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Weekly Win

The ActionCOACH Team

The ActionCoach team was thrilled to participate in a Zoom call with the company’s founder, Brad Sugars, in which he previewed a set of powerful new software tools which will allow our team to communicate, educate, and—most of all—COACH in exciting new ways! This software is customized for the ActionCoach family and is a great example of how ongoing training and optimizing systems are principles we practice as much as we preach. Stay tuned! 

Rob Hellyer

Big Congratulations to Rob for being featured in the Houston Chronicle this week for his amazing commercial property transformation. Originally Rob purchased this commercial property in the heights to use for his remodeling business. The more he worked on it, the more he started to have a vision of transforming this commercial property into a home for himself and his wife Andrea.  Congratulations Rob and Andrea for finishing your passionate project! With time and consistency, you can accomplish your dreams. 

To read the full article CLICK HERE

 

The ActionCOACH Team

This week’s weekly win celebrates our newest addition to the ActionCOACH Houston Team! Meet Jenny Trevino, a native Houstonian currently studying Graphic Design. Jenny is a former public librarian, with graduate training in Information Science and professional expertise in database management and research. She is excited to apply this training in her role on our Marketing Team, while gaining experience in advertising copywriting and design. In her spare time, Jenny also runs a small non-profit and sharpens her research skills by serving as Registrar for the James Hardage Lane I Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Welcome to the team, Jenny!

 

Lisa Rosenfield from Network in Action

Today’s (9/8/21) win comes from Lisa Rosenfield. This year, we can all agree, had its ups and downs.  Some people are still recovering from 2020, and figuring out how to continue to achieve goals in their business. However, Lisa Rosenfeld was able to add members to her “NIA- Women Business Builders Group” this year and is now working on adding 2 “Lunch and Learns” for her “NIA- Women Business Networks”. Way to stay determined and not letting anything limit you! Congratulations Lisa!

 

Brandon Kurz from Dixie Carpet

This week’s win comes from Brandon Kurz. Brandon works for a Carpet Installation company call Dixie Carpet. They provide quality solutions for any customer. They create an exceptional culture through optimism, innovation, integrity, and FUN – while installing flooring for the multifamily community. This Week Brandon was recognized for his key role in developing their APP that will revolutionize their customer’s experience. 

“Always nice to get some recognition and to have someone to share a win with, no matter how big or small. ” Brandon shared. No matter how big or small the task when your employees do it well or go above your expectations be sure to validate them. 

Great job Brandon! 

If you want to check out the app and website  CLICK HERE

Rickale and Oyas from Roxy Wuz Here Art

This week’s Weekly Win is brought to us by Rickale and Oyas of Roxy Wuz Here Art! These ladies have done A LOT in the past months to gain exposure for their art and products! They have recently been featured on ArtsyShark.com in an article all about wearable/gift art! Congratulations on the feature Rickale and Oyas!

Check out the article: CLICK HERE       

Kris Stewart of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston

This week’s Weekly Win is brought to us by Kris Stewart of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston. Kris’ Franchise was given the Rookie of the Year award at the bluefrog annual conference. Since starting his franchise in the midst of a pandemic Kris has shown nothing but perseverance and dedication to creating his business by taking ACTION! Congratulations on Rookie of the Year! That’s one step closer to being the #1 Franchise!

Sonia Davis of The Jewelry Instructor’s Bead Bar 

This week’s Weekly Win is brought to us by Sonia of The Jewelry Instructor’s Bead Bar. Sonia has launched her non-profit “Never Starving Artists”. Their mission is to hold music and art classes for underprivileged kids whose parents don’t have the means for art/music camps and classes. A great way to use your success is to find a way to give back and help the people around you in your community! Thank you to Sonia for taking ACTION and giving back! Congratulations on the launch!

 

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Business Tip of the Week

Are You Teaching Your Team to Be the Best?

The leading cause of overwork among business owners is not teaching your team! For example, a law firm where the best attorney is the owner is not a successful law firm. You’d rather not be the greatest attorney and instead, hire dozens of phenomenal attorneys. And keep teaching them all the things they need to learn for you to have a phenomenal law firm. Being the best is not a smart business strategy. Instead, you want to teach the team. So be a smart business owner. Get help from us, get help from someone else, it doesn’t matter. Just learn how to teach your team! 

How Many Steps are in Your Sales System?

In a good sales system, you should have 7 or so steps. Each step should allow your customer or prospect to say no. When they don’t say no, go to the next step. If they have said yes multiple steps then the probability of them becoming a customer is significantly higher than not. Let’s take a landscaping company, if they come out, do a little and leave then the probability of the sale is pretty small. Now if the landscaping company meets with the customer, comes back and sends an email and asks the right questions, and sends the right information then the probability of the sale is significantly higher. So look at your sales process, is it 2 steps or 7?

Are you Understanding DISC?

Why is it important to understand DISC? For example, let’s say we have Robert who is a very outgoing and bubbly person. Then we have Bob who is very meticulous, process-oriented, and not into Robert’s personality. Well, as you can see, they are on opposite ends of the spectrum and not going to be able to create great rapport or work collaboratively.

So really, you should understand DISC. It’s one of the simplest out there. Make sure your sales team and your marketing messages are leveraging DISC. When you understand DISC you can better understand people and when you build your team you can put the right person in the right role with less hassle!

 

How Many Marketing Strategies are You Using? 

If your answer isn’t 8-10 strategies you need something to change. You see every marketing strategy you have should generate around 10% – 15% of your leads. If you have 10 strategies always running, then it won’t matter when one or two start to decline because you still have the other 80%. Then you have the freedom to change the ones that are failing without having the dead space in between where you aren’t getting leads which means no customers!

