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Jozwiak (Continued from Page 1)

communications provider focused on translating My business advice
a complex technology landscape into effective may differ from the typi-
solutions and successful outcomes for businesses. cal west coast viewpoint.
We achieve our success through a modular busi- I’ve always believed that
ness technology framework which leverages its you should start your first
telecom network, cutting-edge hosted phone business with your own
systems, managed IT and cloud-based services. money. If you aren’t will-
The components of service can be combined ing to invest in your own business, you shouldn’t
into an end-to-end managed technology solu- be in business. You’ve got to believe in yourself
tion, or purchased independently for a seam- 100% and there’s no better way to demonstrate
less integration with your existing technology this belief than putting your own money into
suite. Whichever option is selected, Access One the venture. Aside from the obvious need for
provides its services in a consultative, hands-on, invested capital, a business can only be successful
Mark at the Hall of Fame event where he was client-focused manner. if the founder is totally invested— meaning your
honored. What type of leadership approach do you time and your passion as well. It’s so incredibly
about my friends and their background, the pat- prefer? hard to bootstrap a business (and I do recom-
tern became clear – they came from families that We prefer to hire the best and brightest mend bootstrapping) that you must be all-in
owned businesses. Of course, being inspired to people possible, compensate them very well, from Day 1, or the challenges will get the best
start a business, and actually doing it – those are and get out of their way. My role as a leader of you. Starting a business may look glamorous
two very different things. is to empower the people that work for Access from the outside – the startup culture has been
The specific idea to form Access One began in One, not micro-manage them. We make sure idolized really since the mid-90s – but you must
the early ’90s, during the transformative years they have the proper tools & resources to do understand that inside a startup, the stress level
of the modern telecommunications industry. At their job, and that they have some fun along is high. You must always show up and set the
the time, there were very few providers outside the way. We don’t want it to feel like a job…. best possible example for those people that also
of the large, established players like AT&T and it’s a challenge to work at Access One, and the believe in your dream. Encourage those people
WorldCom. Since their services were a necessary opportunity for advancement, career growth, to take a calculated risk. The road will be hard,
part of doing business, and they knew it, cus- and wealth creation are available to everyone. many things will go wrong, and everyone faces a
tomer service was always a weak point for the Which achievement(s) are you most proud of in time when they want to give up. What separates
established telecom companies. I saw an oppor- your career? a successful entrepreneur from those who fail,
tunity to provide superior customer service to the Starting a company and having it still exist is simply perseverance. It can be a very satisfy-
SMB market, and I created Access One to do just 25 years later—that’s so rare it must be counted ing and amazing journey; look at obstacles as
that. Our goal, simply stated, is to be a trusted as my #1 achievement professionally. We’ve challenges, find a way over or around them, and
advisor to our clients, providing the world-class received numerous awards as a company, and you’ll be fine.
technology solutions that drive successful busi- we’ve employed so many people over the years
nesses. We are constantly innovating to keep our – it feels great to have positively influenced so
customers ahead of the marketplace challenges; many people and their families too.
however, we let our competition experiment first
and fail – then we learn from their mistakes so Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
that our customers don’t have to. I spend a lot of time with my family of
course—time flies and the kids will be grown
What has surprised you most about the industry? before I know it. I’m always game for a round
It’s still here. People have been saying that of golf and a steak dinner. Occasionally I like to
telecom is dead for 25 years. We’ve been able to escape the city life and spend time in the great
innovate and stay ahead of the competition, but outdoors, pheasant hunting with my Access
every day is a battle where we engage with giant One business partner and friend, Brian Barkley.
rivals and upstarts alike. Never a dull moment.
What advice can you give the alumni and young Mark with a small group of specially selected
How is Access One a helpful business service? actives about being willing to invest in your own Access One employees while in Mexico for the
Access One is a leading technology services and business? President’s Club trip last year (employees are
chosen based on various performance metrics).
USC House how grateful I am to have had the social expe-

(Continued from Page 1) riences, leadership opportunities, and lasting
friendships from my time at California Delta.
over the course of both capital campaigns. Fight On!
Thank you for your continued financial sup-
port; this is a minor token of our major appre-
ciation for all our donors.
I hope you all have an amazing holiday sea- Brenton Caldwell ’14
son surrounded by friends and family! In this President
The Access One co-ed softball team 2017 time of reflecting and giving I am reminded of USC Phi Delt House Corporation
champs.

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