The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast: Recent Episodes
Blue Fish - Mobile, AL
We conduct interviews of local business owners and leaders in the business community. We’ll be asking questions about their business. What it is exactly that they do (a chance to plug their product/services). How they got started. Things they’ve learned along the way. Advice they would give to a new entrepreneur and more.
Hank Parker, owner of Bay Landscaping, shares his Mobile roots before leaving college to pursue business ownership. After framing houses, he earned a real estate license in 2007. When the 2008–09 Hank bought used landscaping equipment to start Bay Landscaping. Hank shares lessons learned about seeking advice, using contracts, and niching down. He outlines plans to expand into Florida and Mississippi with a five-branch Gulf Coast footprint. Listen in as we learn more about Hank Parker
Stuart Clark, owner of Paul Davis Restoration of Mobile and North Baldwin County, shares his background growing up in West Mobile, moving to New York, dropping out of high school to earn a GED, and briefly studying at Key West Community College before fighting forest fires in Oregon and joining the Marines. He discusses his approach to succeeding across industries by focusing on systems, financials, and process. Clark explains how a traumatic house fire and a poor restoration experience led him to start a restoration business built on technology-driven contents tracking, transparency, and proactive problem-solving. He also highlights adopting Traction/EOS, engaging in local industry groups and community networking.
Blake Martin, director of coaching and performance for Telomere (parent company of Connexus Clinic), shares his Mobile, Alabama roots and explains why he started Connexus Clinic nearly four years ago after leaving a stable career. He describes the clinic's mission as helping people feel good and enjoy the time they have left by focusing on "health span," not just extending life with pills. Blake emphasizes taking time to talk with patients and prioritizing human-to-human connection, especially as more people come in with questions or concerns about peptides they've ordered online. He also critiques one-size-fits-all wellness advice popular on Instagram and TikTok, noting that approaches like intermittent fasting vary by individual and what works for one person may not work for another.
Chris McNeil, owner of Metro Bonding, Outlaw Bail Bonds, and Mobile Bonding, shares his Mobile, Alabama background, early jobs at a restaurant and Skate World, and how he entered bail bonds in high school. He explains a bail bondsman's core role, posting bonds and guaranteeing defendants' court appearances, along with the realities of tracking fugitives across states and working with law enforcement. McNeil discusses how the industry has evolved in Alabama with new licensing and education requirements, his leadership as president of the state association. He recounts his involvement with Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Reagan Farr, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch, shares his background from Louisiana to Nashville, early lessons working at a Baton Rouge drugstore, and how his tenure in Tennessee state government led to founding Silicon Ranch in 2011. He explains what shaped the company's strategy as they started during the 2008–2010 downturn. Farr addresses community concerns and pushback around the Stockton, Alabama project, citing a similar experience in Bacon County, Georgia and emphasizing safety, wetlands avoidance, tax benefits, local jobs, and agrivoltaics with sheep and cattle. ** Show note: Apologies about the sound. We had an issue that meant the audio was not as good towards the end but we felt strongly enough about putting the episode out that we are releasing it.
In this podcast episode, Joe Carlisle, founder of Vision Handyman and Window Tinting, shares his life story and entrepreneurial journey. Born in Oxford, Mississippi and raised partly in Dallas, Joe worked in his dad's restaurants, then spent years with Best Buy in retail and home theater installation, learning hands-on skills that later shaped his career. After his younger brother died, he moved to Mobile to be near family, later bouncing between Hattiesburg, New Orleans, Dallas, and even New Zealand. He pursued standup comedy seriously in Austin before returning to Mississippi later relocating to Mobile and facing major challenges rebuilding Vision Handyman. 00:00 Meet Joe Carlisle 00:35 Growing Up Dallas Mississippi 01:22 Best Buy Years And Loss 02:28 New Zealand Reset 03:23 Austin Standup Grind 04:37 Starting Handyman Business 05:20 Moving Markets And Google 07:12 Window Tinting Listing Fight 08:17 Life As An Expat 12:11 First Jobs In Food 14:24 From AV To Trades 20:07 Advice For New Owners 20:51 Passion vs Career Cars 22:27 Elite Pressure F1 Jobs 23:22 E-Myth Systems Mindset 26:15 Take Care of People 28:58 Mobile Comedy Scene 33:36 Rapid Fire Favorites 35:16 Family Gratitude Outro
Thomas Irving, owner of Pool and Spa Superstore, joins the podcast to share his background and how he entered the pool industry, helped grow a distribution/retail business, bought the retail business, and built a customer-focused company centered on education and stress-free pool ownership. He discusses treating "sales" as educating customers, and emphasizes building relationships because Mobile runs on word-of-mouth. He also highlights the importance of a strong team, consistency, and shares personal interests like cooking and travel.
Trey Oliver, co-owner with his wife Laura Kennedy of the Lupercalia Art Society, shares his background growing up in Jackson and Mobile, serving four years in the Coast Guard in North Carolina during marijuana-smuggling days, and completing a 47-year public safety career culminating as warden of the Mobile Metro Jail before retiring three years ago. He recounts early jobs, joining the junior volunteer fire department, and working nights as a dispatcher and jailer in high school. Oliver explains how walking the beach Dauphin Island and seeing the driftwood inspired him to create driftwood assemblage art. He describes Lupercalia as an art society with a gallery that is focused on providing top notch customer service.
Jason Cooper, is the Mobile native behind the sock-puppet character "Sock Cop." Jason shares his background growing up in Saraland, graduating with a degree in communications, earning a master's in digital marketing during the pandemic, and working in local news and marketing. Now a stay-at-home dad to a six-year-old, he explains how Sock Cop began as a solo creative outlet using a sock, police hat, sunglasses, and green screen, evolving into a live, community-driven act focused on "catching speeders." as Sock Cop likes to put it. Jason discusses perfectionism, the importance of shipping work before it's perfect, and how livestreaming on Periscope—and now primarily Twitch—helped build an audience and led to merchandise sales. Sock Cop joins for rapid-fire favorites and reiterates his strict anti-speeding message. Sponsored by Blue Fish.
Jon Jeffress, owner of Deep South Focus Photography, shares his background from Tampa to Mobile, attending Davidson High School, starting college with plans for architecture, and choosing entrepreneurship instead. He reflects on his first job at Little Caesars, and discusses lessons about leadership and client service. Jon explains how Deep South Focus began in 2012 with automotive photography at car shows using an on-site mobile print and framing setup, then expanded into real estate media in 2019 and commercial work. He emphasizes the power of professional photos and video in home marketing, the value of repeat business, and key business principles like taking care of employees, avoiding micromanagement, offering benefits, and pricing appropriately to maintain cash flow.
In this podcast episode, Cole Howard and Camp Campbell, co-founders of Open Truck, share their backgrounds and how they came to start OpenTruck. Cole and Camp discuss early job lessons, and reflect on entrepreneurship as a discipline built through effort and failure. They explain Open Truck's origin: a need for one place to find any food truck that is located near you. It will also tell you their hours, menus, and specials and you won't have to rely on scattered Facebook posts. The iOS app launched January 27 and reached nearly 800 local users in about a week, with an Android version targeted for April 1. You can find the app at getopentruck.com. Sponsored by Blue Fish & Landshark Promotions
This week on the podcast, we sit down with Chris Cockrell, owner of Cockrell Contracting, LLC, to hear how a Mobile, Alabama native went from studying civil engineering at Auburn to finding his passion in construction through insurance restoration work. Chris shares lessons from early mentors, why fighting insurance estimates pushed him toward home building, and what he believes new entrepreneurs need most—bulletproof contracts and a strong team (including bankers and attorneys) before problems arise. He also talks about the importance of disconnecting from work to prioritize family, how he unwinds outdoors hunting and fishing, and gives quick favorites in a rapid-fire round. Chris closes with practical advice for would-be custom home clients: start by finding a plan online and send it in for a free proposal. Sponsored by Blue Fish.
In this episode, we sit down with Mohannad Sahyouni, the owner of Jerusalem Cafe in Mobile, Alabama. Mohannad shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Kuwait to becoming a successful restaurant owner in the United States. He discusses his educational background in graphic design, his initial jobs, and the influential lessons he learned in the hospitality industry. Mohannad also reflects on the challenges and rewards of running a restaurant, emphasizing the importance of customer service and a supportive team. Tune in to hear about his personal life, business philosophies, and the relentless drive that keeps him moving forward.
Get to know Chad Jones, owner of Your Choice Senior Care in Mobile, as he shares his journey from a small town in Texas to running a senior care franchise. In this episode, Chad talks about his background, including his high school and college experiences, and how a life-changing injury inspired him to help others. He discusses the hard work and dedication required to build his business from the ground up, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emotional rewards of providing care for families. Learn about Chad's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, his favorite books, and the personal experiences that drive his passion for senior care. Join us for an insightful conversation with a business owner who truly cares about his community.
In this engaging episode, Scott Tindle, co-founder of Meducate AI, joins the podcast once again. He shares insights on his evolving career and his current ventures in AI healthcare. Scott discusses the importance of curiosity, meditation, and personal growth. The conversation also explores the implications of AI on future jobs and society, providing a thought-provoking glimpse into the rapid changes ahead. Tune in for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, technology, and balancing life’s many facets.
Join us in this exciting podcast episode featuring Spiro Cheriogotis, a former judge and prosecutor, who is now running for mayor of Mobile. Spiro delves into his background, from his roots in Dothan, Alabama to his experiences in law school at Alabama and his journey through the legal profession. He talks about his family, his passion for barbecue, and his vision for Mobile, Alabama. Spiro emphasizes the importance of reliable public transportation, economic development, and addressing youth gun violence. He also touches upon the potential of AI in city governance and shares personal stories about his life and values. An insightful discussion packed with compelling ideas and heartfelt reflections.
In this episode of the podcast, Tommy Wetjen, the general manager of the Mobile Flea Market, discusses his new role and the exciting changes planned to modernize and revitalize the market. Tommy recounts his transition from owning a wrestling company and gaming store to managing the flea market, driven by a passion for big projects and future potential. He shares insights into the diverse offerings at the market, from fresh produce and unique vendors to proposed additions like a free arcade and carnival-style food. Tommy emphasizes the importance of creating a vibrant, enjoyable experience for visitors and supporting micro-businesses. He also proposes innovative ideas like a podcast featuring vendor stories and 'Flea Tank' to cultivate new business opportunities. The discussion highlights the flea market's potential as a community hub and economic driver in Mobile, Alabama.
In this episode, Marcus sits down with Paul Lockett, the Technical Director of the Venture Studio at the Innovation Portal in Mobile, Alabama. They discuss Paul's impressive journey from a young high school graduate securing a full ride to Moorehouse College, his ventures and experiences in Silicon Valley, and his return to Mobile. Paul shares stories of his professional growth, internships at Google, and his work at startups. They delve into Mobile's hidden industrial strengths, importance of technology adoption in local businesses, and the role of Innovation Portal in transforming the business landscape in Mobile. The podcast emphasizes the critical need for exposing young people to local opportunities to reduce brain drain and highlights ongoing projects at the Innovation Portal aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the community.
In this podcast episode, Veronica Culberson, owner of Honey of the Hill Apiaries, shares her journey into beekeeping and educates listeners on the importance and complexities of bees. Growing up with a background rich in scientific curiosity and outdoor life, Veronica delves into how her fascination with insects and gardening challenges led her to the world of honeybees. We also talk about the therapeutic benefits of bee stings and the practical steps individuals can take to support pollinator health.
In this episode of the Mobile Alabama Business Podcast we talk to Blair Ladd. Blair is a successful realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Mobile, Alabama. Blair shares her motivations, the importance of maintaining priorities, and how Keller Williams' supportive environment helped boost her confidence. Blair talks about the realities of working in real estate, the necessity of dual-income households, and the joy she finds in her career, offering valuable insights and advice for aspiring business owners.
In this episode of the Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Freddie Blache, the artist and entrepreneur behind Muffinjaw Designs, a local glassblowing studio. Freddie shares his journey into the mesmerizing world of glass art, from discovering his passion to building a thriving business in Mobile. He discusses the challenges of mastering such a demanding craft, the creativity that fuels his designs, and the importance of supporting local artists. We also dive into the business side of running a glassblowing studio, the role of community in the arts, and how he balances artistry with entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a fellow creative, a small business owner, or just someone who loves unique handmade art, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight.
In this episode of the Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, Michelle Parburner, the director of Nassar Gymnastics Academy, discusses her journey in the world of gymnastics and business. Michelle talks about her father's legacy, an Olympic gymnast who founded the academy, and her own path from Mobile to Colorado and back. She highlights the challenges and joys of running the gym, focusing on the intrinsic motivation of young gymnasts, her innovative business strategies, and the importance of community and mentorship. Michelle also shares personal anecdotes and tips on balancing business with personal well-being, emphasizing the significance of seeking help and continuously learning from peers.
On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit with Karen Simmons. Karen is one of those undercover entrepreneurs. Listen in as we discuss how she uses her background as a CFO to run multiple businesses at once.
On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit with Lynne Chronister. Lynne is the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at The University of South Alabama. Listen in as we discuss what big things they have in store.
In this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Josh Ray with Tanners Pecans and Candies. Listen in as we discuss how he got started in the candy business, and what he's working on!
On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit with Jimmy Fazekas. Jimmy is the founder of Bluewater Exteriors. Listen in as we discuss how Jimmy started and his plans for franchising the business.
On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit with Blake Martin. Blake is one of the founders of Connexus Clinic. Listen in as we discuss how they got started in helping people live healthier lives.
On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Tony Davis of Secret Scientist. Tony has recently closed all of his retail stores, but this episode is a discussion about Mobile, the city we love.
On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Brooks Conkle. Brooks correctly identifies as an entrepreneur. And after you listen in, you'll understand why!
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Andy Vickers with the Keep Going Foundation. Listen in as we discuss how he started the Keep Going Foundation and what he is up to next!
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Doug Johnson with Inspect Mobile. Listen in as we discuss how he started Inspect Mobile, and some common things to look for when purchasing a home! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Leida Javier-Farrell with the Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast. Listen in as we discuss how she came to live in Mobile, what she has learned from reinventing herself several times, and details about the Latin Festival! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with James Thomasson with Accelerated Accounting. Listen in as we discuss his love for Mobile, how he ended up owning a laundromat, and how he got started in the world of accounting! Produced by Blue Fish.
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Kenny Robinson with Roof Savers. Listen in as we discuss how he left the police force to become a business owner and how Roof Savers is growing like wildfire! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Dustin Jackson with EZN. Listen in as we discuss how he grew his business from a sign in the yard to the multi-revenue source engine it is today! Produced by Blue Fish
In this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Dr Valerie James with VisionSpot Consulting. Listen in as we discuss how he got started with her own business after 25+ years in corporate America, and a few tips that most business owners can benefit from! Produced by Blue Fish
In this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Rick Green with Mobile Makerspace. Listen in as we discuss how the Mobile Makerspace came into existence and what you can create as a member of Mobile Makerspace! Produced by Blue Fish
In this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Lynn and Darrel Campbell from The Grind. Listen in as we discuss how The Grind got its start and what fun things they have planned for the Mobile business community! Produced by Blue Fish
In this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Tony Davis with Secret Scientist. Listen in as we discuss how he got started in making his own clothing line, and what his next move will be (hint: It's downtown)! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Bradley Byrne with The Mobile Chamber. Listen in as we discuss how he plans to move the Chamber forward and what exciting changes he sees for our area! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Bradley Byrne with The Mobile Chamber. Listen in as we discuss how he plans to move the Chamber forward and what exciting changes he sees for our area! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Lacey Evans with Dropout Bakery. Listen in as we discuss how she got started in baking, and what she is doing to increase his monthly cash flow! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Chef "Panini" Pete with Panini Pete Hospitality Group. Listen in as we discuss the exciting things he has in store next for downtown Mobile! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Brandyn UImer with Atlas Industrial Outsourcing. Listen in as we discuss how he started Atlas, and what he is doing to increase his business! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Fred Rendfrey with The Downtown Mobile Alliance. Listen in as he explains the role of the Downtown Mobile Alliance, what events they have coming up, and what they are doing to help downtown Mobile thrive! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Justin Kihano with Justin Kihano Real Estate. Listen in as we discuss how he got started in Real Estate, what he thinks of the Cryptocurrency market, and what he is doing to increase his monthly cash flow! Produced by Blue Fish
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Wes Coody with C2 Wealth Strategies. Listen in as we discuss his love of golf, finding love at Auburn, and how he got started in the world of financial services!
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Christienne Gibson with Mobile United. Listen in as we discuss her life, career journey, and how she got into the world of leadership and business! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Krisann Dikes with Infinite 30 of Mobile. Listen in as we discuss her life, career journey, and how she got into the world of health and wellness! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with David Clark. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of tourism! Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Eva Ramos. Listen in as we discuss her life, career journey, and how she got into the world of adventure! Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Julie and Steve Kenney. Listen in as we discuss their life, career journey, and how they got into the world of design! Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Tim Gautreaux. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of espresso! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Tommy Henry. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of seafood! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Colleen Smith. Listen in as we discuss her life, career journey, and how she got into the world of wood! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Chris Black. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of IT Services! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Melissa Guitterez. Listen in as we discuss her life, career journey, and how she got into the world of water purification! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Karlos Finley, Candidate for Mayor. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of politics! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Zeiders with Rove Companies. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of lifestyle brands! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with (again!) Jeff Roberts with Yellowhammer Coffee. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of coffee! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Brent Barkin with Shoe Station. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into retail shoe sales! View the transcript at . Produced by .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Jon Jeffress with Deep South Focus Photography. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of photography! Produced by Blue Fish. View the transcript on .
This week on The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Tad Denson of Airwind Creative and My Stock Shotz Photography. Listen in as we discuss his life, career journey, and how he got into the world of photography!
This week we sat down with Nonie Taul of Naturally Strong Nonie located in Fairhope, Alabama. Tune in to this week's episode to hear her story and journey to Naturally Strong.
This week, we're sitting down with Kenneth Havens with McDuffie Sanitation located in Semmes, AL Listen to this week's episode to hear his story about how he got into the sanitation service. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama. View the transcript:
This week, we're sitting down with Murphy Bishop. Murphy is the Co-Found and CEO of The Better Skin Co in Mobile, AL. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama.
This week, we're sitting down with Cameron Weavil. Cameron is the Associate Broker of the Weavil Company Commercial Real Estate in Mobile, AL. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama.
This week, we're sitting down with Maya Ozokur. Maya is the owner of U&I BTQ. Listen to this week's episode to hear her story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama.
This week, we're sitting down with Kenny Dumas. Kenny is the owner of Pour Baby in Mobile, AL. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama.
This week, we're sitting down with Tim Gautreaux. Tim is the owner of Gautreaux Consulting in Mobile. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama.
This week, we're sitting down with Brooke Goff. Brooke is the owner of Domke Market, West Mobile's Wine & Gourmet Shop. Listen to this week's episode to hear her story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama.
This week, we're sitting down with Darren Heningburg. Darren is the owner of Heningburg's Pressure Washing in Mobile. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with Jaclyn Robinson. Jaclyn is the owner of the newly opened Mo'Bay Beignet Company, a laid back and aesthetic beignet shop, in downtown Mobile. Listen to this week's episode to hear her story and how you should follow your heart when you're inspired to start a business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with Michelle Parvinrouh and Corey James. Michelle and Corey are the Executive Director and the Director of Operations over at Innovation Portal, a non-profit entrepreneurial hub dedicated to accelerating startup growth in southwest Alabama. Listen to this week's episode to hear their stories and how Innovation Portal can help you grow your business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week we're sitting down with Lenise Ligon. Lenise is a local TV personality, co-anchoring on Fox10 News in the evenings. Listen to this week's episode to hear her story and her unique perspective on how you can use your platform to benefit your community. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week we're sitting down with Rod Cochran. Rod is a prominent radio personality who's entered the CBD industry under Greenbridge. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story and why doing your homework can help you succeed, even in a competitive market.
This week, we're sitting down with Bailey Duos. Bailey is the owner and CEO of Port City Pups, a full-service pet care facility in Mobile Alabama. Listen to this week's episode to hear her story and why passion is a key ingredient in a successful business.
This week we're sitting down with two guests, Carrie Stuart and Amy Hagler. Carrie and Amy co-founded Crew Fitness, a high-tech, stress-relieving fitness studio franchise. Listen to this week's episode to hear their story and why they say that "nothing awesome is easy." Produced by Blue Fish
This week, we're sitting down with Chris May. Chris is the co-founder of LTN Insurance, an agency dedicated to helping their clients through excellent, personal service. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story and how delegation is an essential skill in running a business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode, we're sitting down with Darrell Randle, Vice President of Small Business Development over at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story and how getting involved with the Chamber will help your business thrive.
This week we're sitting down with David Carpenter, who IS Upspyre, dedicated to helping businesses make plans to succeed. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story and why dependability is the most key skill in running a business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with Emily Nelson. Emily is the owner of Barre3 in Mobile, a workout studio that gets their customers moving with the power of dance. Listen to this episode to hear her story and how persistence is key in success. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode, we're sitting down with Jeffrey Hoover. Jeffrey is a long-time entrepreneur and owns Pure Life Pharmacy here on the Gulf Coast, a direct pay pharmacy that strives to give power to the community through individualized medicine. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story and how he wants to help people change lives through his business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with one of the very first guests we ever had on the Mobile AL Business Podcast - Ron Wainscott and April Loyle, co-owners of Shore Shooters. Listen to this week's episode to see how they've been and how their business has soared over the last several years. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with Suzanne Massingill. Suzanne is the owner of Barefoot Model and Talent, an agency in Mobile dedicated to connecting actors and models with the companies that need them. Listen to this week's episode to learn about her story and how you need to be modernizing your business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week we're sitting down with Larry and Carita Koen, a husband and wife team and owners of Green Magic Landscape LLC. Listen to this week's episode to hear their story and how you should be focusing on your professional network. Produced by in Mobile, Alabama
This week on the Mobile AL Business Podcast, we're sitting down with Tommy Wetjen. Tommy is the proud owner of Gamers N Geeks, a prominent gaming store in Mobile. Check out this week's episode to hear his story and how risk-taking can help your business grow. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with Moshae Donald, esq. Moshae is a lawyer specializing in numerous areas of practice as well as the owner of Pure CBD Mobile. Listen to this week's episode to hear her perspective on business and why morale is essential in running one. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with Clint Flowers. Clint is a partner at National Land Realty, a real estate brokerage specializing in rural property across the country. Check out this week's episode to hear his take on business and how efficiency and quality are key in running one. The Mobile AL Business Podcast is produced by Blue Fish.
On this week's episode of the Mobile AL Business Podcast, we're sitting down with Gail Yongue. Gail is the owner and operator of Mosquito Joe on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Listen to this week's episode to hear about the high's and lows of running a franchise and about how your user experience needs to be top priority. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode of the Mobile AL Business Podcast, we're sitting down with Shellie Teague. Shellie is a PR consultant at S. Alexander Consulting, a consultancy firm specializing in PR and marketing. Listen to hear her story and hear how relationships form the foundation of good business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode, we sit down with Lauren Bergoon. Lauren is the owner of West Mobile ISR. ISR stands for Infant Swimming Resource, and serves as a program to educate children and parents about aquatic survival and safety. Tune in to hear her story and why you shouldn't wait for permission to start the business of your dreams. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode, we sit down with Naz Ozokur. Naz is the owner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a restaurant franchise selling smoothies and sandwiches with an emphasis on health. Listen to hear his story about moving to America and why you need to love the game of business, and not simply watch the scoreboard. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode, Marcus sits down with Jennifer Null. Jennifer is the director of Gulf Coast CPR Training, a complete resource for CPR and First Aid certification and AED program management and compliance. Listen to this episode to hear her stories and how she found success by putting everything into her business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, we're sitting down with William Bryant. William is the scout executive CEO for the Mobile Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and has established himself in the Mobile community after being here for only 4 months. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story and his perspective on why you need to remain a student of your own business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, we sit down with Andrew Vickers. Andrew is the owner of several F45 Training businesses in Mobile and the Eastern Shore, which are fitness training centers focused on high-intensity 45-minute workouts. Listen to this week's episode to hear his unique perspectives on fitness and success, as well as growing as a franchisee. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode, we sit down with Kim Garrett. Kim is the director of Victory Health Partners, a non-profit healthcare organization seeking to help those who are medically underserved. Listen to this week's episode to hear her story of moving here all the way from Texas and how relationships are of key importance, especially in the non-profit space. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, Marcus sits down with Josh Null. Josh is the owner of Gulf Coast Financial Advisors, a local consultancy firm that provides assistance and advice for financial matters. Listen to this week's episode and hear Josh's story of breaking out of corporate life and finding himself in leadership. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
This week, Marcus sits down with Vince LaCoste. Vince is the owner of Bethel Engineering, an engineering firm in Mobile specializing in a variety of different project types. Watch this episode to hear Vince's story of his family business and how he takes care in decision making. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Josh Duplantis. Josh is the executive director of SAWDC, a non-profit created with the intention of training workers to better fit employer needs. Listen to this week's episode to hear his story and how SAWDC is helping to promote economic development in our area through workforce development. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Carla Able. Carla is the owner of Cakes by the Pound, a pound cake bakery she's starting right out of her own kitchen. Listen to this week's episode for a unique look on a new entrepreneur's journey to grow their business, and hear why persistence is key when doing so. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's episode, Marcus sits down with Steve Smith. Steve is the president and CEO of the 22nd State Bank. Listen now to hear his story about overcoming stagnation and finding his calling in leadership. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus is sitting down with Krystn Keller. Krystn is the founder of Keller Works Naturals, a business focused on creating all natural soaps and skin care products. Listen to this episode to hear her story about building a business after a battle trying to help her son fight eczema. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Ginna Inge. Years ago, Ginna took part in restoring The Steeple from a worn down church in the heart of downtown to a popular venue for Mobile's best events. Listen now to hear her story. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, we're turning the tables. Terry Harbin sits down with Marcus to interview him on his business journey creating Blue Fish. Listen to this week's episode to learn how Marcus learned to go beyond doubt and find his audience. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Chad Setchell. Chad is the owner of Hansen Air, a business specializing in air conditioner and heater repair in Mobile and surrounding counties. Listen to this week's episode and hear how working hard and having drive is essential in running your own business. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Ariel Chavez. Ariel is an immigrant from Bolivia who came to the United States to be a travel advisor. Listen to this week's podcast to hear his journey of accomplishing his dreams as a small business owner. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Tina Poiroux. Tina is the executive director of the SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the owner of Grand Catering of Mobile. Listen to this week's podcast and find out more about how Tina and the chamber are helping business owners by addressing the community's needs as well as giving them workshops and networking events. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, we sit down with David Scarborough. David co-owns ProLegal Discovery Solutions, and specializes in a large variety of legal and corporate document solutions. Listen to this week's podcast to find out why you can't relax in the business world.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Catherine Arensberg. Catherine owns Azalea Street Designs and she is the Show Designer for 2019's Festival of Flowers held by the Providence Hospital Foundation March 21st-24th. Listen to this week's podcast and find more about Catherine and all she is doing with Azalea Street Designs.