Most small businesses rely on one strategy like referrals to grow their business but with just one strategy what happens when it starts to fail… so does your business. Implement 8-10 strategies in your marketing so you don’t fail! 

Do You Understand the Lifetime Value of a Client? 

Most business owners are way caught up with the numbers of today. This is my revenue today; I don’t know the revenue for tomorrow… But when you understand the lifetime value of a customer/client you are actually able to forecast your future revenue. So, let’s think of it in terms of a realtor, the average person will buy a house every 7 years. Now that one commission check is $5,000 however if you take the lifetime value of a customer and stay in contact with that customer that one customer could increase that overall revenue or commission by 5 to 7 times. 

That is why it is CRITICAL to understand the lifetime value of a customer and how it can help predict the numbers in YOUR business. So, think how often do my clients buy from me and for how long? 

 

Are you leveraging other people’s money?

It may seem like an intimidating concept but you’ve probably been leveraging OPM your whole life without even noticing.  When you buy a house with the bank you are leveraging other people’s money.  After all, it’s far safer to use other people’s money than your own. 

Business is no different, you should be leveraging OPM. There are various ways to spend OPM like Equity investors, government grants, vendor, and landlord financing. The key to finding OPM is getting people to believe in your business. This should be easy because you wouldn’t have customers if you didn’t know how to make others believe in your establishment enough to give you, their money. After that, you can rest easy! There’s a certain calmness you have investing money that’s not yours.

There’s tranquility knowing you’re not at any risk of losing your own money. If that weren’t the case, we’d all be in Vegas every weekend.  Your goal in business should be to make lots of money without ever having to spend lots of money. Saving money while making money is the name of the game. 

 

Do You Have a Guarantee?

Every industry has something customers fear that prevents them from spending money. With marketing, it’s a fear that it won’t work. In the medical industry, it’s a fear of a bad diagnosis. Find out what your patrons are scared of and you’ll know exactly what to guarantee to ease their fears. A customer who has no fear is a customer who is not afraid to spend money. 

The opposite of fear is not courage it’s trust. The more your customers trust you, the more money they’ll spend at your establishment.  We all know there is no monster in our kid’s closets. However, sometimes we still have to go into their room and reassure them there’s nothing to be afraid of. Customers are no different, every now and then you have to reassure them there’s nothing to fear at your business. How are you making your customers feel safe? 

 

How Much Does a Client Cost??

If you don’t know then you’re missing a major factor to running a successful business. Marketing is like oxygen; you can’t see it with your bare eyes only its results. You know you’re breathing but you can’t see it… So how do measure how much to spend attracting clients? How do you know how much money will yield results?

This is why it’s critical to pay attention to the difference in revenue and dollar profit after marketing.  How much customers and revenue you receive after marketing illuminates how much of your budget needs to go into attracting clients. 

You don’t want to end up spending large sums of money on marketing when you’d have the same results with half the price. The only way to know this is to find the trends between customers, marketing, and revenue.

Just remember just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there.  Your business is always breathing…

 

Where do You See Your Business in 5 Years?

It’s a simple question but many owners have a hard time answering it.

Setting goals gives the mind a clear target to set. This way you always know what you’re working towards. You would never step out of your house and start walking aimlessly. You have a plan on where to go, what time to be there, and how long until you need to get to your next destination.

Why should your business be any different? You need a plan on where you want your business to go, how long it will take to get there, and how long until you reach your next goal. If you want your business to reach its full potential, you need a set of goals to achieve. After all, in most sports, it’s impossible to win the game unless you aim at the goal. Like people, goals give your business a sense of purpose.

Does your business have a purpose? 

 

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BOSO: Still Working On It – 20th Edition

Business Owners Speak Out
 Special Offer!
Here’s a collection of short interviews from local business owners with amazing insights into today’s challenges. This week’s edition of “Business Owners Speak Out” explores a variety of industries and what they are up to.

ActionCOACHes Doug Winnie (DW), Cathy Reinhold (CR), and Lydia Navo(LN) virtually sit down with business owners to learn how they are working through COVID-19. Check out their inspiring stories for tips on how to cope with and successfully recover from this pandemic, and learn how to avoid making common mistakes. Be sure to check out special offers from these businesses. We can all use a little extra help right now!

Most importantly, visit the company websites. Reach out to those who offer services you can use. Let’s support each other and get through this together!
Texas Best Roof & Construction.jpg
Texas Best Roof & Construction owner, Joe English
Texas Best Roofing and Construction and its team of knowledgeable managers, roofing personnel, and insurance professionals have thorough training in estimates, insurance protocols, procedures, and the complexities of the posturing and positioning of insurance companies for fair settlements.

CR: Who is your best customer?
JE: Much of my business comes from residential real estate customers who need work done to their roofs before moving. We also get referrals from clients that have been affected by hail, so we have many insurance jobs.
CR: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
JE: The real estate market has cooled off during this pandemic fortunately, it hasn’t affected us very much. People are concerned with physical contact, but we’ve taken all the necessary precautions.
CR: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
JE: We’ve implemented social distancing for our workers while they’re out on site. We’ve created new contactless sales that lean more on the marketing side instead of the in-person interactions we have always used. We are considering other ways to help people through no-contact services, too.
CR: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
JE: Before COVID, when we came across an issue, we devised an outline that separated it into important components so that we could address it fully. Then, we asked ourselves what policy we could create to avoid problems like the one we had before us. Also, we needed to understand how to be more proactive. We put all of these new systems in place for the future.
CR: What is inspiring you?
JE: During this time, people have had a chance to spend time with their families, and it has been a time of reflection and, hopefully, growth. As a nation, we have had a moment to pause and reassess our values.

