By: Rachel Tunney
Mark Landgren ‘92 is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and Dickinson Law. He served as an aide to the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York in the late 80s, founded and sold two successful athletic apparel companies in the early 2000s with Paige Wingert, another graduate of Dickinson Law. Mark went on to establish the boutique law firm Corporate Legal Partners with his wife in 2003. Mark joined a global digital media start-up as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel in 2008 before joining The Nexxus Group in 2009. Mark served as the COO and General Counsel back in 2009 for The Nexxus Group before transitioning into his current role of CEO and owner. 
pLEASANTRIES AND PEANUT bUTTER
When he arrives for his interview, Mark Landgren immediately fills the space with his presence. His persona is at first intimidating, but that might only be due to my observation of someone well over six feet in height when I barely reach five. Once he approaches the table where I sit, his kind eyes and words make you relaxed and intrigued to hear whatever it is he has to say. As we wait for the video and lighting tests to be complete, I learn one of his secrets to his successful career:
An English muffin with peanut butter.
It is his go-to breakfast at the office. It is an eating routine that he has had for quite some time. And routines create habits. And habits, especially in the morning, can have a significant impact on the rest of your day. The benefits of habit formation go beyond just health, he says. Getting into the habit of smiling at people on the street, making eye contact, can also significantly impact your life. It appears, from listening to his words, that even an English muffin can bring out the best in you. Like a fish to a hook, I’ve bitten the line, and I am excited to have the opportunity to hear more from him.
Leaders: visionary, integrity, collaborative
Our motto as Dickinson law students is not “Practice Greatness” without reason. We hope to be leaders in our prospective legal fields. We aspire to be the next generation of innovators, policy implementors and judges. Mark spoke of three essential qualities that he finds in good leaders:
1) Visionary: “In order to be a good leader, you have to have a vision. And that vision has to go beyond tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. You need to be able to see into the future.”
Every good idea starts with a vision. When it comes to being visionary in the entrepreneurial sense, a good leader understands the importance of viewing the longevity of the project beyond the company’s current position.
2) Integrity: “If you are not authentic and do not have integrity, it’s really hard to rally people around you, to support you. And you’ll find that no great leader can do it by his or her self.” The journey of an entrepreneur is not a solo adventure.
3) Collaborative: “You have to be willing to fail and have to let others fail.” You need innovation to be successful, and innovation will only arise if you fail.
To hear more of what Mark believes makes good leaders click here.
Improve your entrepreneurial mind: focus on your “lens”
“I have a different outlook on life.” The Entrepreneurial mind is special, different. Mark described it as having the ability to view the world through a special lens: seeing problems not as annoying roadblocks but as opportunities. Okay, opportunities not problems. I’ve heard that before. But when Mark gave an example of what he meant, I had to smile because it was a brilliant example of this special “lens”:
On his drive down from Massachusetts, Mark explained how he saw a heap of trash on the side of the road. Instead of thinking about how that trash disturbed the pleasant drive through Pennsylvania, he began to wonder how someone might be able to take those abandoned, used plastic bottles and make eyeglasses out of the material. “I wonder what the cost would be. How would you gather it, first of all, and where would you ship it?” Talk about having an entrepreneurial mindset.
To hear more of Mark’s remarks regarding the entrepreneurial mind, click here.
Go to law school: the j.d. was worth it
Someone who has a J.D. but who is not practicing law could never possibly believe that the hours spent at Dickinson Law with casebooks, citations and footnotes was possibly worth it, right? Mark argued otherwise. When I asked him if a J.D. had any impact on his career, he responded with a resounding, “Yes.” Mark stated that J.D. education is crucial to finetuning analytical skills. He said understanding that there are two sides to every issue and learning how to become an expert in a particular side of that issue puts you at a clear advantage regardless of whether or not you become a practicing lawyer. Mark mentioned that when he and his wife, Trish, (also an Alumna whom he mentions frequently and fondly) presented business plans to a bank, the institution was surprised at the level of skill demonstrated by the proposal. He said that law school taught both of them the importance of detail and time, which was evident in their proposal. This degree, according to Mark, will help “no matter where you go.”
To hear Mark’s advice to law students, click here.
one hat, two hat
When it comes to guidance and wisdom for young entrepreneurs, Mark’s advice is to be eternally optimistic but to check yourself along the way. “You think the idea you have is the most brilliant idea in the world…often times, you’ll go too far.” He mentioned that an entrepreneur wears two hats:
Hat One: Operator [Leader]
Hat Two: Investor [Shareholder]
A truly successful entrepreneur, according to Mark, can put one hat on at a time. Mark said a business becomes your baby. Your whole life can depend on its success. It can become your purpose for living. This phenomenon presents a problem. Stepping away can be a struggle. However, the most successful companies will continue to thrive well after their operator and investor is gone. That business succeeds because you were able to teach your team how to manage even in your absence.
To listen to Mark’s advice for entrepreneurs, click here.
An obvious key to success: relationships
My past life in the theater industry made me learn quickly that success in that industry comes with a hefty price: minimal opportunity for a family. I left a world that demanded insane working hours, extensive tour routes and harsh demands for your body to look a certain way at all times. All of these factors discourage family creation and spousal relationships. It was refreshing to hear how essential Mark’s relationship with his family has been throughout his career. “You need to put family first.” Mark lights up with a grin when asked about balancing family and work. He said that support is essential for someone who is handling the challenges that entrepreneurial work brings. He makes it a priority to disengage from work when its family time.
To hear more of how Mark manages to balance family and running a company, click here.
Mark is not only a successful CEO, but he is also an overall great person who makes an effort to establish a great relationship with his employees. Word to the wise should you find yourself working for him someday: Be careful sharing your birthday information. Should he come to know that it is your special day, you can guarantee you will find Mark and an eager grin right at your office desk with a rendition of “Happy Birthday”.
Reading suggestions:
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depends on It
By: Chris Voss with Tahl Raz
Mark mentioned this book, and it sounded intriguing enough that both Professor Prince and I bought it. My classmates have heard me complain numerous times about how hard I find negotiating simulations; not anymore! In this book, a former international hostage negotiator for the FBI offers his advice on high-stakes negotiations. Life is a series of negotiations, he writes, and this book gives you the tools to handle those situations with his proven techniques and tips.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
By: Dale Carnegie
A classic bestseller, this book will teach you how to become a truly likeable person while chasing your dreams. The wisdom within these pages teaches you how to win over individuals with your concepts and ideas, encouraging communication without arousing resentment. Carnegie’s advice in this book has aided many successful individuals in their climb to the top in both their personal lives and businesses.
Formerly a professional dancer/singer in New York City, Rachel Tunney is currently a 1L at Penn State Dickinson Law. Before her law school career, Rachel obtained a B.S. in Fitness, Conditioning, and Performance at Auburn University and designed three original fitness classes at their Recreational Facility. Upon graduation, Rachel Tunney moved to New York City where she completed Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program and was hired as their Group Services Assistant. Witnessing discrimination and civil rights issues within the entertainment industry led her to pursue a legal career. Rachel is a proud volunteer for the Distinguished Young Women of America program where she has served as a participant, judge, and choreographer.
Links/Sources:
thenexxusgroup.com
https://distinguishedyw.org/
Picture Sources:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Non-Prescription-Round-Circle-Frame-Black-Clear-Lens-Glasses/450992744
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/graduation/index.shtml
Davy Mellado Photography
