Tag Archives: Small Business

American Entrepreneur | Jean Lozada

April 13, 2009 – 10:00 am

Platte City, Missouri

Jeanie Naturals

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Jean Lozada and her husband Angel warmly ushered us into their immaculate home.  The living room opened to the kitchen where windows looked out to rolling hills and sunlight streamed into open rooms. Jean gestured to this serene environment and told us this was where she made her products.  The only hint that it was her workshop was a lingering sweet scent in the air.

Jean grew up in a family that loved and valued fragrance.  Her great grandmother made her own homemade herbal blends.  Like the love of fragrance, entrepreneurism is also a family tradition. Jean’s brother works as an independent real estate agent, a career that Jean briefly flirted with herself.  While she didn’t continue in real estate, she referred to her brother as her business role model.

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Jean Lozada at her home in Platte City, Missouri with an assortment of her Soy and Shea Butter Body Massage Candles.

Jean described herself as a former company girl.  She was very loyal to a large company but suddenly found herself part of a massive downsizing. At that point she knew that she wanted to work for herself, and Jeanie Naturals was born. Hers was a sentiment that we heard a lot in our journey meeting entrepreneurs across the country; the time Jean puts into her business doesn’t feel like work.  She told us that when her husband is working out of town, she can be engaged in creating her product for ten and twelve hour days.  It doesn’t feel like her previous desk job, where she would be ready to punch the clock at five. Since founding Jeanie Naturals, Jean loves having control over her own work schedule.

Jeanie Naturals is an eco-friendly company that manufactures natural and organic products for the home and body.  All of their formulations begin with a base of herbal teas and botanicals.  The Jeanie Naturals line includes soap, lotion bars, candles, and body massage candles; each product comes in a variety of natural scents.

On the home front, Jean treasures the support of her husband, Angel, and her family.  She is also actively involved with the Indie Beauty Network, and cites Donna Maria Coles Johnson as another mentor. The low cost of living in Missouri, the love and support of her husband and freedom of being her own boss allows Jean the creative reign to experiment and play with new products. 

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Jeanie Naturals relies on word of mouth, and social networking sites to promote products.  Jean measures Web analytics and adapts her marketing based on that information. Recently Jean made the major decision to reduce the amount of products she offered.  She wanted to keep Jeanie Naturals a one-woman show, and it was difficult to keep up with demand.  She thought carefully about what she enjoyed creating most, and what products made up the majority of her sales.  And there was a connection. Jean enjoyed her time making candles, and knew that she crafted each one with love.  When she realized that the candles were also the biggest selling product, it was easy to trim her product line.

For Jeanie Naturals, the company motto is to have fun doing what you love.

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

American Entrepreneur | Greg Eckler

April 11, 2009 – 11:00 pm

Denver

Affinity Group’s Greg Eckler

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

American Entrepreneur | Glenice Martinez

April 11, 2009 – 10:00 pm

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

American Entrepreneur | Andreea Ayers

April 11, 2009 – 9:00 pm

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

American Entrepreneurs | David & Julie Sandusky

April 11, 2009 – 8:00 pm

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

American Entrepreneur | Wesley Hill

April 11, 2009 – 5:10 pm

Denver

Successful entrepreneurs, it’s time to get involved and give back. After interviewing Wesley Hill, we decided this was the opportunity to use this project to encourage and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. Some of the people we are meeting need our help and our encouragement.  To continue to be successful in our entrepreneurial businesses, we have a responsibility to encourage strong new members to the small business community.

We’re issuing a call to action.

We ask those of you have already found success to please support those who need to know that they have what it takes.  Just a quick email or post could make all the difference in the world.  We know it did for us.  So here is your chance.

Let me introduce Wesley. The place where she is right now might sound familiar.

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Wesley Hill was the first person that we’ve met in our journey who is in that initial stage of the entrepreneur’s journey.  She is at that turning point.  You know that place: she has found her passion, she has worked hard for years perfecting her craft, she has risen to the top of her profession, and yet she is still unsatisfied.  We all know what she needs to do:  she needs to believe in herself and in her dream.  With all of your help, this post will prove to Wesley that she is ready and already has everything she needs to be successful.

Here’s how Wesley describes her business aspiration: “I am interested in national and international projects, working with people launching big projects that entail grant writing and obtaining grant funding. The business I am about to launch is about looking for what the need is.”

To us, it seemed obvious that Wesley has found her passion. Listen to the way she describes her chosen profession: “I love grant writing. The most difficult grants I have written were for the national science foundation.  It’s very difficult to get a grant through the national science foundation.  It’s been very interesting learning the grant game; who’s giving out funds, what types of projects they are funding, where funding trends are going,  government funds and philanthropy in the private sector.  I actually like studying this and I like writing grants.”