Contact: (832) 888-6922
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Texas Cumputers Work Inc. owner, John Burk 
Texas Computer Works, Inc., serves various independent producers and develops software tools that give customers low-cost, easy-to-use management solutions for production data needs. People can integrate the company’s products as a total system solution or install them individually. The systems are useful for local area networks, standalone computers, laptops, and portables.

LN: Who is your target market?
JB: We mostly serve independent producers and oil and gas companies.
LN: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
JB: My business partner and I have been in business together for 35 years. Five years ago, we closed our office to work from home, so coronavirus has not affected us a lot. We communicate by phone or through email. The plummet in oil and gas prices affected us more than COVID-19, and some of our clients went out of business. There is a connection between those things. But oil and gas companies continue to produce, so that has kept our business cycle up.
LN: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
JB: We have moved our software from our office computers to our home computers. Other than that, we haven’t changed anything significantly.
LN: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
JB: I like that concept. Smart people ask questions. Ignorant people think they know everything. Always ask questions. Once you know the facts, you can come to your own conclusions.
LN: What is inspiring you?
JB: I always ask questions and I motivate myself. This business inspires me as well.
 
Contact: (713) 827-7111
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Exceptional Pediatric Therapy owner, Nedra Woods 
At Exceptional Pediatric Therapy, the primary goal is connecting pediatric needs through therapeutic interventions. The company’s therapists offer the knowledge, dedication, and compassion necessary to treat delays in speech and occupational skills effectively. Services include occupational therapy, a service that helps children prepare for and perform important learning and developmental activities, and speech therapy, which is the treatment of speech and communication disorders. Our goal is to make therapy effective, fun, and interesting for each child. 

CR: Who is your target market?
NW: Our target market is young people with language-based learning disabilities, stuttering, autism, ADHD, and more.
CR: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
NW: Initially, we had to wait for the governor’s green light to offer telehealth visits. Afterward, we were able to have the kids come back with peace of mind. With COVID-19, the way we offer services has changed, and we have found we actually need to increase the therapy staff to meet the demand. Therefore, we are hiring.
CR: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
NW: We’re trying to provide our services in a school setting as independent contractors. Depending on where the pandemic goes, we will have to adjust on a day-to-day basis. We want to get our therapists back as a whole. Hopefully, by the end of August or September, we can fulfill that goal.
CR: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
NW: You have to research your area of business before you go into it. Six months to a year is a good starting point. Things you don’t know can cost you a lot of money. When you’re starting, you don’t have a lot of money to waste. Be smart and do your research.
CR: What is inspiring you?
NW: With everything going on in the world right now, we have to think about how we can get through it. I am just a person who enjoys what I do. The greatest thing we can do is find ways to leave a positive imprint on the world, and this job allows me to do that while doing what I love.

Contact: (832) 487-9872
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Executeam Staffing President, Laura Bowen
Executeam Staffing, a leading Houston employment agency, provides total staffing management solutions based on the straightforward principle that both parties should mutually benefit from the partnership. The agency’s priority is to realize what’s important to the client and offer a broad range of services. These include direct hire and temp-to-hire services for various disciplines, including office, accounting, and professional employment opportunities in Houston.

LN: Who is your target market?
LB: Healthcare companies in Houston are definitely in our target market.
LN: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
LB: Our staffing side has been extremely busy with individuals in response to COVID. We’ve had a lot of business in the public healthcare sector. It feels like our recruiters are working non-stop and seven days a week because there is a huge need for people in the healthcare sector. We have a big demand and not enough candidates at the moment.
LN: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
LB: We do all interviews virtually through Zoom. We have been accommodating people to get back into work smoothly. Overall, we have found that we are one of the businesses that are doing okay, but we are still flexible, and we make accommodations to help candidates and clients.
LN: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
LB: I quickly realized that I couldn’t do it all myself. The best thing to do is teach others so they can empower themselves and make it on their own.
LN: What is inspiring you?
LB: The resilience of my team. They put a lot of effort into giving back to the community by providing personnel and that has a direct, positive effect on them.
 
Contact: (713) 952-6760
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You Squared Media President, Tracey Clecker
You Squared Media is a full-service advertising agency with a personalized client approach that is unique when compared with other firms. The team of marketing professionals shares a passion for doing great work delivers the results clients expect. With more than 35 years of experience, You Squared provides graphic design, digital media, and much more. They believe advertising shouldn’t resemble a game of darts; instead, it’s about simple math, knowing the media market, and caring about clients.

CR: Who is your target market?
TC: Our target market includes ATP companies. We also have hospitals, restaurants, hotels, stores, and banks on our client list.
CR: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
TC: Our business has dropped dramatically, but we are surviving because we have a lot of clients. Since we are working remotely, we’ve had to downsize our office space. We’re hoping that business will pick up again.
CR: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
TC: It’s been all-hands-on-deck since business slowed down, and we’re trying to find ways to market ourselves more. We focus on social media and make increases in other areas like that to connect with people. It has been a time to think about the team and make sure that everyone is on the same page.
CR: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
TC: Always value your employees and make sure that your employees appreciate the work they are doing and have the same passion for the job.
CR: What is inspiring you?
TC: People who are staying positive and trying to find the good in this situation inspire me. I love to see businesses thrive, so I like to see my team helping clients.
 
