About Tony

Welcome To Answer Island!

My name is Tony Ford

For over 30 years, it has been my privilege to support the dreams of Business Owners, Chamber of Commerce Executives and Non-profit Leaders. I work with them and their teams to create innovative approaches to problem solving, membership growth and marketing . Often we work together to find new ways to penetrate a difficult or saturated market. Sometimes the focus is on finding, growing and retaining top notch employees, clients or members. More and more, I am called in when an organization is loosing market share due to increased discounting or tough economic conditions.

But no matter why I am invited in to speak, train, consult or help turn around an organization, the approach is the same; "Diagnose the issues, enlist and encourage the players that will help turn them around, and recraft the culture in a way that will bring new life and opportunities to every level of the organization.

At the end of our time together, whether for a day or a year, my goal is to help  leaders make their organization more attractive to their customers, members, employees and vendors.

You may notice from my previous projects that I have served in a variety of industries and types of organizations. Each one has presented unique needs and opportunities. I am very happy to say that in every situation the leaders, staff, stakeholders, community, members, clients and vendors recognized the added value we created together and chose to support our efforts leading to award winning success.

If your organization needs a qualified, supportive expert to help move it to the next level of success, I invite you to contact me to discuss the possibilities. If I am not the right person to help I will work hard to connect you will someone who is.

After all, Answer Island is here for you - The Leader, and your people. Together we can find the Answers that will move you successfully into the future!

About Tony

Tony Ford's business career began as a General Manager for Steak & Ale Restaurants during a period of rapid national expansion in the late 1970's. After leaving to pursue two years of graduate study, he became a founding member of the Flash Foto Company as General Manager/Partner responsible for operations management and new store development. Six years, and seven retail stores later, he began marketing high technology safety products to both national and international retail chain stores. In 1991 his new company, SIDELIGHTS, Inc. was selected SBA "Exporter of the Year" based on Tony's successful penetration of the European and Australian Markets. In 1992 he was one of only 40 individuals worldwide to be chosen by the Japanese government to attend the JETRO conference on exporting to Japan. That same year he was selected by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to serve as Vice Chairman of the District Export Council of North Texas.

From 1995 to 1997 Tony served as the Executive Director of the Fort Worth Business Assistance Center. This center was created to provide strategic business information to aspiring entrepreneurs in an easy to use one-stop-shop environment. During his 2-½ year tenure, the BAC served over 14,000 entrepreneurs, created over 4,000 new jobs, and facilitated more than $30 million dollars in business loans. The combined efforts of over 70 highly dedicated service providers resulted in the BAC being selected as "The National Model for Business Innovation" by the Clinton Administration, and receiving the 1998 "SBA Vision Award" for excellence.

Tony's efforts in leading and motivating this highly innovative group of professionals were recognized when he received the "1997 Entrepreneur of the Year Award" from Ernst and Young.

From 1997 to 2001 Tony served as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence for the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership working to support the growth of small business throughout the United States. He has also testified before Congress in support of entrepreneurship as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Counsel. In 2007 Tony and his wife Jane sold their 14 year old company; Salon Support, Inc. which had grown to become a major products/equipment distribution company in the health and beauty industry. Tony's new venture is Answer Island, Inc., created to teach organization leaders how to have a sustainable, positive impact on their people, industry and community.

If you would like to speak to Tony Ford personally about his one-of-a-kind speaking and training services please call 817-832-5696.