FIVE QUESTIONS WITH DAVID MACE, OWNER, MAVERICK CREATIVE GROUP

Edition: MAIN
Section: BUSINESS TODAY
Page: 7C

Estimated printed pages: 2
Article Text:
His layoff from Sullivan Higdon & Sink inspired David Mace to want to help others in business.
Seven months ago, he opened Maverick Creative Group (www.letmaverick.com) to help businesses, especially those with one to 25 employees, achieve their goals through financial, operational and marketing consulting.
1. Why did you start a consulting firm instead of getting another agency job?
"It's something that I've really dreamed of doing since I started out back in the early '90s.
"The joke I always had was when I had enough gray hair, it would be time for me to start my own consulting firm. I started to look in the mirror and see those gray hairs forming and thought, 'Hey, it must be about time.' "
2. Do companies need consultants more in difficult economic times like today?
"When the chips are down, you want as many great people on your team as you can possibly have. You have to weigh the value of that against the financial outlay, like any other investments.
"It certainly is something that can set you apart from your competitors in a really tough environment."
3. What's the hardest part of your job?
"When people come to me with a business idea, and I have to find a delicate way to tell them that it's really not feasible for whatever reason. That's really difficult because you're talking about people's hopes and dreams."
4. Does your own layoff help in how you relate to your clients?
"I think people identify with people who have kind of been there, done that. . . . They have respect for that experience. It shows through in your dealings "
5. You also are a big believer in Wichita's entrepreneurial spirit, right?
"It's going to take a lot of that entrepreneurial spirit to get us back on track with the economy.
"I think that's a big part of what makes Wichita special."
- Carrie Rengers