Contact: (713) 880-3387
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Elaine’s Florist & Gift Baskets owner, Elaine Ousley
Elaine’s Florist and Gift Baskets started in Houston in 1992. With a team of experienced and passionate designers, Elaine’s has become one of the city’s leading floral businesses. The shop produces beautiful, long-lasting arrangements for every need.

LN: Who is your target customer?
EN: Our target market is women-owned businesses.
LN: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
EN: We had a loss of our fall season commencement sales. In our industry, the summertime is a slow season. When the pandemic began, many events were canceled and that was the most significant impact.
LN: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
EN: When we make a delivery, we set the arrangement on the ground, ring the doorbell, and then take steps back to practice social distancing. Fortunately, we didn’t have to close because the city listed us as an essential business. We’ve also had customers wear masks when they come into our shop.
LN: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
EN: Before I went into business, people always told me to get a personal banker. I didn’t think it was all that important because a bank is just a bank. But you can develop a relationship with your banker, and that is huge in the long run.
LN: What is inspiring you?
EN: I guess what is inspiring to me right now is that our business is still doing well even though we’re in the pandemic. It’s inspiring to me that people always find comfort in flowers.  
Contact: (713) 661-6788
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Royal Travel owner, Maqsood Farid
Royal Travel is a travel agency specializing in sending Muslims for Hajj and Umrah for the last 25 years. Maqsood Farid and team pride themselves on going the extra miles to ensure visas arrive on time, procedures are thoroughly explained and you have all the necessary information worthy of such an investment in your life. Royal Travel provides international tickets on various carriers, including Emirates Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways. 

CR: Who is your target market?
MF: Our target market includes Muslims who want to travel to places near and around Saudia Arabia for cultural and religious reasons.
CR: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
MF: Travel restrictions have impacted my business directly. Being that we are a luxury business, we weren’t considered essential and have to close our doors. Currently, we don’t see luxury travel kicking back up for another two years.
CR: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
MF: We are working with passengers to book future travel. We’re negotiating with them and the airlines to see if they will sell tickets for the future. Airlines are also struggling with cash flow problems.
CR: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
MF: We made the mistake of letting the goals of others pressure us into taking on too much. This can cause a ripple effect of changes that spiral out of control.
CR: What is inspiring you?
MF: Islamic belief is that everything that happens, happens for the best.

Contact:  (281) 498-1800
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Castle Rock Communities owner, Greg Yakim
CastleRock Communities is a Texas home builder that builds single-family, detached homes in premier master-planned communities in the Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas areas. The company offers more than the traditional home buying experience. You can request information online, have one-on-one consultation meetings, and utilize real-time virtual showings and tours. You can even buy your new CastleRock home online.

LN: Who is your target market?
GY: We build in 15 geographic markets. Every community is filled with demographics related to employment and other buying factors.
LN: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
GY: We cannot explain it, but our growth this year is 40 percent over last year. We are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. The company has had historically high sales every single month.
LN: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
GY: We still have people coming to the office. We have always had online sales and we are prepared for that more. Lately, we have had more people who are serious about buying and have already done their research. Therefore, our capture rate has gone up.
LN: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
GY: I have been in business for a long time. Here at CastleRock, we do things right and hire the right people, so we sleep soundly at night.
LN: What is inspiring you?
GY: When I ask people what our product is, they answer “homes.” That isn’t true; homes are our vehicles. Our actual product is career opportunities. My job satisfaction comes from watching people achieve their goals and dreams.

Contact: (832) 582-0030
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Sand Oak Unifrom Embroidery owner, Reem Lahham 
Sand Oak Uniforms and Embroidery, Inc. is Houston’s source for custom uniforms. The retailer offers a wide range of medical uniforms, workwear, and accessories. The company also offers custom embroidery.

LN: Who is your target market?
RL: Our target is anybody in grade school who needs uniforms and anybody in the medical field.
LN: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
RL: We had to close down for a couple of weeks, and we still have fewer customers than normal. Our online sales picked up as a result of people not leaving their homes.
LN: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
RL: We require all of our employees to wear a proper mask and wash their hands before and after helping customers.
LN: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
RL: We appreciate the importance of catering to our customers and treating them how we would like to be treated. Our customers are number one, and we strive to make sure our customers feel that way. We would not give a customer an unfinished product; we would not be proud of ourselves. You have to learn to treat your customers with respect.
LN: What is inspiring you?
RL: Our customers who we can treat with respect and a smile. The way they smile when they receive the product.

Contact: (713) 789-0356
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Advantage Ambulance Service LLC owner Eric Walker
Advantage Ambulance Service is a standby medical service company that provides quality patient care during events and ambulance transport in emergencies. Advantage Ambulance Service also provides professionally staffed First Aid stations for all occasions. Advantage uses only licensed medics, and the management team has a combined 60 years of experience with patient care.

LN: Who is your target market?
RL: We attend many sporting events. Lakewood Church, PVAMU, TSU, and other organizations that need standby ambulance service hire us.
LN: What has been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
RL: There have been no sporting events or church events. We have a few contracts still running such as racetracks and university clinics. We are running less than 25 percent of our business right now.
LN: What are one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
RL: Well, it is difficult right now. We push to meet goals and stay on track with where we want to be, but we do not see ourselves hitting our original goals for 2020. We usually do football and soccer events, but now everything is cancelled, so we have pivoted and reached out to other people who might need our services.
LN: It has been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that could help others?
RL: I can share tips rather than mistakes. You have to streamline ideas. When you put your mind to things, keep to it.
LN: What is inspiring you?
RL: My job at the fire department. I can go out and be hands-on with the community.