This week Marcus sits down with Kandy Negus, the owner of Order Your Spaces, a professional organization business, and discusses her journey creating a business as a lifestyle, rather than a hustle. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Terrance Smith. Terrance is the director of the Innovation Team in Mobile Alabama. Listen to this week's podcast to hear about his story of work ethic and how he and his team are impacting the lives of Mobile's residents by looking at old problems in new ways. Terrance: Hey, my name is Terrance DeShaun Smith, city of Mobile Innovation Team. Marcus: Awesome, Terrance. Well, man, it is good to finally have you on the podcast. Terrance: Thanks for having me. Marcus: Yeah, so full disclosure, I usually, in the beginning of this, let you know whether, you know, we have a relationship with the person, and this is a man that I've known for a while now. For probably about a year or so, year or two. And I consider him a friend, so he's gonna get all the easy questions today, is basically what it boils down to. But no, and I think what you and the I-team are doing, and represent, is a worthy story to tell, especially for business owners here in Mobile, and so I'm glad that you're here to kinda share some of that, but also just talk about who you are. Terrance: Yes, thanks. Marcus: Yeah. Well, to get started, why don't you tell us the backstory of Terrance. Where are you from, where'd you go to high school, where'd you go to college, are you married, that kind of stuff. Terrance: All right, so my name ... I grew up in Bessemer House, in projects in Prichard, Alabama. When, you know, like most families in the housing project, bunch of cousins, a grandmother, you know, aunts and uncles all near the area. My mom, a single parent, you know, worked every day, became a registered nurse. It's the only job she ever held in her whole life was a registered nurse. She worked for Providence for 30 years, until the day she passed. Marcus: Wow. Terrance: And so having her as a major influence in my life, and showing me how to talk to people, how to behave, how to operate but also how to care for other people, even when it seems like they don't care for you, has been a tremendous part of my upbringing. I attended Vigor High School, mighty marching wolves, I was in the band. I am- Marcus: What instrument did you play? Terrance: All the percussion instruments. Marcus: Okay, very- Terrance: So a funny story, prior to me attending Vigor High School, I was bused to Atlas Middle School in Saraland. And so I wanted to play the snare drum in the band, but my band director said that I had to play the timpanis first. So I learned how to play the timpanis, then he said I had to play the xylophone, so I learned how to play the xylophone. Then he said I had to learn how to play the bells, so I learned to play the bells, and then he put me on the triangle. So I had to play the triangle- Marcus: The most boring ... ding! Terrance: I had one beat at the beginning and one beat at the end, right. Marcus: Yeah. Terrance: I think one concert I missed one beat. And so that experience with him teaching me all those instruments, I only played the snare drum, I wanted to play the snare drum all my life, I played the snare drum one year, 'cause I had to mess with the other instruments. I thought I was gonna go crazy. When I made it to high school, though ... Because of that experience, that experience took me to Carnegie Hall, to play in a symphonic band, and so that experience, like ... If I had started on that snare drum, I'd have been locked into one drum. But because of his guidance, and his belief in me that I could learn how to master all those drums in a couple of years, I became a percussionist, rather than just a drummer. And so that instrument took through college, paid for some of my college, introduced me to some great friends, took me around the world, and I think that, you know, band has been a huge part of my life. And that's a huge part of my story. Marcus: No, that's very cool. So, now you mentioned Vigor. Where ... I know you have multiple degrees, so why don't you tell people your education beyond high school? Terrance: All right, so I was in school forever. I just- Marcus: You think? I think you're still in school, if I was in- Terrance: I just love that, I couldn't leave it alone. But I, you know, I was never a great student, first of all. And so when I made it to college and realized that I was ... that college was much easier than high school, I just wanted to stay there forever. So I majored in anthropology, sociology, communications, and then my Master's degree was in instructional design and development. Marcus: Wait, did you graduate with a triple major? Terrance: Yep. So I blocked 'em all in. That's all, I was there forever. That's why I was there forever. I had so many credits. Marcus: Is it the eight year plan, or something like that? Terrance: I had so many ... Listen, I took every class they had in anthropology. Every class they had in sociology, and then I wanted, I realized that I needed to be able to communicate this stuff, so I took every class they had in communications. And so then it was time for me to graduate, 'cause my mom said, "It's enough. You gotta declare," so I declared, and I had enough credits in all of 'em. So I moved on, and I said I'm never coming back to college again. Then I realized I was making $11.00 an hour with those bachelor degrees. So I went back to school for instructional design and development, where I learned how to design programs, and design and develop schools. You know, we helped design and develop the first Charter School here in the state. And so all of that came from my experience in being a lifelong student. Marcus: Wow. Now where did you get your bachelors' from? Terrance: South Alabama. Marcus: And master's as well? Terrance: Yep. Stayed there forever. Marcus: And did you get your doctorate? Terrance: No, not yet. No, and I'm not ... I'm not- Marcus: Not yet? Terrance: I say not yet, and that's where I stop. But what I realized though is that I love school so much, and before that, you know, school ... You had to go to campus to learn, well, upon me graduating with my master's degree, they start putting all these classes online. And so now you can do classes on your phone, you can learn everything they learn at Harvard by Ed-ex, you know, so now you don't have to go to those campuses. Also what I realized sometime is, I hate to say this, but sometimes what you learn on campus is far behind where they are in real life. And so now I have this unique opportunity to learn through the Bloomberg network, and through all these other great resources, that up to date information that's right now. So I do feel like I'm still in school. Marcus: Yeah, I mean the ... you know, so our jobs are not so different in the sense that things are so constantly changing. And you on the I-Team are kind of at the forefront of what it is that you're trying to do. And so oftentimes there's not, you know, there's not a set curriculum that you can go back to, historically, and look to. You're having to kind of create what it is that you're wanting to do, pulling from different disciplines and executing on that. So design thinking, and you know, some of the other things that I know you guys utilize come to mind with that. So ... Terrance: Yep. Marcus: But ... married? Terrance: Yep. Nine years. My wife will tell you ten years, 'cause she counts the time we were dating, but it's nine. It's nine, February 27th. Marcus: It's like she's putting in time or something. Terrance: Yeah, it's like hey, I was around there nine years, Terrance. Ten years. Marcus: So let's go back, what was your first job? Terrance: My first job? Actually, my first job was at PetSmart, on Airport Boulevard. Marcus: And were there any lessons that you remember from that first job? Terrance: Oh yeah. Tons of lessons, right. So I learned a lot of leadership lessons at PetSmart. Marcus: Okay. Terrance: Not from good examples, from bad examples. My first ... my job was to make sure all the dog food was zoned properly, and that we were taking the food from the bottom and placing it on top, make sure we get it all in the shelf life. But the other half of my job that was super interesting was taking the dog hair from the pet groomer in the bags, and putting it in these shopping carts, and taking it out to the dumpster. So you would have like, 10 to 18 baskets full of dog hair, that I would have to go and take out the back. And so the manager ... managers. At a store the size of PetSmart, they have four managers. Four managers, it's amazing. It's like a ... don't get me started on that. But what I've learned from them was how to treat your people, and how to lead by example. They would unlock the door, and roll the door up- Marcus: And walk away. Terrance: No, they wouldn't walk away. They would all stand on the ramp and smoke cigarettes for their smoke break, and watch me take 18 baskets of dog hair down the ramp and throw it in the dumpster. At times have to crawl in the dumpster and push the dog hair down, while they all sat there and talked and watched. And me ... and I swore to myself from that experience that I would never do that to anyone that works with me, or under me. And so from that experience, I just took that to say, you know, I am always gonna be the person to lead by example, I'm never gonna ask anybody to do something that I'm not willing to do myself. And I am going to do it first, and then let them know that I am willing to do it, before I even ask 'em to do it. And so that stuff I keep to this day, even now it makes me angry, just thinking about it. Marcus: He's getting a little hot under the collar over there, I assume. Now you ... we're gonna take a little bit of a different tack because you're not necessarily a business owner, but the stuff that you all do really do impact business owners in Mobile. So why don't you ... because I don't think a lot of people understand what it is that the I-Team does. I always describe you all as the virus that is supposed to help inoculate the government here in Mobile, but why don't you give us your explanation of what the I-Team is? Terrance: I'm sure some of the people in the government also think of us as a virus. Marcus: That needs to be eradicated itself? Terrance: Yeah, at times, you know. So the I-Team, we're a team of ... an interdisciplinary team of individuals who have come together inside the city to look at old problems in new ways. So, the government itself, you know, it's made up sometime of lifers, and it's really traditional. Traditional means of operating that people don't really get a chance to look outside of what they have normally done every day, to look at different ways of doing things. So it's all about the process, and the process has been the process since the day they walked in, which they believe it should be the process 'til the day they walk out the door. However, in taking a different approach, and taking a customer-centric approach, you realize that that process is well outdated, and that we need to change it up in order to help the business owners and the citizens receive the services that they need in a timely manner. Which is the only way you build trust as a public official. So the mayor, who was elected by the people, can only build trust with the people if he delivers on the most basic services at optimal level. Now, the mayor himself cannot deliver services, because he is the guy who sets the vision, and the direction, and the tone. He is the drum beat, he keeps the beat, he's the metronome for the city. However, you have to have someone else who can deliver those services, right, and that is the people. So the mayor delivers his services through the people. And so, and those services can only be delivered through the people if the system itself is efficient. Because on the other side of the delivering the services to people, are the people on the recipient end, and so they want to receive services in a timely manner. The mayor is elected to deliver those services in a timely manner. The people in the middle, they believe that they're also delivering services in a timely manner, but they're not being directly impacted by those services being delayed, so they have no idea of the efficiency issue, and sometimes, you know, it's hard for a group of people to come through here. Like for your listeners right now, your young guy come in with dreadlocks down his back, you know, bright colored clothes on, and he's telling you, you know, that you are having some issues in this area, which I am not an expert in that area, all the people that work with me are not experts in that area, and here's someone that's been doing it for 25 years. What you have been doing it for 25 years, but that does not necessarily mean that it's been working for 25 years. It may have worked for 15 years, and the last 10 years it's been horrible, but you don't get a chance to see that, because your job has been to check this, sign this paper, hand it over, without getting a chance to hear the clear frustrations, or how it is impacting that person, their timeline, their resources. And so that is why we, that's how we're able to come and look at things a different way. You don't learn this in school, so I don't ... I wish that there was ... There are programs now in design thinking, that teach you how to employ some of these practices. Marcus: Yeah, before we get too far, 'cause I've mentioned it and now you're mentioning it again, give kind of a brief ... what design thinking is. Terrance: So design thinking is a iterative process, so it is art of identifying a problem, and iterating over and over until you can deliver it to efficiency. So for us, it is for, if we have an hour to deliver a solution, we spend 55 minutes figuring out all the areas of the problem, all the entry points, all the issues, and then five minutes with a solution. Marcus: Right. Terrance: 'Cause realize, when you rush to a solution without iterating ... most people are impatient, and we live in this microwave society where people think that, I want a answer, I want it now, I want it quick, I want it fast. Well, design thinking does not give you answers really quick, really fast. It gives you answers in the way that you need it to happen ... the time that you need to have it solved in. So if you give us three hours to solve a problem, we're gonna first identify the issue, then we're gonna start tackling it, we're gonna start iterating. We're gonna come up with a first solution, then we're gonna take that solution and gonna do it again, then we're gonna take it out to you and prototype, to see if this is what you thought it would be. Sometimes, people say "Yeah, it's exactly what I want." Most of the time, people say, "No, that's horrible, that couldn't be further from where I am," so then you go back out, and you reiterate again. But all this time you're talking to the people on all side of the issue. So I'm talking to the customers, we're talking to the workers, we're talking to the people from the first level, primary level, the secondary and tertiary levels. And most people don't get that far down into solving a problem, 'cause they believe they should come up with a answer really quick. So that's what design thinking does for us. Marcus: Yeah. Now you mentioned that it may not fit, you know, the current needs, and I think one of the things that I just am, I keep going back to, is that the speed of business has changed quite drastically in the last, you know, 10 years. And you know, I know oftentimes ... 'cause I, you know, I have a decade of experience working for the federal government, not local government, but federal government, and you know, I left because it was, you know, extremely frustrating and there was some other reasons. Like I didn't wanna spend time in traffic, and commuting, and you know, stuff like that. But I mean, but the truth is, like, working with government can be one of the most frustrating things on the planet, because they're completely satisfied to keep things the way that they are. So how does an organization of five people effect change in an organization that is happy to stay stagnant? Terrance: So, lot of patience, right? So, when people ... So I'm happy to be here talking to you today, because it gives me a chance to like, to tell exactly how this thing works. So, when people think about innovation they think about, it's really pretty, really nice and neat and it's- Marcus: Sexy. Terrance: Yeah, sexy, right. But it's not, it's just not that at all. It's brow beating, it's your brain, it's angry emails. It's tons of meetings, it's lots of sticky notes, it's lots of going back to the drawing board. It is a lot of arguing, there's a lot of social engineering, because it's easy for us to stand on the outside and look at the people doing the job and say, "You guys are totally satisfied doing this the way you've always been doing it." On the other hand, they just had no idea that there was another way to do it, because they have eight to five to do this thing, and they just do it the way they know to do it, and nobody's ever questioned the way they do it. Nobody's ever came to them and said, "Well, you know, well back then we were doing a carbon copy. And now we have this thing called the internet, and all these tools available to us that could help us achieve our goals much faster. How could we implement some of these tools to move faster?" And so, what you also have to realize that, if you're going into a department, and you're talking to people who have been there 30 plus years, 25 plus years, they're gonna be 50, 60, 70 years old, and now you're coming in, doing what they automatically assume young people would do. Come in with technology, and people always believe that technology removes the human element, right, but in our world, technology doesn't remove the human element, it actually takes the ... It also takes the process, all the parts of the process that would have you touching this one paper a hundred times, to get it to this end. Can we automate that process where, you're touching this paper over, and over, and over again, and then give you back the power of empathy for the customer. And so now, you understand when this person's having a problem, and there's less time for issues with this paperwork, because now it's now me taking it over to Marcus' office, Marcus taking it over to Jarod and so- Marcus: It's all automated so you can actually focus on building a relationship with the ... Terrance: And so for us, we have to be super careful. So for us, it is a lot of social engineering on the front end, it's a lot of thinking about the department, and the people in that department. What are their feelings towards their job itself, what are their feelings towards the customer, what is their understanding? What do they think they need to get their job done? And ofttimes, people don't think about that. They go in and say, "Here's a solution," they drop it on the people without fully understanding the landscape. And so for us, what we do is, it takes us a while to get in there, and to understand the problem. So we would go in there and we would eat lunch with the people, hang out with 'em, do their job with them, every day, step by step. But also, from the customer end, we would take our badges off to get us out of government place and to see the issues we get inside of that building, the frustrations. How do we read the signage? When we get up to the front do we sit down, do we ring the bell? Is there a bell? And so all of those things. And so now, when I'm coming back to the office, and we start to draw this thing out, I'm not drawing it out from Terrance's perspective, or Peyton's perspective, or Jason's, or Johnny's, I'm writing it out based it on your perspective, the customer perspective. But I'm also looking at it from this side, and then I can go to the other side of the table and I'm looking at it from the front line staff member, from the immediate level manager, from the executive. And then how are they mailed in well? Are they mailed in well at all, if they're not, then there are some issues within the process, because the people don't quite understand how it gets from the executive to the front line, and then that creates frustration from the customer itself. Because the customer does not care about anything that's going on. The only thing, the value for that customer is getting that thing done, so he can move on with his life. And that's very hard to explain to a government worker, that they have this process that's the most important process in their life, that that process is not valuable at all to that customer. That customer wants to ... And the end all is not even getting that paper. The end all for them is getting that paper so they can do the thing that they need to do. Marcus: Well, and it's also ... and I mean just because I've been through this ... it's also there's a fear that if you don't go through, and do those things, that you're gonna be punished. And you're almost ... you're acting to get away from, you know, the punishment. And so that makes it even worse, because then when you get held up, and you're wanting to execute this thing even quicker, you're like, "The only reason why I'm doing this is so that you can't come and shut me down," or, "You can't come and do this to me, or ..." 'cause the government has ultimate power over some of those things, but ... Terrance: So the other thing ... but the other thing are stories that, then they're saying, "Hey, and the only reason why we're doing this is to ensure that you don't hurt yourself or other people by building things and doing things that you shouldn't be doing." And so, it's that argument that they don't get a chance to display fully to both sides, and I think that's kind of what the I-Team does. It breaks it all the way down, and it places it out on the table for everyone to see what everyone parts is. And sometime it takes a while, like you're not gonna do it on the first time. We've been doing this, our current project, for two years. Marcus: Yeah. Terrance: People will look at that and say, "You guys have been doing this way too long," and I'm thinking, if you're trying to solve a 40, 50 year problem, you wanna get that solved in six months? Or do you want somebody to take the time to diagnose and realize what the real issue is. 'Cause this is not ... these issues that affect government are much bigger than the 20, 30 year employee that people look at, and they point their finger at that person. That person also walked into a broken process, and became a broken worker because of that broken process. But they don't understand they're a broken worker, and this process is broken, because they only saw they were trained to do it that way. And so now you have these people from the outside coming in and saying, well we can do it a different way, and so that is the magic of the I team. So, our superpower would be patience. Marcus: Wow. I love how you just kinda bring that down to a point. Our superpower is patience. Now I just, I've had a real appreciation for the task that you've taken on, and I think it's interesting also, because I think that while your application is for the government here in Mobile, the truth is that the things that you go through could be applied to just about any kind of organization. And you know, like I've worked for ... I mean I've worked for large companies that have, you know, tens of thousands of employees, and I've worked for, you know, I've worked for myself, and not had any employees, you know? And so, you know, it's very interesting when you start looking at organizations that are large, because oftentimes they get bogged down in their size and their history, and their way of just doing things. And I think, you know, there's some lessons to be learned in what you all are trying to do, and you know, how large organizations would apply those same methods of thinking, so, anyway. Going along that same that, do you ... I mean you haven't always wanted to work for ... and I'm going off, this is all on a whim, so if this goes nowhere, folks, we'll delete it. But you haven't always wanted to work for the government, or as part of government? Terrance: I never wanted to work for the government. Marcus: Yeah, okay. Terrance: And then- Marcus: So. It's interesting that you kind of find yourself in this position, but- Terrance: I tell you what, I have no ... I have had no plans for my life, from the very beginning. I've just been winging it. Marcus: Is that a mentality of someone who grows up in the projects? Terrance: You know what, so, no, that's ... I think that's a Terrance mentality, I think some of my, some of the people that I grew up with, they had plans. They had clear cut plans. I've also learned that when you create these plans for yourself, that you open yourself up for major disappointment, and I've never wanted ... I heard a quote one time, somebody said, "You know, when you get something, you should hold it with your hand open, never with a tight clenched fist. Because you should never believe in something so much that you're afraid to let it go in lieu of something better." And so for me, I don't know what that is, and I don't know ... I feel like my purpose here on Earth is to help people, so I started in social services. All my ... my whole life, I spent in social services and education. And so, because I just wanted to help people. That's all I want to do, I was told that you're never gonna make any money helping people, so I said, well, you know, let's figure that out. Let's see. Let's see if I can prove you wrong. Marcus: Right. Terrance: And that has not been the case, but I met the mayor, as a matter of fact not far from here. Across from one Broad, right there in that triangle? We were ... I was doing a pop-up shop, and I had passed by that building, with the ... now with the wrought iron gate around it? Marcus: Yeah. Terrance: I had passed by- Marcus: The Red Cross building? Terrance: No, not the Red Cross building- Marcus: I'm sorry, yeah, the one across the street from the Red Cross building. Terrance: Yep. I had passed by that building for years and years, and it had been vacant for so long. And I saw it, and I said, you know, somebody should do something about that. And I'm an only child, so I grew up with that only child mentality, and it's like, who is the somebody? Gotta be me. I've been passing by here all this time, nobody's done anything, so I'm just gonna do this thing. So I met some people, and you know, I'm always meeting people, but I never know why I'm meeting these people, I'm just connecting. I'm collecting. You cannot connect the dots that you don't first collect, so I'm collecting all these dots, right. Marcus: Truly a connector, from the Malcolm Gladwell sense of the word. Terrance: Yes. So we're collecting all these dots, and I'm meeting all these people. So then one day, this guy named [Tay Lactreson] said ... so, I met someone else who introduced me to Tay Lactreson, I said, "Hey, I wanna do a pop-up shop in this building, and I wanna open it up, I wanna clean it out, I wanna put vendors in there. I just wanna do it for one day." He said, "One day? You gonna do all that work for one day?" And I said, "Yeah, just one day." So I started, I had nobody to help me, I didn't have a group of people with me, it was me. So I called one of my friends, he said, "Yeah, I'll be down to help." I called another one of my friends, he said, "I'll be down to help." So we go to this building, just us few. At the time they had this One Mobile organization, right, where you put all your stuff online and then people decide to help. So we got the materials we needed, so we painted that building, cleaned it out, swept it out, three people. Funny story though, we was talking about collecting dots? Some three homeless people walked by and said, "What are you guys doing?" We said, "We're restoring vibrancy to Mobile, you wanna help?" And they said, "Yeah! How can we help?" Grab a paintbrush, grab a broom. So they grab paintbrush, broom. They start sweeping, and all paint. Then we get this affluent couple from Old Dolphin Way. They walk down. "What are you guys doing in this building?" Said, "We're restoring vibrancy to Mobile, you wanna help?" They said, "Yeah!" Shocking, right? They said, "Yeah!" So they jump in. Now, they walked into this building, and there's a young black guy with dreadlocks, there's a Salvadoran guy, there's another guy, and there's three homeless people in this room, one clearly with a mental illness. And then we had ... so then these two affluent people. So then the news camera pull up, right? They said, "What's going on in this building? Is it gonna be something new? How can we help?" So everybody, this time everybody said, "We're restoring vibrancy to Mobile." I said, "You wanna help?" She said, "Well, I can't sweep, but I can video." So then she started video, she was talking about, asking us questions about what we were gonna be doing. So we told her that we were having the pop-up shop, right. She was so excited about this, so she put it on the news. And so now, here we go, full fledged until we're gonna have this pop-up shop. The day of the event we had about four hundred people show up, but we were kind of smart about it, right. And I take no full credit for being this smart. Somebody said we should hire two police officers for our, for security, to help divert the traffic. So these guys show up, they're helping with the traffic. So, you know, of course you know, I had no permits, I had no knowledge of this. Guess you needed permits. But I had two police officers, they were gonna stop you with the police, so all this stuff was on, the Mayor walk down there, he said, "Oh my god, this is great! What are you guys doing down here!" And so he was pumped up. So he got the word earlier, so he came down, and he saw everything, he and his wife Jean, and they saw what we were doing. And he was impressed with it. Long story short, about three, four months after that I got a call from the mayor's office, and those guys wanted to recruit me to come work for the city. And so, you know, at first I was kinda skeptical, but I was like, oh, you guys are the government, I don't know, you guys got a lot of problems. I don't even know why you wanna be the mayor. Why you wanna take all these problems on? He was like, I believe ... he told me his message, he believed in the city. Now I will tell you, prior to that I had met him before, in a community service project, he said, "Terrance, you're gonna move to Mobile." At that time I was living in Sams. He said, "You're gonna move to Mobile." And I said, "That's not gonna happen at all," I said, "I can sleep with my windows open, great, I got sidewalks. This is a great neighborhood, I'm never gonna move to Mobile." He saw me, he said, "It's you again! Have you moved to Mobile yet?" I said, "Yes, sir." He said, "How long you been here?" I said, "About six hours. They're unloading the truck at my house right now." And from that point we've developed a relationship, and he persuaded me to come work for ... he and another guy persuaded me to come work for the Innovation Team, and it's been a great ride since then. So that's how I made it to the government. Marcus: That's funny, dude. Well, I know that you all look to the business world for a lot of your ideas on how to implement process and stuff like that. Is there one person that motivates you from the business world? Terrance: From the business world. So, a few people man. I have great business influences, and so Scott Tindal, first of all, I know you guys are probably tired of hearing about Scott Tindal. Marcus: Who? Terrance: Scott Tindal, you know who that is. Marcus: Who's that? Terrance: But Scott Tindal, the Harpers, all of the Harpers, you know, they've been a great influence on my life, and they have been part of the group that has helped me see things from the business perspective, which helped me build my empathy for the work that we're currently doing. Even over to people like Jim Walker, I know Jim Walker caused a lot of people a lot of problems, but that guy really cares about this city, and sometimes it comes off in weird ways, but he really- Marcus: No, he just looks at it from a different perspective. Terrance: He fully cares, right, and so he is one guy. Another person would be Andy Newton. His story's amazing. I just think he's a great influence. And then even what you guys have been doing, I'm impressed to see where you went from, you know, I think when I met you, you were a super small shop, and now you've ... Got your own space. Marcus: Yeah. Yeah. Terrance: But you're also not just a business owner, so like I told you back from the beginning, I got into this 'cause I cared about people. No matter what realm I'm working in, I want to help people. And so I see you guys in that same vein, like you have your new employees, but you're helping them develop into their own people, and when it's time for them to go somewhere else, I'm sure you'll be happy to see them on, like same thing with the Harpers, same thing with Jim. Same with Andy Newton. So those are the people that I'm inspired by most in the business world. And there are people outside of Mobile, but I'm a Mobilian through and through. And so, I draw my influences from Mobile. Marcus: That's really cool, man, I appreciate you saying that, so. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? Terrance: Oh yeah, I got an entire list. Marcus: He came with notes, folks. Terrance: So, my podcast list would be, How I Built This- Marcus: Yeah, I love it. Terrance: Mogul. Self Go There's Start-up School. Startup Podcast from Gimlet. And so then my audiobooks, would be Get Into Yes, the 50 of Law by 50 cent, it's based on 48 Laws of Power. And then my favorite books as it relates to business, and just life in general, are Invisible Capital, What Got You Here Won't Get You There, All Bets On Me: The Risks and Rewards of Becoming an Entrepreneur, by Larry Morrow. And then All You Need To Know About The Music Business, the 9th edition. Sometimes you gotta throw in a horseshoe. Marcus: There you go. No, that's good stuff. And how do you like to unwind? Terrance: Me, you know, Marcus I'll tell you, I think it's been about since I have unwound. I spend all my time thinking about the work that I'm doing now, and thinking about the future. I spend a lot of time, you know, thinking about those that are less fortunate than me, and how can I help. So, I think I unwind by taking a break away from my normal work, but only to do work in other areas helping people that I know that could benefit from help. Marcus: Yeah. Well I would just like to say that, as somebody who has gotten to know you over the course of the last couple years, that I know your heart. And I know that there are bigger things, you know, in store for you, and it's very apparent that you care for people. So I wanna say, thank you for accepting what I would view as almost a calling, to come and help Mobile become a better version of itself, because it's people like you, it's people like the Mayor, it's people like Ricardo, it's people like ... you know, all of these folks that we know, that are, you know, they're hopeful at what Mobile can become. And we're the ones ... and I hope I'm not putting myself too much, you know I don't like to put myself on a pedestal and all these people on a pedestal, but ... people are looking to us to set the tone. To set the direction of what Mobile is going to become. And it's not a responsibility to be taken lightly, and I think, you know, with people like you, you know, on that, you know, trip, on that journey, that we'll end up in a good spot. So I'd just like to say thank you for what you're doing for the city. Terrance: And also I'd like to say this, too, without people like my mother, and Commissioner Lovegood, and Dr. Joel Lewis Billingsley now, I would not be here where I am, so I would not have been in a position for the Mayor to look at me and see that this guy may be valuable to the team, had it not been for those people believing in me early on. And for people Scott Tindal, who like, lot of people, they talk about Scott and what he's done for Mobile, but I'm talking about Scott for what he's done for me personally. Like, I was not the kind of person who would just start a conversation and be out here networking. Scott got me into that mode of thinking that I could do things differently, and I could take things into my own hands and run with them. And so because of that though, I like to see ... Like, we work for the government, but it's almost like entrepreneur mode, because no one knows ... We're a startup inside of the city. No one knows what we are, and what we do, and so heading out, I just have to give credit to those people and to my wife. You know, like my wife met me as a guy who was a student. A lifelong student. She took a chance. Marcus: An overeducated, dreadlock wearing, white pants wearing ... Terrance: I could ... That could've went really bad for her. I could have never left school, but it worked out for her, and so she has a major influence on my life and on helping people. Marcus: And let's not downplay the role of like, coming from where you come from, I mean it's not ... you know, it's not an easy thing to pull yourself out of the projects and you know, become something. Terrance: Yeah. Marcus: You know. Terrance: But there was so many people, so many of those people cared for me, and like when people think about housing projects now, they have this view, but that was a community. People cared about me. They wanted me to do better from the guys that sold drugs, they didn't want me to sell drugs, they wanted me to go to school and do my homework. From the guy, I met this guy named Jay, who was an architect and a lawyer, who I spent time in his beach house a weekend, and this guy told me ... He was an architect and a lawyer, and I didn't know you could be two things. And he said, "Yeah." But he also had a house on the beach, and I said, "I didn't know you could live on the beach," I had only been to the public side of the beach. He said, "No, this is not my house, this is my beach house. I live in Mobile." And so I said, "You think I could own a house on the beach?" He said, "Yeah, I tell you what. Do your homework every day, and you're gonna get that." And so I did my homework every day on that porch, every day overlooking that interstate, and I looked at those people on the interstate, and I wondered if they were doctors, if they were lawyers, if they were architects. If they were rich, if they were thinking about me the way that I was thinking about them. If they were Jay. Could Jay see me from that porch? And later on in life, you know, I was thinking, this guy totally duped me. He told me if I did my homework everyday on the porch, I could own the beach house. So now that 35 ... took me to 35 and I was telling this story to a group of elementary school kids, and this kid said, "So you prepared every day." And I said, "That is what my preparation came from. My feeling for preparing came from that guy telling me, do my homework on the porch every day." So she said, "Well actually, did you get the beach house?" Marcus: Still working on it. Terrance: I said, "Still working on it." I said, "But when I got the money to get the beach house, I realized that it wasn't important. I needed tot ake that money and do something else to help other people," and so I said, "But the beach house is like the pinnacle. If I ever buy the beach house, I'm done." Marcus: Yeah. Terrance: I worked my whole life to get that beach house, so I'm not gonna ... If I buy I today, you're not gonna see me in the morning. Marcus: Yeah. Talk to him in 10 years, folks, he may have that beach house. Terrance: Instead of having that beach house in Grove Shores, I'm gonna move that beach house to Turks and Caicos. Marcus: There you go. Terrance: And never gonna come back again. I already got the hair for it, so. Marcus: That's awesome. Well I wanna thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments? Terrance: You know what, just you know, I like to tell people, you know, me, my personal motto is make mistakes, make improvements, never make excuses. And start ... just start where you are, and use what you have, to get what you want. This is, and become accustomed to the slow grinding process of success. I see so many young people, they want the titles now, they want the money now, they want everything now, but you can't appreciate it without the slow, grinding process of getting there. You don't build muscle overnight, you know, it's the grind, and it's the doing it over and over consistently, and to show people that, you know, you are worthy of doing this thing. And so the next thing, the last thing I have, too, is be totally aware of your performance capital, and your relationship capital. Everyone loves a star, so if your performance is great, people love a star, and people want to look towards you. And you don't have to go out there and tell people over and over what you're doing, you show them what you're doing. But also, be totally mindful about how you invest in the people that operate in your environment, because that is the greatest investment that you could ever put into anyone. Time, and energy. You may not get that back from that person, but it comes back full speed, and that's just kind of where we are in life. Marcus: That's awesome stuff man. Yeah. I'm just gonna leave it at that, 'cause we could talk for another 30 minutes about this stuff. But Terrance man, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me, and share your journey. Not necessarily as a business owner, but I know you care about us business owners, it's been great talking with you. Terrance: Thank you for all you do, man. