The co-owner and CEO discusses products, pretzels and guilty pleasures!
Rob and Carol TrowRob and Carol Trow
Rocasuba is run by two married couples: you and your wife Carol, plus Barry and Susan Tatelman. How does you make that dynamic work?
We’re lucky in that we truly like each other, we get along well, and we have clear lines of responsibility, with individuals focusing on marketing and PR; operations and customer service; and sales and financial matters.
What advice would you give to your younger, just-starting-out self?
I’d ask myself: ‘Can you support yourself or family without income for two years?’ Many enterprises take years to be profitable. Do not underestimate the importance and depth of your passion; without it, your chances of success dim.
What makes your company unique?
Our culture and core values: We listen to our clients, trainers, sales reps and customer service team. We’re a collegial organization where we put family first, not only in words but also in our actions. Just ask any member of our extended work family.
You’ve worn many hats in your career. What has been your favorite so far?
I’ve really enjoyed seeing how working with us has transformed the personal lives of our team, and watching them thrive and grow both financially and personally. That gives me immense pride.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
That the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. You learn more by listening than talking. If you expect people to listen to what you have to say, you have to demonstrate that you’re an active listener yourself.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
My guilty pleasures are reading fiction, playing golf and spending time alone with Carol doing almost anything.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My inability to resist pasta and pretzels!
Who is your mentor?
There are actually a myriad of people who have influenced my personal and professional philosophies, including an extraordinary graduate faculty group at Harvard who offered an ideal mix of academic and real world experiences.
What’s your favorite TV show?
I loved the morality paradigm that was played out in Breaking Bad and the unintended consequences of the characters’ initially well-meaning choices.
What can’t you leave the house without?
I’m embarrassed to say, my cell phone!
What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?
Taking the risk to form our own company and learning how to be a good listener to clients and our team.
What inspires you?
Seeing others share the passion of our business and watching their growth and successes.
What’s your personal mantra?
“Family first.”
Who would you most like to meet?
Jesus. Imagine being able to have a conversation with him about all our unanswered questions!
How do you unwind?
By playing golf and reading.
What’s your favorite food?
Freshly caught fish off the coast of Cape Cod where we live and, of course, Snyder’s Hard Sourdough Pretzels!
What was the last good book you read?
I recently reread Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD (Putnam Adult, 1998).
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I’m much softer than I seem at first blush. My wife says I have a feminine side!