Contact: (281) 910-8928
If you know of a business owner wanting to be interviewed for this complimentary educational newsletter please send us an email by replying to this one!

Please be safe, cautious, and follow all guidelines. Remember to support your local business and be kind to one another. 🙂
Executeam Staffing: Executeam has consultants available to help your company reconfigure its workspace to follow distancing guidelines.
Sand Oak Uniform & Embroidery: Customers can get a free backpack for spending $55 or more on a product. Contact Sand Oak to learn more
 
 
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Business Owners Speak Out – 3rd Edition Vol. 2

Business Owners Speak Out
B2B Edition, Vol. 2
A collection of short interviews and education from local business owners with amazing insights to today’s challenges. This week’s edition of “Business Owners Speak Out” focuses on B2B companies.

ActionCOACH Doug Winnie (DW) and team virtually sit down with business owners to learn how they are working through COVID-19. Check out their inspiring stories for tips on how to cope with and successfully recover from this pandemic as well as ideas on how to avoid making common mistakes. And be sure to look at special offers from these businesses – we can all use a little extra help right now!

And, most importantly, visit the company websites. Reach out to those who offer services you can use. Let’s support each other and get through this together!
Special Offers!
Storyteller Promotions: Contact Ruth for free Note – Mouse Pad
QUB Development: Free consultation. 15% off until the end of the month on all services.
The Oggero Law Firm: One 30-minute free telephone or video consultation
Gulf Global Synergies: A free consultation for small to medium-sized businesses
LFD Communications: Half off your first consultation
Datalinx, LLC owner, Paul Haldi

Established in 2001, Datalinx LLC provides consumer and business credit reporting services. We help individuals and business process their data with all four credit bureaus.

DW: Who is your target audience?
PH: Small to medium-sized businesses with 50 or more accounts. Our biggest verticals are rental properties and automotive shops.
DW: What is the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
PH: We haven’t had any cancellations, but we aren’t seeing any new business. In the last few weeks our call volume is very low, and this isn’t normal. I say we’re lucky to be holding steady.
DW: What have you done to make a difference?
PH: Normally we wouldn’t do a lot of specials or discounts due to bureau restrictions. However, we have been offering free consultations, especially with those who have been affected like rental properties. We help them understand the new or adopted rules for lending.
DW: What’s most inspiring to you today?
PH: The concern that the vendors we work with have for their consumers. This affects everybody and each action has a trickle-down effect. If my vendors are helping me, I can help my clients, who can help others and so on. 


Contact: (425) 780-4530 phaldi@datalinxllc.com

Sesh Coworking owner, Maggie Segrich

Sesh Coworking is Houston’s first and only women focused flexible workspace. We opened at the beginning of this year and we provide a warm, clean, and centering workspace to anyone, not just women, who needs a place to work.

DW: Who is your target audience?
MS: Our target audience includes professionals such as accountants and Realtors, and others located in central Houston who want to get out of their homes to work.
DW: What is the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
MS: We have been closed since everyone was ordered to work from home. A space like ours doesn’t work under the guidelines. Once we can reopen, we will have a sliding fee scale so more people and small business owners can use our space at a lower price point.
DW: What are some actions you’ve taken to make a difference?
MS: We have opened our Facebook page to the public and offer resources there. My business partner and I are both working moms, so we wanted to include resources to help women like us. There are lessons and games for kids as well as some business resources.
DW: It’s been said that the smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you made that can help others?
MS: As an owner or CEO, you have to give yourself breaks and time away from the business. It is impossible for a human being to work nonstop and not burnout. Also learn from your competitors mistakes!
DW: What is most inspiring to you today?
MS: I wrote handwritten cards to our members and that made me feel really good. Not only did I feel like I was accomplishing something, but I also felt that I was bringing joy to someone’s day.

Contact: (281) 764-9380
Storyteller Promotions owner, Ruth Mallon

At Storyteller Promotions, we believe there is a story behind every brand, and we would like to help tell yours. We strive to find the right product or design that best tells your brand’s story. Your brand is your story, and your story is our business! Let’s look beyond your logo and dive deep into your brand.

DW: Who is your best customer?
RM: Our best customers are owners or branding coordinators of mid-sized businesses.
DW: What is the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
RM: The truth is promotional products are not top priority right now. Business owners have to consider payroll and overhead when cash is being distributed, and we aren’t making the cut. For the clients who are still ordering, the problem lies with our suppliers. Do they have what I’m looking for and how much is it going to cost me?
DW: What are one or two actions you’ve taken to make a difference?
RM: We have been hitting the virtual networking scene and bumping virtual elbows for prospecting. With our existing clients, we have been reaching out just to keep the relationship going.
DW: It’s been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. What are some mistakes that you’ve made that can help others?
RM: When you own a family business, it is important to define the roles of each player early on. You have to understand each person’s strengths and weaknesses and place them where is most beneficial.
DW: What is most inspiring you today?
RM: Those that are out making our country run. The essential workers that have to get out there and keep showing up has been very inspiring.

Contact: (713) 447-2864 info@storytellerpromotions.com

QUB Development owner, Saadia Mirza
QUB Development is a boutique graphic design and SEO website marketing firm. The company also designs and enhances mobile apps. We sell relationships between a business and their customers. 

