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So far 2009 has been busy, but we’re
working at our new resolve to take good care of ourselves.
As business owners, it can be tough to take time out for regular
exercise (Victoria starts her day with yoga and Dave works out
daily at the health club), fix and eat healthy meals and enjoy
fun time together, but that’s one of our main goals this
year.
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 Don’t
forget the Make-it-Fly Café
Thursday, February 26,
at the Riverfront. The cost is $10 online and $15 at the door. Click
here to sign up now
and save. This promises to be a very special event, and is sponsored
by Lee Knoll, Jr., of Knoll
& Company.
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Sky-Place.com
our online social networking site is gaining traction. We invite
you to visit and sign up today!
Our very best regards,
Dave and Victoria!
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Dan Echols
See Inside Sewer Scope
It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s
got to do it.
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| Dan and
son Evan |
| Daniel Echols founded
See Inside Sewer Scope in August of 2007 to use the latest camera
technology to inspect residential main sewers. “We use our
ten years of experience to look for problems, analyze their severity
and then help develop the appropriate maintenance or repair solutions,”
he says. “In short, we put ourselves in crappy situations
so that our clients won’t have to.”
Q: What do you find most fulfilling
about running your business?
DE: For me, the
most satisfying part of my business is the human interaction.
Whether it is meeting people at the various networking opportunities
I participate in or the clients that I serve, it is the people
that matter and the people that make this fun.
Q: What motivated you to start
this business?
DE: Almost all of
my early job experience has been with small businesses. My most
recent experience was working for a small drain cleaning company
from which I gained my camera experience. I was a tech for four
years and then moved into management as training supervisor and
daily operations supervisor. The one constant theme with most
of the small businesses I worked for, drain cleaning being no
exception, was that the companies lacked a true entrepreneur,
someone passionate and committed to growth. They had marked out
a little corner of the market through word of mouth but had no
idea how to take that next step. I therefore spent a lot of time
circling in mediocrity. Then my son was born. The first time I
laid eyes on Evan, I heard a clear voice in my head: “You
can do better. I gave you tools that you are not using.”
Two weeks later, I left my job and three weeks later, See Inside
Sewer Scope was launched.
Q: What book has been most helpful
to you in your business?
DE: This
one shouldn’t surprise any of you Make-it-Flyers: The
Slight Edge. by Jeff Olson. I feel that this book should
be the prologue for every “secret to success” book
out there. There are hundreds of great tools and strategies out
there, but The Slight Edge helps you prepare yourself
for success by embracing everyday good, positive habits. It’s
the little things that keep us moving every day. It is also how
we handle those little things that determine whether we are on
the road to success or failure.
Q: Who has influenced you most
in your life?
DE: James
Marshall Echols, my father. Dad is a Southern Baptist Minister.
He has also held just about every job known to man throughout
his life: lumberjack, butcher, auto mechanic, janitor, teacher,
you get the point. Dad gave me the strength and determination
to do it the hard way but also encouraged me to seek the wisdom
not to. Most of all, Dad showed me how a faith-filled man raises
his family.
Q: What has proved to be your most
successful marketing strategy?
DE: Face-to-face
marketing has been by far my most successful use of time and money.
As a sole proprietor starting a new service-based business, trust
is everything, and meeting people in person and building relationships
with them has been the best route to that trust.
Q: What have been the greatest
challenges you have had to overcome, or are currently facing,
in your business?
DE: As
many of you know, juggling entrepreneur, manager and tech is daunting.
It has been a constant challenge balancing time and resources
among the three, but it is a must. All are vital and all need
constant attention – from someone, that is. Delegation I
am currently building with a plan to hand off as many of the things
I don’t enjoy doing in as short of a time span as possible.
Q: How are you benefiting from
participating in a Make-it-Fly® board?
DE: When
I started my company, I had a plan, but I had no idea if it was
a good one. The Make-it-Fly® Advisory
Board 101 board gave me some very practical exercises to refine
my vision, my plan and my goal setting. Top that with a feeling
of community, of not going it alone, and you get some real confidence
in yourself and your business.
Q: What would you
say to other business owners who are contemplating getting involved
in a Make-it-Fly® board?