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Jerry Carl from the Mobile County Commission. Listen to this week's podcast to hear from Jerry about his journey in sales and local government. Jerry: Well, my name is Jerry Carl. I'm actually the county commissioner here in Mobile County in District 3, and just glad to be a part of this. Marcus: That's awesome. You came highly recommended by a couple of people, so I'm glad to actually get a chance to sit down with you. Jerry: Well, Bradley's one of them, and I've raised Bradley. So he knows where all my secrets lie. Marcus: Uh-oh. Well, we'll have to give him a couple of drinks and figure out what's going on there. Jerry: Yeah. Good. Marcus: But I know that besides your role as county commissioner that you also have a number of business ventures that ... So I feel like some of the questions that we have will definitely apply. But one of the things that we always do is we want to get the backstory of the person that we're talking to. So give us some of that information. Where are you from? Where'd you go to high school? College? Are you married? How did you end up here if you're not from here? That kind of thing. Jerry: Well, I was actually born in Mobile a number of years ago when Mobile was still just a very small city. My parents got a divorce, so we actually ... I moved from here when I was seven years old. I grew up in a small town called Sylacauga, which is up in central Alabama. It's a great place to raise a family. Marcus: As weird as it is, I've heard of Sylacauga before. Jerry: Yeah. Well, it's the hometown of Jim Nabors. There's an incredible private golf course up there if you're a golfer. Anyway, I grew up in that small community and went to high school there, graduated from there and went to a very small college in Florida. My focus was going to be forestry, which ... That didn't last as long as I had hoped it would. I saw my time in college as a waste. It wasn't required. So I actually came out, went to work for Alabama Power. Shoveled coal for Alabama Power up on their belt line for about a year. An old man I was working with told me, he says, "Son, you need to learn how to use your mind and not your back," although I do appreciate Alabama Power. They're great folks to work for and work with. I came out of that, moved back to Mobile because my dad was still here at the time, and one business has led to the other. I've always been extremely interested in businesses, and my mother has really fertilized that idea growing up. I grew up in a family-owned fabric store, so buying something at 25 cents a yard and selling it for a dollar a yard is not rocket science how you get there. Just you gotta make sure you've got enough of a margin there to pay the bills. So that's kind of my business background. I learned fractions pretty easy. I learned- Marcus: That's a fabric store joke, folks. Jerry: Yeah, it's a fabric store. Yeah. Well, I mean, you did. You learn your fractions. So I'm real good with fractions Marcus: I only know that because we built a website for a company that sold a lot of fabric, and one of the hardest things for us as programmers was to figure out how to do all the fractions of a yard that they may want and then calculate price on the back end of that. Jerry: Well, growing up in that business in the '60s and '70s, everybody made their clothes. You may have bought blue jeans and sweatshirts, but especially all the ladies clothes, they were all- Marcus: Dresses and shirts and dress pants and stuff like that. Jerry: Yeah, buttons ... So when someone would come in and pick out a pattern, you would obviously help them pick out the fabric. And then the ancillary stuff came along, which really made your money in the side stuff, which was the buttons and the zippers and the hooks. So you learn what these add-ons are, and people say, "Well, I don't quite understand that." Well, you drive through Florida and you see this big sign that says "Pecans: 99 cents a pound." Well, they probably paid a dollar a pound. That's their loss leader to get them in the door. It's the other stuff you buy around those pecans and that orange juice that make the profits. Marcus: For the longest time, people didn't believe me when I said that Home Depot and Lowe's actually lost money on their 2 x 4s. Jerry: Oh, sure. Marcus: Yeah. They sell 2 x 4s at cost or maybe even less. Jerry: It's a loss leader. Marcus: Yeah. It's a loss leader because they know when you come in that you need nails or screws, and you need shingles, and you may need some power tools or paint or whatever. You're going to pick up all this other stuff there, and those are the higher-dollar, higher-margin items. Jerry: Well, from that, I've always looked for niche markets. My businesses have always been based on niche markets, and some of them pretty broad, some of them pretty narrow. Marcus: For those that don't know you ... because we've met a couple of times, but I don't know a whole lot about your business ventures. What types of businesses are you currently involved in? Jerry: Primarily right now, a pharmacy. We do blood products. We deal with hemophilia patients and HIV patients. It's a high-risk business. It's a very small business. There's probably 350 patients total statewide. So for a pharmacy business, their focus is on the number of scripts that they make or they can generate per day. Ours is much different than that. Our average script will run about 50,000 per script, so there's high risk there. If something happens and we're not able to collect our payment on it, obviously we're going to- Marcus: You're going to feel that. Jerry: We're going to take a $35,000 hit. Right. Not to mention our overhead. So it's a high risk. Again, it's one of those niches. The real estate business that I'm involved in now ... In West Mobile, there were no office spaces with parking. You could buy an old shopping center, obviously, that had a lot of parking, but the office spaces had very limited parking. So I actually built an office complex based on the parking lot. It's a niche. Marcus: That's great. Jerry: Well, this was my focus. And I recruited a company that had 60 employees. They needed small cubicles, but they needed a parking lot for 60 cars. Marcus: They've grown. Jerry: Well, they have. They've gone on. They're a national company, and I've still got the building. I'm in the rental business. I rent office space, and one of my draws is the parking lot, well-lit parking lot. So it is still a niche. Marcus: That is so funny. I've never heard anybody say, "I built a commercial space around a parking lot." Usually, it's build the commercial space and the parking lot is an afterthought. But it makes sense because if you can't- Jerry: Yeah, if you have a lot of employees. Marcus: Yeah, or even customers that are coming in or something like that. Jerry: Well, in that case, a retail spot would work better. Mine never works as a retail spot. I didn't design in that way, but that's the way it is. I'm looking at high volumes of employees, and then you look after their safety. And the people that rent from you, that's some concerns of theirs. But in the early days, I actually got started in the funeral home business selling funeral supplies, the needles and the sutures and the packings and the waxes and everything except for embalming fluids and caskets. Needless to say, I was hungry. That's a business. It's a very niche business, but I made a fair margin on it. So I got started with that and also sold church furniture. I figured funeral homes need church pews, and church pews ... They kind of had a little bit of correlation there. So I got into the church furniture business and did quite well in church furniture. That was really my big start. So I went from that to healthcare. I thought healthcare was just such a unique market. If a salesman can sell one thing, he can sell anything. If he learns how to develop a base of customers, he can develop a base of customers in anything. Of course, you've got your fly-by nights. I've never been that flash in the pan that's been able to come in and sell you everything you want. But I'm that continuous guy that keeps coming back and forth you develop that relationship with. I'm a relationship type of salesman. So I got in the healthcare field, and I was selling primarily home healthcare equipment, hospital beds, oxygen, incontinent supplies. I represented about 60 different companies. I was teaching these small people, small investors, how to start a DME company because it was a real art because you have to bill Medicare. You have to understand the secondary insurance. You have to understand the insurance business also. The investors may have had the heart and the cash, but they didn't have the knowledge. So I was teaching them how to set up their billing cycle, too. One day, I woke up and I said, "Hey, I'm tired of all this traveling. I'm traveling from Arkansas to Orlando, Florida, by car." No flying because most of my clients are in small cities at the time. So I decided I would just start my own DME company, durable medical equipment, DME. I did, and that was very successful. I figured out how I could set up a bunch of them and develop the clientele through sales and marketing and then turn around and sell those to national companies. So that's where we really prospered, and again, it's a niche market at the time. Now, we kind of take it for granted. Our grandparents are on oxygen or something. But when I got into it, it was they were rolling big, green cylinders into a room in your home, and they had to basically set up a hospital bed. In a hospital environment now, it's much more user friendly. They came out with these things called concentrators, which I got in early on those. We were talking about Colorado earlier. One of the first companies was in Denver, Colorado, a company called Mountain Medical. And they figured out how to take molecular ... Or NASA discovered how to take molecular material and pressure oxygen room air through that and turn it into 99% oxygen. We got that smaller form, so it replaced the green cylinders. We're still in a niche market, but the COPD, the oxygen market, is really quite large. A lot of people you know personally are probably on oxygen, primarily at night. Marcus: Yeah. So you're talking about being in a niche market. It's been very interesting to me over the years that I've always gravitated towards not the mainstream of what just anybody is doing, but these products that are specialty products. For instance, when I was in Washington, DC, and I was doing a lot of consulting, I was a specialist and was speaking at conferences and stuff like that for a line or products that was ultimately bought by IBM. But Rational Software was the name of the company. But I always found that those were more lucrative because there weren't a whole lot of people that knew how to operate within that realm. But it's interesting that even with products that staying ahead of the curve or staying in the margins, that there's more margin and probably less competition than what you would find if you were dealing with the same stuff that everybody was dealing with. Jerry: I got in the pharmacy business because we were dealing with patients with respiratory issues, and these patients would get into some type of bad situation that had to be taken to the emergency room. And all they were doing in the emergency room was giving them a breathing treatment, as we know it now. So myself and a group of guys got to looking at that, and we figured out how Medicare could save money by paying for that drug for that patient to use it at home versus going to the emergency room. We did some lobbying. I did not get involved in the lobbying, but I was involved with the guys that did the lobbying. We got the medicine approved through Medicare, which was the only drug that was paid for by Medicare. But we convinced them that we could save them money by doing that in the field. So we literally set up a line, and we were dealing with about 1,600 to 3,000 patients at any given time that were taking the four treatments a day of this breathing medication. It was saving hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars from keeping these patients from going into the emergency room. But, again, it's still a niche. You understand what the needs are, and you just got to figure out how to back into it. In the healthcare field, it's always a coast factor. Marcus: I was just thinking it's interesting. If you're out there and you're listening to this as an audience member, don't be afraid of going into those smaller markets- Jerry: Oh, gosh no. Marcus: Yeah, because there's definitely some lucrative aspects to it. Now, do you remember your first job? I mean your first, first job. Jerry: Other than working for my mother? Marcus: Yeah. I mean your first real job, like flipping burgers, scrubbing toilets, that kind of thing. Jerry: Shining shoes in a drugstore. Marcus: Shining shoes. Okay. Jerry: Yeah. Yeah. Marcus: Were there any lessons that you still remember from that? Jerry: Be very careful of the guys wearing white socks. I had to pay for a pair of white socks and really got discouraged from that job. But I've had so many jobs doing so many things. People say, "What was the best job you've ever had?" I'd probably say scrubbing toilets for Alabama Power. Marcus: Really? Jerry: I got off that coal belt line, and I had 36 toilets in a line, and you learn a lot. I've never had a job that I didn't learn something from that took me to another level. When I try to work with young people ... And I try to give as much time as I can back to the community. But there's not a job that you perform that will not take you to another level. It may be 10 years down the road, but you'll look back and you'll view that. Marcus: Yeah. There are lessons to be learned at every step of the way. Jerry: Well, one of the worst guys I ever worked for was right here in town. I worked for Caterpillar Parts sweeping floors, and that guy that I worked for was probably the rudest, loudest, cussingest, worst-smelling-breath human that I knew in my life. Marcus: Somebody you really cared for, huh? Jerry: Well, no, I learned to love him. I did. I did learn to love him. Not at first. I was too hungry, though. I was scared. But I learned from him, and I think about him every day. "What would Smoky do? What would Smoky say?" Because he was trying to teach me. That was his way of teaching me. He was like an old drill sergeant. But I learned from that. I didn't take it personal. I took it as that was his job. His methods probably wouldn't work now. Marcus: Well, yeah. I can understand that. But it's funny that you mention methods because sometimes we get hung up on how things are being communicated. But if you look through how it's being communicated to what is being communicated, oftentimes there's some truth or some gold in that. Jerry: Well, even in my life now when things don't go my way, I tell myself, "Hey, you're not that important." Don't think it's about you. The big picture does ... You may be a part of it, but it's not about you. So don't take it personal. Just move on. Marcus: Do you remember the first business that you went into, maybe even the first sale that you made where you thought, "Man, maybe there is something to this life as a business owner"? Jerry: I do. My mother had these heavy-duty zippers, and I've told this story numerous times. So I know exactly how to answer this one. Marcus: Sure. No, that's good. Jerry: My mother had these heavy-duty zippers that she could not sell, and she wanted to get rid of them. So she was going to teach ... And I aggravated her. I wanted to sell those zippers. So she sold those zippers to me for a penny apiece. There was a bunch of them. She financed this deal. So I got up under the counter, and as the ladies would walk by, I'd reach out and grab them by the ankle and say, "Hey, you want to buy a zipper?" I don't know if it was out of sympathy. I don't know if I was that great of a salesman. But they would wind up buying a zipper. So I started getting into my mother's zipper sales, and she didn't like it. She wanted to buy me out of the zipper business, which I did. I sold them back to her for a nickel. So I made four cents a zipper. All this was in about a week and a half, and I was a rich man after that. It's not rocket science. Marcus: That's too funny. Jerry: You buy it for a penny and sell it for a nickel. Marcus: So funny. I just have this vision of a little kid scaring the crap out of these women. Jerry: Well, that's exactly what I did. I would be sitting up under the counter waiting for somebody to walk by to try to sell them a zipper. Jerry: That was my first taste of profits. I sold fruit that way. I went door to door selling peaches. I would ride with my mother to Atlanta, Georgia, and she would buy materials and I would buy a case of peaches and bring them back. I wouldn't sell a whole box of peaches. I sold peaches each and go door to door, because that one peach, you had to tell the story about where that peach was from and add value to it so somebody was willing to pay more for it. Marcus: It's all about a story, even with a peach. Jerry: It is. People can appreciate a good salesman. Not pressure, but a good story about how I got that peach. Marcus: You've said that twice now. What is your definition of a good salesman? Jerry: A good salesman is somebody that invests in your business that's willing to help you grow. They're willing to share their knowledge. They invest in your business. The growth of your business, you understand, feeds their family. So you're a very important part of their business. The flash in the pans that come in the door and they've got this great deal that's a one-time offer I'm very leery of. I am. But I always look. I've got one guy I've been buying cars from for probably 25 years, and most of the cars, I never see them before I buy them. I just call and say, "Hey, Ted. This is what I need. This is what I'm looking for." And I know I'm going to get a great deal. It may not be the best I can possibly get, but I understand Ted's got to feed his family. Marcus: Well, and there's also- Jerry: And I trust him. Marcus: Yeah. I mean, it's very interesting because I've always taken a consultant's approach to sales. So there's an educational aspect to it of helping somebody understand ... especially because we deal with some very technical stuff. So helping them understand the technical aspects of it, helping them understand the benefits and features and things of that nature, but then also just letting them know, "Hey, we want to prove ourselves to you and what it is that we're doing," because ultimately I'm not an idiot. If I prove myself to them, they're going to continue to spend money with us and continue to support our business. We've had clients that we've worked with, at least one client, since 2008, 2009. So they've been around for quite a long time, and that person that I'm thinking of has owned five different businesses in that time. And every time he goes into a new venture, one of his first calls is always to me. Jerry: As a salesman, you want them to call you for everything. You may sell medical equipment, but I wanted them to call me if it was floor-cleaning supplies because I would get them hooked ... I want them in the habit of calling me. I never want them to feel like it's bothering me. I use that same approach in position I'm in now as county commissioner. People call me for things that have nothing to do with my job, but I find the person for them to talk to. I want them to feel like they can ... It's the same mentality applied to the public service industry, and that's the business we're in as salesmen, too. We're there for a service. Marcus: Yeah. If you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Jerry: Follow your dream, but be willing to make changes. Life is all about hitting a curve ball. Things will hit you and change, but continue with your dream, knowing that it's going to change at some point/place in time. But just keep following it. Most people fail because they give up too early. If you don't give up, that doesn't mean be hard-headed and try to change it to be your way. You have to make those changes and adapt to the situation. I call it being a chameleon. You gotta be able to walk into a room and become part of the room to be accepted in sales. But you've got to ... You can't just give up. That requires getting up and talking to yourself in the mirror every morning, too. Marcus: Giving up is the ultimate failure. You may have little setbacks along the way, and everybody's always afraid when they go into business of failure. Failure, failure. It's the big F-word. But the truth is the biggest failure that you can make is stopping too soon. There is a number of people that are prevalent on social media and stuff like that that they talk about the successes that they've had, and they've truly built businesses, like hundred-million-dollar businesses, that are worth listening to these people because they have something valuable to say, not these people that pop up and have not really accomplished anything. The one guy in particular, Andy Frisella, that I'm thinking of, he tells the story of really not making any money for like a decade. But then it was like years 10 through 15 ... He's a multimillionaire now and has Lamborghinis and nice houses and stuff like that because he invested ... all those years kept investing back in the business and back in the business and back in the business. And then, finally, he experienced the kind of growth that would be necessary for him to have that kind of lifestyle. But yeah, it's just, don't stop too soon. Jerry: Yeah. You gotta surround yourself with positive people. You gotta surround yourself with people that have somewhat of a focus for that ambition that you're pushing, and bring people with you. When I got out of the home healthcare community, the majority of the people that are in it here I financed. I've done something to get them in the business. They worked for me. I've helped them financially with equipment. You have to bring people along with you. It's no fun by yourself. Marcus: Yeah. Is there someone in the business world, the larger business world, not just Mobile, that motivates you, that you look to and think, "Man, that guy is ..." Jerry: Yeah. Well, I've got a gentleman up in Sylacauga that has always invested in my life, Mr. [Purcell]. He's just always been someone I could pick up the phone and call. He's certainly one of those quiet fellows that's made a tremendous amount of money, and he's back in the local community up there and I like that. I like that much more than the guy that buys him an NFL football team and stands out on the field with them. We need some of both. Don't get me wrong. But I've got some solid people that I've always watched and respected that way. Marcus: It's that millionaire next door, right? Jerry: Yeah. And he's very humble. He's very humble about it, and he can pick up the phone and do anything he wants to do. We have several here in Mobile the same way. They've really made a lot of money, and they came from nowhere. They've done well and they've invested back in their community. That's what it's about at the end of the day. We get old, and we're sitting in a wheelchair somewhere. We look around and we can say we helped start that or do that. And that's- Marcus: Yeah. It's about that legacy, isn't it? Jerry: That's the true value in life to me because I haven't seen anybody get buried yet with hearse full of money. Marcus: Yeah. Preach. Sell. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful to you in your business life? Jerry: Not really. I think I've tried them all. I think I've listened to them all. I've always trusted my gut more than I have somebody that I feel like is trying to sell a book. Not to say that they don't have a lot to add, but you've really got to just get out there and get your nose busted a few times. You learn when to duck and when to stand up. That's just part of the process. Marcus: There's some good wisdom in that statement. Jerry: Well, I call it street survival. You gotta learn it. Marcus: Yep. Very much so. What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Jerry: You've got to focus on your employees because you're only as good as the people that are taking care of things. At one time, I had all my companies set on cruise control. Before I ran for public office, I would hunt and fish every day. I would show up at a boardroom a couple times a year. I may take care of a few things over the phone. But I could go fishing for ... I traveled the world playing in a very small way. But I didn't worry about it because I had great people. I made sure they were taken care of. I invested in their families. It's a very simple cycle. You take care of the people take care of you, and it works. Marcus: Absolutely. This is usually the hardest question. How do you like to unwind? Jerry: I don't unwind very well. Marcus: Come on. Jerry: I love to hunt and fish, but I'm a reader. I like to just read various stuff. I'm working on Sidney Phillips' book, Dr. Phillips' book. It's a very simple book to read, but I read his heart in everything that he's written. I do a lot of reading. I do very little TV watching. I hate to watch the news, but I have to from time to time. But I guess reading, hunting and fishing. I enjoy my grandkids. I enjoy my family. Just the other day, I got a fire started, and we ran a fire for 24 hours at our house. I sat by the fire reading all day. Marcus: That's cool. That's very cool. Jerry: Grandkids crawling all over me and doing the things that they're supposed to do. But as I get older, I appreciate more stuff. Marcus: Yeah. We haven't talked about your role in local politics, but what made you decide to go down that path? Jerry: My son ... I've always been successful. Not at everything, but financially I've been successful and our family is taken care of. My son joined the Marine Corps, went off to active duty, to Afghanistan, and I'm sitting there. Every parent that sends a child into active combat, they're watching that driveway, afraid that car's going to turn in and bring them the bad news. I'm sitting there watching the driveway, and I knew he would be over there for eight months. So about four months into it, I got to thinking, "What have I ever done? Here I've raised a child that's willing to go to Afghanistan ..." Pardon me. I get a little emotional at this part. But he's willing to go over there and do what he's doing. So many kids are. What have I ever done? So I tried to join the Marine Corps. They told me I was too old. Marcus: I can see. Jerry: This is the truth. This is the truth. Marcus: How old were you when you tried to join the Marine- Jerry: I think I was 50-something. Marcus: That's great. Jerry: I said, "I may be over the hill, but I can drive a truck. I can do something. I can give back." Marcus: Oh, that's perfect. Jerry: They laughed at me just like you are. Jerry: Hey, in World War II, I would have been in high demand. But I got to looking, and I told my wife. I said, "We're going to pray about this, and we'll figure out what I can do to give back." I'm reading the newspaper when we had the Press-Register. There was an article about a local elected official that was holding permits up to prove to this company who was in control. Marcus: Come on. Jerry: I told my wife. I said, "That's exactly what government should not do. The people should be in control." I said, "We're going to run for that position." She said, "What is it?" I said, "Well, it's county commissioner." She says, "What is that?" I go, "I don't know. Let's Google it." Marcus: I don't know either. Jerry: So we Googled county commissioner, and that's how I got involved in politics. I really feel I love what I do. I enjoy serving people. I enjoy serving people at my church. I enjoy opening the door for the ladies. I enjoy serving. So it works well with my public service life. Marcus: That's just such an amazing story. I just love that at 50 years old, you called the Marine Corps and were like- Jerry: No, I went to a recruiting office. Marcus: Yeah. No, that's great. Jerry: Yeah. So I was there. All I had to do was pull the paperwork out, and the guy laughed at me. He goes, "How old are you?" I don't remember exactly. I'd have to go back and do the math. I said, "I'm like 51." He goes, "You just missed it. The cutoff is 50." He thought it was humorous, too. Marcus: That's perfect, man. Jerry: But I was sincere. Marcus: Well, Jerry, I really want to thank you again for coming on my podcast. Jerry: Oh, my pleasure. Marcus: Any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Jerry: No. Young people, especially wanting to get in business, don't get distracted by the billionaires and the millionaires. You may be the next one, but you know what? You may wind up just like me, being able to feed your family, take care of your family in a very comfortable fashion. That's important. And it's extremely important that we have younger people with newer ideas that want to do things better, come up in behind it, and take the places of us older people. I mean, that's just the cycle. I get excited listening to somebody trying to chase their dreams. I talk to young people all the time about it. Don't give up. Don't let somebody else set the target for you. You set it. You move towards it. Marcus: Get out and hustle and make it happen. Jerry: Yeah. Marcus: We actually ... Today, because we're actually recording this on ... What's today? The 22nd or something like that? January 23rd. So Bill Sisson's episode of the podcast was released today, and one of the things that we discussed in that was Mobile has 28,000 ... if I remember correctly, 28,000 micro-businesses. When he first said that in an update that he was giving as part of an executive round table or something along those lines, I was really struck by that. Mobile is open for business. There are a lot of people that are really hungry and wanting to take that chance. This is fertile ground for business owners. So I love what you're saying about get out there. You may not make a billion dollars, but if you can feed your family and do it on your own terms, then that's beautiful. That's a wonderful thing. Jerry: That's success. That person's just as successful as the founder of Amazon, which started very meekly. Now he's got 157 billion dollars he's trying to figure out how to- Marcus: It's a completely different problem, but yeah. He didn't get there overnight. Jerry: Yeah. It's a totally different problem. But you're in America. Anything's possible. Anything's possible. I don't care who you are. This is the greatest country in the world. This is the greatest time to be alive. Marcus: Absolutely. Jerry: And they talk about the millennials. They're running things now. The press talks about them in a negative way. No way. Look around you. They're taking over. I love it. And that's their job is to take over. Marcus: Yeah. It is going to be very exciting to see where we go in the next 5 to 10 years. Jerry: In my short life, I can remember when there were no computers. I can remember when telephone consisted of a party line. Now I send out messages to a half a dozen people at the stroke of a key. Where are we going to be 50 years from now? It's impossible for somebody like me to vision that. I just hang on for the ride. All I want to do is go into space. I'm pretty simple. I tell my wife all the time, "Just send me into space while I'm alive and leave me." I'll be happy with that. I'll die out there floating around. Marcus: Well, that's funny. You're one of the ... I've not met somebody that actually wanted to do the Virgin ride, the- Jerry: Yeah, for the 100 grand? I've been thinking about it. I'll do it in a heartbeat. Marcus: Yeah. That's interesting. I don't know that I would, quite honestly. I don't have that much interest. I mean, I grew up watching the space shuttle go into space and stuff like that. It was a very big deal for those of us that grew up during that time period. But for whatever reason, just going to space just has never been an interesting thing to me. I like terra forma. Jerry: No, no, no. I mean, I've always wanted to go to Africa and spend time on the plains. I've done that. My bucket is empty. I need some new things. Marcus: So space it is. Jerry: Space is it. I'm good with it. Send me up. Marcus: That's great. Jerry, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner. Jerry: I've enjoyed this. Thank you very much. Marcus: Yeah. It's been great talking with you. Jerry: All right. Take care. Produced by Blue Fish in Mobile, Alabama
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Kat Cline. Kat owns Aura Holistic Hair and Apotheca. Listen to this week's podcast and find more about how she brings a Holistic approach not just to the products she uses and sells but to how her business interacts with our community. Kat: Hi. My name is Kat Cline. I own Aura Holistic Hair and Apotheca. Marcus: Awesome. Well, welcome to the podcast, Kat. Kat: Thank you for having me. Marcus: Yeah. No, it's awesome. I know we've known each other for probably a couple years now. No? Kat: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: Yeah. If I remember correctly, you just came to one of our networking events. Was that- Kat: Yeah, one of the open houses. Marcus: Yeah. So, for those of you that aren't plugged into our network, we actually host open houses at our facility. Well, we did that when we were at 412 Dauphin Street. Now that we're at 920 Dauphin Street, we have still carried that tradition over, and we love them because we get to meet people like Kat. So, entrepreneurs. At the time, you weren't salon owner at the time. You were- Kat: I was a salon owner, but I was mostly focusing on a solo venture, and it's definitely expanded and taken a new direction. Marcus: We're gonna get into that. Kat: But because of your networking events and meeting other fellow-minded business owners is really what made me aware of how I wanted to do business. Marcus: Very cool. Yay. We're serving a purpose in this word, Jared. Kat: You are. Marcus: So, here's the deal. Everybody knows one of the things that we want to know is we want to know the story of Kat. So, tell us where you're from. Where'd you go to high school? Did you go to college? If you didn't go to college, did you go to cosmetology school, all that stuff. Kat: Okay. Marcus: I know some of the other answers, but are you married? Give us some of your backstory. Kat: Okay. So, I was born in North Carolina, but don't know anything about it because I grew up in the military. So, most of my upbringing was Hawaii, Massachusetts, and then settled down near the Fort Rucker area, so graduated from Enterprise and went to Troy University and got my BFA in photo studio, but quickly realized it just wasn't the direction I wanted to take, and I was at home working part-time, and my mom was like, "Okay. This is not working. You have to choose a career, figure out your life goals. You talked about hair. Check it out." So, I went and got my cosmetology license. My mom was super supportive, so she gets free haircuts for life. Dad pays because he said I would never make money as a stylist. Marcus: Oh, snap. That's awesome. Kat: So, he had paid for every haircut, or traded in some way, shape, or form. He's never gotten one just for being bad. Marcus: That's hilarious. Kat: Yeah. So, that kind of was how I started the hair career, and then about the same time, I was just going through a lot of health issues and a lot of health not quite crises. More of chronic long-term issues that I wanted to work on and address, so I got really involved in nutrition and all the healthy side of things, and so that's what morphed into eventually embracing the holistic aspect and not feeling like I'm living two separate lives, but merging them together. So, as of right now, it's me and my kitties, I have two, and my dog, Nova, and I have a lot of fish. But that's where I'm at, here in Mobile. Marcus: I have loved watching your escapades with Nova on Facebook. I think it's so cool, because for those of you that ... I mean, if you don't know Kat, Nova is ... Have you figured out what mix? Kat: We think she's American bulldog/American pit bull terrier mix, or some variation. Marcus: Okay, but she's deaf. Kat: Mostly. Marcus: She's a beautiful dog, but you're teaching her sign language and all this stuff, and I just think it's just so much fun. Kat: I will say, as my little plug for deaf dogs, I can't guarantee this for everyone, but 90% of the issues that we've had adjusting to each other have been because she's a 10-month-old puppies, and nothing to do with her deaf status. Marcus: Exactly. Kat: So, other than that, learning signs has been easy, and if we can get her past puppy phase without me pulling my hair out, because it's important for my job, then we'll be making some good progress. Marcus: That's funny. Well, you mentioned that you got your cosmetology license, but I know enough about cosmetology to know that you either have to do an apprenticeship, or you have to go to school for that. Did you go to school here locally for that? Kat: I did. I went to school at Blue Cliff. Marcus: Okay, you did. Very good. Kat: So, it was like a 14-month program that got extended because of a car wreck, so unhappily breezed through that, finally. Not breezed through it. Marcus: Yeah, and how did you find that program there, just for people that might be interested in going down that path? Kat: My mom was like, "Hey, you should go and look," and she had seen it, and so when I told her, she was like, "You should consider doing hair. You talked about this before," and I was like, "Okay, fine." She's like, "Oh, I already sent out for someone, so here you go," and she had already filled out the paperwork, the inquiry stuff where they mail you the little info packet, and she handed it to me. So, my only concern was financial aid, so I went and talked to them, and they got me all set up with that, and it was kind of just done after that. Marcus: Yeah, and the program was good? Kat: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: Very good. All right. So, back on track, what was your first job, and were there any lessons that you still remember from that? Not first haircutting job, first- Kat: Just first job? Okay. Marcus: Like crap, scrubbing floors, flipping burgers. Kat: First job was Sonic, a little carhop. Not the skating part, because I'm not coordinated. Marcus: Oh, come on. You weren't on the roller skates? Kat: I can't. I have no coordination at all. That would've been awful. No one would've gotten their meals if I was on skates. So, that one was super young. I was like, I think just gotten a car, so 16, and really didn't understand the ways of the world, and it was a good eye-opener, and not to be negative, but the biggest thing I took away from that job was they had me clock out and sit around on the clock all the time, and I didn't know at the time that that was totally not acceptable until I ended up getting taken off the schedule because I wasn't one of their main people, and my mom ... We started talking about stuff, and she's like, “That's not okay,” because my mom's a restaurant manager. Kat: So, she was like ... We talked to the Labor Board and everything, and they confirmed that's unacceptable, and so that was my first ... Like I said, it's a negative, but I got so positive out of it that as a business owner and an entrepreneur, I never want to make those mistakes with employees, and so from day one, we just hired our first employee in November and did it strictly by the book, W-2, knew what I needed to do for scheduling, and learning the labor laws, because I had already experienced that from other businesses, and that was ... I don't want to do that to someone else. Marcus: Yeah. No, it is. I mean, hiring my first person, which I always considered Tad my first employee, but the true truth is that there were a couple of people that worked for me part-time before that, but he was my first full-time employee, and it's always kind of a bit nerveracking because you don't know all of those rules and regulations, and if you're hiring a salaried employee, it's a little bit different than if you're hiring somebody hourly or W-2. So, it was a little bit easier because when you're doing hourly, there are all kinds of things that you have to kind of keep in mind and whatnot, but ... No, it's cool. Now, how did you get started with your business? Why don't you tell us a little bit about what it is now, and then how did you get started? Kat: Okay. So, the way ... It morphed directions multiple times. So, where it's at right now is that we are a holistic haircare and skincare boutique. Marcus: What does that mean? Kat: I'm about to go into all that, because I know it's a mouthful, but basically, we sell organic or eco-friendly or local, handcrafted products that are designed for shampoos, conditioners, face wash. Marcus: I really appreciate all those samples you brought us, too. Kat: Yeah. I'm sorry. Marcus: Golly. Kat: I was slacking. I gotta get better at this. This is why I'm here, right? Marcus: I'm just playing. Kat: But basically, we have bath bombs, bath salts, lotions, skincare for the face, meaning cleansers, toners, moisturizers. I know that leaves you guys out a little bit feeling clueless. Marcus: No, it doesn't. Kat: Oh, hey. Marcus: I use a little eye cream and some moisturizers and toner and stuff. Kat: You're doing good then. There we go. But we do take care of the guys, too. Marcus: I'm really 75. I look like I'm about 40-something. Kat: Oh. I was about to say, you're doing pretty good. Yeah. Marcus: Thanks. Kat: But we also have men's grooming products. I specialize in men's grooming, so we've got the aftershave bomb, beard bomb, all of that good stuff. So, basically, I got into all that because of what I was saying earlier. I had this approach that I needed to ... The health issues that were chronic, and I learned quickly that modern healthcare is a great tool to have, but it doesn't treat chronic illness. It's not even preventative medicine. It's like acute care, emergency care, and a lot of the chronic stuff gets swept under the bus, and since that's a hot topic, that's all I'll say about that, but basically, it came down to my nutrition was the number one thing that just reversed my life. Kat: I have psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, endometriosis. All of these are extremely pain management-focused illnesses that should not allow me