In this episode, Ann Tomalavage, P.E., PMP, LEED AP, and president of Malarkey Consulting, Inc., interviews me about my civil engineer’s perspective on entrepreneurship, and how I manage it alongside my family life.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions Ann Asks Anthony:
- When did you realize you wanted to be an engineer?
- When you were in high school or grad school, did you ever imagine having your own business?
- What are you most proud of in your life so far, whether it’s related to work or family?
- Is there anything you would do differently?
- Did you find yourself naturally doing entrepreneurial things before you realized you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
- What’s your secret to consistently making time for your family?
- What legacy do you think you’ll leave behind?
- When your kids roll their eyes, what’s going through their minds?
- What compliments do you think your kids would give you?
- What compliments do you think Jill, your wife, would give you?
- What places are on your bucket list for upcoming trips and future destinations?
- When you think about it, what has 2024 been the year of so far?
- What will the year 2025 be known for?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About a Civil Engineer’s Perspective on Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Family Life:
- In high school, during Anthony’s junior and senior years, his interest in math and science led him to decide he wanted to be an engineer, influenced by guidance from his parents and counselors and solidified by an internship at a civil engineering firm where he worked on land surveying.
- In high school and college, Anthony started with ventures like lemonade stands and network marketing, which sparked his interest in owning a business. This early experience continued alongside his engineering studies, shaping his ambition to combine engineering with entrepreneurship.
- Anthony is most proud of nurturing growth in his family, supporting his team at EMI, and empowering engineers through podcasts and programs, finding fulfillment in these contributions to both his personal and professional life.
- Anthony focuses on learning from mistakes rather than regretting what could have been done differently. He believes in using experiences to shape future decisions and strategies for ongoing improvement in both business and personal endeavors.
- Before deciding to become an entrepreneur, Anthony naturally engaged in activities like starting ventures and exploring network marketing during college, which sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and guided his career path toward combining engineering with entrepreneurship.
- Anthony ensures he consistently makes time for his family by prioritizing meaningful activities and minimizing distractions, guided by the principles of the 80-20 rule. This approach allows him to strike a balance between work and family life, ensuring he dedicates quality time to those he cares about most.
- Focused on advancing youth leadership through the Give Guide Grow Foundation and innovating reading experiences with a unique bookstore concept, Anthony aims to leave a legacy of empowerment and personal growth. His goal is to inspire individuals and communities to embrace leadership, making a lasting impact on their lives.
- When Anthony’s kids roll their eyes, they’re likely thinking about wanting to prioritize their social activities and immediate interests over hearing more about personal growth and responsibilities, finding parental advice sometimes repetitive or unnecessary in their current perspective on life.
- Anthony’s kids would probably praise him for always supporting them and making sure they’re set up for success daily. They might acknowledge his help with homework, reminding them about chores, and nudging them to build good habits, even if they don’t always appreciate it in the moment.
- Jill would probably praise Anthony for his consistent support and his efforts to provide everything their family needs to thrive. While she, being detail-oriented, might wish he paid more attention to specifics at times, she values his dedication to their success and his role in nurturing their children’s development.
- Anthony plans to revisit Italy to reconnect with family and culture. He also wants to do a meditation retreat in New Mexico for personal growth and mindfulness. Exploring national parks like Yellowstone with his family is also on his list for future trips.
- 2024 has been a year of growth for Anthony and EMI, navigating challenges like resource management and team well-being amid expansion. Anthony emphasizes maintaining balance through daily practices like meditation and family time to sustain their success.
- In 2025, Anthony envisions a focus on giving back and community involvement. Through efforts at EMI and launching the Give Guide Grow Foundation, he aims to emphasize philanthropy and personal growth, defining the year by impactful contributions and community service.
More Details in This Episode…
About Ann Tomalavage, P.E., PMP, LEED AP
Ann Tomalavage is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Project Management Professional (PMP). Ann’s area of expertise is industrial wastewater treatment and hazardous waste management. For most of her career, she worked for a 3,000-person international environmental consulting firm. As Principal Project Manager, she managed projects ranging from $10,000 to over $2 million. Ann was a founding member of the Project Management Training Team at that firm. She also established a Project Manager in Training (PMIT) program to help younger staff develop the skills needed to succeed as consulting project managers.
Ann headed the environmental permitting process and waste treatment operator training for a grassroots chemical plant. After startup, she became the firm’s Hazardous Waste Engineer.
Ann has trained over 5,000 project managers. Since 1999, she has been the sole onsite provider for Project Management Foundations training for American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). She is consistently ranked among the top four of over 150 ASCE instructors.
Sources/References:
Malarkey Consulting, Inc.
The Pareto Principle (80-20 Rule)
Florida Panthers
Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms List
Forbes
Connect with Ann Tomalavage, P.E., PMP, LEED AP, on LinkedIn
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