The core mission of Advantage Media Group is to "equip people to improve their lives and the world around them." At first glance it may seem that these are mere words to a page, but after speaking with founder Adam Witty it is obvious that this mission is a way of life for all Advantage employees and clients. A gentleman in both professional and personal realms, Mr. Witty covered all the important topics: the founding of his company, advice for other entrepreneurs, and the best spot for BBQ in Charleston.

What drove you to start Advantage Media Group?

I was raised in an entrepreneurial environment. My dad is an entrepreneur. At a very early age, my father said to me “Adam, you will not ever achieve true economic freedom unless you are your own boss.” These were strong words. When I was in college at Clemson University I had an idea for a business, and ran with it. While that business did not pan out, it did get me on the entrepreneurial track which eventually led me to start Advantage Media Group.

 

Advantage is a leading publisher of business, motivation, and self-help media, specializing in books and magazines. When I started Advantage, my only experience in publishing and media was 2 years as an intern at a publishing house. Does this qualify me to start a publishing and media company? Probably not. In America, opportunity is abundant, and possibilities are endless.

 

I suppose most that know me well would say I am “unemployable.” This is a combination of my ambition and drive, unwillingness to accept “no” for an answer, disinterest in taking orders from someone else, and my extreme desire to “do something significant.”

 

In 5 words or less, describe the overall goal of Advantage for its clients?

Total Solutions Provider

 

What is one piece of advice you could give to other entrepreneurs?

Work hard, work smart. Growing an organization to unbelievable levels requires these two things. You must be willing to put in more hours and effort then anyone else you know. Throw the 40 hour workweek out the window. Secondly, you must use and leverage those hours in a more intelligent way than all of your competitors. Always focus on using the majority of hours to the highest and best valued use of the organization. Too many entrepreneurs work stupid, meaning they spend much of their time on BS that can easily be delegated to someone with a lower hourly rate.

 

From reviewing the Advantage website it appears that business is pretty hectic for you these days, as a businessman how do you balance your work and personal life?

Many that know me best would say I don’t…but what the hell do they know about “balance” anyways? Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Companies once commented “I have never viewed it as work and play…to me it is all just living.” I could not agree more. I think balance can only be defined by the individual person it applies to. What is “balance” for me is not “balance” for you. And that’s okay. Get my drift?

 

I love what I do. I look forward to Mondays, and sometimes, I hate Friday…because that means the workweek is going to end. To most, they would respond “you are sick.” But other entrepreneurs can relate. When you love what you do, when your work is truly your life calling and your life passion, the hours just scream by.

 

I probably work 65-75 hours per week, but it’s a good 65 hours. I never stop thinking about how to make my business better. The day I stop working, I suppose I might die.

 

You have a few DC based clients, who are they? And what are their areas of expertise?

Andrew Sherman, Road Rules: Be The Truck, Not the Squirrel . Andrew is one of the most respected intellectual property attorneys in America. He is the legal counselor to Entrepreneurs Organization and has authored 17 other books. He is a partner with Jones Day, and a member of the Advantage Board of Advisors.

 

Mark Richardson, How Fit is Your Business. Mark is the Co-Chairman of Case Design / Remodeling, the largest home remodeling company in America.  Mark is a former Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year recipient and Chairman of the Advantage Board of Advisors.

 

You are based in Charleston, SC: Describe what is means to be a true Southern Gentleman?

Polite with manners, we don’t talk too fast, we wear the Charleston tuxedo (khaki pants, polo shirt, navy blazer, boat shoes), and us guys don’t put gel in our hair. Enjoying BBQ and college football are two other requirements.

 

Describe how to make the Adam Witty staple cocktail.

Bourbon and Ginger. Knob Creek bourbon, Vernors ginger ale, chipped ice, and a twist of lime. Nothing could be finer. Truly, the lime makes it.

 

If you were banished from Charleston indefinitely and were afforded one last meal, what restaurant would you choose? And what would you eat?

Slightly North of Broad perhaps the finest restaurant in the Holy City, and conveniently located on the first floor of my office building. The dish is an easy choice, BBQ tuna with fried oysters and Tasso ham. It melts in your mouth.

 

And the most important question of all for a Southern gentleman:

 

General Robert E. Lee or General Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beuregard?

General Lee. Few probably know that in the final days of the Civil War, as it became increasingly clear that the Confederacy had no chance at overall victory, Lee strongly encouraged reconciliation with the North. When one considers the deep division and feelings Lee must have had for his opposition, this is a bold step in humility, leadership, and putting the interests of the Nation at whole above all else.