to cut hair and do so every day, and they shouldn't allow me to run a business. So, when I took my health into my hands and said, “Okay. Nutrition is where I need to go,” it was like all of a sudden ... It's been a journey. It's been seven years, but I've come so far, and when I started cleaning out my food, then it was like, “Oh, I can't do anything halfway. I have to go all in.” So, then I was like ... I slowly started adjusting my cleaning, and then I realized my skincare, and then I'm like, “Oh, I'm going to work every day, and I'm using-” Marcus: Chemicals that ... Yeah. Kat Cline: “... one of the most toxic care lines in the industry,” and so it was not working, and so I had a friend that was like, “Oh, there's this brand,” and so when I decided that I wanted to open my own space, it was a no-brainer. It had to be a holistic model, and I prefer the word holistic because I feel like organic's a buzzword, and there's FDA organic, and that's what makes you certified organic, but there's just as many companies that don't have thousands of dollars to become FDA-certified, and there are still cleaner options. To me, holistic also encompasses the local aspect, and so I have as much focus on either locally-owned businesses being represented in the shop, such as Keller Works is one of our main vendors. Kat: We just got some awesome lip scrubs from Port City Honey. We've got a local artist, Lisa Warren, and then we also have some stuff from Whisper Apothecary, and then if we couldn't find a local option, then we at least focus on the ... I think they call it the solopreneur or the micropreneur, where it's very, very less than 10 employees, handcrafted, small business-type models, and so I have Wild Craft, which is a Canadian line, and then our beard line and aftershave line is Simply Bee Organics from Colorado. Marcus: Very cool. Kat: So, very much about the small person. Marcus: Yeah. No, I think that's wonderful, that you're supporting solopreneurs or micro businesses, because oftentimes it's very difficult for them to get the footing that is needed. I'm just curious. I don't color my hair or anything like that, but have you found that the holistic products hold up, and are your clients pleased with the change? Kat: So, I am definitely hippie, but I like to call it hippie chic because I have super high standards, and I don't like something that doesn't work or doesn't perform well, and so I've made it a focus, and the goal is that yes, the products have to meet that standard, because when it comes to that, it's not that I'm snobby. It's that I want the best of the best, and I want it to work, and when I put it on my skin, I want to feel a difference. I don't want to have to wait six months, and then it's dry or it's itchy, and that's a lot of the concerns with the products that you see in some of your big box stores that are marked organic or on the shelf. Kat: It's just that the quality is not always there, and I've found that with the smaller companies, they spend ... Because they're not trying to make shortcuts, they want to have this amazingly awesome product, that it performs even better sometimes. So, I've been grateful that a lot of my clients actually come to me because the lines are more luxury, and not just because they're organic, and so I've been able to meet kind of people where they're at on different levels. So, I've got different price points, but also knowing that regardless of the price point, that it works, and it's effective for what you're buying. Marcus: That's the biggest thing, right? I mean, if you're spending less money but it's not working, then who, sorry, but who gives a shit? I mean, it's gotta work, otherwise it's not worth doing. Kat: Especially, too, holistic-based products, there's that stigma, and it's somewhat true that they're a little bit more of a price point difference. They're a little bit higher, but that's kind of where our focus is, too, with testers and samples, because everyone hates going and buying shampoo, and then it doesn't work for them, regardless of whether it's organic or holistic, but then you add the holistic price tag to it, which I'm glad to say with most of my products it's only a couple dollars more. There are some that are different depending on what you're looking at, but having that option to try before you buy so that you know you're getting something that works for you, because if it works for you, great, but if it doesn't work for the next person, the next person wants to know that before they take it home. Marcus: Right. Yeah, absolutely. All right. So, if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Kat: That's a good one. Marcus: I've been told that I'm somewhat good at this, but I'm not gonna break my arm patting myself on the back. Kat: Well, you should because sometimes we don't get enough from other people. So, with the business question specifically, I would say do your homework, do your research, and ask questions, but at the end of the day, just jump and do it. If you think you've got this idea, and you've got enough information, and you've done it, and it's something you're passionate about, go for it because the whole ... If you wait for that button to say I'm ready, it's never gonna happen. This is my third year in business. Our anniversary was on the 10th of January. Marcus: Nice. Kat: I feel like enough business owners don't talk about this, or they don't share it. There are days I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm just literally figuring it out as I go, and I think the more and more I talk to other business owners, they feel the same way, but right now we're in this, not to knock it, but the glamour of the entrepreneur and how awesome we are, and I think we're so afraid to show that vulnerability of it's hard, and it sucks, and I don't know what I'm doing some days, but the days I don't know what I'm doing, I stop and take a timeout, and I go, “Okay. This X problem, how do we tackle it one step at a time to get to the next step?” Marcus: I mean, I think I've said this before and the podcast. The truth is most business owners, if they knew what it took to run a business, would never step- Kat: No? Marcus: They would never do it, and this progressive thing where as you're stepping into things, you're learning new skills, and you're learning about how it is to run the business, or whatever bit of information it is that you need at that moment, and you're constantly taking those steps of faith. I don't know. I mean, if you're of the Christian faith, then it's the lamp unto your feet. Right? So, you only have as much knowledge as what a lamp can light around you, so it's a five or six-foot radius, and there's complete darkness around that, and you really don't have any idea what is out in the darkness, but you just keep taking those steps in faith in the hopes that you don't step on a landmine somewhere. Kat: Exactly. Marcus: But yeah, you're not alone in that. I mean, I think everybody deals with that. What are you currently working on, anything you can talk about? Kat: My current goal right now ... We just launched our web store in the end of December, so I think it's been a baby for a month. So, my current goal right now is that we have where you ... getting that wrapped up and put a bow on it all the way so that you can go online, do your purchases, be checked out, done, and you can come pick it up in the store, and it's ready, and there's no wait and no hassle if you're running an errand and you're swinging by. We also just brought in two makeup palettes. We're trying to work on bringing some more makeup in, and my employee does makeup lessons and makeup for Mardi Gras and all that good stuff. Kat: So, that is our focus on the business level, but as a whole, my theme for this year is community, and so our steps that we're taking for this year specifically are to have more social events that are totally free, just to bring the community in and offer them information and knowledge, work with more local vendors, basically focus on Mobile and what's happening right now, right here, and how t make that either something that is a part of the business, or that the business can give back and offer. Marcus: That's cool. Who is the one person that motivates you from the business world? Kat: That's a good question. Do I have to pick just one person? Marcus: I will give you an out. You can pick multiple people, but it can't be my parents or my grandfather. I get it. Your parents are great, but what's- Kat: No, no, no. Okay. It does go back to, though, I love the group of progressive business-minded people, the younger entrepreneurs, and by that I just mean the under 50s that are the crowd that we're hanging out with. I mean, the ones that- Marcus: I made the cut, folks, slid in right under the roof. Kat: But the progressive thinkers, the people that I'm meeting at your open houses, the ones at the exchange. All of them have just been such ... The networking events, I've never walked into one, and part of that might be my mindset. I always walk in with, I want to make one connection or meet one person today, and I'm showing up with the expectation of it's gonna provide me what I need, and that's never failed me. I've never gone in to sell. I've never gone in to talk about my business specifically. I've always gone in with a mindset of there's a knowledge or a nugget of information or someone specific, and when I've done that, I met Abe Harper who introduced me to the business counselor that helped me get my business plan all together and tied up in a bow so that I could turn over to a bank and get funding, and I got a bank that gave me money before I hit the two-year mark, which most business owners- Marcus: That's not common. Kat: ... don't see that, especially- Marcus: Who was the counselor? Kat: It was Mel Washington with the Small Business Association. Marcus: Shout out to Mel. Kat: Yeah, I love Mel. Marcus: One of these days, he's gonna come on the podcast. But anyway, go ahead. I figured that was who it was, but go, right? Marcus: Yeah. Kat: So, those people, I've met you, and I've loved your guys's events because I've met more of the artsy people. I've met Johnny Quinn at The Container Yard, and they're super creative, and then you've got the tech people at the exchange, and I've gone in there, and I've met so many amazing people. You're probably like, "What the heck is this hippie, artsy salon chick doing at the exchange where it's all tech-oriented, and they're talking?" In fact, I met Abe Harper at an event that was technology in the career place, and it was like, why am I there, but I was there to meet Abe. I just didn't know that. I've gone and met amazing connections every single time, and sometimes they are not helping me come in and buy a product. Sometimes they're just saying, "Hey, you really need this nugget of information today," but I didn't know I needed that nugget of information until walked in the door. So, that's why I was apprehensive about picking one specific person, because I love- Marcus: No, it's totally ... I mean, you had a great answer, but I word that question in a very specific way because I used to say, “Well, is there somebody who's motivated you,” or something along those lines. I left it kind of generic, and I always got these, “Well, my mom and dad were the wonderful people, and they raised me great,” and I'm like, “No, I don't think you understand. We get that your parents were awesome, but I want to know who motivates you from the business world,” but your answer was perfect. Kat: Awesome. Well, thank you. Marcus: Yeah. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been really helpful in moving you forward besides Mel Washington? Kat: I have a salon coach. She's with the Salon and Spa Institution, and her focus is the salon industry, which has been extremely beneficial because as much as I love my business entrepreneurs, our industry is so weird and so quirky in some ways that having someone who understands that perspective has just been just so helpful, and then also, Kute Blackson is, I guess, a motivational person, but he wrote You Are The One, and it's just a super amazing read, and if you're into Audible, let him read it to you because he is the narrator, but he's just all about embracing who you are and being authentic, and owning that. Kat: To me, I had so many people when I first started that I was working four days, and they're like, "You will never grow your business working four days," Especially right now, the hustle and grind, don't sleep, we're gonna work, work, work is in, and I'm all about ... My salon coach has been supportive in this, and then there are other motivational speakers that are starting to embrace the owning what you do and being good at what you do, and doing things your way as long as you can show that it makes sense, and I've had my days where I've put in extra hours, but I am back to working four days a week, and I take care of myself, and with my health issues I have to, and so I would just say that focus, that mindset, is the ones that have just over and over again, just that reminder. Marcus: I think it's important. I mean, let's pause for just a second on what you're talking about. So, I think it's important to note ... I just went through Emerging Leaders, and as part of Emerging Leaders they identify ... I think there's four different types of businesses, and I could be getting this wrong, but anyway, there's four different types of businesses, and one of those is a lifestyle business. It's somebody who starts a business because they want a certain lifestyle, and they want their business to fit around that lifestyle versus having a business that is more growth-oriented, where they're trying to achieve hockey stick growth and make millions of dollars. Kat: Right? Marcus: I think it's really important to note that that is perfectly okay. Kat: I agree. Marcus: If you want to just work three or four days a week, and you can make a living and work three or four days a week, then do it. Quite honestly, for the longest time, Blue Fish was a lifestyle business. It was all about me being able to just kind of take care of the boys and be there for them, and then at night or on the weekends or whatever, when I could, I would pull myself into web development mode and designer mode, and I would do the things that I needed to do. But the reality is that it was very much a lifestyle business, and it's changed. Marcus: Now my focus is more on growth. I'm definitely doubling down and wanting to grow the business, but there are different types of businesses that don't feel like ... If you're listening to Gary V. or some of these other guys, I'm just gonna say, because he's the one, I think, that is the most prevalent in that mindset of just constantly cranking out content, working, and doing all kinds of stuff, and so it's difficult to ... If that's not your mindset, it's difficult to listen to that and feel like there's some sort of balance. Kat: Yeah, agreed. Marcus: What's the most important thing you've learned about running a business? Kat: Oh. Pick one, right? I would say breathe consistency. Just show up, honestly. I saw that all together because sometimes it's everything coming at you at once, and like you said earlier with the lamp kind of illuminating this little area around you, but it's also like you're being pulled a hundred different directions, and sometimes it's past what you can realistically see, and you don't ... Someone's pulling you, but you don't see what the arm is connected to. So, it's really easy just to get, oh, I'm here, I'm there, I'm here, I'm there, and not feeling like you're moving forward and accomplishing anything, and so the biggest thing is literally just stop, take a breath, and just one bite at a time, but do that consistently. You can't just put it to the size and forget about it. You have to just make sure you're hammering that through over and over again, I'm showing up, I'm showing up, I'm showing up, no matter what. Marcus: Yep. Consistency is definitely key in business. How do you like to unwind? Kat: Pick one. Marcus: Come on, now. Kat: Yoga. I know, but I'm laughing because you're on my Facebook, so you already see a lot of this. Marcus: We're talking to an audience here. Kat: I know. Marcus: This isn't ... Kat: Mostly yoga. I love kayaking [crosstalk] Marcus: Do you want me to answer this for you? Kat: Yeah. I know, right? Marcus: Yeah. It's spending time walking Nova- Kat: Nova. Marcus Neto: ... cooking wonderful paleo meals. She likes yoga, and occasionally you go to the beach and walk along the beach. Kat: Not as much as a business owner, so I'm hoping that changes a little bit more again. Marcus: Is there anything else you'd like to add to my answer? Kat: I have two cats, because you seem focused on my dog. Marcus: Yeah. Kat: I would say the biggest one is cooking. It's my de-stressor, and everyone's like, “Oh, my god. Share food with me,” and I'm like, “It doesn't work like that.” I can't schedule a meal. It has to happen on a whim. I don't follow recipes, so people are constantly like, “What's the recipe,” and I'm like, “I eyeballed a little bit of this and a little bit of that and threw it in the pot, and this was what was in my fridge, so I made it work,” and that is my breath, get it off my chest. Marcus: I mean, because there's a zone that you get into when you're doing something along those lines. People that have never worked in the food industry won't necessarily understand this, but when you're putting together multiple pieces of a meal, and you're trying to get them all out at the same time, there's all kinds of focus that it takes in order to get all those pieces together and have them all ready at the same time so they're all hot and ready and tasty and stuff like that. So, I'm very much the same way. I really enjoy cooking and spending time in the kitchen. Kat: I've seen some of your stuff too lately. Marcus: Yeah, it's tasty. Kat: I love the plating aspect. I don't even plan it, and I think people think I'm doing it on purpose, but it's like second nature. When I put it on the plate, it just has to look pretty. I think that's the artist in me. Marcus: Yeah, very much so. Where can people find you? Kat: I am currently located at 2616 Old Shell Road. We're not at the Florida and Old Shell Road intersection, but we're a few doors up from there. Marcus: Next to it, yeah. Kat: We're kind of in between UMS and Not Just Beads. We're right smack dab in the middle. Marcus: Okay, and Facebook, website? Kat: So, we have a Facebook, . Our website is . We just launched our Instagram under as well. Marcus: That's AU-R-A-O, if I remember correctly. Kat: Oh, Aura, it's A-U-R-A- Marcus: R-A. Kat Cline: ... H-O-L-I-S-T-I-C H-A-I-R. Marcus: Yeah, aura, like an aura around the person. Yeah. Well, I want to thank you again for coming to the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Kat: I would just say stick to your guns. Go after your passions. I feel like so much we get bombarded with what to do and what not to do, and what's right to do and what's wrong to do, and I think when you take out the moral side of things, I'm not talking about all that, but as long as you're not hurting people, and you're helping people, if it's something that makes you happy, then absolutely go after it and figure out a way to make it yours. Marcus: Very good. Well, Kat, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking to you, but it's also been great watching your growth over the last year or so. Kat: Thank you for having me. This was really fun. Marcus: Awesome.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Trey Byrum. Trey is the owner of Alabama Pipe Welders Academy. Listen to this week's podcast and find out more about Alabama Pipe Welders Academy and how they are helping fill a need in our community.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Jim Mather. Jim is the Director of Friends of Internationals. Listen to this week's podcast to see that in whatever you do, do it with all your heart and give honor to all you meet is the foundation for all that Jim does and Friends of Internationals. He reminds us of how we should honor people and that you never know what will come from a chance encounter.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Neal Bataller. Neal is the senior leader of Platform 85. Listen to this week's podcast to see how he and his wife ended up starting a church in downtown Mobile and helping us remember that getting out there and loving people wherever they are in life is the most important thing. Neal: Hello, I'm Neal Bataller. I'm the senior leader of Platform 85. Marcus: Awesome, Neal. I'm excited to have you on the podcast. Neal: Thanks for having me. Marcus: Yeah. I really don't know how we met. I think it was just online, social media, some LinkedIn or- Neal: Online, yeah, and then I think through ArtWalk. Marcus: Yeah, I know I popped in one night. That was a really cold night. You guys were doing some really cool things. I think you had some painting, and you were offering hot chocolate, and stuff like that, and just opened your doors and were letting people come in and just spend some time inside, I guess, and more than anything. Anyway, I mean, we'll get to it. I'm very excited about what you all have going on. But before we get there, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where'd you go to high school, college. Ministry, I don't think is your primary. Neal: Right. I'm bi-vocational. Marcus: Yeah. Give me some of that information. I know you're married. Stuff like that. Neal: Yeah. Yeah. I was born in Milton, Florida. My dad was in the military, in the Navy. Once we left Milton, Florida, we settled in Saraland, Alabama, just north of here. I grew up there, went to high school at Satsuma. Graduated in 1984. Marcus: You are mostly local, then? Neal: I am mostly local. Then, after that, after high school, I went in the Marine Corps and spent eight years in the Marine Corps. Marcus: Wow. Neal: Served one tour in the Persian Gulf War, Desert Shield, Desert Storm. Marcus: Thank you for that. Neal: Thank you. Got back from that. Of course, it was really unique, because my wife and I, we got married four days before I left to go to the Persian Gulf War. But got back from the war, spent another year. Got out after eight years. Then, we built a house out in West Mobile, raised two beautiful children. My daughter, Sydney, she's 26. She lives here in Mobile with her husband. My son is 23. He lives in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He serves on a church up there. After 28 years or so being out in West Mobile, we sold our house and fell in love with downtown Mobile, and here we are. Marcus: That is awesome. Yeah. It is very interesting to me to hear people ... like the podcast that we were recording before you came in. Newsflash to everybody that's listening to this, we batch record these. We record four or five on a day, and then we release them over a period of a couple of weeks. When Neal walked in, we were actually recording the episode with Bill Sisson. We were talking about all of wonderful things that are going on downtown. I asked Bill. I said, "You know, at one point in time, you had in the Business View Magazine that there was $185 million worth of renovation happening in downtown Mobile right now." $185 million of renovation, and it's all residential, with the exception of most of those buildings also have some commercial component on the main floor. Then, above that, it's all ... You know? I guess we should tell people what you do. Why don't you say that, and then I'll finish my thought? Neal: Well, I'm the senior leader, which some people really call that a senior pastor. Marcus: Sure. Neal: But I'm the senior leader of Platform 85, which is ... Some people think it's a nightclub when you first hear the name. Marcus: Man, would they be sorely confused. Neal: [crosstalk 00:03:50]. Marcus: Maybe not disappointed, but sorely confused when they walked in. Neal: Yeah. Tell me about this place. But it is a church. We're a nondenominational church. When I said that my wife and I fell in love with downtown Mobile, we really feel like God really just put this place on our hearts. If you would've asked us two years ago if we would move to downtown Mobile, we would've told you absolutely not. But now we love it. Absolutely love everything that's going on, what our city officials are doing, all the growth. God said, "You know, you need to get down there and just love these people, and love them right where they're at, from the homeless community to the working class that comes down here during the week, to the business owners." We packed up, sold the house, and got down here. Now it's so much fun, just because we can get in in the evenings and walk down to any restaurant we want to and just meet people. That's what happening within the last years, we've just, in passing, meeting people, and they're getting to know our face, and then really finding out, okay, they're connecting us with Platform 85. We're a church down here just wanting to love people and love the city. Marcus: That's where I was going, is I just think it's very cool that you all have looked to what is happening here. I don't know if you knew that all that was ... because, I mean, that's a fairly recent ... You popped up on the scene about the time when all of that was being announced, but all that renovation that's taking place, I mean, you're strategically positioned in such a great way. Because if those buildings, as they start to come online, those people are going to be looking for places to come and worship. There are already churches down that are like the Catholic church, or the Methodist church, and things like that. I don't know that there was ... You have a non-denominational ... I don't know maybe you are- Neal: That's correct. Marcus: You are? Okay. Neal: Non-denominational. Marcus: Non-denominational feel to you. I think that's something that is much needed in the landscape down here. I'm very excited about that. But why don't you tell us, how did you end up as senior leader of Platform 85, because I mean, you said you were in the Marines, and then you skipped over a whole bunch of your life. Neal: A whole bunch of stuff, right. Marcus: I raised some kids. Yeah, but what'd you do, man? In your former life, I mean, or do you still practice whatever it was that you were doing? Neal: Well, I've been in retail, and over the years have had several different jobs. I guess it was through our kids that I just really felt, and to be transparent, I really felt inadequate to be a father. Marcus: Wow. Neal: With kids. God just began to do a work in my heart, drawing me to church. I told my wife, I said, "You know, we need to find a church." It's funny that we look at it that way, but I found everything in church. I had a worship experience that changed my life. Coming from what little bit of Baptist background that I had, everything was hymnals, and ... I didn't realize that there was contemporary style worship until I experienced it the first time I went to church. Marcus: Yeah. You know I have a lot of involvement in church, too, or at least I did at one point in time? Neal: Right. Marcus: I don't ever tell people that their way of worshiping isn't the right way for them. Neal: Right. You're right. Marcus: Because some people really like that. But I would agree with you. I'm a recovering Baptist, is how I say it. I was born again in a Fundamental Baptist church, and I very much appreciated what they brought to my life. Neal: Right, absolutely. Marcus: But at the same time, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to a church like that. I mean, it would just be like, [groans], like everything in me, because I've experienced the freedom. I enjoy that very much, the artistic-ness of a more ... I don't know ... a more creative worship experience. Because that's how I live my life. Neal: Yeah. [crosstalk 00:08:03]. Marcus: I want it to be like how I just express myself. Right? Neal: Right. You're right. Marcus: I think our God is big enough to cover all of those bases. Neal: Absolutely. Absolutely. Marcus: But you know? I cut you off, though. Neal: Well, he wooed me into church, and I had this worship experience. From that, really quick story ... Our kids went to this church, and they also went to school there. They had a Christmas program. The principal got up, and he says, "Okay. How many men do we have here who are fathers of the children in this program?" I raised my hand. He says, "Well, after the program is over with, I need everyone to help me reset the stage, so we can be ready for Sunday for services. At the end of everything, all the men got up. We start putting everything together. Well, I gravitated toward the drum set. I begin to reset this drum set up. Unbeknownst to me, the actual guy that played drums for the church saw me setting these drums up. He asked me, he said, "How did you learn how to do that?" I said, "Well, I played drums back in high school." He said, "Neal, you need to be here at worship practice with us." From that day, I have been involved with ministry ever since then- Marcus: That's cool. Neal: From leading worship, helping with youth, to once I left that church, with as put on staff as a youth pastor, led worship there, learned how to play the guitar and to lead worship. This was over a span of, oh, goodness, probably 19 years. I became an associate pastor, was involved with two church plans. That's just been my life. Kids have grown up in church. My wife and I have served faithfully in church. Sometimes, I would be on staff, and then sometimes I would be bi-vocational, where I worked another job. Being part of two church plans and raising these kids, there was this point now that the kids are out of the house, God was saying, "Okay, it's a new season." We really felt the call to sell the house. Once we got in that process is when we began to fell in love with downtown Mobile. He says, "Okay, I want you down there." We began to come down to ArtWalk, and my wife and I would just pray. Where do you want us down here? You know? We saw this little church that was right next door to Spotted Tea, called Downtown Fellowship. He said, "Neal, I want you to go there." We got up the next Sunday morning, and we went into that church. They just loved on us, and we loved on them. I helped with them on their worship team. I served with them. They asked me to do some messages. About a year passed, and they decided to close the doors. They turned everything over to me and my wife- Marcus: Wow. Neal: Both of us worked out a lease on that building. That's how, overall, we got down here. Today, I'm still bi-vocational. I do full-time ministry, and I am a production supervisor at a fiberglass piping company out in West Mobile. Marcus: Very good. Neal: I love what I do as a supervisor. It's something different. Typically, people think supervisors come in and tell everyone else what to do. That's not my [crosstalk 00:11:50]. Marcus: Wait, wait. Shh. Don't say that, because there's people in the room that shouldn't hear what you're about to say. No, go ahead. Neal: But the cool thing is that they are good at what they do. As a supervisor, what I'm supposed to do, what guys call me to do is get up underneath them and give them everything that they need to succeed in life, to succeed at this job. I really enjoy what I do at my other job, and I really enjoy being down here and having the church and just loving these people. Marcus: That's really cool. How long has Platform 85 been operating out of that space? Neal: Actually, we have been in the building for a year. Our first service was actually Easter Sunday of 2018. Marcus: Okay. Getting close. Of 2018? Neal: '18 was our first. Marcus: Okay. Okay. Getting close to a year. Neal: Yeah. Getting close to a year. Marcus: How has that experience been? Because planting a church, for those of you that have never done that, and I can say that I have, planting a church is not an easy feat. Neal: It has been challenging, just because of not knowing anybody downtown. Marcus: Right. Sure. Neal: But I think that's been the really cool part, is that we've been able to make connections and build our relationships that, if I wasn't going through the process of actually trying to find a building, I would've never made the relationships that I have now. What's really good about that is due to the fact that we live down here. It hasn't been easy, but it's been very, very rewarding. It's just a great testimony of how we got into the building. Because- Marcus: No, it is. I've heard that testimony. Somebody mentioned it to me before, and I was just like, "Wow, that's incredible." But you mentioned something about trying to find a building, and you looked into- Neal: Yes. Actually, we have found another building, and we're in the process this weekend of moving out of our building now and moving into our new building, which will be at 302 St. Michael's Street, which is two blocks north of actually where we're at. Marcus: 302. Is that the Temple Lodge building? Or two blocks north, I'm sorry. Neal: North. Yeah. Take it north. Marcus: I'm trying to think of what's there. What's in that building? Neal: Nothing right now. It's vacant. It was a Fly Studios, is what it used to be. It's right next door to a 450 Gallery and Port City Realty. Marcus: Okay. I'll have to go by there and see where that's at. Is that a purchase, or is that a lease again? Neal: It's going to be another lease, which is really good, because another great relationship by someone who owns several buildings [crosstalk 00:14:36]. Marcus: Very cool. Neal: If we outgrow it, then possibly- Marcus: Is that what's driving the change, is just more space, so you have more- Neal: Actually, it's less space. Marcus: Okay, very good. Neal: It is actually less space, but it does seem more manageable for us. Marcus: I got it, because that other space is quite large. Neal: It is quite large. Building a new church like that, and like we're doing, we're just getting in place, like you were talking about, because there's a lot of people that are going to be moving downtown with all the new renovations and apartment complexes coming in. Marcus: Yeah. Well, a lot of my questions that I usually ask people are more geared toward business, and you are ... I mean, technically speaking, you are a business owner. Right? Neal: Yeah. Yes. Marcus: Some people, they don't think of churches as businesses, but they are businesses. Neal: Correct. Marcus: They have money that comes in. They have bills that need to be paid. They have payroll. Neal: That's right. Marcus: They have people that they have to manage. They have expectations that have to be met. Their product just happens to be really kick butt. Neal: That's right. Marcus: Sometimes, it can be really kick butt. Sometimes it can just be lackluster. I'm going to ask you some questions in regards to that, and I hope people don't take that as an affront. But you've already answered some of the questions that I normally ask. But if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Neal: One of the things that, when God gave me this vision, is that knowing that it had come from him, staying determined into doing it. He is in the process. God is in the process. There's going to be good days, and there are going to be bad days. But he's always showing us something in the midst of the process. When you understand that, then the goal is much, much easier to see. It's just, "Okay. What are you showing me right here, right now?" When you realize that, then he's going to move you to the next step. Stay determined into your goal and your vision and your dreams. Because he's going to make them happen, but you've got to go through the process of what he wants. Stay determined. Marcus: Yeah. That determination and just staying focused, everybody has failures, but not everybody quits. Neal: That's right. Marcus: Not being discouraged by your failures to the point of getting up, and also being smart enough to not make failures that cause you to have no other choice but to give up. Right? Neal: Right. Marcus: Let's not sugarcoat it. At the same time, but not being so discouraged by your failures that you give up, because giving up is letting go of a dream and it's letting go of what God may have in store for you. I think that is really wise advice. Neal: There was one other thing that really helped me, is that surrounding myself with powerful people that believed in me and were walking with me every step. Because when we lived out in West Mobile, and a lot of people, when we left certain churches, they always to know, "Okay, so what are you guys doing?" Having that, where I knew people were praying for us, and they said, "Now, we're with you, whatever you do." That right there also was one of the key things that kept me going when I hit some of those bad times. Marcus: Yeah, some accountability. Neal: Yeah. Being surrounded by some people who loved us and strong people. Marcus: Yeah. Is there someone from the business world, or even from the ministry world, that motivates you, that you look to and say, "That person has kind of figured somethings out, you know, and you know, they've done X." I hesitate the question, but I mean, I hope you get it. I'm not saying you yearn to be this person, or anything like that. It's just like, there's a respect that I have for what this person has accomplished, and I'd like to see us get there. Neal: Right, well, it's my pastor, Dr. Mark Wyatt. He brought me onboard when he saw something in me that said, "Hey, you know, God's calling you into this ministry." He made room. He made that happen. He built that platform for me. Marcus: Where does he pastor? Neal: Well, he was my pastor at Deeper Life Fellowship, which is now Pure Grace. He is retired, and he writes books, and he [inaudible 00:19:23]. But he is the one who has inspired me, because I've seen him go after something that was grassroots and make it, and God really poured into that because he was determined. Watching that and seeing that, that's what has inspired me, because he made a way for me. What we do down here is ... That's the whole premise behind Platform 85, is seeing the gold in people and pulling that out, and setting them up for success, whoever it is. That's been a big, big inspiration. He was just, and still is, a big inspiration. Marcus: Yeah. Sometimes churches miss that. I love to see when churches have ... When they have the knowledge that they have to have formal processes that move people from point A to point Z. And they know how to do that with efficiency and with love and with nurturing. Because then, you see people grow, and really ultimately, that's what a church is there to do, is to see people grow from, "Hey, I don't even know who Christ is, and okay, now I believe in him. I've become a Christian. And now I want to serve." What does that look like? Ultimately, not everybody wants to go into a position of leadership, but at least serving and caring and loving on others and sharing their faith, and sharing their love in just being kind to other people. I think that's what churches are really geared towards doing. Neal: You see it everywhere. I mean, because I use everything that I've learned, even in my other job. You know? Marcus: Yeah. Neal: It's loving people, because when you get in the secular world, people don't understand love in a sense of in that type of world. It's like, well, how can you do this? It's like, "Well, if I'm secure in who I am, then I want to bring that up out of you." We're here. My job as a supervisor is not to sit around and fire and hire people. I want to see people succeed, because if I can put value into you, then you're going to make value into this company. Marcus: And ultimately, into the area that they live, and their neighborhood, and the people that they impact, and the city, and the region, and everything. It just grows. I don't think people understand just how impactful their attitude to others around them and how they treat them makes a huge difference. It's not just those that you have to be nice to. It's not just your fellow employees, or your family, or whatever. It's literally everyone. Right? Neal: Right. That's right. Marcus: I've been recently having some conversations with somebody, and they were just telling me they were just blown away by how easily I make conversation with people. I'm like, "Well, why wouldn't I? This person could be one of the most interesting people I ever meet." Neal: That's right. Marcus: We were walking around one time, and there was a guy ... He was in an antique shop downtown. You've probably seen him before. He was DJing inside of the antique shop. Do you know who I'm talking about? Neal: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Marcus: Phenomenal dude. Apparently, he has lived in Brazil and DJed in Brazil. Fun fact about Marcus that you probably don't know is my parents are from Brazil. We were able to like, boom. Now, granted, I haven't followed up with him to build on that, because there's not really an easy way like, "Hey." How do you go beyond just meeting somebody and then ... I need to get back to that antique shop and see him again. I really have a desire to do that over the course of the next couple of weeks, because I was just so impressed by him. He was just such a creative person. I see him on Instagram, and he's DJing and doing all this stuff. Anyway, it's not about me and this dude. He's somebody that I'd really like to get to know. But yeah, I mean, people, you never know who you're going to meet. You never know just by saying hi or being kind to somebody. You really don't know how you're going to impact somebody's day. If they're having just a really ... Forgive me, pastor. If they're having a really shitty day, and you just be kind to them. Neal: That's right. Marcus: You can completely flip their life in a way that you have no idea. Neal: That's exactly right. Right. That's it. Marcus: Anyway, I'm preaching. Neal: That's the thing, man. It's built on relationships. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. Neal: Now, you've got a relationship that time nor distance will ever change, because if you ever make eye contact again, it's like you've picked up right where you left off. You know? Marcus: Yeah. Neal: It's listening to their cool stories. It's awesome. You know? Marcus: Yeah. