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Apr 11 2009

American Entrepreneur | Greg Eckler

Denver

We had originally planned to meet with American Entrepreneur Greg Eckler on a Monday in early April, but his wife, Kelley, was due their first child. On that Wednesday, the Ecklers invited us to the hospital just before they took their new baby home. Trent suggested that the hospital might be an appropriate a location for a portrait, as the joy of a new baby would focus both Greg’s life and business.

A steady stream of new parents walked past us, as we sat down with Greg on chairs near an elevator going up to the maternity floor. Greg candidly spoke to us about one of the most important components of our lives, how to provide for the needs of those closest to us.

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Greg Eckler, American Entrepreneur and Certified Residential Specialist with Affinity Group,

holding his first born son Samuel Randolph Eckler born April 6 7:36p.m. 7 lbs, 8 oz.

Greg works a real estate agent and broker in Denver, Colorado. Right now he maintains a focus squarely on the information his clients need and avoids the doom and gloom of the national media. He told us that the negative reports of the industry are not always accurate. When asked how the economy was affecting his real estate business, he said, “Right now our biggest problem is that the news comes from LA, New York and Washington, the places that saw crazy booms when we saw nothing. We’ve been riding it out this whole time and now we are suffering because of the loan problem, and that’s national. But we cycle with the coasts. When they’re bad were good and when they’re good we’re bad. Know that Denver is not LA or DC. There shouldn’t be panic here.”

The first thing Greg taught us is that a great system and accurate information will lead to success in any economy. Greg was also very focused on creating superior customer service for his clients. Greg created an accurate referral service system for his real estate business that benefits both the agents he partners with, and the customers he serves. His website generates over 300 leads a month and he and his partners, work to convert these leads into buyers and sellers. This referral system matches the lead to the person who is best suited to serve their specific needs.

Over the course of our conversation with Greg, it became apparent that it is more important for him to be there for his family, than it is to be successful in his business. This is the inspiration and reason for his success. Greg’s road to becoming an entrepreneur should be familiar.

“I started off with the industrial mentality: go to school, get a job, retire, you’re happy. Life is all figured out. But it wasn’t working,” said Greg in describing his journey. “I just wasn’t fitting in. I was in IT for a while; I was a programmer for IBM, a consultant. I just never liked it. Personally, I tolerated it, I made good money but it was the handcuffs of the corporate world.”

His reasons for leaving a secure corporate job said a lot about him as a father and the life that he wanted for his son. Greg said, “ I don’t want my kid to think Office Space [the movie] and Dilbert are funny. Because they’re hysterical to me and I hate that.”

Like all successful business owners, he knows he cannot do it by himself. For Greg, it is Kelley who is his main supporter. He said, “The pivotal decision was Kelley telling me to quit. I needed that support. Having someone else believing me more than I do.”

Having a child can restructure one’s priorities. How can we find balance with the needs of our clients, employees and the needs of our family? This is a challenge for entrepreneurs.

Greg’s answer was simple and in words that I think we can all understand. He said, “I’m not a role model but I’m an example that you can do it. I am a real person and not some infomercial. You can do this as long as you’re not in suburban prison. People pay too much for their house and then they’re stuck working for the man. Our house is fine. We have an extra room we can finish and I could be here forever. We can go on vacations and we don’t have to compete with the Jones’s. The Jones’s are the one who can’t afford anything because they spend too much.”

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Newborn Samuel Randolph Eckler, in his father’s arms.

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Samuel Randolph Eckler, getting a kiss from his mother, Kelley.

An Intimate Portrait of the American Entrepreneur Project is sponsored in part by the automated marketing gurus at Infusionsoft

and is championed by the spirited zeal of The Toilet Paper Entreprenuer and TPEs across the universe.

Apr 11 2009

American Entrepreneur | Glenice Martinez

Denver
Chano’s Tamales

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Glenice Martinez, American Entrepreneur behind Chanos Tamales, in the Morrison Road Complex commissary kitchen in Denver, Colorado.

Glenice Martinez, the woman behind Chano’s Tamales, invented a delicious creation – Tamale Poppers. Glenice greeted us at the entrance to the kitchen; she brought us right to the plates of tamales she had prepared, and watched in glee as we sampled her product (without tasting any of them herself). Tamale poppers are small and round, kind of like a Mexican donut hole. Everyone loves traditional tamales, but not everyone loves the mess. Glenice makes her bite size products in seven flavors. We sampled pork with red chili, similar to a regular tamale, and green chili. Glenice has created a versatile product, too. She explained that the poppers have, “a little bit of a crunch on the outside. You can dip them in salsa, nacho cheese or a bowl of chili. They can also be added to taco salads.”

