Meet Ken Schneider | entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Schneider and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ken, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
This is a tough one for me. As I have gotten older, my hobbies of my youth have seemed to have disappeared and my passion for work has increased. I do own several businesses that work out to be open 7 days a week so free time is subjective. If it were strictly up to me, I would work and work and occasionally take about 2 hours a day just for myself. An hour to exercise and an hour of off the grid time. But since it isn’t just up to me, at my family’s request I have been trying to spend more time at home with my family or by going away more with my family on the weekends. So over the last 3 months I have tried my best to keep most of the weekends for the family. To be there physically and most importantly mentally.
I am still in constant contact with my businesses but I am learning to let go a bit. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am not sure what sets me apart from others as there are plenty of successful business people out there who have made it and in many different ways. I have always been taught/believed that if you have a good idea, make a plan and follow it things should work out. Of course this is not always the case. The best plans don’t always work out. You have to be willing to make adjustments and changes all the time. What worked yesterday might not work today. I think what sets me apart and what I am most proud of is that when I go into any business venture, I go in thinking will this be good for me, my employees and the end user . (the customer).
I am proud of the opportunities that I can create for my employees. I try to create an environment where people can enjoy what they do, earn a living and have opportunities to grow. I have always tried to incentivize my employees to feel invested in what they are doing. I want them to want to come to work and feel like they can make a difference.
I come from a small group of partners who have many decades of experience and many successes and failures. At the end of the day we have been fortunate enough to become successful. Our motto is “pay it forward”. Give others opportunities to learn and earn as someone gave us an opportunity.
I think I am a total professional for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost someone gave me an opportunity! I had and still have good mentors. My dad was in the military and taught me discipline and about hard work from the time I was little.
None of my success was easy. There are countless days I felt like giving up.
In terms of overcoming challenges? Well having a plan and putting everything you got into making things work is what I have tried to do. This does not guarantee success or that you will overcome your challenges, but this is the minimum you can do. I have had many failures over the course of my career. This is what you learn and grow from the most. There is nothing more humbling than to lose money and have no income. No one likes failure, It is what they do after the failure that matters.
What I want people to know about me is that I always gave/give it my all. I treat people with respect and most importantly I care about what I am doing and how I am doing it. As I said earlier, “you are never wrong doing the right thing”.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first place we would go is my backyard. The view is spectacular and never gets old. It is if everyday it is brand new to me. Then our first meal would be at my home as I love to cook and making someone a home cooked meal shows love. We would spend some time on the water either on a boat or just at the beach. Would walk all over the peninsula, walk over the Ravenel and visit historical sites.
Would stop at Husk the bar for a drink, have brunch at Halls and go somewhere to listen to live music. If time allowed, I would definitely go to Southbound for dinner.
Of course we stop in to Uncork from apps, wine , tequila and to listen to live music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are clearly two people who come to mind and have been extremely important to both my personal and financial growth and successes. The first is my wife Sofia who has been my biggest supporter since day one. She has also pulled me back many times and pushed me forward so many more times. The second person is my mentor Bill. He has taught me so many things about business, the world and overall how to treat people. We live by “my word is my bond” and “you are never wrong doing the right thing”. The second quote is by Mark Twain. 

Website: https://uncorkchs.com

Instagram: uncorkcharleston

Facebook: Uncork Charleston

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/uncork-charleston-charleston