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in what you're doing? Neal: Absolutely. There's one book that just rocked me. It's by Danny Silk. It's called Culture of Honor. It's exactly the same thing that we're talking about. God created us to be honorable people. Out of that, saying that even though someone doesn't deserve honor, I will honor them because God has created me to be an honorable person. Out of that, I can keep my love on throughout everything. That's one of the books that really said that ... It spoke identity into who I was. From that, it's made it easy for me to love people, because of who he's created me to be. Then, when I understand who he's created me to be, then I understand how he's created you and everybody in this city. There's gold in every person here. I want to find that gold and let that just shine. I want to bring that out. Because people are good, man. You know? There's goodness and there's greatness in everybody. We just need to pull it out, make this city great. Marcus: Yeah. Now, that's awesome. Now, what do you like to do to unwind? Neal: Oh, wow. Marcus: Besides working two full-time jobs. Neal: I love to exercise. I like to work out. Marcus: Really, you're letting yourself go, man. I didn't want to say anything. Neal: It's a stress reliever for me. But growing up down here, I love the beach. I love fishing, and I love playing golf. Those things right there. Last but not least is just a good dinner with my wife. [crosstalk 00:25:55]. Marcus: Yeah. We'll offend some restaurateurs, but what's your favorite restaurant right now? Neal: Oh, man. Marcus: You won't be able to show up in any other. Neal: Oh, my goodness. That's a tough one. Marcus: You see, I'm the host. You got to answer question. Don't give me some lame answer, like, "Oh, they're all really good." You know? I don't have any favorites. Neal: I guess it depends on what kind of food that I want. Marcus: Uh-uh (negative). Nope. Where'd you eat last? Neal: Where did I eat last? I ate last at Royal Scam. Marcus: Okay. Was it good? You know what? Of all the places you would say, I have not eaten at Royal Scam. Neal: You've got to go to Royal Scam. You've got to go to Royal Scam. Marcus: Is it good? Neal: Excellent. Excellent. Marcus: Yeah. Even Jared is shaking his head like, "You moron. You haven't been to Royal Scam? You've eaten at every freaking down here. How have you not eaten at Royal Scam?" I don't know. Neal: Yeah. It's really, really good. Marcus: Royal Street is interesting to me, like recently went to Joe Cane's and had pizza there. It was phenomenal. Who knew? Neal: What'd you get? You got the Joe Cane? Marcus: No, we just had pizza. Yeah. No, I don't remember what it was. I think we may have just made up our own, or something like that. No, actually, it may have been ... It had almost everything on it. Neal: Oh, that's got to be it. Marcus: Yeah, it was delicious. May have to go back there soon and get some of that. Now, tell people where they can find you. Neal: is our website. Marcus: Cool. Neal: Of course, we are on ever [crosstalk 00:27:16] social media. [ & ] Marcus: All the socials. Neal: You can get ahold of. Then, of course, we have our new location. It's going to be 302 St. Michael's Street. We're planning to take the first month, or the month of January, to do renovations. Then hopefully, first of February we'll be opened up for services. Marcus: And getting ready for Easter. Neal: Getting ready for Easter. Marcus: And working all the kinks out? Neal: That's right. Getting ready. Marcus: Well, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Neal: I guess I think we've really hit them all. Just really stand determined, understanding that don't ignore the process, even though we sometimes dread it. Then, find gold in people. Look for the gold in people, because it's in everybody. Marcus: Awesome. Yeah. Very cool. Neal: Thank you. Marcus: Well, Neal, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner. Right? Neal: Yes. Marcus: It's been great talking with you. Neal: You, too. Thank you.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Bill Sisson. Bill is the President and CEO of The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Listen to this week's podcast to hear them talk about the State of Economy and the great vision and expansion Mobile is experiencing as we move into the new year! Bill: I'm Bill Sisson, president and CEO of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Marcus: Yay! I'm really excited to have you on the podcast again. Bill: It's good to be here. Marcus: Yeah. I think it's about probably since you came on last and I was very excited about some of the things that I heard in your State of the City. No, it was State of the Economy. Bill: State of the Economy, yeah. Marcus: Sorry. Mayor does the State of City, right? Bill: That's right. We have the State of the City and the State of the County and we do that once a year. Marcus: Yeah. And so I was very excited about some of the things that you were talking about that and I also just wanted to give you kind of a platform to talk about some of the initiatives that I know the Chamber was going to be taking on in 2019. Bill: I appreciate that. Marcus: Yeah because I have ... and he didn't ask me to do this but we have benefited greatly from being members of the Chamber and I cannot tell you just how important an asset they are to our area with the economic development that they do and all the platforms they give to small business owners all the ... just the wonderful programs like Emerging Leaders and stuff like that that they do for the business owners here. So if you are not a member of the Chamber, then please consider. We're members. I'm member of the Board of Advisors. I'm now, I guess- Bill: Coming on the Board of Directors. Marcus: Yeah, I'm going to be on the Board of Directors- Bill: Yeah. We appreciate that. Marcus: Here soon. Bill: Yeah. Marcus: And I'm really excited about what I'm seeing you all do and so I wanted to get you back on and have that conversation. Bill: Well, I appreciate that plug. You didn't have to do that but you're an ideal member too because you're entrepreneurial. You've also put your membership to work which I always tell people it's like anything else. You get out of it what you put in it and you've always been very, very involved and we appreciate that and so we're excited about your business in it, the type of business that you have growing here in this community. Marcus: Yeah. Bill: It's really important to us. Marcus: I think you and I had a discussion and I want to say it was like four or five years ago and just about Bluefish and the type of business that it was and I ... it was ... it made me, honestly, the conversation that I had with you made me change the focus of my business because at the time, I think, it was a distributed company. We had employees in West Virginia and some in Missouri and a couple of other folks that we used either in Canada or out in California. Bill: Yeah, I do remember. Marcus: And I just ... I made the realization that if I wanted to be a part of this community that I needed to look at it also from a job generating standpoint and so we changed. We started ... I moved one guy down from West Virginia that's Tad and we started hiring here locally and it's benefit us. So I appreciate it. Bill: Yeah, I remember you doing that and I was proud that you did that. I think that we need more and more businesses thinking that way, particularly as we develop the talent base here, attracting people and growing it here, I think, and we have a lot to sell. I mean, the quality of life and the cost of doing business here, the cost of living here. I think all of that kind of sells itself if you can get people down. Marcus: And as things are improving, it's making it easier and easier to justify in making those changes. Bill: Right. Marcus: But why do you ... I mean, we usually have a list of questions and I'm not going to necessarily go by the script because I think there are more interesting things to talk about but why don't you give some of the highlights of what you discussed in the State of the Economy. Bill: State of the Economy. It's one of my favorite events. Started that when I came back to the Chamber over five years ago and I like it because it give the community a snapshot of what local business, what they're feeling, thinking, how their business has been the previous year, and what they're thinking is on the horizon and I thought this year in particular, the survey results were interesting because they showed that the local business community is much more bullish about the economy than they are about the national economy, which I thought was interesting. I think it was 73% of the respondents felt that the economy would be in 2019 than it was in 2018. Marcus: And folks, he doesn't have his notes in front of him so he's off by a percentage, give him some grace. Bill: Yeah. Yeah, give me ... yeah, cut me some slack and I think it was, I want to say it was 57% felt that nationally things would be better. Both of those are good statistics but I think that three out of four here locally feeling that this year is going to be even a better year I thought was pretty telling. Marcus: So I have always felt that what a city needs is a cheerleader and a group people that are providing and casting vision and leading, not necessarily doing. It's not an execution thing. Although, there are some things like ... so when you look the mayor and to yourself, it's not necessarily that you're responsible for doing all the things but what you do have to do is you have to provide a positive attitude and a vision for what the city could be and I think as I look to what has happened with the city, with the leadership, over the last say four years or so and with what you've brought, I just ... I see that. I see that there's a cohesive vision, that there's a plan for moving forward instead of just saying, “Oh, everything's going to be better!” And I think that's why business owners feel like it's going to get better. Bill: Well, we have many sectors that are growing. I think that's something that is very, very positive in this economy here locally. A lot of communities would be thrilled to have one or two. One that was growing and we have quite a number and I think that people also realize that we've only really begun to see some of the benefits of the larger scale projects like an AirBus. We haven't really seen the effects of that yet and so I think that's what's exciting is knowing that that's going to continue to grow and expand and what's going on with our port and the container terminal and the logistics sector. That's one we all need to watch carefully because we've ... Walmart and Amazon have happened. Well, we're working a number of projects in our portfolio related to distribution and you only have to look at cities like Savannah that had an expanded container terminal and now they have, I think, it's over 30 distribution centers that have followed that expansion. Marcus: Because they don't mind being in the same place. Bill: Right. Exactly. Marcus: Yeah. Bill: Exactly. Marcus: I mean, if somebody else like a Walmart or an Amazon says, “No, we think it's good enough.” Well, guess what? Bill: Yeah and it's- Marcus: It's going to answer a lot of questions for all the other guys. Bill: It's like the clustering effect. I mean, it's like car dealerships. They all sort of cluster together, right? And they see their synergies and I think distribution centers see that as well. Plus, the fact that we do have such excellent logistics. We're an easy sell. Talk about shouting it from the rooftops. That's what we ... that's really our job at the Chamber and Economic Development is to make sure that these companies understand what our logistical advantages are and our other business assets here. Marcus: So I thought it was very interesting about AirBus with the Bombardier deal and I don't know if you remember any of the numbers based off of that of like what they're planning on doing there and when. Bill: Well, they'll have 400 additional jobs associated with the 220 and essentially what we see with this is the facility that we have currently for the 320 essentially will get another one for the 220. So we've doubled it and I think that these jobs numbers are probably pretty conservative. Marcus: They're ... 'cause they're already talking about doubling for the 320. Bill: Right, right. Marcus: So, yeah. Bill: And I think that ... I mean, it makes sense to manage people's expectations and we have always tried to do that related to this project because I think a lot of people felt like it would be like the Mercedes project in Tuscaloosa and then suddenly all of these suppliers came but it's different with aircraft because these are large pieces of equipment and they're building up their rate, five currently, I believe, and they'll continue to expand to 12 eventually and then now, with the 220, you have 12 additional aircraft per month ultimately and so then you start really thinking about how that spawns additional suppliers and service providers even though we've gotten many. We have 20 ... I think it's 21's the last count, that have come. They're small at this point. They'll grow with the AirBus facility but when you get to those sort of numbers, that critical mass is really important and so I think that this just accelerates everything. Marcus: What else would you like ... I mean, what else can we bring out from the State of Economy that was a highlight for you? Bill: It's not a surprise but the number one business concern of the business community was basically talent development, workforce development, keeping ... well, attracting and retaining workers. I mean, this rose to the top this year. Last year, it was sales issues. I think the people were concerned about the economy, where it was headed, and they also mentioned the last year that they were concerned about overburdensome regulations. Well, all of that went away and this year at the top, you had these workforce development issues and we know that. We know that with the unemployment rate being as low as it is and communities really competing to attract talent, that has to be a big focus of ours. Marcus: Well, I mean, it will serve to drive up salaries. Bill: It certainly will. Marcus: But I don't know. Like we've- Bill: But I've never apologized for that. I really don't. I mean, it's one of those things that our existing members, they are obviously concerned about that but if they think about it, that's the only way to really raise your standard of living and everybody's going to be doing better off. Marcus: Well and it needs to go up honestly. Bill: And that's, again, the only way to really affect the economy is to get those higher salaries and that's been the Chamber's focus has been really directing our efforts to recruit higher salary positions. Now, in some cases, these are trades positions or advanced manufacturing positions, blue collar versus white collar. A lot of white collar follows blue collar but the blue collar that we have really seen the job growth in in this community and in very high paying positions and so that's helped to raise the average salary in this region. Marcus: Yeah, I use the example of ... was it Austal was looking for a welders at one point in time and they may not be offering those now but at one point, they were offering almost a six figure salary and we're talking to, well, we're working with Bishop State and they have a truck driving school where after eight weeks, they don't guarantee it but almost everybody that's graduating out of that program is making $40,000.00 and within a couple of years, you can do six figures making ... if you're got a clean driving record, stay drug free, and don't do anything stupid, you can make a six figure salary there too. And those are all going to feed off of this distribution center and taking all the parts up northern Alabama to the plants that are up there and all the other things that are going on with transportation in this area. So yeah. Bill: And the other thing that people need to remember is that a lot of these advanced manufacturing positions, they're very high tech in nature. These are not ... well, I think Hallie McNair at the State of the Economy event, he's the manager at AMNS facility but he said it great when he said, “You know, I don't need people now who can lift things. I need people that, for example, are retired pilot. I need people that have technical skills” and that's people sometimes forget is that with advanced manufacturing, there's a real high tech nature to that work. Marcus: Yeah. You have to have at least a certain understanding of that. So one of the other things that I thought was extremely interesting from that talk that you did was you highlighted the ... and you may have used a different term but the microbusinesses, was that the term that you used? Bill: Yes. Microbusinesses. That came out of the feasibility study for Innovation Portal. Marcus: Ridiculous number! Bill: Yeah! Yeah. 29,000. 29,000 micro businesses. Marcus: When I saw that slide, I just ... Bill: [crosstalk 00:13:10] And this was a very extensive feasibility study that we had done by a consultant who does this work across the country for people that are applying for federal economic development administration grants. You basically get to prove your feasibility of what you're asking for, for what you're saying you're going to do and we did that with Innovation Portal but even he was blown away by the number of micro businesses that we have here in this market. I think he told us that typically, you would see 13 or 14,000 in market [crosstalk 00:13:43] this size. Right. And we had 29,000. What that says to me is that we have a lot of pent up entrepreneurial spirit in this community and so I think a lot of the things that are going on now, certainly businesses like yours that are rising to the occasion. I think that this entrepreneurial ecosystem's changing and I think it's a good thing. Marcus: No, I mean, we're seeing it too. And so one of the main reasons we started this podcast which you may be aware of but listeners may not is we wanted to give a platform to those smaller businesses and help shed a light on the awesome things that business owners are doing in Mobile. We wanted to join the championing ... in championing ... I don't know if that's a real word but we wanted to be cheerleaders for Mobile and all the cool things that people are doing. And so what we found is that as we start to get to the end of our network, like we'll ask some people and then lo and behold, there's this whole other group of people that we didn't even know existed that are business owners and blah, blah, blah, and then we talk to them and it's like it just keeps going and going and going. We're not in any danger of running out of people to talk to or things to talk about. But we also notice it with any of the networking events that we have like there's a lot of people that come out and I think one of the things that I've and I think I've talked to Todd about this on his episode just recently was for over a decade, a buddy of mine who now works with start-ups in Huntsville. For over a decade, we had been talking about the freelancer or solopreneur economy and that people were slowly making decision to either leave their cubicle job and go and start their own or they were ... they liked to bake cakes and so they were going to start baking wedding cakes or they were going to do whatever like earlier today, we talked to some folks and they've made a whole business out of basically Mardi Gras. And so, I mean, there's just ... whatever it is, it doesn't matter what it is. If there's an interest, then you can make a business surrounding it and it's never been easier now to have the assets that you need whether it's the software or the process workflow software or the financial software or whatever. It's never been cheaper or easier to get that stuff and so it's made it really easy for people to start these businesses- Bill: And that can certainly explain part of the kind of numbers that we've seen in this area related to those microbusinesses. That could very well be part of it is that it's easier now to be able to do those things out of our garage, out of your back bedroom. Marcus: Yeah, it's exciting to think about what that's going to look like in a couple of years with 29,000, not all of them make it, right? Bill: Of course not. Of course not but even if a fraction of them- Marcus: 10% of them- Bill: Right. I mean, that's exciting! Marcus: 2900 businesses. I mean, that's a huge number of businesses more mature than what we currently have. I mean, that's a huge- Bill: Well, I, like you, have been pleasantly surprised with the number of people that have sort of come out of the woodwork in this entrepreneurial space because like I said, just a mere three years ago, we had that feasibility study done. There are a lot of people working on this at the University at Bishop State, other entities, city county, everyone really wanting to foster entrepreneurship but I've been surprised and I know this market pretty well but I've been surprised at the people I meet that have these side businesses or have the desire or have an idea. Marcus: Or are moving back. Bill: Or are moving back and that is another key component to that talent development that needs to occur. Marcus: Now, I rudely interrupted your presentation at the smaller State of the Economy that you did for the executive round table and said one of the concerns that I have is that we have a lot of high school students that are going away to college and then they never come back because they don't see Mobile as a place where they can work on the exciting job that pays them well, that has all of the ... it's like, when you think about silly things like, “I'm a young 24 year old. I've got a good job. I want to get paid well and then I want to be able to use that money to have fun, go shopping, do all these things” and it's like some of that's starting to happen. I love the changes the company that bought Bel-Air Mall is making. I've been spending more time there in the last two months. Bill: Yeah, they've made it quite- Marcus: Then I did in the previous two years and it's much nicer. So I mean, it's going to be interesting to see how the landscape changes and whether we'll be able to do something to bring those people back 'cause I mean, I'd love to see some of that energy come back too 'cause those are the people that go into Innovation Portal with their ideas and start businesses that really kind of blow up in this area. Bill: Well, I think your point's well-taken. I mean, I think I mentioned this at the round table but my son who is a senior in college was mentioning to me, he was home for Christmas, and he said, “Gosh. I can't believe how much this has changed since I've been gone.” And I think those of us that are living here, it sort of has slowly happened and so we don't really quite notice how profound some of these changes downtown and as you mentioned, Bel-Air, and some of the new retail that's arrived, the restaurant scene. So much of that has changed in the last ... just a few years and so it was good for me to hear that from my son because, again, he only comes in periodically and so for him to notice that, I think, it tells us something. Marcus: Yeah. So what's the Chamber working on in 2019? I know you guys are never sitting on your hands so what other initiatives do you have for 2019 that you want to talk about? Bill: Well, two which I'm very excited about. We're having extensive research done in two areas: foreign direct invest to develop our trade strategy in a more focused approach, meaning that we've been doing trade missions at our Chamber for years and years and we typically help business build business abroad or business to business contact on those trade missions and we do this in partnership with the state of Alabama Department of Commerce but what we haven't done is done an overlay in those countries that we're visiting on those missions to make sure that there's not a targeted approach to economic development related to that particular country. As you know, a lot of our focus is typically on the air show side or the trade show side, developing relationships with site selection firms, getting to know suppliers and so forth for the sectors that are growing here but there's a real opportunity for entrepreneurial, smaller businesses that are in some of these foreign countries to introduce them to this market and so this foreign direct investment strategy, this research that we've had done and then will develop a strategy will be help us be much more razor focused on that international economic development. I don't know if you're aware but we're always in the top five for our size city metropolitan areas for foreign direct investment. We do a really good job of attracting foreign direct investment and that has been, I think, the key to seeing this economy do as well as has done but we want to continue doing that and want to take advantage the foreign direct investment that we've seen over the last few years. Marcus: For those that may not be aware and I know this may put you on the spot but for those that may not be aware, how does that manifest itself in this area? What's an example of that? Bill: Well, an example ... well, I guess the best way to put it is that's new money that's coming into your economy. If a business is doing business with somebody locally, money is basically shifting around. When you get foreign direct investment such as an AirBus investment in this community or an Austal out of Australia investment in this community, that is new capital- Marcus: AMNS is from- Bill: AMNS is [inaudible 00:22:18] and the [inaudible 00:22:19] to Japanese, European conglomerate. But yeah, that's new capital that's coming to the market and that's the way that you can grow your economy. There was an interesting New York Times article recently on how important foreign direct investment is and they were comparing cities in the US and they were highlighting Nashville as having done a really good job of foreign direct investment and that has led to a lot of their economic prosperity and then they were comparing Nashville to cities that size that had not done it and you could clearly see that that was the better economic path. Marcus: I was talking to Jared Boyd this past weekend and he has ... he's moved back to Memphis but he is a Memphis native and I said, “What the deal with Memphis and Nashville?” And one of the things that I found were very interesting 'cause I didn't know this was that Memphis and Nashville ... Memphis was actually a bigger city that Nashville was- Bill: I think not far. Marcus: Not too long ago. Bill: Yeah, not that long ago. Yeah. Marcus: And it was this foreign national investment that kind of changed things and also I think the city got its act together as far as how it marketed itself, not just to foreign nationals but also just to the geographic area around it but you've got now where I mean, they're talking about 70,000 people per year moving to Nashville from outside of that area and- Bill: Yeah, it's an insane amount. Marcus: Yeah. I mean, it's just become a massive metropolitan area and dwarfs Memphis by far. Bill: Extraordinarily so. Marcus: But so yeah, I can see that being a huge boom for Mobile. Bill: And I think that Nashville, they do have a cool factor which I think we have as well. We just haven't marketed it as well as they have and so that's something that we really need to all collectively work on. I mean, not just the Chamber but individuals speaking to people that are living in these other places and tell them what's going here and the history here and the location and the architecture and- Marcus: The food. Bill: The food. Marcus: Yeah, the cultural side of things between Mardi Gras and being close to the water and all the things you can do there, you know? Bill: And you know, it's ... of course I drank the kool-aid years ago but it's so true. Marcus: For those that don't know, he's not from here. Bill: Right, exactly. But my younger son who's a freshmen in college, one of the things he mentioned was, “You know, Dad I never realized how unique Mobile is” because he's now in school with people that are from the Midwest and no offense to the Midwest but more typical American cities and Mobile's not a typical American city, not by any means and so I think there's a real marketability to that. I mean, people are looking for those kind of cool, unique locations. Marcus: But I love that you say that's not just some ... it's not ... the city's responsibility. It's not your responsibility. It's not ... Visit Mobile's responsibility. It's all of our responsibility. I mean, like we've even taken up and we're not being paid for this. The website that this podcast resides on has things to do. It has a business directory of all the businesses that are going on. It has an events calendar of all the things that are happening and so we have seen- Bill: Yes, you have. Marcus: We've seen that we have to kind of take some ownership of helping the city become its best self and so we're investing in that. But you know- Bill: Well, you've done a good job of that and you, too, are not from here and you've adopted it, right? And you know what it's like once you've adopted something and I think- Marcus: I want to see it succeed. Bill: Absolutely! And I think even people that are natives, they need to start telling the story because one thing people do here is travel a lot. I have noticed that and so when they're out and about, they should be talking about what's going on here economically, culturally, and I think that that's going to help us to be able to attract the talent that we need. Marcus: You had and you may not ... I'm going to say something but I'm not going to require that you know this fact. So at one point in time in the Business View magazine, you had all of the current larger projects of renovation that were happening inside of downtown. I added it up. It was $185,000,000.00. And I can't believe that all that money is coming from here as well. I mean, is that ... are those ... do you know offhand? Is that some level of foreign investment too or is that still stateside and US investors? Bill: A lot of those investors are from out town, not necessarily foreign. Not necessarily foreign but that's a good thing too. Marcus: Yeah, no. Not at all. Not at all. I wasn't saying it was a bad thing. So I just found it very interesting that there's such a huge amount of money that's flowing into downtown for renovation and I know at some point in time, there will be, I mean, I have to wonder $185,000,000.00 that's a lot of renovation happening downtown, are people really going to live downtown? But I also have to say, like I'm living in Broadstreet Lofts and I was using the ... we have a little grill out in the community area that we can use and one of the other couples that lives in the apartment there came out and she was an older woman, very nice, and she said that she and her husband were from Nashville and that they had retired and that they had looked at all the cities along the coast and they decided that they still wanted to live in a city and that Mobile the place for them. And I just can't help but wonder 'cause we went to Nashville a couple of years ago and on the way back, traffic started at Franklin and didn't stop until Montgomery. Bill: Yeah, yeah. Marcus: Northbound so everybody was coming back from spring break and so I just can't help but think that all those people that are spending all their spring breaks and all their summer vacations and stuff like that coming down here. At some point in time, they're going to want to retire and that's going to start happening very quickly and they're going to be looking for a city life. Bill: I think you're exactly right. I think that what Mobile offers, really unique to this central Gulf Coast region, is a urban core which you really don't find that along the Mississippi coast. Certainly Pensacola has it as well but- Marcus: [crosstalk 00:28:53] To a certain extent but our downtown's bigger than Pensacola. Bill: To a certain but not as urban feeling as our urban core because we've been- Marcus: I mean, certainly New Orleans does but a lot of people don't want to put up with all the mess of New Orleans. You don't have to say a word 'cause I'm not going to get you in trouble but I'll say- Bill: No, I never downplay competitor cities because, I mean, that's just what they are. They're competitor cities. They're great cities and I'll add this very Chamber-esque comment, we need a strong New Orleans [crosstalk 00:29:25] on the Gulf Coast. Marcus: I love going over there and having a good meal or doing ... seeing some shows or something like that. Bill: But it's important to have that strong city there. No question about it. Marcus: So what else? What else have we not talked about that you kind of want to let people know is going on? Bill: Well, in the area of this talent development, we do, at the Chamber, take this very seriously. I think that that is going to be the key to capitalizing on the economic development that we've seen over the last few years and so the ... I mentioned the foreign direct investment study and then the other big research that we're having done right now is on our talent. We want to know where we are currently, what that workforce looks like with that labor shed, they call it, looks like here, where the gaps are, and then we will be developing a strategy in the first quarter of this year to go out through universities and through other networks to capture back some of that talent, that as you mentioned earlier, has settled in other cities such as Charlotte, Nashville, Atlanta, cities where maybe they've had some very formative career years but they're ready to come back and I think that- Marcus: Maybe they're tired of the traffic or the expense or- Bill: The expense or maybe they're about to have children and they want to be close to family. Marcus: And they don't want to raise them in [crosstalk 00:30:57] ... yeah. Bill: And so I think that if we can really target those people and tell them that the story has changed as we were talking about it earlier, I think that we can be quite successful in getting them to come back. Marcus: Yeah. It's really good. All right, so I'm going to go back to the script. Any books, podcast people, or organizations that have been helpful in ... helpful to you in the last, say, six months? Bill: That's a good question. I think the most interesting thing that I'm reading right now is “The Start-up Nation” and I'm just impressed with what they've been able to do in Israel. I'm actually fortunate to be on the Committee of 100 for the US Chamber and they are taking a group of us to Tel Aviv this year to see that first hand and subsidized by the Israeli government but I think that we here, in Mobile, can learn a lot from what they have done. It's a country of what, six million people? And they have per capita the most start-ups of any country and so there's something cultural going on there and I think we can learn from that and I look forward to it, to learning more about that but the book, of course, has helped me prepare for that. Marcus: Yeah. Well, that's very good. And what do you like to do to unwind? Bill: Well, besides read? Marcus: Yeah. Bill: I actually am I pianist and I- Marcus: I did not know that. Bill: Yes I am and I've been really bad about not playing the piano just in these ... the last years of my boys being at the house, just one thing after ... their sports and so I've been trying to get back on it and trying to get my fingers moving again. So but I have to say, though, of most of the things that I do to unwind, that one probably helps me unwind the most. Whenever I go back to it, I realize, “Gosh, I was missing that.” Marcus: Right. Yeah, that's something that really kind of soothes your soul. Bill: Yeah, yeah. Marcus: So that's awesome. Well, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Bill: Well, just I would end with saying, I think 2019's going to be a great year. I think I'm like those three out of four surveyed people that said that they felt like 2019 was going to be a good a year. I think it is. I think that there a lot of reasons for that and I look forward to seeing it and look forward to working with business leaders like you. Marcus: Yeah. No, I appreciate it. So Bill, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share some of the things that are going on here in Mobile. It's been great talking with you. Bill: Thank you! I appreciate. Marcus: Yeah.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Julia Greer Fobes and Betsy Greer. Julia is the owner of Julia Greer Fobes: Fashion, Art, and Flowers and Betsy is the Vice President. Together they share how learning to show up on time and work hard is really the best foundation for success. Listen to this week's podcast and find out more about how they have broken into the Mardi Gras world and flourished.