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Tamale Poppers, bite sized tamales, created by Glenice Martinez of Chano’s Tamales.

Not only are tamale poppers easy to eat, they are delicious. You don’t have to take our word for it: Chano’s Tamales finished third last year in the Colorado Tamale Cook-off. Before we left, Glenice prepared and packaged dozens of poppers in different flavors, making sure we had enough to bring to our friends (which we did, and they loved).

Like all great tamales, Glenice’s are a family tradition.

Forty years ago, when she married into the Martinez family, Glenice was taught by her new father-in-law, Chano, the art of making tamales. Today, Glenice has more than her father-in-law’s name and master recipe. Her family is committed to the success of her business. A family friend translated the menu into Spanish and her daughter’s husband is a Spanish-speaking sales representative to Denver area Mexican restaurants. Glenice’s daughter designed the logo, menus and business cards. Another of Glenice’s four daughters works as a distributor for a line of food products, breakfast burritos.

Glenice welcomes help in the business areas where she is doesn’t have expertise. She is a part of the local Denver entrepreneur community. Most integral to the launch of Chano’s Tamales, was the help of Denny and Elaine McFerrin at the Denver commissary kitchen, the Morrison Road Complex. (The Morrison Road Complex is a state licensed community kitchen that helps launch up to 60 food related businesses every 4-6 months.) In addition, Glenice is taking classes from a business coach. She hopes to begin by getting her tamale poppers in a few of local restaurants and then approach the bank for a loan. She is not looking for a lot, just enough for a cart that might cost $5000. Her plan is to get that first cart so she can get her product out to the stadium to attract the attention of restaurants, bars and catering companies. She has plans for her tamale poppers to be in every bar and restaurant in America, but she has to start somewhere.

If you are considering investing in her you are probably asking yourself if she has the commitment to make this work. Despite the challenge presented by the economy, she has this to say about her business: “I believe in myself and I know I can do the job and that I’m going to make it. I’m going to make it even if it takes me a couple more years, I will never give up.”

Glenice admits she and Chano’s Tamales are struggling and she is open about needing help. She shared with us that her greatest concern is not being able to make it all work because she has to support the family. Her husband works part-time and Glenice is doesn’t think that job will last much longer.

But like all great entrepreneurs, she is not afraid and is willing to do whatever it takes, just like you were. “I’m not afraid to go out and get another job, or two part-time jobs. For someone my age, I still have a lot of energy and I have a lot to offer.”

Glenice hopes to secure $5000. If 20 people read this article and give her $250 as an investment, we can make this happen.

We believe that Glenice is someone who deserves a shot. One thing we, as a community of entrepreneurs, have in common is the need to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs. Here’s Glenice, with a great product and passion. Let’s help her make it happen.

An Intimate Portrait of the American Entrepreneur Project is sponsored in part by the automated marketing gurus at Infusionsoft

and is championed by the spirited zeal of The Toilet Paper Entreprenuer and TPEs across the universe.

Apr 11 2009

American Entrepreneur | Andreea Ayers

Denver

Tees for Change

Andreea Ayers, owner of Tees for Change, greeted us in the parking lot of Boulder’s Common Threads, one of the local shops where her t-shirts are sold. Andreea had the beautiful and graceful glow of pregnancy and she spoke with and confidence. She was about to teach us what she knew about properly and methodically growing your business.

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Andreea Ayers, founder and CEO of Tees for Change, sustainable tees on a mission.

Andreea Ayers is the business owner that we should all be striving to be. She is committed to her community, her family and the environment. She has created a sustainable product that neatly serves her target clients. She has partnered with experts and other professionals to help her in her journey and business education. And importantly, she had the confidence to acknowledge the areas of her business where she wasn’t an expert, and invested in her business’s future (and the local economy) by hiring others to help her business grow.

The story behind Andreea’s journey to Boulder is very much a part of her business success. When she was five months pregnant with her first child, she quit her job in New York City where she did direct marketing for NYU. She knew she had to do it on her own. Once in Boulder, Andreea found a supportive community of entrepreneurs and used the Boulder Innovation Center, and Savor the Success, as main resources in launching her business.

Tees for Change manufactures the aforementioned ‘tees’ and other apparel. Andreea describes the business as eco-friendly; Tees for Change apparel is made of sustainable materials like cotton or bamboo. These are dyed with low-impact nontoxic dyes, and then uplifting messages are imprinted with PBC-free water-based paints.

