Reflecting on 25 Years of Running Segura & Associates 

By Ron Segura

After a quarter century in business, the greatest lessons are still about risk, relationships, adaptability, and the people who make success possible. 

When I left The Walt Disney Company to start Segura & Associates, not everyone thought it was a wise decision. Several people I respected advised me against it. They reminded me that many others—some with more education, broader experience, and greater name recognition—had tried consulting and failed. 

Their concerns were sincere, and I understood them. Starting a business meant leaving security behind and stepping into uncertainty. But I also believed there was a need for practical, experience-based guidance in the building services and facility outsourcing industries. 

Twenty-five years later, I am grateful I took the chance. 

Segura & Associates began with the simple purpose of helping companies solve real operational problems. In the beginning, much of my work centered on building service contractors (BSCs) to improve systems, strengthen sales strategies, and compete more effectively in a changing marketplace. 

Over time, the work has expanded. I began advising organizations that were outsourcing cleaning and facility services, guiding them through request for proposal processes and helping them make decisions that would deliver long-term value. At the same time, I worked with service providers to see their business through the customer’s eyes—not just what they wanted to say, but what their clients truly needed to hear. 

That perspective became central to the firm’s work. Whether speaking with executives, managers, or frontline teams, I learned that every level of an organization offers insight. One cannot help a company improve unless they understand how all the pieces fit together. 

An Industry Transformed 

The industry today looks very different from the one I entered years ago. In the early days, business was built largely face-to-face. Reputation traveled by word of mouth, technology played a smaller role, and many organizations operated without clearly defined systems. 

Today, technology drives operations, communication, performance measurement, and accountability. Digital presence shapes credibility before a conversation begins. Clients expect measurable results, transparency, and consistency. Sustainability has moved from preference to expectation. 

Competition is also tougher. Companies can no longer rely only on relationships or past performance. They need structure, discipline, and the ability to adapt without losing sight of who they are. 

For all that has changed, the fundamentals remain remarkably consistent. Trust still drives relationships. Reputation still matters. Execution still defines success. At its heart, this has always been—and will always be—a people's business. 

Lessons from the Journey 

One of the clearest lessons of the past 25 years is the importance of adaptability. Markets change. Client expectations change. Technology changes. The companies that succeed are the ones that remain flexible while staying grounded in their values. 

Another lesson is that systems build a business, but people sustain it. Strong processes are essential, yet they only work when people believe in them, understand them, and bring them to life every day. 

I have also learned that balance matters more than many of us realize early in our careers. It is easy to let work become everything, but success feels very different when there is no one to share it with. You can hit a lot of home runs on the job, but if you have no one to celebrate the victory with, what have you really gained? 

That lesson has become more meaningful with time. No one builds a 25-year career alone. For me, my greatest support has been my wife of 54 years. She was there through the uncertainty of leaving a secure role, the early years of building the business, the challenges along the way, and the successes that made the effort worthwhile. 

When I think back to the beginning—the warnings, the doubts, the risks—I feel a deep sense of gratitude. I am grateful for the clients who trusted me, the colleagues and service providers who challenged and inspired me, and the relationships built over time. 

Most of all, I am grateful for the people who stood behind the work and made the journey possible. While many see the results, they do not always see the support, patience, encouragement, and understanding behind the scenes. 

After 25 years, I can say this with certainty that journey was never just about business. It was about service, trust, growth, and people. And in the end, that is what matters most. 

Ron Segura is President of Segura & Associates, a consulting firm that helps organizations become more efficient and communicate better. With decades of experience in business leadership and client relations, he is dedicated to building strong connections in today’s fast-changing digital world.