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Ellie Rome. Ellie is the owner of Mindful Bellie. Listen to this week's podcast and find out how Ellie went from a degree in chemical engineering to being a full-time health coach with Mindful Bellie! She has also written some blogs for us on eating healthy in Mobile, check them out on our Mobileal.com/activities page. Ellie: Hi, I'm Ellie Rome, I am owner of Mindful Bellie. Marcus: Yay. It is so good to have you on the podcast, Ellie. Ellie: Thank you Marcus. Marcus: Full disclosure, like we've known each other for a little bit now. You reached out and we sat down and this was before you went out kind of on your own. I'm excited to hear about how things have been going, because it's been what? Like five or so months? Ellie: Yeah since May. Marcus: Since May, so it's actually been a little bit longer than that, so seven or eight months. Yeah. But before we get into all of that, why don't you give us some of your backstory? Where are you from? Where did you go to high school? Were you a good student? I know the answer to that. I can tell already. Ellie: How can you tell? Marcus: Come on. I know what your degree is in. You don't get degrees in that unless you are a good student. Where did you go to college? Because I know you went to college. Married, any of that other stuff that you want to give us. Ellie: Okay. What was the first one? Marcus: Where are you from? Ellie: I'm from Houston, born in New Orleans, grew up in Houston, and then went to high school in Kingwood High School, it's northeast end. Then went to college at LSU. Marcus: We just lost three quarters of our audience. Gosh. I will remind you this is a 30-minute or so podcast, so you can be a little more verbose with your answers. Ellie: Okay. Marcus: Were you a good student? Ellie: Yeah. Yes I was a good student. I love school. I love school. I graduated in chemical engineering. Marcus: Really? Couldn't pick anything a little bit more challenging? Ellie: I wanted to initially go for med school, and then kind of psyched myself out and was like well if I don't get into med school then what would be a really great degree to fall back on? That was chemical engineering. I liked math, I liked science. I didn't really even know what a chemical engineer was to be honest and didn't really know until like my senior year. Marcus: Senior year. That's great. Ellie: Yeah. But loved it while I was in it and did that for four years. That's what brought me to Mobile. I moved here after college with a job at Honeywell. Great job, got to travel to China, did some fun stuff, but it wasn't where my heart was, so ended up started growing my health coaching business two years ago and took the leap in May to do it full time. Marcus: I love it. You're a solopreneur, right? Ellie: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: That's good. Often times, when I talk to people if they're a freelancer or solopreneur it's like well you know I'm just a solopreneur and I'm like no like I started Bluefish and it was just me. I mean who knows what the future has for you? But I mean I kind of joke, but I mean you were obviously a good student. You went to a good college and all this stuff. You've ended up kind of back where your passions lied, right? Was it because you wanted to help people or did you have an interest in medicine for other reasons? What was driving that? Ellie: Yeah. Initially I've just always loved the human body and learning about it and kind of always been. That's what I always do on my side time is researching and I love learning about it. The coaching kind of came up, because my whole life I was a complete sugar addict. Binge eater. I had a compulsive eating disorder I would say. From a very young age, I mean was constantly obsessed with sugar. It's kind of embarrassing. There was so many stories throughout my life that it's like I was found in my friend's pantry eating Rice Krispy Treats like I think I raided my friends probably in like the levels of what- Marcus: What they had in their pantry. Ellie: What they had in their pantry, which is so sad and they're just like- Marcus: Your inner fat kid was ... Ellie: Yeah. I was tiny my whole life so it didn't really affect me until college when I gained 28 pounds. I was trying to do everything I needed to do to keep it off. I was starving myself. I was committing to hours at the gym and then would end up in bed with a bag of Hershey kisses. It was just this constant toxic cycle and I felt completely out of control with food. Again, I was a binge eater, so I would just eat beyond the point of fullness to this point where I felt physically ill and didn't know how to stop. There was points where I felt like I was jealous of people with bumelia because I wouldn't throw up. It was just like finally ... Well it wasn't just the weight gain. It was this whole part. I started developing an auto-immune thyroid condition. I was chronically fatigued. I had gone from this hyperactive kid who couldn't sit still to someone who didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. I had brain fog, horrible digestive issues, I started losing hair, numbness in my toes where my toes would go white and then my pinky toe would go black and I'd have to go leave wherever I was and go soak them in a tub. It was just like all these symptoms started happening and I didn't know what was wrong, so I went to six different doctors, all of whom just tried to prescribe me with things. They didn't know what was wrong. Some thought it was anxiety, acid reflux. They were just giving me prescriptions. Marcus: Taking a shot in the dark, just hoping something makes you go away basically. Ellie: Yeah exactly. I was put on high does of ADHD medications, so Adderall and Vyvanse, just to function. Finally, I went to a holistic practitioner who was the only one who asked me what I was eating. Yeah. Out of all of that- Marcus: Yeah on a steady diet of gummy bears. Ellie: Yeah and I thought I was doing pretty well. I was eating- Marcus: But I don't eat any of that fat. Gross. Ellie: Right. I was ... Whole wheat bread, lowfat yogurt, Subway, Roly Poly, and all these things. I thought I was doing good besides the binges on chocolate, but she knew pretty much instantly that it was the food that was driving all this. I was found to be sensitive to gluten, soy, eggs, and dairy, so I got off all of those for three months, and I didn't feel much better. I went to the gluten free, allergy free processed foods, which like gluten free cakes and brownies and they're loaded with sugar and hard to digest grains that my body was still reacting to and rancid oils and it was just by no means was my diet healthier. Finally, after those three months, I committed to ... I don't know if y'all have heard of the Whole 30. Marcus: I have. Ellie: Yeah, so the first- Marcus: Well let's not assume that everybody has. I'm sorry. I have, but let's explain to the audience what the Whole 30 is. Ellie: Yeah. Whole 30 is basically eating real food for 30 days. You eliminate- Marcus: Oh my gosh. Real food? Ellie: So like meat, vegetables, whole fruit, nuts, seeds, you're removing inflammatory foods, very commonly problematic foods are sensitive to. Well my first take at it was during finals week. I didn't make it 24 hours. I did not make it 24 hours. It was awful. I remember driving to the Winn-Dixie and I got this box of Enjoy Life, it's that allergy free brand, of these brownies and I ate the whole box. Then after finals week, I committed again because I was ready and I made it the 30 days. That 30 days changed my world. All of my symptoms went away. I lost half the weight in the first month, all the weight by the second month. It was the first time in my life that I didn't crave sugar, and I didn't know that was humanly possible. It was unfathomable to me to be at that point where I could look at chocolate and I didn't want it anymore. It's been six years and I've never went back to that way of eating. That was the start. It started with food. Then it was still the compulsive eating part. I was still- Marcus: Compulsively eating brussel sprouts. Ellie: Exactly. No, like you nailed it. You nailed it. I would be at work literally compulsively eating brussel sprouts. Marcus: Tonight I'm making brussel sprouts, but my brussel sprouts have onions and garlic and bacon and all this stuff in them too. It's like no but I get it. They can be delicious. Roast that stuff and man it's like tasty. Ellie: Exactly. Yeah. Just eating all the time. I'd be work and there'd be like a stressful email. Let me grab my brussel sprouts or cabbage and was just like constantly eating. That was kind of the second part is learning mindfulness and using learning how to not overeat compulsively. Marcus: Literally everybody that's listening to this right now is going brussel sprouts? Really? Compulsively? No I mean so we were talking a little bit before this. I've lost a significant amount of weight lately. It's not so much that what I'm eating has changed, but one of the things that I don't think that I recognized, because I was usually pretty good at tracking. I would go through periods where I would track everything that I was eating and I would ... But I wasn't changing anything because I just assumed as a male that was fairly active that my calorie intake needed to be at a certain level. I thought I was doing pretty good but what I recognized was that I was eating way too much. Your binge eating, where you eat until you're too full and stuff like that, I just remember literally sitting around at Thanksgiving or something along those lines and just feel like ugh. I'm disgusted with myself at the amount of food that I just put into my body. It was just a very, very different Thanksgiving this year because I had probably a plate of food and when we finished, we still had a lot of food left over and in years past it would have been like okay if we eat at 2:00, then going back at 6:00 or whatever and getting another plate full and then like the next day eating the same stuff. What I thought about when I was doing this partially because I was responsible for the sweet potato casserole, and we all know how much sugar goes into that stuff, but I was just like you know what? I don't even want this stuff. We ate dinner and literally threw all the leftovers away except for I think there was just a little ... We had a chicken instead of a turkey, so there was a little bit of chicken and I think I took that home. I didn't want any of that other stuff because it was such a high calorie bad for you kind of meal. I get it, splurge, have that meal, have Thanksgiving, have Christmas, do it, but don't do it, do it, and do it, and then wonder on January 1st, well I definitely gotta get into the gym because I just gained 20 pounds in November and December. But anyway, I think for those of you that are listening to this and have some sort of chronic fatigue or some sort of chronic condition, my very first introduction into healthy eating was reading Dr. Wile's book ... I can't remember what the title of it is because he's written so many books, but it was something that was popular back in the early 2000s or something like that. It kind of changed my way of thinking in regards to food. As I hear more about the gut biome, what we do with how we ... If you take antibiotics and how that kills the gut biome and alcohol, what that does to the system, and all these various things, it's just like man there are just so many land mines out there for people and there's not a whole lot of education about this. I guess that's where somebody likes you steps in and can help people with that. Ellie: Yeah absolutely. So many people may hear health coach and think oh it's gonna be someone to help me track calories and tell me to do sit ups. That's not what this is at all. It's finding out what foods are right for your body, because there are so many foods that are commonly deemed as healthy that are not working for you, that are causing inflammation, that are disrupting the gut biome, and a lot of them there's so many ways to do easy swaps. That's where my work is, to show you, to help you figure out what's right for you. Your body is different from every single other person's body, and it's even at different stages of your life you can handle certain things. Figuring out what's right for you and then how to make it easy. It doesn't have to be hard. We're so lucky now because there's so many products out there. There's so many resources because paleo is huge, and even like the keto community, removing the inflammatory foods, there's products now that make it really really easy. Marcus: Yeah. Paleo, for those of you that aren't familiar, is very similar to Whole 30, where it's real food, so it's meat and vegetables, fruits, and they tend to stay away from starches, so even like white potatoes and grains and stuff like that, and then keto is even more so if you're familiar with Atkins diet or something like that, then keto is very much on the Atkins side of things where it's literally pretty much all meat and maybe a little bit of vegetables or something like that, but mostly meat. There's even now I'm starting to hear on some of the podcasts that I listen to like Joe Rogan and stuff like that where there's another group that's coming up where it's the carnivore diet, and literally all the eat is meat. I just don't know ... Like I couldn't do it. I've gotta have some ... I've done paleo before. I don't now. If you follow me on Instagram you definitely know that because I put stuff in my story and it's very clear that I don't do that. But anyway, so well back to you. Do you remember your first job? Ellie: Yeah. Marcus: What was it? Ellie: I worked at Fuddruckers if y'all know what that is. Hamburgers and they had shakes and cookies, so it was like ... I was 16. It was my heaven. Marcus: Nirvana for you. Ellie: Oh my god. Yeah. Marcus: What was a lesson that you took away from that first job? What did you learn and what were you doing there? Were you hostessing or waiting tables or what were you doing there? Ellie: I was a sales associate. I rang people up and then I expedited food, so added the fries to the burger platters. Marcus: What was a lesson that you learned from that job? Because usually I find that when people, those first jobs were kind of people's first introduction into the workforce, and they pick up tips and stuff like that. I'll often times use the example of there's a right way to mop the floor, but it also didn't just teach me that there was a right way to mop the floor, but that there's a right way to do most things and that doing things the right way often times saves you time in the long run even if it does take a little bit more time to do it that way. Anything come to mind? Ellie: That job, I think how much I loved working with people as like a team, which is interesting now that I'm a solo entrepreneur. I know it's in my future to work with people because I just love that team- Marcus: Well you're still working with people. Not necessarily as part of a team, but you're working directly with people, with individuals. Ellie: Absolutely. Yeah. I love that environment, and just feeling like working as a group I think is great. Marcus: Very cool. How did you get started? I know it's May, so you're really close to that. I mean how did you get started with the business? Was it just picking up a client here or there and then were there and kind of ins and outs that you had to learn as far as creating the business and stuff like that? Ellie: Absolutely. I got started, once I realized I kept having these moments where I was like I wanna coach people. I want to ... Not even coach. I wanna do like help people learn how to fuel their bodies, because they're so all this ... I kept just hearing this, people focusing on their own things and not fueling themselves with the right foods. I didn't know if I wanted to go back to school for nutrition, I didn't know what I wanted to do. Then I found the health coach institute and it was a perfect fit. I got certified and started getting clients just putting myself out there. That was the biggest thing was having to kind of et over that hump. I had some practice clients and that was just going for it. Telling people starting to really embody that I am a coach. That was a big hump. It took a while to kind of- Marcus: To feel that new skin. Like you were comfortable in that skin. Ellie: Right, and then from there just yeah, just continuously building that client network and ... Marcus: It's, you know, and I think the important thing that I want people to take out of this is that it was a side hustle for you for how long? Ellie: For two years. Marcus: For two years. Ellie: Or a year and a half. Marcus: Yeah and so you know that it's not necessarily something like I even saw was it Jay with the bow ties that we did an interview? He posted something just recently where he was laid off from his real job and had to dedicate himself fully to his business as well. It's just you know like there's this romantic notion of well I'm gonna start this business and I'm gonna quit my job and all this money is gonna come in. The truth is that that's not often the case, that often times you have responsibilities and maybe a mortgage or a car payment or just expenses and you can't make that clean cut, and also I think a lot of people just need the positive affirmation of having done the job for a period of time and knowing that it's gonna actually be a fit before they do something like what you did which is quit an industry that has really nothing to do with what you're currently doing. I think just if you're listening to this out there and you're thinking well I wanna get started on something but I've got this day job, like that's what nights and weekends are for. Suck it up. Get a laptop. Work in front of the computer at night. Work in front of the TV at night. On the weekends, at least a number of hours, like I get contacted often by people that are starting businesses and I'm like you don't have to quit. Do your job but nights and weekends should be dedicated to getting this business off the ground, and then see where it goes. Now do you remember the first person that you were coaching, that really kind of made you think hey there might be something to this? Or the first person that you impacted positively? Ellie: Yeah. I think one of my first clients, Joy, she was having pain over her entire body. Was thinking it was fibromyalgia. Never got clinically tested for that but was bedridden basically. She could get up and then for a couple hours and then would be back in bed. After we started working together, within 11 days of getting her off of inflammatory foods she went back to her chiropractor. It's this 11-day span from her visit. She had 70% increased mobility in just those 11 days. She called me and was like Ellie, and she would just got her life back. After we did our ... I have a 90-day program. After her 90 days, I mean she is like ... She lives around here. She's the little Energizer bunny now. I did a VIP day with her, which is I take her to the grocery store and show her what to buy, where the swaps are, how to make this work and make it really easy, and she said she always brings memory back to that day. She's like Ellie I thought you were gonna kill me because she had no energy to go out there and do the grocery shopping. I didn't realize but now she tells me and she's just so thankful. That was probably one of the stories that it's just like that's my why. Whenever I get overwhelmed, I'm like more Joys are out there. It's simple things that can change your life. Marcus: It's amazing to me like people that are fatigued or the other one too that I get, I hear a lot about is irritable bowel syndrome. It's like when you go to a doctor and you have the symptoms for irritable bowel syndrome which I won't go into because I don't want you to turn this off, but when you go in they literally they like you they just start throwing drugs at you. It's like no. More than likely, that's what you're eating and when you're eating and it's also a lot of it has to do all the gut biome stuff that we've been talking about too. Anyway- Ellie: Yeah I'm glad you said that because IBS, I mean it's an umbrella term. When they don't know what to identify and you've got gut issues, then that's what they tell you. Marcus: Then they just start throwing ... Even in what's the ... Even throwing prednisone at people and stuff like that. I'm like I don't think you understand what prednisone does to a body. If you can not do that, then that would be a good thing. Ellie: Yeah. Marcus: If you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? These are hard questions. Ellie: These are hard questions. There's just so many things. I think do it. If you are holding back, if you feel something in your bones that you are meant to do and you are scared to do it, do it. It is so worth it and one thing that helps me is when I look ahead, I just imagine myself whether it's a year from now or five years from now, would that version of me looking back at the me today, what would they have wanted me to do? Would they have been proud of the version that just like stepped up and took a risk? Or the version that stayed in an engineering job and was kind of just ... Marcus: Existing. Ellie: Yeah, exactly. So go for it. Marcus: My story isn't too different in that I had a very comfortable consulting job in DC and just got tired of it. I felt like I was ... I don't know that I've ever mentioned this, but I felt like I was leading a very sterile life. I wanted more of an adventure. That's what caused us to move down here and that's what started Bluefish. Yeah. I'm right there with you, because sometimes you can get lured into the whole comfortable hey I like the paycheck kind of thing, but there's something really exciting, tantalizing about, or passionate about the adventure of running a business. I think if you're wired that way, then the only way you scratch that itch is by actually doing that and being able to take those risks. What are you currently working on? Anything interesting? Ellie: Right now, currently working on just building more clientele with my personal one on one coaching, and then I'm doing a 21-day reset in January. Marcus: Cool. Good timing. Ellie: Yeah. I did one in July and September, and they were awesome. It's online group reset, and it's basically a super practical protocol that ... So I did the Whole 30 and I loved the Whole 30. I preach it. I think it's amazing, but I think for most people it's not a Whole 30 365. It's not necessarily sustainable and a lot of people will fall back into old patterns because it is very restrictive. I wanted to create something that was practical, was something that after the 21 days you just want to keep going because it's easy, you're not deprived, you've got it under control. That's what I've done. I'm really excited for this January group. Marcus: Yeah that's cool. If you were to look to the business world, is there a person that you look to that motivates you? Don't say mom. Don't say dad. Ellie: No, in the business world that motivates me. Marcus: Yeah and I mean it can even be from the health ... I'll give you that. If there's somebody, Rob Wolfe or any of the guys in your industry, like that kind of thing. Is there somebody there that motivates you that you look to and maybe want to emulate? Ellie: Yeah. I think there's a couple, but I guess off the top of my head I don't know if you know Jess Lively. Have you ever heard of the Lively Show podcast? Marcus: No. Ellie: It's a great podcast. She's into like law of attraction and stuff like that, consciousness and stuff, so I'm learning from her a lot but she's an entrepreneur and just ... She's someone I look up to a lot. Marcus: Was there another one? It sounded like you had another one. Ellie: Another one would be my ... I have a business coach right now. Her name is Hannah. She was a health coach, and now she does business coaching. I look up to her a lot. She is kind of like a mentor who is a couple steps ahead of me, so it's like I know what she's doing is very tangible and so it's really cool to have her to emulate and to get feedback from. Marcus: Yeah. It's always good to have a sounding board. Ellie: For sure. Marcus: Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? Ellie: Absolutely. I don't know if y'all have heard of Don't Keep your Day Job podcast by Kathy Heller. Just actually started listening to that a couple months ago and it is incredible. If you are looking to- Marcus: Make a change. Ellie: Yeah make a change, it's really inspirational and helps move through a lot of blocks. Marcus: Very cool. Anything else? Ellie: Books? Marcus: Sure. Ellie: Well these are all gonna be nutrition books but yeah- Marcus: People want resources, so that's fine. If you have some books that you want to suggest that they read for healthy living type stuff then that would be great. Ellie: Oh amazing. Okay Food by Mark Hyman. This is an amazing book if you wanna just know what to eat, why, why not to eat it, it's just very layman's terms, practical. I think everyone should read Fat Chance by Dr. Robert Lustig or go watch his YouTube video called sugar the bitter truth. That kind of ... I think that's what drove me to do health coaching. Marcus: Is there any ... I was listening to or reading something recently where it was the sugar industry that actually funded the cholesterol studies that told people that cholesterol was bad for them which led everybody to leave eating fat and fat they're now finding is not only is it necessary but it's the only real thing that satiates the body. You can eat sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar. It's why you can eat or drink sodas. Ellie: Yeah you don't get satiated. Marcus: Because you don't get satiated, but if you eat like a piece of cheese then boom, done. You know like instead of eating a block of cheese, which I don't know maybe some people are into, but I just find it interesting how jacked up like our way of thinking is. You look at the food pyramid and stuff like that and it's all grains and carbs and stuff like that. Ellie: The food pyramid is so backwards. Marcus: It's evil. Ellie: It is evil. If you're still referring to that, please stop if you can take away anything from this podcast. Marcus: Any other books that you mentioned too? Any other books that you think? Ellie: If you have an autoimmune condition, the autoimmune fix, so that's anything from lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, actually anyone should read this book. Autoimmune fix by Dr. Tom O'Brien. It's great. Marcus: Good. Awesome. Now what's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Ellie: Still learning a lot of things. Marcus: That's fine. I mean I understand she's inside of a year, but what's the biggest thing that you've learned in the last seven or eight months about running this business? Ellie: I think asking for help, that it's okay not to have all the answers and it's okay to be messy. It's okay to not be perfect and I think that's something I'm currently working through is just to be willing to try things out and you learn from the doing, not from the thinking about the doing. Marcus: So you've been doing this for a little bit less than a year. I've been doing this for over 10 years. I still don't know all the answers. I still look for help. Ellie: Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. You'll never know everything. As a matter of fact, I often times say to people there was a lesson that I learned at Lowe's and it was that if you can read the label faster than the person that you're helping, often times you're the expert. If you go and you walk somebody over to the product and you grab the product and you say yeah well it says right here that you can do blah blah blah, and so what you do is such and such and such and such, and they're like oh my god you're so knowledgeable. Well you know like there's ... You're always learning. You're always kind of in that mode of having to stay one step ahead and I don't know. Anyway. I was going somewhere with that. Ellie: I like that. Marcus: Looking at Jared because we may need to strike. No I'll just leave that in. Marcus is having one of those days. I've had way too much caffeine. How do you like to unwind? That should not be a hard question. Come on. Ellie: Oh my gosh. I love yoga, meditation, and hot bath. Hot bath is probably the number one. Marcus: Where are you doing yoga at? Ellie: I do it at Sway a lot and then Soul Shine in Fairhope. Marcus: Okay. There you go. And where can people find you? Ellie: , and that's bellie, B-E-L-L-I-E. Marcus: And on the socials? Ellie: Either Ellie Rome on or Mindful Bellie on and . Marcus: Very good. Now I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Ellie: Just thank you so much for having me. This is great. Marcus: She was completely nervous. Was this good? Ellie: Yeah it was good. Marcus: She was completely nervous before. For those of you out there listening, this is a completely nerveracking thing for people to come on and do, and you know like it's really just a conversation but I get it. I mean when somebody is asking you a bunch of questions and stuff, like it can be a little bit nerveracking but you did fantastic. Ellie, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Ellie: Thank you Marcus.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Matt Golden. Matt is the owner of LoDa Bier Garten, home of over 100 types of beer on tap and some seriously fantastic burgers! Listen to this week's podcast to see how he got from working the ER, in medical sales and as a Winn-Dixie bag boy to owning multiple bars and restaurants.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Noel Hanley. Noel is the owner of Sway Downtown, yoga, dance, wellness and art. Listen to this week's podcast and find out more about how Noel helps others breathe through life and become more confident in their bodies and what they can do. Noel: I'm Noel Hanley, owner of Sway Downtown, yoga, dance, wellness and art. Marcus: Yay. No, I'm excited to have you on the podcast, Noel. Thank you for coming to be here. Noel: Yeah, thank you for asking me. Marcus: Absolutely. So normally what we want to do is we want to get a little bit of information from you about who you are and where you're from? Where'd you go to high school? Did you go to college? In your case, any information that you might be able to tell us about where you've kind of studied yoga and stuff like that would be phenomenal. Married? Kids? All that stuff. Noel: All right. Marcus: Yeah, so just dive in. Noel: Okay. So I'm originally from Jackson, Mississippi, or outside of Jackson. Brandon, Mississippi. Grew up there and went to the University of Alabama. And so have been at in Alabama since 2005. Danced with ... I was a dance major at the University of Alabama and then danced professionally with Alabama ballet in Birmingham. And then got engaged, moved back to Mobile, and that's kind of how I ended up in Mobile. My husband's from here. Marcus: Okay. Noel: Stewart Hanley. And yeah. So we moved here in 2011 and I've been here ever since. When I first moved here I was with Mobile Ballet. I danced with them, I wasn't ready to quit dancing when we moved back. So I was very thankful to have Mobile Ballet to be able to perform and dance and also teach as well. And so I was with Mobile Ballet for six years. I was the associate director of the school and the ballet mistress. Recently, before I left to do my own thing, I wanted to be downtown, so that's how I kind of ended up in Mobile. Yeah, and started doing yoga as something for movement for my body. Because when I quit dancing, I didn't really know what to do with myself. It was like I've danced all my life, I moved all the time all day every day. And then that sudden stop, it was like I don't know what to do with myself. I don't know, I don't know who I am, basically. Because without that, that was a big part of me. So yoga kind of helped me get back into feeling like myself again. To move and to be active again and stretch and not ... I don't like to necessarily work out, but so yoga's not necessarily I think of it as a workout. Marcus: Yeah, it's not like lifting weights or something like that. Noel: Yeah. Marcus: But it's certainly a workout. Noel: Yeah. Marcus: Let me tell you. For those of you burly guys that are out there listening to this that think yoga's not a workout, I would challenge you to take a class. Because there are few things that I've done that are as hard as like a nice yoga class. Noel: And there's lots of different forms of yoga too. So not every class is going to be a power yoga class where you're just going, going, going. Just the physical part of yoga is just one aspect of yoga that the western society has really grasped on to, is the physical part of yoga. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: So yeah. Marcus: Yeah, no, I'm ... So confession time. Gosh, I feel like I'm ... This is Marcus' confession podcast. Thank you for tuning in. No, like I love yoga. It's something that I don't do enough of. But as a guy, it's real easy for me to go in the gym and lift a lot of weight and lose sight of mobility. And a number of years ago, a buddy of mine that I was working out with made the suggestion that we go and take a yoga class at the YMCA. And I found that I really, really enjoyed it. But it also showed me a lot of limitations. So I have a lot of issues with my wrists and my shoulders from years and years of pressing things. And also, I think my wrists are more from sitting at a computer and typing all day long. And so ... But what it's also taught me is that I need to be consistent and even just like stretching. Like if I'm feeling a pain ... Like recently I've had some issues with my shoulder where I've had a lot of shoulder pain. Well, I know now that it's more likely an issue with my pec that is transferring itself into my shoulder. Noel: Yep. Marcus: And I just need to spend some time stretching it out, rolling it out, cross ball, digging into it, doing whatever I need to in order to get that loosened up. But no, when I say that it's a hard workout, it's because even holding warrior pose or some of the planks and stuff like that. Unless you're doing it on a consistent basis, you know, guys think they can go in there and that they're going to be the hotshot or something like that. And it's not even the flexibility, it's just holding those poses. That really kind of shows you what your limitations are. Noel: Yeah, and just at being still. That's the biggest part. It could be a gentle yoga class where all we do is sit on the floor the whole time and take longer stretches to try to relax and get into the poses and let your body just kind of sink and melt. And people don't like to sit still. We're so used to constant go go go go go, on our phones constantly. That ... To be able to slow down for even like two or three minutes and just be still for that, that's hard for people. Marcus: Yeah. I would like to say that it didn't almost cause panic attacks when taking a yoga class. But the truth is, when you're somebody like me where just you're always going or you're always talking to somebody or you're always on your phone checking something on social media, like it can be a really difficult thing to just sit and be still, so you're right. Noel: Yeah. And that's why I call yoga a practice. Because that's what it is, it's a practice. And everyday is going to be different. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: So you start one day. The first day you might come you might be a complete mess. No worries. Just come back the next time, you might find it a little bit different. It might get easier. And one day, you might feel really good. Your body will be really good, you'll feel flexible, you'll feel strong. And then next day you might have a little sniffle or a cough and your body feels achy and you feel sick. And that's just part of it and just being able to notice that and being mindful of your body and know where you are, just where your body is, and how you feel is a big part of it. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: And that's kind of what I like to tell people. Don't get frustrated with yourself. This is a practice, it's a journey. Keep going and just be aware of your body and be mindful of that. There's a lot of ... Teaching adults, I've taught kids forever. And then really started teaching adults regularly yoga to see that people are not very aware of where their bodies are in space. We know that we can put our arm up, but is your arm really where you think it is? So to really kind of focus on that and really know where you are in space helps you to not trip or sprain your ankles or little things like that. All that kind of stuff helps with balance and all that. Marcus: Yeah, I mean you do something like tree pose. So for those of you that don't, aren't familiar, like you're standing on one leg. The other leg your foot is kind of resting on your upper part of your calf. Or if you're more flexible like your inner thigh. And you're arms could be doing any myriad of things. But standing in that pose, you're ... You can get into a squat rack and squat a couple hundred pounds or more. But you stand there on one leg and you realize all the ancillary muscles that you don't use when you're squatting that are firing off and trying to keep you balanced. And it's your foot and everything [crosstalk 00:07:35]. Noel: Yeah, your foot, your ankle, your calf- Marcus: Your calf. Noel: All those start moving. All your little receptors in your feet and all that kind of stuff. Marcus: Yeah. Now, so you started Sway and own Sway. Noel: Yes. Marcus: And so obviously you all are a yoga studio. Is that accurate? Noel: Yes. So we are a yoga and dance studio and also an art gallery. So there's no mirrors in the studio, you're just surrounded by art. And I did that because one, I loved art and that was kind of a part of kind of how I wanted to have a space is have a gallery, but that's kind of hard in the south. People don't buy art like they do in New York or in big cities. So it's hard to just make that your sole income. Well and plus that's not what I wanted. I didn't want that to be the whole business. But I wanted it to be a part of it. My friend, Lauren Woods, who did my logo, she was a dancer with me. She's an artist and we kind of collaborated in that. And then she has recently moved to Auburn. She got a full time professor job over there. She's in art there, so we're super excited for her. So I have a new gallery manager, Jessica Maples, who was kind of Lauren's- Marcus: Protégée? Noel: Yeah, protégée, I guess. So that's kind of how the art came about. And not putting mirrors on the wall, as a dancer I have stared at myself for years, just constantly critiquing, things aren't good enough, things aren't right, hating my body, being told I'm fat in the dance world. It's just hard. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: So I was like, you know what? No more mirrors. I need to be able to breathe. And people like it because people get distracted. They come in, they look at people or they look at themselves. I don't look the same as somebody doing this pose. You're not going to because everybody's built differently. You're not going to look the same as the person next to you who's six five and you're five four. Marcus: Right. Noel: You know, it's just not going to happen. So to be able to just focus on your breath and come in has been my huge ... Like the biggest thing about the studio that I like the most. Is that there are no mirrors, except for in the dressing room so you can change real quick. But other than that, and in the bathroom. So I'll go into the bathroom, come out and be like, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I run a business like this, my hair all crazy." But I don't look at myself all day and I find that that has helped me like myself better. Because you being to like this body that can do these things that you weren't necessarily think about doing. Like I have women who are in their 60s doing backbends who haven't done a backbend since they were 12. But then they feel good about themselves. Then they're proud of their bodies and proud of what you can do with yourself. Marcus: That's really cool. Noel: Yeah. Marcus: Well diving into the more the business side of things, what was your first job? Not your first yoga job, but your first like crap job. Flipping burgers or something like that. And were there any lessons that you still remember from it? Noel: So my very first job would have to be teaching dance, teaching little ones. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: And I think that that teaches a lot of patience. Kids are ... Especially little ones, like three year olds, they're not being bad necessarily. They're being three. They have, you know, they're not ... They can't sit still, they can't ... And that's what you're teaching them. Marcus: Right. We lose perspective of that quite a bit. Yeah. Noel: Yeah. You're teaching them how to stay in line, how to wait their turn. There's all these ... There's etiquette in ballet. So a big part of that is teaching that at a young age. So that there's this you come in, you hold yourself a certain way, we're still, you listen to the teacher. So I think that's probably the biggest thing is patience I think I learned. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: And being also ... What's the word I'm looking for? You want to be present and be aware. You can't be kind of doing something else when you've got a room of little ones like trying to run amuck. You have to be very present and make sure that you hold their attention. Marcus: Nice. Now do you remember the first ... I mean, did you just jump into Sway? Or did you teach anywhere else? Noel: So I was teaching at Mobile Ballet. I was teaching some yoga classes to the girls. They would come to me at the end of the week and be like, "Ms. [inaudible 00:11:42], can we please do yoga?" Marcus: Yeah. Noel: It was kind of like a treat for them. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: You know, their little brains go ... They ... Well one, they dance six days a week. They are ... You know, and they work hard. And they go to school, too, on top of that. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: So they need to be able to let their brains rest. Not have to go over choreography, not go over their math problems for their test tomorrows, or whatever it is. But to be able to just breathe for a second, chill out. Maybe stretch something that doesn't feel good and hold for a second. And also, just really be conscious of where they are, especially in a turned in position. For dancers, especially ballerinas, we do everything mostly in an outward rotation. So all those rotators, all the inward stabilizer muscles on dancers sometimes tend to be a little weak because they don't do things turned in. So that's a good thing for those girls too. So that was kind of a strength thing. Not only a relaxation thing for them, but also a strengthening the stabilizers in their hips too as well. Marcus: Well do you remember the first time that you held a class or something that made you think that there might be something to this that you wanted to kind of move in that direction? Noel: Just that they would keep coming back and asking to do it more. Marcus: Yeah. I would imagine the positive reinforcement there. Noel: Yeah. Just that they could ... These were kids that love to dance. They love ballet. They love to dance. They want to do it all the time. But then at the end of the week for them to keep coming back at times and be like, "Can we please do yoga? Can we please do this?" And just to see them, kind of see their bodies relax. A lot of times with dancers, you see them hold their breath. And this is something that I really wish that I would have done as a young dancer is do yoga. Because I think it would have helped my dancing more to be able to connect my movement to my breath better. Marcus: Interesting. Noel: We were always told to breathe, but it's like, "Okay, well I am breathing." Marcus: Yeah. Noel: But to actually know how to breathe and use your breath to help your movement, to teach that, that's hard. We just breathe, that's ... I mean that's how we live. We just breathe. But to consciously breathe is takes a little bit of time and practice. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: But it helps with your movement and it helps your flexibility, helps your strength, all of that. So that is something, really, I wish I would have done as a young dancer, is really. Because I think I would have been a much better dancer if I would have done yoga when I was younger. Marcus: That's funny. Well if you were talking to someone who wanted to get started in running their own business, like we were talking before we started recording, and you all just celebrated your one year anniversary. So congratulations to you on that. Noel: Thank you. Marcus: Because business is not easy, and staying in business is even more difficult. So if you were talking to someone who wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Noel: Just know that dealing with permits and things like that is not going to be on your time. And being able to kind of go with the flow, especially trying to open a business but still not letting those setbacks get you down, to keep going. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: There was a lot of like little ... Especially being downtown with the old buildings and with- Marcus: Any kind of renovation that you're dealing with the city and stuff [crosstalk 00:14:52]. Noel: Yeah, and all that. There's all these little kind of roadblocks. Oh you need this, oh you gotta do this paper. But just keep going, take it day by day, and keep going. And if you really want it, you'll, you know. Marcus: You'll get there. Noel: You'll get there. Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. I've had some lessons in that too and Mobile has a lot going for it in that the ... There's a lot of recognition of what's going on downtown and all the changes and the business that is kind of coming back. And there's like 180 million dollars worth of renovation happening for residential in downtown Mobile and stuff like that. But for all of that, there is still some aches and pains when it comes to the city and dealing with them. And I think ... And I've had talks with people at the city about this. I think they think that everybody just knows the process by which they need to go and operate. But the truth is, it's their job to educate the masses on what it is that they need to do. And so I'm hopeful that there will be some changes over the course of the next year or so that will help them help us as a business community. Noel: Yeah. I agree. Yeah. Marcus: Because we all want to do the right thing, but I think so often times you just get caught in this kind of weird place where they're not- Noel: You have no idea what's going on. Marcus: Yeah, they're not educating you and you don't know and there's not really a good source of information for all of that stuff. So yeah, I get that. What does a typical day look like for you? Noel: So I start my day at the studio at 7:00. I have my first class at seven. I usually try to get there a little bit before, I'm not a morning person, so this is all ... Starting early like this is a challenge for me. Marcus: Sure. Noel: I'm used to teaching ... I was used to teaching in the evening and teaching, running rehearsals till 8:30 at night. