Native Virginian Walter Hill started his first company at the age of 24. Now at age 70, he is the chief executive of Icon Blue, a Mid-Wilshire brand marketing firm he and his wife founded in 1998. One of their daughters, Eden, is now the company’s chief operating officer. Hill recently spoke with the Business Journal about putting family first, maintaining balance through health and the importance of taking a step back from business.
Describe your morning routine.
Usually I rise at 5:30 a.m., and I have an exercise regimen every day. It alternates. Some days I run, some days I swim, some days I go to the gym and then on the weekends I’m usually doing Tai chi. I’m a student now for four years. It exercises the internal organs, and it helps you with balance. As you start to age, one of the challenges you have is with vision changes and things like that. If you start to make other adjustments, they don’t cause problems, so having good balance was important to me.
What does a typical work day involve for you?
I’m usually in the office by about 9:30 a.m. and we do quite a bit of importing, so I’m usually dealing with issues regarding merchandise arrivals, and our broker, our logistics people, working with them on things, new client concepts. Various issues that the staff may need my input on is what I do on a daily basis.
How do you achieve work/life balance?
Prioritizing is important. I had my first company at 24, so I’ve always had to define what’s important in my life. First, I’m a husband to a lovely wife, Bonnie, so it’s important that I have balance, and I don’t become so involved in my work effort that she’s forgotten. Then, second, I am a father to three daughters. They’re adult daughters. I’m a grandfather to five grandchildren, so that’s a very important part of my life. I have been fortunate enough over the years that I no longer really have to just focus on the business part of my life. I think early on I probably had a little more intensity about the work part. Now I make sure that my wife and I play golf together. We take trips together.
What would you describe as your greatest accomplishment?
Three daughters that are successful in their own right. They’re well-educated and do well and are wonderful people. And the fact that I’ve never had a salaried job and been able to always produce for my family and provide for my children’s education.