DW: Who is your target customer?
SM: Small to mid-sized businesses that have had minimal or no marketing and they don’t have in-house marketing resources. And we support other marketing firms with their workloads. We specialize in working with new businesses and new locations.
DW: What’s been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
SM: People are taking digital marketing a lot more seriously. In Houston and in Texas, we often rely on word of mouth. Digital marketing gives you a better reach to let people know about you. A lot more people are calling to ask “Hey, how do we get serious about this? How do I improve my online presence?” We’re basically helping people reintroduce themselves to the community because they’re reopening in a new world and that includes new marketing strategies.
DW: Are there one or two actions you have taken to make a difference?
SM: We’re offering a free COVID business consultation on how to revive your marketing, even if you can’t do it with us if you’re financially struggling at the moment. We can give you some ideas. We’re trying to give out as much information as we can. I’m doing Zoom consultations, so I can see your face. That way I can see how you’re responding to technology and where I can help ease that for you.
DW: It’s been said that smart people learn from their mistakes and then wise people will also learn from the mistakes of others. What mistakes have you guys made along the way and how can other entrepreneurs learn from your experience?
SM: I’ve made a ton of mistakes and I think every day I probably make at least one. So, I listen more than I talk. If a customer is providing information, I listen to their source of pain and suffering. I did not do that when I first started. There is usually a reason they’re upset and frustrated.
DW: What’s inspiring to you today?
SM: Definitely my family, my friends and my loved ones. Right now, if they’re healthy that’s all I’m asking for.
 
Contact: (832) 878-4107 saadia@qubdevelopment.com
Procurigence owner, J. Grant Caplan
Procurigence, Inc. is a consulting firm serving the meetings, managed travel and hospitality industry. Travel and travel entertainment expenses are among the top three largest controllable costs of most businesses. We advise companies about their travel programs, policies, contracts, execution, and travel risk management. For example, if an employee is traveling and becomes sick or injured and needs to return home, we help companies anticipate and plan for that.

DW: Who’s your best customer or your target audience?
GC: Corporations with $300,000 or more in annual travel expenses (airline, hotel and other travel-related costs), and individuals responsible for managing or planning meetings; buying or managing organizational travel; and buying or managing operational sales, marketing or revenue management products or services.
DW: What’s been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
GC: Not being able to travel to business meetings and having conferences that are postponed to later this year. I speak frequently at global business travel association conferences and events.
DW: What actions have you taken to make a difference? 
GC: We have helped companies reexamine their travel risk management plan to be better at it the next time anything happens. These plans are critical to help prevent or reduce risk if something unexpected occurs, such as a pandemic and travel is restricted.
DW: Can you think of any mistakes you’ve made over the 20 plus years that other entrepreneurs can learn from your experience?
GC: Yes, absolutely. In order to protect my clients, I have learned to impress upon them the value of risk management.  
DW: What’s most inspiring to you today?
GC: It’s people’s open attitudes towards getting beyond this crisis and continuing life through it. It’s not about just curling up in the fetal position and being sad. From a business sense, it’s about being more open to the possibilities of the world.

Contact: 832-554-6346
The Oggero Law Firm owner, George Oggero
The Oggero Law Firm provides legal services to a variety of business sectors including real estate and real estate investment; estate planning and probate; business matters; bankruptcy; and general litigation.

DW: Who’s your best customer or your target audience?
GO: My target audience is Houston-area Realtors, specifically those who represent sellers, and lenders.
DW: What’s been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business?
GO: There is a slowdown in some aspects of my legal practice such as litigation because we can’t visit corporate offices. It has affected business development to an extent. I spend a lot more time working on my website to increase my online presence and make it easier for people to do things remotely. I am still doing real estate transactions and closings. And I’m an online notary and everybody signs their documents remotely and it is all done. Realtors can’t show homes but they’re trying to the best as they can. It just slowed things down for everybody.
DW: What actions have you taken to make a difference in the business, and is it working?
GO: I am increasing my marketing presence and staying in touch with people a lot more. Hopefully that will pay off.
DW: It’s been said that smart people learn from their mistakes and then wise people learn from mistakes of others. Can you think of any mistakes you’ve made along the way that other entrepreneurs can learn from?
GO: Yes. The key is to not convince yourself you can do it all. You have to have help. You have to have somebody who can do things that you might be able to do, but It’s not worth your time to do it. The other thing is to establish processes early on. They may be modified or amended but you have to have a plan for each day.
DW: What’s most inspiring to you today?
GO: What’s most inspiring to me today is how small businesses, like myself, have reacted positively to this pandemic.

Contact: (713) 364-5759 
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Courage is Currency in Today’s Economy

 

In the current competitive environment, you need the courage to build a business and earn handsome profits. With the constantly changing dynamics of the economy, it requires a considerable amount of courage to battle all the urgent changes within the market, while trying to keep your company stable against the strange tides of the industry.

If you lack courage, then it means that you lack the drive to do whatever is necessary to save your business. A business needs to keep itself updated with the latest developments and technologies within the industry, otherwise, it will become outdated. Adapting to change is necessary and to implement the required steps to make change a success, courage is needed!

Without it, a company will most likely be stuck in the old and outdated rut, while other businesses grab at the opportunity to earn great profits. The difference between both is that one has the courage to act, which translates into ready money for them; while the organization which fails to act because it lacks the courage to tackle an important and critical change, will eventually have to struggle for survival within the industry.

Courage is needed to take all major decisions in business and life….

without it, you wouldn’t be ready to try out a new idea or business formula, which might do wonders for your success.

Courage gives you the capability and strength to face difficult times in the industry and strive against problems to emerge victoriously. Without courage, you wouldn’t be ready to try out a new opportunity, which has the potential to promote your business.