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: My schedule's flip flopped, really. So I start the day at seven. I do three classes in the morning and then I have a little break before my lunchtime classes. I do two lunchtime classes. And then I have a break from one to four and that's kind of to run errands, get things done. Marcus: Record podcasts. Noel: Yeah, record podcasts. But and then I come back for either two or three classes in the evening. Marcus: Very good. So you're ... I lost count. You're teaching six or seven classes a day? Noel: Yes. I do have a ... I have a teacher who teaches for me Friday mornings at 7:00 and 8:30. Woo hoo. Sybil Nance is her name. She's awesome, she's a yoga therapist, she's originally from Vancouver and she's awesome. So if you want to check her out too. So she teaches Friday mornings at 7:00 and at 8:30 and I get to sleep in, so that's nice. And then I do have another teacher who teaches my adult jazz class on Wednesday nights. Her name is Natalie Blevens and she was a dance major too as well. And just a, she's a fun little teacher. We have a good time in our adult jazz class. Marcus: That's cool. But I mean kudos to you for being able to do all that, because that's quite a bit. I was listening to a podcast the other day and they were ... It was the ... Well, whatever. It was just the Joe Rogan podcast and they so sober October. But every ... Or this year, they decided to have a fitness component to it where they were actually measuring the output of everything that they were doing. So they wore this armband or something that measured everything. And they were in like the top point one percent or something along those lines. And so their comments were, "Well who the heck beat us?" Because they were doing five and six hour long workouts. And well it's people like you that are living at the gym seven hours. Seven hours of yoga every day, I can imagine. Noel: People ask me all the time, "How do you do it?" It is pretty crazy, not too many people teach seven classes a day or do seven hours of yoga or whatever. But as a professional dancer, you dance pretty much all day. You would start in the morning with a warm up class, with a just basic technique class, and then you have rehearsals throughout the day. And you'll have breaks in between there. So I kind of look at it like that. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: I kind of try to kind of base it. And I like to move all day. I like that. Marcus: Now who is one person ... And maybe you don't have somebody that you can throw out there. But if you were to pick one person from the business world that motivates you, is there somebody that comes to mind? Noel: My dad and my brother are both entrepreneurs. My dad has owned grocery stores. Growing up we've had grocery stores and little restaurants and so my dad's always been in that business of his own boss kind of thing. Marcus: Right. Noel: And my brother is following in his footsteps too as well. My brother has a screen printing business in Jackson, Mississippi. He does screen printing, embroidery, all kinds of stuff. And they go ... They're always going and there's always this push for something new. My dad's always got ideas, my brother's always got ideas. And I don't know. Something about that just ... I don't know, I look up to that. Because they're always inventing something new or doing something new to help themselves or their business. And when you work for yourselves, as I can see now ... I mean I knew, growing up, my dad worked a lot and he was tired or he was gone a lot or whatever. But to actually do it now, I get it and I respect them because- Marcus: Yeah, all the work that goes into it. Noel: I know that they are tired or- Marcus: It's not just the physicality of it, but it's the mental aspect of it too, keeping- Noel: Yeah, because you work 24/7 really. Marcus: Yeah, pretty much. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? Noel: In this business? Is that what you're saying? Marcus: Yeah. Noel: I have to say my husband, really. He has really- Marcus: Come on. Noel: No, I'm not kidding though. I really am ... I'm not. Because without him- Marcus: All right, I'll give you that one. But then you gotta give me something. But go ahead. Noel: Okay, well let me finish this though. Because really, because we are complete opposites. Marcus: Sure. Noel: He's an attorney, he's very kind of type A, he's ... He likes order, he was in the military. And then I am like this wild flower, dancer, yogi. So he's kind of helped keep me on track, I guess, and really help push me. I would say he's probably one of my biggest fans. He really is. So without him, I really could not have done this. Because he's really helped keep me going and where I need to go. Because I get very kind of ... Squirrel. You know? Marcus: I hear you. But so something else, and maybe a book you read that kind of gave you some ideas on how to make the business more successful or maybe it's some organization here locally that's helped you kind of point you in the right direction or another person, maybe, that isn't a family member that's mentored you or something along those lines? Noel: Yeah, I'd have to say Zoe Todd Lombard, or Zoe Todd. She is the associate director of the school of Mobile Ballet. And she was kind of a mentor to me. We've been through a lot over the last few years and grown really close. And when I was thinking about starting my own thing, she was always there to encourage me. Of course she was sad when I left because we had gotten so close and we worked well together. But she was always there to kind of say, you know, everything's going to be fine. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: You just do what you do and yeah. I think Zoe really kind of helped me kind of push me through this. Because I needed to know that she ... I guess I also needed to know that she was okay that I was leaving too. You know? Marcus: Yeah. Noel: But we still talk a lot. And for a while there, when I first opened, I called ... We called each other every day to talk to each other. Every day. Whether it would be like little things with the studio, at Mobile Ballet, or things that I was going through. Because she's been running basically a school for much longer than I have. So she has a lot of knowledge there that dealing with parents, dealing with people, and things like that. Marcus: Yeah, that's really good. Now what's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Noel: Organization. Organization and time [crosstalk 00:23:09]. Marcus: Especially for somebody that's a wild flower, yogi, creative type. Noel: Yes. And time management. Marcus: Yeah. Noel: Very much so. Marcus: Because it'll fill up whatever time you give it. Noel: Yeah. Yeah. Marcus: Right? Noel: Yes. Very much so. Just like little social media things. Like being able to really use your time wisely. Because for me, I do have a good bit of time throughout the day but I end up talking to people a lot, I don't push people out for class. I mean I have a couch. My front foyer is like a living room. So it's set up like a living room with a couch and a chair and people usually stay and hang out for a little while. So I don't ever want to push anybody out. I don't want people to feel like they're rushed out, you know, because I want them to feel comfortable. So being able to find these little snippets of time that I have to use wisely. And I'm still working on that. Marcus: It will be a constant battle. Noel: Yeah. Marcus: So as a yogi, how do you like to unwind? Noel: Oh, how do I like to unwind? Marcus: Yeah. Noel: I like to chill with a glass of wine outside at my house. Like just be outside and just chill and a glass of wine and relax. Usually probably not doing anything. Yeah. Marcus: Just listening and being still? Noel: Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. One of the things that I'm having to remind myself is just being present and enjoying where I am versus thinking about all of the various things that are going on. I should probably pick yoga back up. It was always very good for me, but it's been six months or so since I've done anything. So I need to look into that. Well, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. Noel: Yeah. Marcus: We'll wrap up. Any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Noel: Well we always do special events too, so on my schedule you'll see like my regular classes that I have, but we also a lot of special events, like once a month type things. I find that people like to come downtown and do something, so a lot of times I do a yoga brunch that I usually gear up with another restaurant downtown and we do a yoga and then brunch. I do a family yoga, a kids yoga, mommy and me, so I try to kind of reach everybody because yoga is for everybody and I want people to know that. Marcus: You have a big burly dude yoga class? Don't answer that. Noel: I don't have one specifically for that. But I do ... And people always ask that. People are always like, "Do guys do yoga?" Well yoga was started by men. Men are the ones who started yoga. Marcus: It is actually a ... Yeah. Noel: So it's funny to ... But I do have guys that come. Marcus: It's just been [inaudible 00:25:41] by the yoga pant wearing crowd. Noel: Yeah, mainstream like girls in two piece doing weird poses and stuff. Marcus: Yeah, exactly. Noel: There's more to yoga than that. Marcus: I actually had forgotten. So where can people can find you? Where can people find you? Noel: Sway Downtown ... Or where the studio is? Marcus: Where's your location? Facebook? Email? Phone number if you want to give it, all that stuff. Noel: So we're 10 South Conception Street, so just south of Bienville Square between Dauphin and Conti. And then you can check out our . We're Sway Downtown on there. , that has all of our information about classes, pricing, our art gallery, our show that's up for the month. Our show is rotating, so every month at art walk is our opening reception for the new show. Marcus: Cool. Noel: And then we're also on too. Sway Downtown on there as well. Marcus: Awesome. Well, Noel, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Noel: Yeah, thank you, you too.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Todd Greer. Todd is the Dean of the School of Business at the University of Mobile. He is passionate about Mobile's entrepreneurial community and finding ways energize and help it thrive. Listen to this week's podcast to see how he's doing this at the University of Mobile and beyond!
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Rick Miller, Jr. Rick is the president of Pro356 Consulting and the director of a new incubator called "Hatched". He learned everything he needed to know about business from working a paper route as a kid, he just didn't know it. Listen to see how all this comes together in his consulting and business incubators. Rick: Hi, I'm Rick Miller and I'm president of Pro356 Consulting, and I'm also the senior director of a new incubator called "Hatch." Marcus: Awesome. I am so happy to have you with us today, Rick. Rick: Man, it is so good to be here, and knowing you as long as I have, and worked with you I have this is just kind of way too much fun for us to talk about what's going on. Marcus: So, full disclosure and on top of everything else this man has going on, he is also the facilitator, right? Rick: Yes. Marcus: Is that correct? Okay. So, facilitating for Emerging Leaders and today is graduation day. So, in two hours I will be graduating from the Emerging Leaders program. This guy has been responsible for walking me through about seven months of materials. It's good stuff. Rick: I can't tell you how excited I am for you to graduate. Marcus: Yeah, you and I both, man. Wow, you and I both. Rick: I gotta tell you just before we go into Hatch, the Emerging Leaders program is one of the great things the Mobile Chamber's put together. I'm just fortunate to be able to facilitate, which is the right word. Great companies like Bluefish and the other 19 companies in there. Marcus: We won't mention the other companies that have graduated from that program. There's one in particular that's not allowed to be mentioned on this podcast anymore. Rick: And now we go there. All good. Marcus: He knows who he is. No and hats off to Danette and Brent for the efforts that they put forth in making sure that program takes place. If you are listening to this and you have a business that's over 400000. If you have a business that's doing over $400000 in revenue and you have any interest in learning more about running a business and what it means to accelerate your growth I can speak from experience 'cause I just finished the program. That there's a lot of information to be learned by going through Emerging Leaders. Definitely contact Danette at the Chamber. I think it's dannette@mobilechamber.org if I remember correctly. Rick: You got it. Marcus: And tell her that Marcus sent you and Rick. 'Cause I'm sure they'll be looking for people. They have been approved for next year, so 2019 we'll see another Emerging Leaders class, which is really exciting. So, another 20 some odd people will go through that program and anyway. We digress, but I am very excited to have you here because we've spent a lot of time together over the last seven months. This is a chance for me to tell your story. Rick: Okay. Marcus: Yeah. Let's go there. Why don't you tell people some of your backstories. Where are you from? You are from high school and college, but let's get some of your education out of the way, and who you are, and what you've done, some of that stuff. Tell us some of your backstory. Rick: I'm a Mobile native. Born here, Murphy High School, Alabama undergrad in accounting. Went to work in New York for a big ad accounting firm. Now I think there's two of them left. Went from there and got an MBA in Harvard and then decided to head out west 'cause I always wanted to get out there, and worked for about 20 years in a lot of different startups some of which were technology. Mainly just went to big companies to trying to go to small companies, set up a consulting business, and ran into a lady I went high school and college with out there. We got married and had a kid, and then at that point I was running a consulting business in Oregon. We decided that's a little far for our relatives to visit. In the mid 90s, we moved back to Fairhope where I live now. Interesting along the way while we were trying to figure out do you migrate from Colorado back to Alabama. I found an opportunity in Birmingham and I talked to folks, and got offered a job to run the UAB business incubator. At the time, the money they could afford to pay was less than I could afford to live on with the family. I had to say "no," but I spent a year back in the 90s looking at business incubators I always thought what a cool concept. Fast forward to moving back here in the 90s, having a consulting business, working with small businesses, and doing projects. Last year, got a chance to talk about setting up a small town business incubator in Fairhope, and I just at the chance. Marcus: And that's a program with Georgia? Rick: Well, it's modeled after Clemson model in South Carolina, but it's a collaboration between the University of Alabama has got an office of business transfer where they try to commercialize intellectual property, and various ideas coming out of the university, and connect those with the business market. They're providing the base research and kind of collective connections. The model in South Carolina, an entrepreneur set up five small communities. Call them "technology villages" and they basically said entrepreneurs in this electronic flat world don't have to live in a big city. Let's put some incubators in small communities that don't have the big city incubators like Mobile or Birmingham. Fast forward, that worked quite work there, and Alabama said "Let's do it here." They spent a year looking for the right markets and they picked Cullman, Alabama and Fairhope, Greensboro, and a couple other communities. We launched it, got a little training, and up we go. Marcus: Nice. Very good. Rick: Yeah. Marcus: Now, go back to your consulting stuff, too though because I wanna touch on that just a little bit. When you say you do business consulting, what does that usually entail? Rick: Well, it's interesting because its evolved. Initially, because my background is accounting, CPA in New York, MBA, I had spent most of my first 10 years working up the financial side of things. CFO, those type of things, but I found somewhere along the line that really if you look at my DISC profile I'm more of a people person. In the last 10 years, I've evolved my practice into working more in team building, and working with coaching and mentoring. My passion is first tier managers or first level, so that the guy who is a great hourly worker and gets promoted to supervisor. In variably, he gets promoted or her because of their work ethic, but they get no training in how to manager their co-workers who used to be their colleagues. That's where I kind of focused trying to help organizations deal with that level of productive and management. Marcus: Nice. Now, what was your and I always say this is your first crap job, not your first job after you got your fancy Harvard MBA, but your first crap job flipping burgers, sweeping floors. What was your first job and what were some of the lessons that you learned from that? Rick: I was a paperboy apprentice at Hannon Park. What I mean by apprentice- Marcus: Not even just a paperboy, you were a paperboy apprentice. Rick: I had to get in line to get a route. For a year, I folded papers for the guy who was older than me, which meant I got paid a RC Cola and some kind of sandwich; ice cream sandwich was my pay for that. As a result of doing that when I was 10 or 11 when I was 12-years-old I got a weekly route, throw in about four blocks from here in what is now Midtown around the deer drop. My first job was being a morning, weekly paperboy. Marcus: What lessons do you remember from that you took away that- Rick: Well, I learned everything I needed to know about business, but I didn't know it that I learned it. When I got older, took all these other degrees, and then look back and say, "Okay, here's what I learned." Number one, I learned about various cost structures because the gig was you basically paid for your papers upfront, okay. I took all the risks. The paper got no risk, whether I sold them or not, I had to pay for 'em. Then I learned how to deal with people and dealing with collection problems because a weekly route meant that I had to go to each house on Friday, and get paid my 75 cents for that week. I learned that maybe you wanna go on a monthly route where you got the same amount of money, but you don't have four times as many activities to get that money. I also learned a lot about people because there's nothing that you'll ever forget where you're on a bike. You're 12-years old. It's Friday night, it's dark, you're walking up to the door, and you see the lights on in the living room. All of a sudden, the lights go off, and you ring the doorbell and you ring it, and you're thinking, "I'm talking about 75 cents and these people won't even come to the door." Finally, I learned that service and execution matters because when you throw a paper, you had an option. If you couldn't find your paper and there are little old ladies that's right underneath their steps and they don't see it from their door, they don't think it's there. They have an option to call the press register for a paper. Now, that seems funny today that we don't have papers, but the press register would say, "Yes ma'am, I'll deliver you the paper." They charged you 50% of your profit for the month to deliver that extra paper. Marcus: Wow. Rick: If you don't execute, if somebody calls twice in a month at that house, you threw that house for free. Now, you tell me that isn't great business experience that at the time I didn't think about business I just learned it, but now looking back I tell people everything I needed to know about business as an entrepreneur I learned I just didn't know it. Marcus: Now, that's really cool, man. Now, as far as the consulting business goes, though, how did you get started? I mean, was there someway? Did you leave a company and decide that this is how you want it or was it? I don't know. I mean, I don't know what I'm looking for there. How did you get started in consulting? Rick: Well, like most consultants, a necessity. Marcus: Okay. Rick: I had moved to California to Oregon, a venture capital firm recruited me to go help start a startup to put some money in. In the middle of it, I ran into a problem with the inventor, the majority owner he had an affair, and it kind of threw everything wack. I'm sitting there going, "I can't work with this company. I need to do something and I'm 500 miles away from all my friends in San Francisco." You get on the phone and you start talking, and you realize, "Well, at least I have some credentials." The good news is I invested in the right degrees. I started looking around and saying, "Okay, we'll do something like Brent McClure does here." A guy from San Francisco who wanted to go out on and then myself set up a regional consulting business out there. We would rent an executive. We were in the 90s, we were rent a C-suite. We would come into small companies like your company and say, "Okay, we'll be your CFO. We'll do it for 20% of the time. Charge you so much and if it takes off then we want a few. If you sell the company we want a piece of that." Marcus: Yeah. Rick: Did that and invariably what happens like most consultants, you do a good job, and I'm doing this for Bluefish and Bluefish says "We really wanna hire you full-time as our CFO" or some position. I vacillated or count of rotated back and forth between consult for a while, get this going, and somebody makes me an offer that's hard to turn down. Finally, I just reached the point where I said, "I'm a terrible employee, I'm ADD and I really like change. I like being a consultant and that's what I'll always try to be." Marcus: It's interesting that you say that 'cause one of the things that I've said over the course of the last couple of years is that I'm unemployable now. Rick: Yeah. Marcus: Right? Rick: Yeah. Marcus: The only thing that I think, the thing that I go back to with Bluefish that I really enjoy isn't necessarily that I do like the fact that I can control the business. It's not just that, it's that we work with a lot of different people, so we have a lot of problems that we're working to solve. It's that ADD aspect that you mentioned. That there are a lot of different problems that are presenting themselves to you and I'm a teacher first and foremost. That's really kind of my leanings, but then I'm a problem solver. When someone comes to me with a problem like I want to help them solve it because I know that on the other side of that there's some sort of reward. There's a financial reward or kudos, or something. Yeah, that's very interesting. Rick: I think every service business at some level is an entrepreneurial consulting business, if you're good. Marcus: Yep. Rick: I mean, what you're doing everybody here is you're consulting for clients, and I'm doing the same thing. You just may say I've got a contract. You change the terms, but when you get down to what makes a company successful is you gotta have a whole bunch of clients that they're serving in some manner. For me, it just fits because I've tried it, and I found as a financial person I can go about two or years, and then I get bored. In a financial role, you need somebody who loves the same thing over and over again. I am the exact wrong personality fit for what I was doing for 20 years. Thank you lord that I figured out where my ladder should be leaning, and I'm much happier even though there's more uncertainly where's the cashflow. I'm not complaining. It's what I should be doing. Marcus: Right. That's good. This question was perfectly targeted for you. Are you ready? Just prepare yourself. Rick: I'm glad there's no camera here. Marcus: Now, if you were talking to someone that is getting started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Rick: I've heard the [crosstalk 00:14:55] Marcus: I've stumped him. Rick: Oh, you blew it. I heard five seconds of silence gets everyone's attention. I was trying to count to five. Marcus: Sorry. Rick: Nothing like it. I would say make sure you understand your why. Marcus: Yeah. Rick: Just make sure that if you ... Simon Sinek's books really a good book on getting back to if you understand why you're doing that. Either it's because my personality, I need to, or I have some goals that I just really wanna achieve. If you got that down, you can weather the fact that life is never what you expect it to be. I mean, you and I know each other through spending seven months trying to do a plan, and yet my wisdom would be do a plan, but expect it to be long because it's gonna change. The people I have seen that have succeeded as being entrepreneurs when you step back from it, you see they had a clear why. Their why was bigger than the what. When your why is big enough, the facts don't matter is a cliché, but it really is true. You know how many times the facts would have told you to quit. Marcus: Yes. Rick: We all do. If you're married, you've been told that you should quit a few times, but generally speaking most entrepreneurs are just dumb enough because their why is big enough to keep going. The other side of keeping going is where the success lies. Marcus: That's good stuff, folks. That's really good stuff. Who's the one person that motivates you from the business world? Is there anybody? We've been getting a lot of, "Well, my grandfather and my principal from high school" or stuff like that. I don't want that. I want you reading Entrepreneur Magazine or you get Entrepreneur Magazine, and there's somebody who's on the cover that really gets you excited that you're like "Man, I can't wait to read this." Anyone? Rick: Well, I gotta think for a minute because I think John Maxwell. Marcus: Okay. Rick: What I'm inspired Maxwell is his longevity. Marcus: Let's pause for just a second. John Maxwell was the president, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing and has transitioned ... No, I'm sorry, John Maxwell. I'm thinking of whatshisname. Rick: I'm going blank on the other 'cause I'm still fixated on Maxwell. Marcus: Sorry, Maxwell is an author who's written a lot of books on leadership and stuff like that. He was published by Thomas Nelson, I think. Rick: Yeah, he still is. Marcus: Anyway, so I digress. Rick: The 17 laws of leadership. The 21 laws or teamwork, or whatever those are. He's known for those books, but some many other people in that field, he started out as a pastor, which is probably the ultimate leadership position. Because you have a voluntary workforce. You have a small staff that most of the people you have to motivate to achieve your mission are there. He transitioned because his calling was leadership. What I'm impressed about him is the fact that he is ... The volume of work that he has done inspires me because he just keeps writing a book every three or four months. He's figured out to grow his organization to each different level. When he writes about stages of growth, you can look at his example, and mainly he also always tries to bring back in the people side of servant leadership. Marcus: Yeah, Michael Hyatt. Rick: Yep. Yep, yep. Good job. Marcus: It was gonna bug me. Don't get lost on that. John Maxwell stuff especially his ... I think it's the "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" was one of the most influential books that I've ever read. That and "Courageous Leadership" by Hybels was extremely good, as well especially if you're geared towards that kind of thing. You know you're gonna be in a position of leadership. Hybels book was really interesting because it helped me understand that there are different types of leaders. I leaned towards the entrepreneurial leadership role. It helped me kind of- Rick: Let me throw in a plug for Maxwell 'cause it's something I do that I buy. I buy 20 of these or 30 of these a year. He's got a book called the "Maxwell Daily Reader." It's 300 every day. It's like any other devotional, but it's a management devotional if you will. He takes a page out of his 25 pages, so one day it may be on a one-page day of being a person of influence. Another one may be on teamwork. I've been reading that thing for three years and I give it to all my clients 'cause what it does is it reminds me every day of an aspect of leadership that I probably know, but I forget. You can read a spiritual one. I read it and I give it to clients because Lisette Norman who we're gonna see tonight is an example. The Fairhope store, I gave it to her, and I'll be talking to her, and she'll say "Did you believe what we read today?" It's usually on management. I highly recommend any one go. You've almost gotta go look for it 'cause it's out of print, but the paperback is still great. Marcus: Great stuff, yeah. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful moving you forward? Rick: Ah man. There's so many. Right now, I'll say David Jeremiah's morning podcast called "Turning Point" I listen to and I always put me in a servant leadership role. A guy that's a motivational coach for Alabama, Kevin Elko's got a Monday morning cup of inspiration. I listen to it every Monday and it's three minutes. I'm an avid reader, so it's hard for me because I'm really on the latest book. Marcus: I mean, what are you reading right now just out of curiosity? Rick: I'm reading "Things That Matter," it's written by the John Doerr who was the original venture capitalist. He's a very famous one who invested in Google. It's talking about what they measure Google that's made the behemoth they are. It's a great book on getting back in. I was telling you about that "Traction" book. Marcus: Yeah, the "Traction" book that he suggested to the class. It's geared towards helping you understand how to get traction. I would admit I haven't read it yet 'cause I have some other things on my plate. Rick: There's a book by a guy named Schwartz called "Turn the Ship Around!" It's about a submarine captain who got given a different type of submarine and that's like going from a Mac to a PC only you've been training to run a Mac and they gave you a PC two weeks before. You're now in charge of the entire company. It talked about how he learned. How he learned how to trust people and delegate. It's a great read. He's YouTube has some really nice graphics in there that you can watch a nine-minute YouTube video that explains it all. Marcus: Yeah, that's cool. Now, what's the most important thing that you have learned about running a business? Rick: Staying positive is incredibly important and incredibly difficult. Marcus: Poof. Rick: Did I hit that one right? Marcus: Yeah. No, it's just say that again for those who are listening. Rick: Well, you can see my expression. Staying positive is incredibly important, but incredibly difficult. I say that because running a business means that you get slapped the hardest and the most often. Marcus: Right. Rick: When things don't happen, you take responsibility for it, or when bad things happen. Yet, if you run an organization where you have employees, they look to you for a response just like your kids do. Probably even more so, so the ability to take the blow and still find someway to act positive even though inside you're just dying is one of the keys to being a successful entrepreneur. I wish I had more of it. Marcus: No. Yeah, so I read you touched on things, yes. I mean, the being able to keep that positive, mental outlook is just like incredibly difficult at times. You've touched on servant leadership a number of times, too. One of the books that I'll throw out there that if you are bent that way is Jocko Willink's Servant Leadership. He talks about that whole aspect. I don't know if you don't know Jocko's story, he's been a number of podcasts, and he even has his own podcast. He was SEAL team commander. He was responsible for training SEAL teams. After they've made it through [inaudible 00:24:14] and they've been assigned to a team, he was one of the commanders that was actually responsible for training the teams to work as a team to go out and do the missions. It's such an incredible responsibility. His whole take on that is that if you are the owner of a business then it doesn't matter what it is, it's your responsibility. Rick: I may have drawn it in our course, but I probably didn't. With most companies I do occasionally I'll do quarterly retreats and strategic retreats. The way I introduce servant leadership is I draw the traditional pyramid, which is customers below. Then you have the tiers of employees all the way to the small top of the triangle is the CEO, then I flip it. If you get that then your job, Marcus is to serve the rest of Bluefish. If you can teach, but it had to start with you. You have to model that servant leadership and yet I know from having been the numbers kind of traditional drive it down, that doesn't work. If you wanna know why employees are unhappy, I'm certified in Gallup's employment engagement because I think they're the best at it. The reason people live or businesses are unhappy is because of their direct supervisor, and where I translate that in servant leadership is most people don't wake up thinking, "What can I do to serve my team?" That guy Jocko gets it because you can't fake it when it's life and death. In a company, your emotional life and death is real, too. Most of us don't think about it. We've been raised with this hierarchy, I mean, this paradigm that's just wrong. For me it's wrong. Marcus: It's more traditional. Yeah, traditionally it's wrong. Yeah, it was probably one of the most influential that I've read this year. 'Cause it was a slap up against the face. In the face realizing that if someone's not performing then it's my responsibility because they either need more training or they need me to tell them and guide them, and ultimately if they're not performing and they're still here, and I'm upset about that it's my fault because I'm the one that hired them. I haven't fired them, yet. Like everything, you can't make it about the person it's really about you as the leader of the company. There have been a number of other things that came out of that book, too that I really appreciated it. He's a gruff guy, though. If you listen to his podcast, if you're out there listening to this, and you listen to his podcast then just know that you're in. I mean, he's a SEAL. Let's be real. Rick: I went back when I heard the term and I read a book, I can't remember the author, but I went back to read James Greenblatt. The Greenblatt Center for Servant Leadership, he's the original AT&T guy in the 60s who coined the term. His book is a hard read 'cause it's kind of cut dry, but he goes back and he explains how he spent inside of AT&T trying to bring this concept about. If you know anything about AT&T, it's the ultimate bureaucracy that's not a government. It truly was back then, but he was convinced that in his work led to the I guess it's James Greenleaf Center, which is in Indiana. They have courses and you can get a lot ... They have an annual conference on servant leadership. Marcus: Very good. How do you like to unwind? Rick: Say that again? Marcus: How do you like to unwind? That was such a bad transition, I'm sorry. Rick: I thought you said another term that I'm wide and that's why I gave you that look. Marcus: Yeah. Rick: I like to exercise. I like to play golf. Marcus: What's your form of exercise? Rick: My form is golf and swimming. Marcus: Okay. Rick: Golf because I played it all my life and it's the only game you can play three generations together- Marcus: And not know who's gonna actually beat the crap out of somebody. Rick: Swimming is just ... I was overweight as a kid. I didn't make all the high school teams. To punish myself in college, I started running and I lost a bunch of weight, and I've just been very blessed for 45 years I've been into fitness. I'm well as a result of that. I didn't know wellness was a term, but I invested in it. My knee has finally given out, so I get in the pool because it doesn't hurt. It's the same type thing. I'm in there swimming laps and I unwind, and I have conversations with God because no one can interrupt you when you got your googles on and you're just going up and down. Marcus: Yeah. No, it's amazing to me and I probably need to start asking more questions about this, but the importance of staying physically active when you are running a business. It can't be overstated. You have got to have some sort of exercise regime because the stress will absolutely put you in the grave if you don't get that energy out in some healthy form. And then the other thing, too let's just be real, it's really easy to go to breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some function and before you know it you've gained 20 or 30 lbs. I've recently lost like 30 lbs. Now, granted some of that was stress related because of the building that we're currently in. The reality is I've been trying to lose this weight for a decade and just not been able to. It's a long game like you're saying. Finding something you can do for a long period of time that you enjoy that allows you to kind of keep things in check because it's real easy just to look down one day and realize I spent the last 10 years of my life sitting in a chair. I'm now 30 lbs overweight. I'm not happy. I get winded walking to the car. I don't look good when I go to the beach. I'm not happy with myself. All those things. Those are all things that I've said to myself. Rick: Most of us do. It's not the quantity, it's the consistency that matters. Marcus: Exactly. Rick: I mean, I have a doctor friend that we go through this issue all the time because he's afraid to tell his patients what he knows to be true. He and I have jogged for 30 years and I said, "You need to tell your patients they need to get off their butt and go exercise." He's like, "I can't. I got to do that bedside manners thing," but he and I laugh about it when we're jogging because he says the reason they see me is 'cause they don't what they could do. It's just walking for 15 minutes is worth it, if you do it five days a week. Marcus: I mean, obviously I've been spending a lot of time here at the building over the course of the last five months. Often times I'll come in, in the morning, get started, and not have anything to eat until I leave at six or seven o'clock at night. I'll do an 8-hour, 10-hour, 12-hour day, and not eat anything. It's like fasted cardio, basically. The other thing too is people have been asking me like what I've doing, well besides that it's just cutting back on what I've been eating, and just making sure that I'm exercising consistently. Even if it just means going to the gym for 30 minutes or 20 minutes just going and doing something. Rick: Do you know a guy named Daniel Amen? Marcus: Don't ring a bell, no. Rick: Go on YouTube and look him up. He is a brain doctor, whatever. He's developed all these scans of the brain. His whole thing is it you need exercise for your ability to think. If you go look up Daniel Amen and he's got a diet and more importantly he says if you want to be a thinker and as an entrepreneur you know you need to have your brain working. You already have it working pretty hard, but for longevity, exercise is good for the brain. Not just the cardiovascular. Your brain, your ability to think and process, and deal with things it's better as result of investing in that. Not only is it going to make you look better at the beach. If you need to make critical decisions, it's worth it to make sure you put some exercise in the mix. Marcus: I couldn't agree more. Where can people find you? Rick: Well, . I'm always there and they can actually see what I look like 'cause I put some videos on there, some testimonies. Marcus: Awesome. Rick: We were talking about earlier, Hatch if you go to hatchfairhope.com, that's the hi-tech incubator that we started in downtown Fairhope. Even though I do consulting, I live there more than anywhere else. Marcus: Well, Rick, I wanna thank you again for coming on the podcast and more so I wanna thank you for pouring into all of our lives for the last seven months. Seems like it was just yesterday that we got started on Emerging Leaders. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'll like to share? Rick: Well, Marcus I appreciate you and I can say this just looking at you 'cause people can't see it on a podcast that one of the joys working with you and all those other companies was to watch the growth. And the fact that anybody who gets into a position where they can facilitate the growth of other group or other organizations, the blessing's mine. So my thank yous to you because nobody knows how great it feels when you're sitting there helping other people get somewhere they're trying to get to and they need you to help them. Marcus: Yep. Rick: I go home after those classes every time just saying thank you lord for having the opportunity to deal with great companies, great people, and to help them be a little clog keeping them moving. Marcus: Very good. Well, Rick I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Rick: My pleasure.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Crystal Yarborough. Crystal is the Alabama director and also the Rose Center Director for Eye Heart World. She has always had a heart for helping broken women. Listen to this week's podcast and find out how this brought her to Eye Heart and the Rose Center.