From the beginning, Andreea was not content with only selling eco-friendly apparel; she wanted to make a bigger difference and to give back. She partnered with Trees For The Future to plant a tree for every shirt that she sells. When we spoke with her, they were about to plant their 10,000th tree. The trees are planted in South America and Africa, where they’re needed most.

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Andreea Ayers, radiant in abundance, with her Tees for Change apparel line at Boulder’s Common Threads.

Trent was particularly impressed with how careful and how thoughtful Andreea was about expanding Tees for Change. Andrea made sure her new product lines were unique and desirable. She’s been able to assess her strengths and the areas where she needed assistance. For example, she realized her inventory was both her greatest asset and her greatest expense. Using her marketing background, she conducted some market research, and she was able to plan for the healthy growth of Tees for Change. She is beginning to expand her business, as small retail shops close, by pursuing vendor relationships with local resorts and spas.

Andreea told us, “My goal is to reach out to the larger clients. I was buying my inventory from five different manufacturers, but it was not really cost effective. My new place can do everything, labels, and tags, and can really help cut costs. They also can know what I am looking for, and they can turn around and produce quickly.”

One of the best things that Andrea did in preparation for the expansion of her business was to assess the area swhere she wasn’t an expert. She hired members of her local entrepreneurial community to help her. She quickly realized if she wanted to sell more products, she needed a professional photographer and web designer who could create a system that allows her to track orders and take coupons. She’s also hired an accountant. She stressed, “It’s so worth it.”

Bravo, Andreea, for reinforcing the concept of a triple bottom line. Being proactive in her life and her business, and achieving her commitment to balance a healthy lifestyle, a healthy business and a healthy community.

An Intimate Portrait of the American Entrepreneur Project is sponsored in part by the automated marketing gurus at Infusionsoft

and is championed by the spirited zeal of The Toilet Paper Entreprenuer and TPEs across the universe.

Apr 11 2009

American Entrepreneurs | David & Julie Sandusky

Denver

js design

Your Brand

Your Brand Radio

David and Julie Sandusky have created two very successful businesses. Julie Sandusky owns js design, a Colorado company that creates customized stationery and products for events. Her husband David, has created Your Brand and Your Brand Radio: online and radio forums to guide people through strategic career planning.

We met Julie and David at the js design studio, housed in a collaborative building filled with other entrepreneurs, artists and creative businesses. In a charming betrayal of her inner artist, I noticed a smudge of gesso on her knuckle. Later, Julie would take us into the workroom, where many projects were in process, including some recently painted chairs.

What Trent and I found most interesting about Julie and David was what sets them apart: their ability to integrate their passions, dreams, and most importantly – their relationship – with their personal and business goals.

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David Sandusky, founder and CEO of Your Brand, LLC and Your Brand Radio at the js design studio in Glendale, Colorado.

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Julie Sandusky, paper and product architect and owner of js design, in her Glendale design studio.

Even though they each own their own business, it quickly became apparent that we could learn from them about how to work as a team, and how that teamwork naturally extends into their local community of entrepreneurs.

Trent asked David and Julie if they could describe what made their business unique. Though their answers began with descriptions of their products and services, the conversation turned to describing their support of each other in their individual successes. David shared, “Everybody who knows me, knows that my top priority and my biggest value is – Julie. That’s number one. Julie’s dreams and goals and what she is trying to accomplish.”

As business partners, as a couple, and as each other’s number one supporters – this is how they have given each other the freedom and the support to take risks without fear of failure. Julie paints this picture of working with David, “Having businesses and the opportunity to discuss, not just everyday things, but the world of business and how to improve – what you are striving for, what your goals are and what your dreams are – it creates a different dynamic.”

David went on to add, “The marriage, the business partnership, the life partnership – everything together is fascinating for us. And believe me, we’ve been through a lot of struggles, we are going to in the future, and we will tackle those as opportunities. We know that we can do it. And that helps with our marriage.”

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Entrepreneurs, and husband and wife team, David and Julie Sandusky, in the js design studio, one of their successful Denver based businesses.

Julie and David understand what it takes to build successful businesses and relationships. How they have grown their businesses, their relationship and the communication necessary to take risks and experiment is evident in their products and their customer service. David’s concerns for the coming year were for the community as a whole, including those who are making livelihoods based on corporate giving. He said, “My mission is to make sure that people are confident and understand how they can make a significant impact in their community.”

The success of js design, Your Brand, and Your Brand Radio is based in the Sandusky’s ability to communicate openly as business partners, as husband and wife, and as dreamers. They are not living in a fantasy where everything is one rosy day after then next. They are cognizant that the dynamics of their businesses, just like their relationship, are evolving, and they work together to adapt to these changes.