By avoiding an opportunity, simply because you lack the courage to go the extra mile, you tend to MISS a golden chance to make MORE MONEY.

That is why, if you have the courage to do what it takes to succeed in the industry, YOU can enjoy lucrative profits! Remember, courage is your currency to success!

“He, who is not courageous enough to take risks, will accomplish nothing in life.”

If you’re ready to set your business on a course for success, then contact executive business coach, Doug Winnie, today. Small business coaching is his specialty. He is a two-time recipient of the ActionCOACH of the Year award, recognized internationally for his ability to transform struggling businesses into market leaders.

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Do you know all the numbers for your business?

 

If you’re ready to set your business on a course for success, then contact executive business coach, Doug Winnie, today. Small business coaching is his specialty. He is a two-time recipient of the ActionCOACH of the Year award, recognized internationally for his ability to transform struggling businesses into market leaders. Need help with your numbers? 

Register for a free strategy session with Doug Winnie  Click Here

 

 

 

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Do You Run Your Business, or Does Your Business Run You?

Small business coaching can transform you, your business, and even your life.

According to the US Small Business Administration, about half of all new businesses fail in the first 5 years. Now there are many different reasons why businesses either fail or survive. When it comes to small businesses, however, it is most often because a talented, successful, smart, and inspired entrepreneur decided that they could do it better. And they were absolutely correct. So what stopped them from succeeding?

Unfortunately, exceptional talent or skill in providing a service, or producing a product, most often does not include the skills needed to manage and systematize the running of a profitable business. This is where small business coaching comes in.

Is Small Business Coaching Right For You?

Small business coaching is a specialized type of executive coaching. It is designed especially for those talented, successful, smart, and inspired entrepreneurs who need to learn how to run a profitable business.

They need to do it now. They already have a business. They often have employees. They certainly have satisfied customers. And they know their brand, product, or service, has a real value in today’s marketplace. Furthermore, they do not have the time, money, or interest in getting an MBA.

If you feel like you are being run by your business, instead of the other way around, then this type of personal executive coaching is definitely for you.

What is a Small Business Coach?

A small business coach, or executive business coach, is very similar to having an experienced business partner by your side, except that there is no need to share the stocks or profit. Small business coaches see the big picture. They recognize your strengths and your weaknesses. They help organize your business, systematize your process, and realize your goals. They push and encourage you to make critical decisions. They provide honest feedback, sound advice, and a valuable perspective.

What If I Don’t Have the Time?

The most common obstacle facing most small business owners is a lack of time. In fact, one of the very first things your small business coach will help you with is how to gain back control of your time. Did you know that most small business owners find themselves spending unnecessary time and effort on tasks that are better delegated to a team member?

Small business coaching will help you learn tried and test methods of managing your time, your team, and your money. Soon, the days of wasting time and resources on unnecessary things will be a thing of the past.

Who Will Manage My Staff If I’m Not There?

Another important step facing most business owners is learning how to recruit and motivate a team of winning employees who will uphold the company culture you want. Once established, giving trust and authority to your team will come naturally.

If you honestly feel unable to leave your business for even an hour, it’s quite possible that you have the wrong person in a crucial management position, even if they’ve been with you for a decade or more. Your small business coach will help you navigate these waters, too. Cultivating the right team, just like running a business, is more about learning the skills than about having the inspiration.

How Can I Afford Another Expense?

Successful small business coaching, like successful marketing, should never be an expense. It is an investment. In fact, anything that allows you to improve your operations, multiply your customers, increase your profits, and synergize new opportunities should probably be seen for what it is. A valuable business investment.

Results won’t come overnight, but if you are determined, willing to work hard, and able to make tough decisions, they will come. You will soon see positive changes in your business. In your self. And in your life.

Are You Ready to Succeed?

If you’re ready to set your business on a course for success, then contact executive business coach, Doug Winnie, today. Small business coaching is his specialty. He is a two-time recipient of the ActionCOACH of the Year award, recognized internationally for his ability to transform struggling businesses into market leaders.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started on increasing your profits today! Register for a Complimentary Coaching Session.  Let’s talk about your business.

 

 

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Starting a New Business? You Need Coaching.

Whether you’re running a small business or looking to build an international brand, business coaching gives you that extra edge over your competition.

Navigating the business world can be very difficult, especially if you’re new to the industry. From hiring new employees and keeping them motivated to managing cash flow and understanding government regulations and taxes, there’s a lot to do. That’s when you need someone by your side to guide you along.

Building and maintaining a business is a day-in, day-out battle between uncertainty and willpower.

A business coach acts as your mentor and motivator, all in one. In other words, they share their industry knowledge and expertise so that you don’t make the same mistakes others do.

More so, if you are a startup, new business coaching helps you ensure that your business doesn’t fold within a couple of years of starting.

Challenges New Businesses Face and How Business Coaching Can Help

1. Lack of awareness

There is a lack of knowledge about the many more delicate aspects of running a business — project management, for instance.

You may face difficulties in managing healthy cash flow in a competitive economy. Or need to take risks, or promote a healthy business culture, etc. These are a few aspects that a business coach can guide you on.

New business coaching helps you withstand these periods of uncertainty with grit, self-esteem, tolerance, and optimism.

They’re trained to counsel you through the various intricacies of launching and running a new business with custom-tailored advice.

2. It’s stressful to set up a new business

Startups and stress are synonymous. Building and maintaining a business is a day-in, day-out battle between uncertainty and willpower. You need nerves of steel to persevere through prolonged periods of risk, as every business decision made is important to your company’s survival.

