Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Newman.
Robert, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a small southern Oklahoma town of about 650 people. After enjoying Football and Basketball throughout in high school, I graduated not knowing what I wanted to do in life. I went to college and then completed a four year trade school becoming a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker.
After 17 years in that industry and struggling with alcohol and drug abuse and facing several years in a federal prison, I entered a long-term rehabilitation program and freed myself from the grips of addiction. During the program a Drug Education Specialist came to the facility and spoke to the student body and asked for others to get involved. I decided then that that is what I wanted to do. My oldest son was eight years old at the time and the information I learned about drugs and addiction was not being presented to the public in a broad enough effort, hence me wanting to make a difference in the lives of our young people. Since that time, over 20 years ago, I have helped start two drug education programs that reached over 635,000 kids on almost ten states. I worked in a rehabilitation facility setting for 16 years becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Certified Prevention Specialist and Certified Intervention Professional and have helped thousands of addicts and their families get their lives back. I am happily married coming on 15 years with a ten years old son and my oldest son doing wonderfully in life. I now have my own drug and alcohol Intervention business here in Kansas City. My life has been a miracle and I have been able to live places and do things that I would never have imagined possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been. I had to reach out to others and learn what they did to succeed. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and have never lost sight of where I want to be in life. Having the correct estimation of effort of getting a new business off the ground, especially one in the addiction treatment industry, seems like it took about two years just get an accurate bead on what was needed. I think if I had known all that was involved, I might have become overwhelmed. The old saying “you can only eat an elephant one bite at time” comes to mind here.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Newman Intervention & Addiction Services where we help families and save lives. We help families with addicts in need of treatment gain the willingness of their loved ones to attend treatment and get sober and help addicts who need treatment find quality addiction treatment programs.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Do not be afraid of failing. The only time you fail is when you stop trying. Be willing to work the long hours. Get rid of the naysayers and surround yourself with positive people who will build you up. Find a mentor. Read books on the subject and get inspired. I cannot say what I wished I would have known because I knew at the time that I did not know a lot and would have to just figure it out. I was tired of working for someone else and wanted to be my own boss.
Contact Info:
- Email: bobby2newmaninterventions.com
- Website: https://www.newmaninterventions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newman_interventions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newmaninterventions/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/servicesnewman?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLScpf8aKJWNG1Fg-YjY-GQ