Wesley describes herself as being successful at getting funds and having a passion for green energy.  In particular, she is interested in environmental programs on public lands.  She believes in these programs and will do what ever it takes to get them funded. Sound familiar?

She tells us that what is unique at this time in our country is that stimulus funds are coming out.  She knows there is money for entrepreneurs, non-profits and NGOs to fund projects in the right types of programs.  And she knows the game of what is being funded and how to tap into those funds.

In person, Wesley has a warm magnetism and welcoming smile.  Talking with her, we saw the drive, the personality and the skill to be a successful entrepreneur, but we also saw that she is not yet fully comfortable with telling others how great she is.  When asked what made her unique, she answered, “Unique? I’m not sure, because there are great grant writers out there.” [You may recognize this place.  This can be the hardest part, that confidence that you can do what you love.] After a little probing and encouragement from her husband, she opened up a little more and told us about her background.

She has been with the National Geological Society for the last four years, running national and international public land programs. Her main passion is United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites.  UNESCO is headquartered in Paris, and is a large division of the United Nations. Wesley lived in Paris for two years working with the United Nations Environment Program and UNESCO identifying and designating world tourism sights.  After this position, Welsey was to be a selected to be a site evaluator by the World Conservation Union and UNESCO. This means that when a country puts forth a site to UNESCO and the World Conservation Union, based in Switzerland, she would go to the sites and help decided whether this site will get World Heritage status.

Previous to her partnership with UNESCO, Wesley spent ten years working with the forest service in conservation programs, environmental education, wilderness management, and outdoor recreation. She also worked in the private sector, spending two years at Nature Conservancy in fund raising.

We believe in Wesley Hill.  Wesley could be your source for obtaining funding for green projects from international, federal and state sources.  Show your support. Tell her that she is ready for this step. Help show her the way.  We need to have someone of her talents as part of our entrepreneur community.

Next up? Stay tuned for Wesley’s husband Clark Hill, master electrician….

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Road Trip | Moab into the Rockies

April 9, 2009 – 6:55 am

You may have noticed that our Twitter updates are not quite in sync with the blog posts, but I trust everyone knows how much it is to work, travel and squeeze in as much fun as you can at the same time.  We met an amazing amount of entrepreneurs in the Denver area, and their stories are coming.  In the meantime, here are some landscapes from the past week.

As the sun rose and we drove out of southern Utah into Colorado, I enjoyed one of the most memorable scenic drives of my life.  The perspective of the changing landscape from the ground (though acknowledged also from the car) was overpowering at times.   As we wound through them,  I found myself moved by the spectacular allure of the mountains.

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By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, travel | Also tagged , , , | Comments (7)

American Entrepreneurs | Dan Debenham & Tom C. Zdunich

April 7, 2009 – 11:00 am

We met Dan Debenham and Tom C.  Zdunich, at their LENZworks office at the base of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains.  They are living their dream, and maybe my dream a little too.  For real, and if you don’t believe me, here is what Tom said when describing his business,

“We create resorts and resort style properties world-wide into a five six minute video. Our crews get to travel around the world.  Our niche is high-end resort industries around the world and fractional ownership properties and timeshares.  We film resorts and resort style properties world wide into a five six minute video.  Those videos are used on websites and stand alone DVD’s. We also create original television programming.  We have had four television shows hit the air. ”

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Tom and Dan amongst the gear that travels with them around the world.

Tom holds on his shoulder the initial equipment investment from his  1997 LENZworks launch.

Tom and Dan serve as a great reminder of what is possible when you are not afraid to follow their dreams.  As entrepreneurs, we are not an easily satisfied group.  We all have the need to create and do our own thing. We reach one goal and that goal leads to the next.  Before starting LENZworks, Tom started as an on camera anchor and Dan was a sports reporter.  They both accomplished their dreams before they started this business.

When spoke with them it was snowing and the mountains weren’t visible, but when Dan led us into his office, he sat in his chair and pointed out the window and pointed to his large bay windows where on most days he has the most beautiful view. Dan and Tom had just come back from one of their most successful conferences.   They worked 16-hour days and were ready to keep on going.  They love their jobs; they love their work, and our time with them was a great illustration of how to succeed in today’s economy.

Pay close attention. For Tom and Dan, success is simple.  People, people, people.

Tom acknowledged the simplicity of this statement, but questioned how many people really understand that it is the people we work with that help make our businesses successful.  Tom and Dan’s practice of this ideal begins with their staff.  They contract teams of  videographers, editors and photographers, and they have learned how to find the best talent and to keep them. ? Tom spoke of one his employees who “has been extremely loyal to us and has just performed amazingly over the years with us, and we have paid him well.  In fact for months we paid him more than we paid ourselves to keep him so he wouldn’t go somewhere else.  That would be hard to swallow for some business owners but that’s the only we can do it.”

