Time With The Boss - Chris Torbit, CLARUS COMMUNICATIONS

Chris Torbit
CLARUS COMMUNICATIONS

Website: clarusco.com

Industry: business technology and telecommunications services

Education: BS, Finance from University of Missouri – Columbia; MBA –SIU-E; Double MS- Telecommunications

Family: Wife, Mindy with three daughters and two dogs

What is your mission?

Our mission is to help clients make the best technology and telecommunications choices possible in the marketplace. We seek clients who share our values and seek a long-term company like ours who can help them achieve incredible results. Clarus team members, clients and vendors are all on the same integrated team working toward solving technology challenges.

What was your first job?

Teaching swimming lessons at the community pool in Highland, IL

What was your worst job?

Pulling parking slabs out of a parking lot during the summer

What led you to your industry?

I spent ten years in the telecommunications and technology industry right out of college. Right after I started, I had a growing passion for helping and educating people on the latest technologies to grow their business.

Who is your industry role model?

My parents, Charles and Ruth Ann Torbit. They have owned their business for almost 50 years. Also Richard A. Lumpkin, founding director and chairman of Consolidated Communications. Both of them have passion for their industries, their team members and community, which is a great example for all of us.

How do you differentiate your business from others in your industry?

We are razor sharp focused at understanding our clients’ needs and then matching the appropriate technology needed to accomplish their goals.

What’s the hottest trend in your industry and are you going to jump on board?

Integration of different technologies to increase productivity – We are all in!

What’s the hardest part of your job? Finding incredible and passionate talent to help us grow our company.

What’s the best part?

Being part of our team and our clients’ success stories. Watching the company grow and helping our community. A strong community helps businesses grow!

What best advice would you share with new entrepreneurs?

Stay focused – minimize distractions; find something you are passionate about and go all-in; make educated business decisions by knowing your numbers.

What’s your favorite place in St. Louis? The Hill and Delmar Loop

What book is on your nightstand?

Harvard Business Review’s 10 must Reads on Strategy

What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
Supportive spouse, family, friends and community; continuous education and curiosity in our fast-paced industry; sheer determination and shutting out distractions; knowing my numbers. St. Louis is a great place to live, work and play. When I started my first company there was not much of an entrepreneur community in St. Louis to turn to for help. Today, St. Louis has an incredible ecosystem of venture capital, support systems and incubators to help you succeed. We live in a city where everyone seems to know everyone. Your business can succeed in St. Louis by providing incredible service and treating your clients with a customer-service passion. Referrals will follow.