Michael D’Adamo
Founder and CEO, T.O.P. Marketing Group
Winning ways: D’Adamo went straight from the school of hard knocks to door-to-door sales, a “make it or break it” industry if there ever was one. D’Adamo made it. His sales and marketing talents would manifest as T.O.P. Marketing, where D’Adamo helps direct sellers develop and run their own business, as well as launches programs with clients that help end consumers save on preferred products. On his own since he was 14, D’Adamo became a millionaire at 22 and has only seen success in his 18 years as head of T.O.P. Marketing, growing from one office to more than 60 across the U.S.
Defining moment: “Becoming a leader was the defining moment of my career. Not just being called a leader, but realizing that I am a leader. I began to develop our company’s vision then.”
Words to live by: “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” –General George Patton.
Head swivel: “Rules, regulations, and policies. They give consumers protection and hold companies to high standards. Like anything else there are positives and negatives, but we focus on being proactive and thoroughly learning all compliance measures. We develop our systems around these measures.”
Good advice: “Stay in front of trends and you’ll make millions; get on your surfboard and ride the waves up. Don’t build a business on the tail end of the wave.”
First job: Door-to-door sales
On your nightstand: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
Favorite app: “I like WhatsApp, but I’m still old school when it comes to apps and technology.”
Click or tap here to read the stories behind the successes of the other Direct Marketing News 2014 40 Under 40 winners.
