Tell me a little bit about your background.
-Born in Ord, Nebraska
-Undergrad at University of Nebraska at Kearney
-Masters at Colorado State
-Started as a Staff Accountant at Spicer Jeffries and worked at KPMG and Lockton Companies before GoingConcern.com
-Has a CPA license
-Has been the editor of GoingConcern.com since June 2009
Tell us about one experience in your current position that just blew you away and you were really excited about.
The launch of Going Concern was a very exciting time for Caleb Newquist. He started working with Breaking Media to start Going Concern, building up “archived content” for an entire month before the launch. Have a listen to get a feel for how the whole thing started!
What was your biggest, or one of your biggest, failures in getting to where you are today?
He effectively became a journalist overnight with no training whatsoever. He still believes he learns what it means to be a journalist on a daily basis.
Tell us a challenge you met and how you overcame it.
His biggest challenge over the years has been getting companies to respond to his stories and requests for interviews, which has been a real struggle. While he gives firms a chance to tell their side of the story, they typically decline or don’t respond at all. As an example in regards to PwC, Caleb has been able to expose certain stories about the firm having received documentation and tips from his audience.
What is a great resource you used along the way that helped you to get where you are today?
Google Reader and Twitter.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for someone out there who is just starting out?
Stay aware of your own personal ambitions. Don’t think the only thing you can do to be successful is join a Big 4 firm.
As a follow-up, what about someone who is already working and wants to take his or her career to the next level?
Stop caring about money……
What’s a great book that you’ve read?
Catcher in the Rye and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
Lastly, tell us a quote that you love and how it’s helped you reach your goals.
“80% of success is just showing up.”
