“Put the customer first and your people second. Treat all with great respect and empathy.”
These words are the personal formula for success for Southeast Missouri State University alumnus Dave Schoenbeck. Judging from his accomplishments in his career, he must be on to something.
Dave graduated from Southeast in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in general business management and a minor in psychology.
Since graduating from Southeast, Dave has been quite successful in the world of business. He worked as a senior executive in a large food and drugstore chain for more than 20 years. He was also co-founder of a very successful retail start-up that grew from an idea in 1996 to a $2.5 billion dollar chain with 10,000 associates. The company was sold for $3 billion.
Dave currently has his own business working as a certified business coach with ActionCOACH, the #1 business-coaching firm in the world (Entrepreneur Magazine).
“I teach small and midsized business owners time-tested methods and strategies to turn their businesses into profit machines,” he says.
Dave says the most rewarding part of his profession is helping save small businesses.
“I teach small business owners how to find more time, resolve team issues and manage their business to significant profitability. I love inspiring small business owners and watching them succeed.
“Southeast provided me with a very cost-effective education that prepared me well for my career,” he says.
Dave’s simple yet valuable advice to future Southeast students is “Find your passion and do it exceedingly well!”
His favorite memory of Southeast is living in Towers South and hanging out with the guys on his floor.
“I was an RA and helped quite a few young men find their way while discovering who I was,” he says.
In his spare time, Dave’s favorite hobby is playing golf.
“I finally made it back to a single digit handicap two years ago!” he says.
Dave’s future plans include continuing to balance his business requirements with his personal life, traveling the world and, of course, playing more golf.
Dave currently lives in Franklin Lakes, N.J. He and his wife, Ellen (also a Southeast graduate) have three grown children.