Meet the Mentors

Working with small business owners over many years, Steve Hilferty and Tom Leal identified characteristics common to successful small businesses.

Steve and Tom realized they shared a passion for helping small businesses. In 2002, they discovered new ways of doing business that were better for everyone in a company, and began training and certifying business coaches around the world.

Their discoveries led to The Success Target™ as a way to show small business owners what they need to know to be able to grow their companies--or simply to stay in business.

Steve was a Coast Guard rescue helicopter pilot, saving over 200 lives. He has led teams of up to 200 people at various air stations, and around the country. He also directed operations for thousands of Coast Guard Auxiliarist.

After getting his MBA from Georgetown University, Steve consulted for several years with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 clients, then became an executive coach in 2000.

When not mentoring small businesses now, he teaches the capstone course for students finishing their MBAs.

Contact Steve

Tom Leal has successfully coached business owners, managers and supervisors since 1988--before there was such a thing as a "business coach."

Tom works with clients so they can manage change, improve inter-personal communications, and build effective business plans.

Since 1988, Tom has coached both one-on-one with key employees and with the entire organization of a small business, often with 15 to 50 employees at one time.

Contact Tom

Steve and Tom co-authored a ground-breaking book, 8 Simple Secrets for Small Business Owners, which provides tips for thriving in the chaotic world of business.

Have a look inside