We had the good fortune of connecting with Seth Whalen and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Seth, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve been running my own businesses since 2007, and since then, my role, engagement and involvement has constantly changed. It’s ever flowing and evolving. As the businesses grow, my challenges change and as one man, you only have so much bandwidth. You can only be great at so much, and maintain that greatness at a high-level for so long. Especially as life outside of work also grows and changes. As they say, “there’s only so much time in a day.” Efficiency and consistency are crucial aspects to long-term success as well as key elements to avoiding burn out.
When I started my first company in 2007, every aspect of the business was my responsibility. From recruiting, hiring, interviewing, onboarding, processing payroll, managing the books, researching the insurances needed, handling IT, setting up the operating systems, contracts, HR, employee handbook sales, marketing, social media, making sure the company was set up properly in all the states I operated in, paying all the taxes, to the actual day-to-day operations – managing clients, training and booking staff and showing up the events ready to lead the team.
I’m sure I’m missing some other duties, but the point is, now after 17 years, I have hired myself out of a job! I have an incredible team that works diligently to help create the way for our future. We currently have 10 Full Time office staff that assume the majority of the duties listed above, and some! I now find myself mostly leading and managing the team and am their “phone a friend” contact when they have questions or concerns. Now, there are some aspects that only I can handle as the owner, and that will never go away since the liability is solely on my shoulders.
Over the years, as my team has grown and the businesses quickly started to take off, my personal life also matured and changed. Fortunately, by the grace of God, my companies never seemed to grow too fast, too soon. The businesses definitely stretched my capabilities, but by the time my son was born in 2016, I was at a great place of flexibility that I could put a lot more time in being there for him in all the areas than most other dads. I never took that for granted, and quickly appreciated the sacrifices I had to make when I first started to be able to set myself up for that type of flexibility and lifestyle. Those times you can never get back with your children, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to capitalize on being there for him. From teaching him the basic essentials like how to eat, dress himself, brush his teeth, potty training (in one day!) to coaching him in all his sports, how to read and do math and attending almost every school activity he has. This to me is my greatest example of delayed gratification. I had to go through years of building the business, living on the smallest CEO salary ever, late nights, early mornings to enjoying the fruits of my labor as well as the greatest commodity of all time, time itself.
None of this ever could have happened if it wasn’t for the grace of God and the support of my friends and family encouraging me along the way guiding and advising me, and cheering me on from not only the sidelines, but the front lines and game field; as many of my first employees were my friends who were highly invested in the success of my companies. I will forever be grateful for them and their loyalty.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
PTL Events, PTL Staffing + PTL Security were all founded under the principles of integrity and excellence with a vision of providing a high standard of uncompromising service. We strive to be above reproach in every area of our business. We treat our staff with respect, empathy and instill in them a sense of excellence and professionalism. On top of that, we also pay them very well with the expectation that they will go above and beyond for us and our clients. Our staff are our greatest assest. The better they do, the better we all do. We do our best to enstill in our staff to do their work in excellence and to create a “it’s greater than me” mindset. One employee can either make or break a client relationship, which has a domino effect.
PTL is most excited about the type of community and culture we have built over the years that empowers our team to be excited to work our events due to the fact that they know they will be collaborating with like minded, professional and goal oriented colleagues. We at PTL love to help support our staff in their outside endeavors and cheer them on when they succeed! We diligently work to make sure they are able to capitalize on their opportunities outside of PTL as well as within our company.
PTL was able to arrive at where we are today by being committed to our founding principles. Treating people with respect and professionalism and expecting reciprocity has proven to be one of our best ingredients for success. The Golden Rule rings true for our business and culture.
The best way to overcome the challenges we faced as a company was simply by applying the Biblical principles of how to treat people and operate a business, which comes back to our founding principles. The more often we stayed the course and followed our vision, they easier it was to build a great team that led to building a great business.
One of the biggest lessons we learned along the way is that it’s 100% worth paying for a great lawyer’s time and expertise on the front end to make sure all your “t’s” are crossed and “i’s” are dotted. This way you’re ahead of the legal game, above reproach in your contracts and handbooks and buttoned as best as possible to steer yourself clear of any unjust lawsuits or bad business practices with clients and staff.
The world should know that PTL represents excellence, quality, integrity, professionalism, power, truth and love. We fight against the injustices in our industry and the cutthroatness of our competitors, while professionally demanding what we deserve financially in order to provide such high-caliber services. It all comes at a cost, but that cost is highly worth it!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are some many great places to see and experience in the Dallas area!
If the timing all works out and they are into sports, I would take them to an FC Dallas game, show them around the Star and hit up a bunch of the spots there like Sidecar Social, Neighborhood Services and Snowbird.
We would also have some fun competition at BowlGames in the Design District area, catch a concert at Dos Equis Pavillon, and snag some sips and bites at the Mexican! Crash at the Virgin Hotel one night and enjoy the rooftop pool bar.
Explore The Grandscape and all it has to offer like the massive WorldSpring Spa, catch some waves at Fireside Surf, hit a round of putt putt at PopStroke or battle each other at a cricket match at Sixes.
Take a night out to bar hop in Lower Greenville to places like Apothecary, Rye, Leela’s Wine Bar and check out the view of Dallas from the rooftop of HG Supply & Co.
We would continue our festivities the next day and hit up Knox/Henderson CorePower Yoga to sweat it all out and grab a bite at either Old Monk, Mayer’s Garden or an incredible pizza at Pie Tap! If in need of a haircut, we would get cut and styled at Hair Story, ask for Zach Harvey, the best in town.
If we wanted to step it up a bit, we would get reservations at either amazing sushi at Kessaku or incredible cuisine at Monarch and then kick it at the fabulous Catbird Rooftop. Oddly enough, the bathroom view in the Thompson Hotel is breathtaking.
As long as it’s still nice out, we would have to hit up Waterproof Rooftop pool and bar atop the Statler Hotel and sneak downstairs to Bourbon & Banter speakeasy for some hand-crafted cocktails.
The next day to walk it all off. A must do is to take a nice stroll on the Katy Trail and pop into the Katy Trail Ice House for a brew and bites.
To experience one of the most classic and oldest spots, we would go to Javier’s and get some drinks at their Cigar lounge. To take it up a notch for a more intimate setting, an absolute must is the Back Room of the Bowen House where the bartender customizes your cocktails according to your taste.
And if we haven’t spent all of our life savings yet, we can catch either a Mavs or Stars game at the American Airlines arena or just watch it at Hero for a less immersive experience.
Finally, we would have to explore Bishop Arts! Catch outside live music at La Reunion, pop around all the lounges like Paradiso, Casablanca, Bar Eden, alley way of Tejas and end at Atlas’ speakeasy in the back. Rejuvenate yourself the next morning at Tribal Cafe for refreshing juices, smoothies and a healthy breakfast.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Stephen + Mary Bauer
Linda Whalen
L. E. Hunt
Five Stones
PONS
YBB
XOK
KEW
Website: https://www.ptlevents.com
Instagram: ptlevents
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwhalen/
Twitter: ptl_events
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PTLEvents/photos/?_rdr
Image Credits
Anthony Batista Photography