DE: The
101 board gives you the tools if you lacked them and the reinforcement
if they had dulled to be successful. They also introduce one of
the most powerful aspects of Make-it-Fly®,
the accountability. The board teaches you what good goals are
and the importance of setting them, then they assign you a watchdog
to help keep you on task. Your accountability with your “accountabilibuddy”
and your board help keep you focused and moving in a positive
direction. This leads to what I feel is one of the most powerful
aspects of Make-it-Fly®. The vetting
process insures that people of good, positive character make up
the boards. The relationships you build are encouraging and supportive,
both in the 101 stage and later in the Alumni stage where the
advisory boards continue to help you through your day-to-day struggles.
It is nice to know you are not going it alone.
Dan Echols can be reached by phone
at: 720-936-3279, or visit his web site at: www.seeinsidesewerscope.com.
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|
 Dave’s
Networking Nugget:
First
impressions are critical to effective networking. Your
energy, body language, tone of voice, and attitude towards
those you’re talking to all contribute to make people
feel important and special. When you’re out and
about meeting people, make a concerted effort to focus
on this.
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|
 Gain
Fresh Perspective
Think Time Gives Valuable Insights, New Solutions
By Victoria Munro
As an entrepreneur growing a business, getting everything done
while keeping a competitive edge can be tough. It’s easy
to stay busy all day long just catching up and keeping up—working
in the business. But as you’re
busy working, you may be missing brilliant ideas or solutions.
An often-neglected key ingredient for running a successful business
is taking time out alone just to think. Getting away from daily
activities and taking time to look at your life and business from
40,000 feet provides valuable perspectives.
Scheduling regular time each day
or each week to think about and focus on what’s truly important
to you is not time wasted. In our fast-paced
lives where multitasking has become the norm, uninterrupted time
spent clarifying ideas, brainstorming solutions, reflecting on
decisions and planning for the future can move you light years
ahead.
Choose a Place to Think
Find somewhere quiet, away from distractions. If you can’t
find a good think place at the office or home, try the local library
or a corner in a hotel lobby. I used to drive daily to my secret
think place in a park overlooking a lake, turn off my cell phone
and take out a pad of paper and pen to record my thoughts and
bright ideas.
Brian Schwartz, of 50
Interviews, Inc. drives from his home in Fort Collins to Denver
to meet with clients. The trip provides
a perfect time to ponder ideas and just think.
“I don’t get much of a chance to do that,” he
says. “The car ride gives me great think time, and it’s
so valuable.”
Think Creatively
Be open to new ideas.
Don’t assume that everything in your business is the best
it can be—always be thinking of possible improvements.
Pictures are powerful.
Think in pictures. Ask yourself, “What would a perfect solution
to this problem look like?” Imagine it.
Challenge the Status Quo
Just because you’ve always done something a particular way,
or because everyone else does it that way, doesn’t mean
it can’t be further enhanced. Be innovative and resourceful—put
your imagination to work and come up with better, more productive,
fun or faster ways of doing things. List and weigh the merits
of many possible solutions to problems.
Beware of Negative or Restrictive
Thoughts
It’s easy to suppose that something can’t be done,
just because it’s never been done before. If the Wright
brothers had believed that flight was impossible for man, they
never would have worked so hard to build the first flying machine.
Take Time Out to Think
Rags-to-riches millionaire and philanthropist Peter Daniels has
created successful ventures around the world. In The Power of
Focus, authors Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt
write, “When asked what turned his life from triple indebtedness
to unprecedented success, he (Peter Daniels) replied, ‘I
scheduled time to think. In fact, I reserve one day a week on
my calendar just to think. All of my greatest ideas, opportunities
and money-making ventures started with the days I took off to
think.’”
If a day, or even half a day a week, sounds like too much, start
with an hour or two. During the week, make note of questions and
ideas that come to mind, as well as problems and challenges you
run into. Then use your think time to come up with imaginative
solutions. Keep a journal or notebook to record your thoughts.
“Focused thinking removes distractions and mental clutter
so that you can concentrate on an issue and think with clarity.
That’s crucial, because if you don’t know what the
target is, how will you ever hit it?” – John C. Maxwell,
Thinking for a Change.
During your think time, focus on your goals and what is important
to you—what you value and care about most. Focused
thinking will prove an excellent investment of your time and yield
a harvest of rewards you’ll enjoy!
Click
here for printable version.
Click
here to read more articles like this one.
Forward
this email to a friend.
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|
Marketing
in a Down Economy – Tip #1 of 5
Don’t stop
marketing! Do make sure every dollar you spend
on marketing is needed. Evaluate the impact
of your current marketing impact and return on investment.
Track all your marketing efforts by asking every prospect,
“How did you hear about us?” and record it.
If something is working, do more of it.
