40 Under 40

Michael Weber

Age 29: Owner, Minuteman Press

Michael Weber knows a secret about how to succeed in business.

“It’s such a cheesy statement,” said the 29-year-old, who owns and operates Minuteman Press in Enfield, Conn. with his wife Lindsey. “It’s the more you give, the more you get. Givers gain. If you want to succeed, you have to help out and contribute something.”

The formula has worked — the Webers have increased sales by 450% in the five years since they purchased the business.

Weber takes his volunteer work seriously. He is vice president of the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield, and a member of the Home Builders Assoc. of Western Mass. and the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield.

He joined these organizations immediately after moving from Boston to Connecticut and taking over the Minuteman franchise. His motivation was to make friends, make a difference, and form relationships that would result in business accounts.

Although his approach has worked, Weber’s intent is always focused on the greater good. “I want to do my part by helping people out and genuinely contributing,” he said, adding that he has supported beneficial initiatives even when they were not good for his business.

Many of his volunteer activities involve working with people who are much older, so Weber especially enjoys his affiliation with the YPS.

“It’s refreshing to be on board with so many like-minded people. I truly have good intentions and try to contribute,” he said.

His background is in information-management systems, and his wife was an assistant buyer for Filene’s Corp. prior to their venture with Minuteman, but both know the value of networking.

“We don’t wait for people to come in,” said Weber. “You have to get to know people. We set quality standards, volunteer, and participate on committees. You have to get involved, and if you show up to help, you get to know everyone.”

—Kathy Mitchell

http://businesswest.com/under-forty/Michael-Weber.htm

Erik Skar

Age 38: Financial Services Professional, MassMutual Financial Group

Erik Skar has a motto. “There is no try; there’s only do,” he said.

The 38-year-old — who holds degrees in Psychology and Religion and is father to 3-year-old Julia, who speaks four languages, and 6-month-old Sofia — loves life and describes his own as a dream.

“I’ve been blessed beyond my understanding. If it was any better, you’d have to wake me up,” he said.

It’s a reality-based dream, however. Skar is a Pioneer Valley Montessori board member, belongs to the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and the Wilbraham Rotary, is past president of Quaboag Business Networking International, serves as a Big Brother, and volunteers for Best Buddies of Western Mass. He rediscovered golf last summer and is on five tournament committees.

Skar has traveled the world, lived in Europe, and beat out 6,000 other candidates to appear on Survivor in Norway, which was filmed in Malaysia. “I’ve seen so much and cannot give back enough,” said the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield board member, who was on the Junior Olympic Soccer Team in Norway at age 16.

He is overwhelmed by the opportunity to transform lives in Greater Springfield, in efforts ranging from mentoring to volunteering. Everything he is involved in has personal meaning, and even his job isn’t work to him, he says, because selling disability and life-insurance policies changes lives when tragedy happens.

“It’s fun when you finally find what you are born to do,” he said.

For Skar, that means “cramming” as much as into every day as possible.

“There is incredible affluence surrounded by incredible poverty here, and therein lies the opportunity to make a difference,” he said. “Springfield has a screaming need for people who want to make a difference, and it doesn’t take much.”

He finds YPS inspirational and loves being surrounded by members. “They are doing incredible things that are almost beyond the scope of understanding,” Skar said.

That’s what happens when your motto and dream are action-packed.

—Kathy Mitchell

http://businesswest.com/under-forty/Erik-Skar.htm