartered in Liverpool, New York, a suburb of Syracuse. Inspired by a desire to make a difference, he founded Victory for Vets, a unique charity initiative.

“We’ve matched [rescue dogs] with 25 veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress,” Carlesco says.

His philanthropic endeavors, however, come with a piece of advice drawn from his own experience: “Never, ever join an organization to find clients. Never, ever start a charity to find clients. Find something that you’re passionate about and go after it.”

Because for Carlesco, contributing to the community is about making a meaningful impact, not just a business strategy.

“Life’s too short to work every single day and be consumed by work,” he adds. “We work hard so that we can play hard and enjoy the fruits of our labor. That happiness is contagious.”