Marketing tip by Beth Boen of Creative
Xchange Marketing
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|
The Riverfront specializes in well
crafted, richly satisfying occasions that balance
aesthetics, personality and party. The site is versatile, accommodating
groups from fifteen to five hundred. Features include: two dance
floors with professional sound and lighting, a fireplace nook,
three bars, outdoor patio, and gazebo. Our personal chef, custom
menus, and full suite of inclusions rank us paramount in our industry.
Call 303.865.8500
today
and schedule your holiday event!
www.riverfront-center.com
We
manage your email marketing,
YOU run your business and increase profitability.
We make your email marketing easy by offering consistent,
reliable, managed email implementation.
|
 |
|
The Email Works
brings 25 years of marketing experience to its creation
of high-impact, professional-looking emails that build strong,
successful, and lasting relationships with customers, clients,
or members.
Cheryl is offering a free
30-minute phone consultation,
plus ask about the discount
for In-Flight Refueling readers.
Visit www.TheEmailWorks.com. |
 |
Do
you want to promote your business on the net but haven’t
a clue where to start? |
Online
Social Networking Made Simple
A step-by-step strategy for increasing your web traffic
and online visibility. Set up available at an additional
charge.
Mary Walewski, Buy The Book Marketing, www.buythebookmarketing.com,
303-725-9313 |
Wanted: People with a Passion
and Heart to Help
Small Business Owners
Have you ever wished you could work with like-minded
business professionals to grow your own business, while doing
work that results in major positive changes in lives and businesses?
Make-it-Fly®, Your Small Business
Board of Advisors, has been changing the lives of small business
owners and professionals in the Denver metro area for six years
through peer advisory boards. We are now looking for franchisees
with heart and passion to do the same in their communities.
After testing and perfecting our advisory board
system with more than 800 clients, we are expanding. If you
have a sales and/or marketing background, outstanding people
skills and want to invest in your own business with a team committed
to your success, we’d like to talk to you.
Contact Dave Block - 720-962-8888.
|
READING
THIS AD? THEN WHY NOT PUT YOURS HERE TOO? The
In-Flight Refueling Ezine reaches more than 2,700
entrepreneurs, small-biz owners, consultants and marketers. Reserve
your advertising spot today in the next In-Flight Refueling
Ezine,
http://www.make-it-fly.com/ezineads.html.
Paid Advertising Disclaimer: Make-it-Fly®
LLC does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability
of any of the paid advertisements above or the quality of any
products, services, information, or other materials displayed,
purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection
with any ad. It's common sense to do your own due diligence before
purchasing any product.
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The
Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101
Each
Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 program
consists of 12 non-competing business owners who meet once a month
for three consecutive months. In the spirit of giving, they offer
each other solutions, ideas, resources and encouragement. Dave
and Victoria facilitate each group and share powerful tools to
assist business owners in reaching their goals and living more
balanced lives.
If you have experienced a Make-it-Fly®
program, please share the following openings with other business
owners who need support. Call Dave for more information at 720-962-8888.
Programs are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Current program openings in Denver:
- Thursdays - April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2
- Mondays - April 20, May 18, June 15, September 20
- Fridays - May 1, June 5, July 10, August 7
Click
here to sign up for Advisory
Boards.
Or call Dave at 720-962-8888.
Alumni
Boards are groups of 12-14 small business owners who have
participated in at least one Make-it-Fly®
Advisory Board 101 and wish to continue the support and accountability
with a group of like-minded, giving business associates. Members
meet once a month for a three-hour meeting.
If you completed the initial Make-it-Fly®
Advisory Board 101 and are interested in more information on Alumni
Boards, call Dave at 720-962-8888.
Make-it-Fly®
Café 
High altitude networking, where exceptional people help each
other.
Next
Café:
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009
Time: 4:30 to
7:30 p.m.
Cost:
$10 online, $15 at the door
Click
here to sign up now.
Location: The
Riverfront
2852 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton (One block west of Santa Fe)
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Click
here to read previous issues of Make-it-Fly®'s
email newsletters.
Contact
Make-it-Fly® - Dave and Victoria:
email: info@make-it-fly.com
voice: 720-962-8888
web: www.Make-it-Fly.com
Reprint
Permission:
Please email or call Victoria if you'd like to reprint any information
contained in this newsletter. Thanks! © Copyright 2009. All
rights reserved.
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Make-it-Fly®
LLC
720-962-8888
355 South Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80226, USA
http://www.make-it-fly.com
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