That is where our experience and expertise comes in. New business coaching helps you withstand these periods of uncertainty with grit, self-esteem, tolerance, and optimism.

3. Following a roadmap

For a successful business to work, you need to have a proper roadmap. When you set up a new business, the planning and execution of these strategies can be overwhelming. CEOs and business leaders need help to define their business goals and objectives.

A business coach works with a team of business leaders to draw up a business roadmap. They also support you in implementing the strategies. Further, a new business coach holds you accountable for your actions and thus ensures you follow the set roadmap.

How Does New Business Coaching Help?

A coach is invaluable. As a business owner, you have potential, but it takes a coach to recognize that potential and shape it into a successful business model with profitable revenue.

Think about it. Even Michael Jordan had a coach. Roy Williams, his coach, says, “My coaching staff made Michael more fundamentally sound every single day. In practice, I tried to push him to see if he could win that drill, win that competition. I felt like I had an excellent relationship and a somewhat unique relationship with him, and it was easy for me to challenge him to be better.”

On the other hand, once Michael Jordan realized there was part of his game that needed work, he worked on it. “He made himself better, and he did that for a longer stretch than anybody else,” said the coach.

 

Let’s look at how a coach can help your business.

Long-term and short-term business strategies

new business coaching

When running a business, we can sometimes become too involved in the business operations to see the big picture.

A business coach will help you step back and look at the big picture so that you can set long-term and short-term business strategies for growth.

Offer an unbiased opinion

Unlike your family and friends, coaches do not sugarcoat things. Since they are not emotionally attached to you, they can offer objective and impartial advice. This helps you focus on the growth and success of the business.

 

 

 

A coach recognizes your potential and shapes it into a successful business model with profitable revenue.

Boost growth and sustainability

Business coaching is not limited to new businesses only. Once a company is set up, it tends to plateau if not staying motivated.

Business coaches work with business owners to grow their business and offer sustainable solutions.

Simplified marketing channels

Marketing takes up a considerable amount of your capital budget.  With the help of business coaches, you can focus on only the channels relevant to you.

  • Does networking work for you or do you prefer attending business trade shows?
  • Would you want to spend more on digital marketing or on print and publishing?

Steering around these questions becomes easy with a business coach by your side.

Learning from past mistakes

Steering around these questions become easy for you with a business coach by your side.

56% of small businesses wind up their operations by the fifth year of business. Business coaches use their tactical experience to help you avoid the pitfalls of running your own business. Find increased productivity and business efficiency by streamlining operations for continued growth.

New business coaching helps business owners and entrepreneurs make the most of all the resources at their disposal. So if you’re looking to start your new business or desire to accelerate your business growth, a business coach is what you need.

Find New Business Coaching Expertise with Coach Douglas Winnie

Setting up a new business is similar to growing a sapling. It needs care and attention. And while in the early stages, it needs direction. A mentor is like that support system your seedling needs to grow and stand tall.

We tailor our business coaching programs based on your individual goals. Use unique strategies to boost your startup with ActionCOACH. Hire us to help your business reach new heights of success. 

Contact us at (713)-936-3814 for further questions

 

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How to increase profits using a Business Accelerator

A business accelerator, or more specifically, a small business accelerator program, is a coaching system that enables you to make your business both stable and profitable in an extraordinarily short amount of time.

Entrepreneurs often dream of a fast-paced, highly profitable business that is so successful that it practically runs itself. They begin to think of their future business success like a luxury car, fresh off the assembly line, fully loaded with the best features, and an engine so powerful and efficient, you can hardly hear it hum. They imagine themselves, the business owner, as a highly-skilled driver, able to out-maneuver any competition that comes their way, shattering records as they go.

Just as a luxury car doesn’t suddenly make you a better driver, however, neither does owning a business make you a better chief executive officer. In fact, successful, competitive, high-speed driving requires years of practice, expert coaching, a team of top-notch technicians, and usually a significant financial investment. Successful, competitive business management is hardly different.

While it is possible, over many years and decades of practice, to self-teach oneself an entrepreneurial skillset, very few of us have the nerves, persistence and financial reserves to make it through to the other side of success. In fact, according to a recent Gallop Poll, roughly 50% of all businesses fail in the first five years. After ten years, says the US Small Business Administration, only 1/3 of all new businesses are still in business.

The reality for many aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners is that the harsh reality sets in. Being highly skilled in a trade or profession is not enough to be highly successful at running a business. Instead of them running their business, the business is running them. And without proper coaching or training, the business will run itself straight into the ground, often taking the unsuspecting business owner with it.

This is where a small business accelerator program comes in. ActionCOACH Doug Winnie provides you with the proven skills and knowledge to build and grow your business without a costly trial and error process of solopreneurship. It’s like having an expert as a business partner, without having to divide the profits. Accelerate your business to the next level with ActionCOACH’s proven six-step process.

Doug Winnie, the Business Accelerator, helps you to:

  1. Gain mastery over the fundamentals of commercial enterprise.
  2. Create a predictable and profitable cash flow for your business niche.
  3. Leverage your own time and efficiency by creating strategic systems of operations.
  4. Build a team that works for the business, not just for you.
  5. Create synergy between all elements to ensure consistency and growth.
  6. Produce results that lead to business freedom, and allow the business owner to explore other opportunities.

Doug Winnie is ActionCOACH’s 2015 Firm of the Year. He is internationally recognized for his work in developing both small businesses and business franchises. 

Contact us today to get your business on the fast track to success with our proven small business accelerator program.