They really understand what their employees need, because they haven’t forgot about what it felt like when they out on their own.  Tom tells us “what we have always wanted from the beginning is a group of people that are talented and creative, that can work under one roof and have synergy. Making great stuff and feeling like they are part of something and not just working for me.  They feel that energy and creative spirit that we all have when we are on our own, here.”

Lenz Works is also an example how marketing can happen if your dream is to work with the best and create.  When asked about what marketing they do, Tom answered that didn’t do any, but after talking to them for a few hours it became obvious what they marketing strategy was. Their passion. Dan revealed that all of their clients have either been word of mouth or return clients.  LENZworks will also identify an industry or a company that they think can benefit from their services, create a platform that will be successful and take it to them.  They walk right in the door and tell the potential client that they have created is what that client needs.  They shoot these on their own dime, presenting not just an idea but a tangible and visible product.

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Enjoying his work at the editing bay, Tom Zdunich  shares with us some recent skiing footage.

Tom reminds us to not be afraid to fail, “if you can’t fail you will never go anywhere you will always be working for someone else.  When you fail you learn you learn what you did.  You can’t care about failing.  If you fail, you can always get another job.”

Tom and Dan live this.  They create product, and present it to the people who need it.  They are on the cutting edge of their industry, because they are not afraid to create and take risks.

And one more thing, if it is not obvious already, Dan and Tom are really good guys.  When asked what his greatest concern for the year was Tom said,  “People.  Finding the right people.  Still being able to be a good dad to my two girls while keeping this company going.”

Thanks to  Dan and Tom for sharing your American Entrepreneur stories with us!

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

American Entrepreneurs | Heidi and Tim Uhl

April 4, 2009 – 7:33 am

The impetus for this project was to document The American Entrepreneur, and gauge how, if at all, the economy was affecting small business. After the first few interviews, we realized that the American Entrepreneur is already way ahead of the rest of the country.  Our project was becoming no longer about how small business owners are reacting to the downturn, but about how the innovation, community, and passion of these individuals has created ways for small business to thrive.

Like any small business owner, we learned from these first few interviews and adapted our project a little to better meet the needs of our subjects and followers.

These American Entrepreneurs in our portraits are not just masters of their craft.  Yes, of course, each of these American Entrepreneurs has worked hard create the best service and product. But what sets these entrepreneurs apart is their openness to share their expertise and advice with us and with you.

We hope that all of our portraits and interviews of entrepreneurs will inspire you and show us all ways to reach more customers, improve customer service, build community, embrace new technology, and something that is increasingly important; building sustainable business practices and strategies to do more with less.

Meet Time and Heidi Uhl of Retrospect Studios, there is much we can learn from them.

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Their wedding and portrait photography business, Retrospect Studios,  is thriving.  Tim and Heidi are booked through the rest of this year, and Retrospect has increased to the point where they had to outsource their payments system and their main concern for the coming year was learning how to deal with growth.  Though the studio is physically located in Artspace City Center in downtown Salt Lake, Retrospect shoots weddings on both coasts.  The day we met them, they were busy packing their gear to head off to shoot Bridal Fashion Week in New York.

It became apparent after the first few minutes of speaking with them, that Tim and Heidi have incredible insight on how to make their business thrive.  Their images are beautiful, and this is important theme in our subjects; these entrepreneurs are great at what they do.

For Retrospect it’s not just about creating gorgeous images; Tim and Heidi have set themselves apart by accomplishing the following:  Tim has made himself a resource to leaders in the photography industry and in his community. Retrospect Studios has initiated a system for collecting money that preserves the creative rapport between artist and client.  And both Heidi and Tim acknowledged that part of their success is living in a community that that is affordable, and supportive to artists (art space) which allows them financial security and importantly the time and resources to play.

One of the biggest gems we heard from Heidi was that continued mastery of your craft comes from play with your passion.

Tim and Heidi, thank you for sharing so much about your journey as American Entrepreneurs and your business.

More details on Tim, Heidi and all the American Entrepreneurs we meet will be coming in May.   The best ideas and encouragements from these interviews will be condensed to bite size genius moments on Twitter.

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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, Portraits, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Road Trip | Salt Lake City

April 3, 2009 – 8:35 am

We took a brisk evening walk through Temple Square, just as the sun was setting and the moon was rising.  I got this image of the moon rising over the temple:

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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.

By allana | Posted in American Entrepreneur Project, travel | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)