When asked how is their businesses are changing in relation to the economy, they spoke about real world adaptation, evolution and ultimately success. Julie is noticing people spending less money or doing fewer products, and her overall contracts are lower. Now she is selling more products that aren’t as intricate. js design owns the machinery and the equipment and can make those adjustments. Julie is also launching js design boxed, a national line of stationary and paper product kits, to meet the needs of clients whose budgets are more modest.

Julie shared with us her hopes for the future of entrepreneurs and our country. Trent and I both found her words inspirational as they are grounded in how she lives her life. “What some people have based the American dream on – the house, the kids, the stuff, how those things are packaged and sold – this is changing and people are going to be much more interested in their communities again and helping other people.”

Just like all successful relationships, as we grow, as we learn, as we have families, businesses must adapt. David and Julie Sandusky are setting the example for all of us, how not only to be successful in business, but how to build successful relationships and to connect with the community as a whole.

Trent and I saw echoes in the Sandusky’s support of each other in our own story. Thanks again to David and Julie for sharing with us, and reminding us that we aren’t in this entrepreneurial journey alone.

An Intimate Portrait of the American Entrepreneur Project is sponsored in part by the automated marketing gurus at Infusionsoft

and is championed by the spirited zeal of The Toilet Paper Entreprenuer and TPEs across the universe.

Apr 11 2009

American Entrepreneur | Clark Hill

Denver

Clark Hill Electric

Clark Hill is the owner of Clark Hill Electric. We interviewed Wesley (see previous post) and Clark in their home in the historic Highlands neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. When we arrived we were given a house tour, which was a peek into the skills and craftsmanship of Clark Hill. Clark built an 800 square foot addition with the help of friends and contacts in the construction business. His wife proudly showed the wall to wall bookcase that he built for her book and fossil collections. Given the level of craftsmanship in the bookshelves, the bathroom renovations and the seamless addition, we knew we were in the presence of a master.

Clark was the first person that we met on this journey that talked to us about how his business has been directly affected by the housing bust and its effect on the economy. He gave us some insights into how all of us can thrive during the downturn. He shared the importance of finding your life’s work and your target market to buy it, the commitment to do anything to make it work, the importance of your reputation and the benefits of education and certification.

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Clark Hill, of Clark Hill Electric, standing in the new addition to his home.

Here again, we were faced with the intrinsic optimism of the entrepreneur. Clark also provides something real and a service based on necessity. He is providing a service that people truly need. Clark says, “A lot of what I do is fix things that are broken. While I think that people are more apprehensive [now] about spending money on additions to their houses upgrades, [but] when an electrical repair needs to be made, it becomes a fire hazard issue. Your outlet catches on fire? You have to have it fixed.”

His commitment to business and to his customers is to think locally. Clark wants to serve his neighbors and his community in a way that is fair and indispensable. He wants to be a part of his community.

“One of the markets that I target is the small job market, and jobs that large companies are too busy or don’t have time to deal with. I’ve found that people want someone local. The neighborhood wants a person they know – someone local that is available,” said Clark.

Clark accompanied Sadie and me on an evening walk out to the lake by their home. Along the way he pointed out some of the homes in the neighborhood where he had done work for the property owners. Advising on electrical upgrades, assisting with rental properties. I could tell he was quite content to be a part of his neighborhood, offering a service to his neighbors and neighborhood businesses.

In addition to being a friend and an integral part of his community, Clark finds his target market by placing ads in the local paper. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make his small business successful.

Clark reminded us of the importance of the many years of formal training and time investment that it takes to become as master of your craft. But being a master in his field, holding state licensure both as a contractor and electrician, being committed to his community, and charging a fair price is not enough for Clark. He tells us he relies nearly entirely on one essential thing: reputation. Clark believes “reputation means everything.”

Clark reminded us how incredibly important it is to hire a qualified and reputable electrician. We should all think of our own businesses in a similar light. We should do everything we can to make sure that our reputation is excellent.

An Intimate Portrait of the American Entrepreneur Project is sponsored in part by the automated marketing gurus at Infusionsoft

and is championed by the spirited zeal of The Toilet Paper Entreprenuer and TPEs across the universe.

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Tag Archives: automated marketing

American Entrepreneur | Greg Eckler

American Entrepreneur | Glenice Martinez

American Entrepreneur | Andreea Ayers

American Entrepreneurs | David & Julie Sandusky

American Entrepreneur | Clark Hill