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Leavie D King III, MS with CoachUp. From competing in speaking competitions to figuring out how to make a living off it and learning how to motivate yourself and others, listen to this week's podcast and hear all about it!
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Nathaniel Patterson. From managing a store at nineteen to empowering other business owners through his writing. Listen to this week's podcast and hear all about it!
On this week's podcast, Marcus sits down with Mandy Green. Mandy started Caffeine Corps. where everything there has caffeine, from coffee, energy drinks to caffeine inhalers. Listen to this week's podcast and hear all about it!
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Rob Holbert and Ashley Trice. From screenwriting school to ghost writing, this duo has paved a hard-working entrepreneurial journey in Mobile, AL. Listen to this week’s episode to hear all about their journey to building the weekly publication, Lagniappe! You can find this episode on , Spotify, or iTunes. Rob: I'm Rob Holbert, with Lagniappe, one of the co-publishers. Ashley: And I'm Ashley Trice with Lagniappe, the other publisher. Marcus: Yay! Well, this is awesome, to have you guys on the podcast, 'cause I know we've been talking about this for a long time. Ashley: We have, since you beat us. Marcus: No, even before that. So what she's talking about, for those of you that aren't aware, we were all along with Harper Technology. We were finalists for the small business of the year award with the Mobile Chamber, because this podcast will live in perpetuity online. But we actually, in Blue Fish, ended up winning that award, much to my surprise. I honestly, I thought you guys were a shoe in. Rob: Well, we all thought you were, and Harper was. We had ourselves kind of put third. So it was one of those things where you lose, but I was completely happy with it. Marcus: [crosstalk 00:00:59] Rob: Yeah, I was completely happy with it. It was just like, great, glad you guys did well. Everybody did well. It was fun. It was really a lot of fun. Marcus: Yeah. But it was also, I really, absolutely enjoyed getting to know you guys through that process. We got to know each other so well, we started dressing alike. So, and the reference there is, if you look at the cover, both Rob and I were wearing the same jacket. We didn't plan that, it was something that just kind of happened. We know what Lagniappe is, we know what you all do. But why don't we go back in time, and why don't you take turns and kind of share with us the story of who you are. Did you grow up here in Mobile? Where did you go to high school? Did you go to college? Did you study english or journalism? Did you start working in the journalism trade, or, you know, give us some background. Ladies first. Ashley: Well, I grew up in the sticks, in Jackson, Alabama, about an hour north of here. I came, made it to Mobile, 'cause I went to South Alabama. I graduated with a degree in communications. And then tried to find a job, which is hard to do when you're right out of college. So I was kind of drifting, decided I would go to screenwriting school. So I went to the University of Texas in Austin, spent a year doing that, and realized that was not what I wanted to do, either. But it proved to be a good move, in the sense that I really, I became a fan of their alternative paper, the Austin Chronicle. Marcus: Nice. I'm familiar. Ashley: And I came back to Mobile. Rob and I had mutual friends. He was teaching at South, and we started talking. Both of us were like, we can't believe there's not a paper like this in Mobile, it's such a big market to not have a paper. And that's sort of where we intersected. Marcus: I hate to ask this, but what year was this? Ashley: 2002. Marcus: Okay, so not too long. Ashley: Well, probably 2001 we started talking about it, so. Marcus: Yeah. Ashley: Our first issue was 2002. Rob: Yeah, we worked on that for probably a good six months before we finally got one out. My background is, I grew up over in the saw grass in Gautier, Mississippi. And shoot over the sticks, I grew up in the marsh grass. I grew up in a small town over in Mississippi, Gautier. I went to school, Spring Hill, for college. Got my masters at Loyola. But I started out working over the Mississippi press in Pascagoula, out of college, and then subsequently, went back after I got my masters, and was there. And I ended up going to Capital Hill and working with Trent Lot who was, then, the senate majority leader. Sort of to get out of Gautier or get out of Pascagoula, I had gotten married, and for some strange reason, my wife didn't like Pascagoula and didn't wanna be there. And I had this idea that I would go there and learn about politics, et cetera, but I had always wanted to jump back into media. I just wanted to do it at a different level. I fell in love with opinion writing at an early age, and for some reason, they let me write a column when I was 22 over there. And I got stuck doing that, and I really loved it, and had this grandiose idea of being a syndicated columnist. And so that was the plan. I got up there and I ended up leaving Capital Hill, was a ghost writer for a while. I wrote for just about every big newspaper in the United States with somebody else's name on it. And then came back down here thinking, I'll come to Mobile, and I'll be hired by the press register, no problem. Surely, they'll want me. And they didn't. And so I kind of washed out of journalism at an early age, and was just stuck. I mean, I didn't have anywhere to go. I ended up working at Tony Roma's, the place for ribs. Marcus: Nice. Rob: And I was doing that for a little while. But I had a masters degree, ended up out at south as the advisor to the student newspaper. And so doing that, the Vanguard, the newspaper at South Alabama. And so I was teaching classes, as well. Ashley was taking one of my classes. We also knew each other through mutual friends, so I think that's kind of where she came in and said, "Will you come write a column for us?" And I said, sure, I'll write a column. Ashley: It was gonna be named the Mobile Mirror at that point, I might add, too. Rob: Yes, that was gonna be our original name, was the Mobile Mirror. And it eventually became pretty clear, we had a group of people that wanted to do stuff with it, and the only two people who were really serious were us. So we eventually said, let's just be partners on this thing. Ashley: And let's rename it something no one can spell or say or know what it means. Rob: Right, let's, yeah. That was a brilliant move as well. Everybody knows what Lagniappe means, right? Ashley: I still have to spell it and say it to people who just call. Marcus: For those that don't know, Lagniappe is ... Rob: A little something extra. It's like when you get a box of donuts, and they give you a thirteenth one. They give you an extra. Marcus: Or a couple of extra donut holes, or something sprinkled on top. Rob: Yeah, yeah. And truth be told, we misspelled it on our mock ups for the first two weeks. Ashley: Yeah. We had the ... it said [inaudible 00:06:19]. Rob: Yeah, we did. We transposed a letter. We did. It was bad. So yeah, that was the, portending things to come on that. Marcus: So in 2001, 2002, I mean, journalism was still going strong. There really wasn't the emphasis on the web, and all that other stuff. I mean, it's ... Ashley: Well, yeah. I was telling this story the other day. When we started all of the trade industry, we had a trade magazine call us. And they were like, why on earth would you be starting a newspaper at this time? Digital was just starting, but the big thing that was happening at that point were classifieds, had gone to Craigslist. So they had lost all of the- Marcus: Which was a money maker for many newspapers. Rob: It was a huge moneymaker. Ashley: It was the second source of revenue, huge source of revenue. So we, well, we don't really have classifieds. So it's not a source of revenue. We don't really have any revenue at all, so. Rob: Can't lose it when you don't have it. Ashley: Exactly. Rob: Did we mention that? Ashley: Yeah, so in a way, it was advantageous, because we didn't have it to lose. We had to start thinking of other ways to make money. And it was in the traditional sense of display advertising. But yeah, so it was definitely a different time. But we were so small, we started out as a five thousand circulation biweekly. And we were really silly at first. We were both a bit younger, I mean, we had a hard hitting issue on Botox was the very first ... Yeah. Rob: Yeah, we didn't really have a lot of news at all. Ashley: Wrestling made it in. Rob: Midget wrestling. I'm sorry, little person wrestling. Ashley: Little person. Marcus: No, back then, it was midget wrestling. Ashley: Back then, it was. But I made this speech- Marcus: We're more enlightened now. Ashley: Yes. I made this speech just recently for a bunch of high school students, and I said midget wrestling, and they all looked at me as if I had just said ... I was like, I'm sorry. Sorry, little person. And they actually called themselves midget wrestlers. It was not trying to ... Marcus: They did. Yes, it was not. It was not- Rob: That's not PC, I guess. But yeah, it was one of those things. It's like, I think Ashley had five thousand dollars. I mean, it was really just- Ashley: And a dream. Rob: That's really what the paper was started with. And it was sort of, our first big purchase was, we went out and bought a boom box, a radio that we could listen to while we put the paper together. And cell phones to call each other. And so that was it. Those were really- Marcus: Do you still have the boom box? Did you just say that? Rob: Yeah, we do. Yeah. We still have it. Marcus: Wow. Rob: It's still there. But we just ... The concepts, if you asked both of us, we just, oh yeah, in two years, this thing is just gonna be making tons of money. Because this was the biggest city in the United States that we could find that did not have an alternative newspaper at that point. There was just, you looked around a city of this size, all of them had it. Ashley: I mean, we wrote down all of the businesses. Oh, they'll definitely have, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Rob: And a lot of them were like, oh yeah, make a paper, we're gonna advertise. And then, you know, when you made the paper, it was like, check back with us when you're here for a couple years. Ashley: Yeah. Rob: And we also, one of the things that was tough for us, there had been a publication that was kind of a ... It was just about food. But it was exactly the same size as us. Ashley: It was a tabloid newspaper. Rob: Tabloid. And they had gone around and done a bunch of buying ads, doing trade for ads was what they were doing. We'll give you an ad, you give us free food at your place, and give us stuff. So it turned out badly, and they ended up owing people money, and whatever else. Just didn't follow through. And when we came in, people were like, yeah, we've seen this kind of thing before. Ashley: Yeah, you'll be gone in six months. Rob: Yeah. So that was the, everybody was like, it'll be gone. Ashley: At one point, I thought that was going to be true. Rob: Many points I thought it was gonna be. Ashley: But sixteen years later, here we are. Marcus: So doesn't every business owner? So like our story isn't much different. Started in 2007, little bit later than you. But I mean, it was with a laptop and an idea. And my first website was $300 and a tattoo for David's [inaudible 00:10:21]. I'm currently looking for another tattoo artist to do a half sleeve. I'd like to get a half sleeve done. So if you're out there and you're a tattoo artist, and you need a website ... Rob: Yeah, he's your guy. Here you go. Marcus: Send your portfolio to marcus@bluefishds.com. So what was your ... Let's go back in time, though. Because we talked to people about their first jobs, and what lessons may have been learned from it. And I often give the example of, the proper way to mop a floor, or that there's paying attention. And the reason why I give that isn't just because there's the right way to mop the floor, but it's that there's detail in something as mundane as mopping the floor. And so what was each of yours first job? And I'm looking for the crap job, I'm not looking for the newspaper job. Ashley: Well, I worked at Willy's Snow Cones in Jackson, Alabama. Rob: I love that place. Ashley: They were delicious, by the way. I learned to wear steel toed shoes when making snow cones, 'cause I- Marcus: Steel toed shoes when making snow cones? Are they afraid that you're gonna like- Ashley: Well, then, you have to get a 15 rectangular block of ice and load it into the snow cone machine, which I dropped on my foot. Had to have my toenail removed. It was ... So I guess I learned to be cautious in everything you're doing. But also, deliver delicious product at the same time. Rob: My first job was teaching swim lessons to kids, I guess when I was about 14. And I don't know what we learned from that. You know, it was fun. Not to stand in a lot of urine, I guess, was the main thing. Because it was just a swimming pool full of kids all day long. You're teaching one class after another. But I wanted to work. I couldn't wait to get a job, because I'm the oldest of five, so we had ... I was out there pushing the lawnmower all the time and do that stuff, so it was kind of part of the deal, and I just was ready to go work. I wanted to make money and save up and buy a car. Marcus: You know, I think I've been lying for about 120 episodes. I'm just sitting here realizing that my first job wasn't at the bagel bakery, and my first job was actually, 'cause Jim [Nagy 00:13:08] was the episode before you all, and he mentioned that he worked illegally, or what he thinks was illegally, at like 13, 14 years old for a fish restaurant. And so they had him fileting fish and stuff like that. And now that I'm thinking back about it, I had a warehouse job for a company that my dad worked for, and we actually took, I think they were Epson printers back in the day, when you couldn't go to Best Buy and every other place to get a printer. And we would remove the labels, and remove the barcode on the back, and replace them with the company branded information. And then they would sell them as their house brand. And I literally am just now remembering that. Rob: I think you're passed the statute of limitations on that. You're okay. Marcus: Is that okay? Rob: Yeah. Marcus: So I apologize to our listeners. That is hilarious. So you've already told us about how you started your business. Now do you remember going back to that very first issue where you thought, there's something to this. We've got it, we figured out what the recipe is. We figured out how to communicate effectively with the audience here in Mobile. 'Cause let's not sugar coat it, Mobile is a very, very unique market. Rob: I would say, one of the things that sort of gave us an idea of that is, we actually did a prototype of the paper to show advertisers. And we got threats of lawsuits from the prototype, and I thought- Marcus: Seriously? Rob: Yeah. We really pissed somebody off on just the prototype coming along. And we were kind of like, well, people are fired up. Ashley: We've already been threatened to be sued, and we haven't even- Rob: Yeah, we've already been threatened to be sued, and we haven't even published yet. So that, to me, was one. Ashley: Probably the biggest early on moment that I realized the power, just, I don't know, I still sometimes have trouble grasping this. But that people actually read what we write. I'm just a writer, so I just write because it's my craft. I don't actually think about people sitting around reading it. But we had, one of our very first cuisine editors. She was a tremendous writer, she still is a professional writer, I think, in Atlanta. And she was great. But she had a wicked tongue, and she reviewed a restaurant that's now out of business here. But the owner was ... I mean, it was tough. And it really had people talking. But he read that review on the same day that his restaurant burned to the ground. Marcus: Ooh. Ashley: And so he came into our office with soot and ash on his face to express his displeasure for it. So it kind of just made me realize, you know, that's not really answering your question- Marcus: No, it is. Ashley: But just the gravity of what we're doing, and it does matter. Rob: I do think that issue was- Marcus: There's some balance. Rob: Oh, sorry. Marcus: No, I don't mean to interrupt you, but- Ashley: I mean, I think we learned this market may not be ready for that level of honesty. But I think we've tempered a little bit over the years, but I think we still remain true to that we want honest reviews, and we want honesty in the paper. But there's a way to do it. Rob: Yeah. She was a classically trained chef, and she had lived, you know, I think she was from a much larger city. And she was used to much more brutal criticism, and- Marcus: Baseball bat to the knees sort of thing? Rob: Yeah. And you know, also, another part of that issue was our office was right next door to the guy's other restaurant. And so he came in, and he was furious. So it was kind of tough, that standpoint. But people started talking about us. Ashley: I hid under the desk, I'm not gonna lie. Rob: He was ... Oh, I'm gonna have you kicked out of this building, you're gonna never, I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure you guys never survive. But it didn't work out. But I think, that was a sign that, exactly what Ashley said, that it got a lot of people's attention, but it also kind of told us ... I mean, there was some things, I know when we started, we probably were a little more liberal with profanity in the paper and things like that, because newspapers like ours that were alternative newspapers at the time, you know, there's a lot of profanity in them and that kind of stuff. But we realized pretty quickly, Mobile doesn't go in for that as much. And it cheapens some of the writing, anyway, and it's really not- Marcus: You should be able to make a point without it. Rob: Yeah. And so, over time, for us, obviously, we have shifted dramatically from being an A&E paper, an arts and entertainment newspaper, to primarily, we think, being the newspaper for Mobile. That's what we think we are. Marcus: You are. There's no other ... who else is there? I mean, there's not really another source. Unless you think to go to AL.com. I mean, there's- Ashley: We did not set out to be that. What they did is we evolved with the media landscape in this town. I thought, when we started, that we would do news, but we would be a more traditional A&E paper. And we slowly, over time, we were like, oh, this market needs investigative journalism. AL.com, I mean, they have a couple reporters here, but their primary focus is Birmingham, and everyone knows that. Marcus: They cover just a few local stories from politics, and that's about it. Rob: But we don't really call ourselves an alternative paper anymore. We are a tabloid size, but we think that's really, honestly, where newspapers will end up going anyway. Most newspapers are gonna be that way. One of the things, when we started the paper, the one thing that Ashley and I looked at and said, where is this web thing going, and where are newspapers going, and what can you do? One thing that we both agreed on is that, you have to make sure that it's locally produced content. Content's gotta be great, and we gotta really produce it locally, because then it can't be reproduced on the web. You can't buy a bunch of stuff people are reading somewhere else, and have any effect. So everything we do, even our horoscopes, are written by the staff psychic. And we have just, everything is local. And we've kept it that way, because it is, we can tell, one of the things you can tell from looking at the web at that time, and even now, is you still have newspapers that can't figure out the fact that all their content, all that syndicated content they had, all those things, people have already read all that. Marcus: Right. Rob: And so you're not, all that world news coverage and things like that they're putting in the newspaper, they don't do as much of it anymore, but it's just filler at this point. Back in the day, it was actually important to have the news from the world in the newspaper, but it's not anymore. People go to the web for that stuff. Marcus: Yeah. Too many sources for it. Rob: Yeah. Marcus: If you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, not a newspaper, just a business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Rob: Find a fantastic partner, if you can. That's great. Ashley: Aw, thank you. Rob: It's true. I mean, I think that's one of the biggest things that we've done that I look around and say ... I mean, we've been in business 16 years, and we get along great, and we very, it's so infrequent that we have any real- Marcus: 16 years to be a partner with somebody. That's almost like a marriage. Rob: Yeah, it is. It is. Marcus: I don't know how you guys have done it. Ashley: It is. I mean, we rarely ... I think we just have such a similar view on where we wanna go with the paper, and just our views on what we should be. But I think, because of that, on the rare times that we disagree, we know each other is serious. It means a lot to me if I'm arguing with this. Rob: I mean, I say that because it is, it's such a load to carry to start a business. And it really is ... I think about, so many times, just how much more tired I would be if I didn't have a great partner I could trust to do things. I think I would've died a long time ago. It's just nice to be able to go out of town and know there's somebody there who is taking care of those things, and cares about it. And that's, you know how it is. It's tough just to be the only one. Marcus: I'm gonna try to not start crying right now. Rob: I think it's tough. Marcus: The rest of the week that I've had, you know, is just like ... Yeah. Rob: But I don't know very many business partnerships that last that long and work very well. Ashley: Yeah. People don't generally ... You know, I'm gonna start stealing something. I mean, I have stolen several ... A couple of diet Cokes over the years. Rob: A couple. Maybe probably about three to four thousand. Ashley: Not that many. Maybe like 20. Rob: It's a lot. Ashley: I usually didn't. Marcus: So what's the wisdom that you would impart? And it can't be find a great partner, 'cause that one's been taken. Ashley: You know, I would just, on a really boring, practical sense, I really thought financing was gonna be a lot easier. Rob: Oh, God. Ashley: I was just stunned after we had been in business for a while, when neither of us have ... A lot of people are like, oh, they have rich relatives just backing this for them. That is not the case, I can assure you. And even after we had a proven track record, it was really difficult to get financing for a while. We finally had to have a bank that would take a chance on us. So I think building those sort of relationships, because especially what we have, and you're probably like this too. We don't have a warehouse full of widgets they can guarantee the land with, or whatever. Marcus: I was always told to go and try and get financing prior to when you need it. And so very early on, the bank that I do most of my stuff with, which I'm not entirely thrilled with them, but they offered me a line of credit. And I was like, you know, I don't need it, but it's gonna cost me $200 a year, and if I ever need it, it's there, and it provides us with some runway if I need it. Now, granted, I've never used it. I think once, I used it just to see like, okay, well, what is this like? But it wasn't because I actually needed the money, I just ... Rob: We've needed it. And what we always found, our problem was, every time we've needed it, we had a tough time getting it. And it did, it ended up being actually one of the big banks that said, yes, we'll give you a line of credit. Versus the small town banks you think are gonna really ... And it really was somebody at the big bank that said, we love your product, and we think it's important for Mobile. And that was huge. And that part is- Ashley: That allowed us to go weekly, quite frankly. We were trying to get financing while we were going weekly. Marcus: I would imagine that's a fairly large expense. Ashley: Oh, it doubled our print bill. It doubled, you know, we had to get more reporters. Marcus: Just out of curiosity, what does it cost to print the paper every week? Rob: I'll tell you this. It's close to $400,000 a year. It's our second biggest expense. Marcus: Damn. Rob: Yeah. I mean, we'd love the web to work out. Ashley: If anyone can figure that out now ... Rob: That magic day when you see me driving down the road in a pink Cadillac, man, you'll know, hey, they figured the web out. It'll be- Marcus: I appreciate your honesty. Because I mean, I'm often times curious, just what does that cost? 'Cause it is. And every place I go downtown, there's a stack of your papers. And I'm just like, that has got to ... We deal with some printing, but not at the level you guys do. Rob: We do 30 thousand a week, now. And then we had this whole issue that president Trump did a tariff on newsprint from Canada earlier this year, and that's caused a massive increase on the print bill for every newspaper in the country. And that tariff was slapped down by the international trade commission, but the prices are still up. You know how it is. Once the price is up, they're not gonna come back down. So that's been tough. So that's a big challenge. And we were fortune. One thing for us is lightning strikes all the time for us. We get lucky a lot of times. Ashley: Yeah, because I don't think that we're great visionaries by any stretch. I think like, oh, God, how have we looked into this? I can't believe this has happened again. Rob: Yeah, there at times, I think. I think the smartest thing we ever did was to stick to, come up with a plan editorially, and stick with our plan to be excellent editorially, and do that the best we can. But Ashley met a guy one time who ended up being a true angel investor, and actually bought a small piece of the company, and gave us a good infusion of money that we needed. So those things over the years have just kind of come along and helped. But it's definitely ... There are lots of times that I look at it and I'm totally surprised that we're still doing this, and that we're still rolling along. Marcus: Nice. Well, are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? You've mentioned a couple, but maybe go to the books and organizations side of things. Rob: Trying to think. Marcus: You're writers, so you gotta be reading too, right? Ashley: Well, everyone thinks that. Everyone thinks that if you're writer, that you read a lot. Rob: You don't. Never read anything. Ashley: Yeah, because you don't want the other people in your head. Marcus: True, good point. Ashley: So you know, I would say, as far ... I am a big newspaper reader, I'm not a big book reader, I will say. Marcus: Sure. Ashley: I read the New York Times, Washington Post, Wallstreet Journal. I like to read them all. Gosh, I sound like Sarah Palin. Would she say something like that? I read all of them. Rob: I read all of them. Ashley: I actually do read them. And I think just seeing a good template for what's good journalism has always been ... Marcus: What the high quality of writing can be, yeah. Rob: Yeah, I think that's the main thing for me, as well, is just looking at ... I'm charged up when I see other good writing. I'm sure that we've reinvented the wheel several times, because we haven't gone to a lot of seminars and things like that. Ashley: Definitely should read more books on being a CFO kind of person. Rob: Yeah, and probably, and I'm sure we've wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars doing stupid stuff because we probably should both sit down and read a few articles and know a little bit more about things. Ashley: There's always so much to do, though. When is there time to do that? Rob: There is. And I feel like this, for us, a lot of this is just gut and gut instinct and knowledge of the business. And that's having worked in the business, I mean, I've worked at a couple smaller papers. And being in DC, seeing some things with that, I think it's kind of ... I don't think this is the trickiest business in the world, in terms of managing to produce a good product. Ashley: Well, if we were more money driven, that what destroyed newspapers. It is a business, yes. We have mouths to feed, and tuition bills, and mortgages and all that, like everyone else. But when big hedge fund greats are coming in and buying large newspapers, and they're slashing all of their staff, and that destroys the product. And I think, in a way, probably being a little dumb about ... I mean, not dumb, we're not idiots. Rob: No. Ashley: But not focusing on, oh, what's our Christmas bonus gonna be this year? I think that really probably kept the quality up, too, 'cause we really are in it for the passion. Marcus: Reinvesting back in the business instead of trying to cash out. Rob: I mean, traditionally, when you looked at newspapers, you looked at conglomerate owned newspapers, the profit is over ten percent. Sole ownership papers, you know, locally owned newspapers, usually, they're two or three percent. People put their own money back into the product, and try to keep the quality higher in a lot of cases. And so that's, I mean, I think that's one thing for us, is because we're able to ... I mean, I hope that we just continue to add quality in that regard, and make it a better newspaper from an editorial standpoint. So yes, it would be great to be able to read some things that would tell us how to do things in a better way, but there's so many naysayers at this point about the newspaper industry, there's nothing really to read that isn't, in a lot of ways, that isn't just telling you that you're done, you're cooked, it's over. Marcus: Yeah, it's kind of hard to swallow that stuff. Why would you go out and seek that when it's already something- Ashley: Well, it's for people who don't do it, either. They're like ... Marcus: Easy question. How do you like to unwind? Rob: I play guitar in a band. I enjoy that. Marcus: Really? Rob: Yeah. So that's one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy doing that stuff. And glass of wine every now and then. Marcus: What's the name of the band? Rob: Glass Joe. Marcus: Glass Joe, right. Rob: Remember who Glass Joe is? Marcus: No idea. Rob: Mike Tyson's punch out, the guy you beat up at first? Marcus: Oh, yeah. Rob: Yeah, that was a pretty clever name when we came up with it. Yeah. Been doing that for 20 years, so yeah. Marcus: Very cool. What about you? Ashley: Oh, gosh. You know, I have two little ... A six and a nine year old, so unwinding is not often. But I love to cook. So on the weekends, I'll usually spend half a day cooking stuff. Marcus: Cooking, baking, or ... Ashley: Not baking. I'm not a good baker for some reason, it makes me mad. Marcus: It's too precise, probably. Ashley: I guess. Marcus: I like cooking as well, but I don't like baking, 'cause the precision takes all the fun out of it. Ashley: Yeah, and I'm like, what am I doing wrong here? Why is this not moist? I followed the directions. You know, but ... No, I like doing Indian food one weekend, and then that kind of stuff. Marcus: Nice. Well, tell people where they can find you. Rob: You can find us about 1,500 different locations all over Mobile and Baldwin county. Marcus: Sure. Rob: Any of the regal purple boxes that we have now, and some of the old, hideous pink boxes that are remaining. And of course, online at is where we live on the web. Marcus: Very good. Well, I wanna thank you again for coming on the podcast. Wrap up any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share. Rob: The only thing I would say is that we do really take seriously what we do, and we think it's important for every city to have a good newspaper. I don't think there's a great city that doesn't have a great newspaper. And so that's our goal. Marcus: I would agree. And that is why I thought you guys were gonna win. In all honesty, I did. I thought you guys were gonna win. Because I think so strongly about what it is that you all do, in spite of what is happening in your industry. So from all the Mobilians to you, I would just say keep it up. Rob: Thank you. Marcus: Because I know it's not easy, and we need a voice like what you all provide to keep the people in power honest. Rob: Oh, it's a dream come true to be able to do this. Ashley: Really. Rob: I mean, it really is for me, as a guy who started out in newspaper. I know Ashley just, coming up with an idea one day and having it be this, 16 years later, is just- Marcus: You're really just riding her coattails, let's be honest. Rob: I have been, absolutely. That's what I mean. When you pick a good partner, you gotta pick somebody who can run ahead of you and do well. Marcus: That's funny. What about you, anything you'd like to add? Ashley: No, I would just echo that. And I would just say, I remember ... Okay, there is one book I remember seeing. Marcus: Oh gosh, she's going back. Ashley: . So there is a book title. I remember picking it up, I didn't read it, but I thought the title was good. And it's true. Getting to write is a gift. There are so many people who call us every day that are like, "I'll do it for free, I just wanna write." And so being able to have a place for that is really a dream come true. Marcus: That's cool. Well, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as business owners and entrepreneurs. It's been great talking to you. Rob: Absolutely. Absolutely. Ashley: Yeah. And congratulations again for beating us. Rob: Yes. Marcus: We're gonna take that snippet and put it in front.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Jim Nagy. Jim took over as executive director of the Senior Bowl in June 2018 after spending 18 years in the National Football League. Listen to this week’s episode to hear all about his time in the NFL! You can find this episode on , Spotify, or iTunes. Jim: Jim Nagy, executive director of the Reese's Senior Bowl. Marcus: Well it's awesome to have you on the podcast, Jim, Jim: Appreciate it. Marcus: I'm looking forward to this. So I know we met at an event, what was it? Jim: A chamber thing. Marcus: A chamber event, yeah, the other day. I think Grant Zarzour introduced us and we had lunch and I'm enjoying getting to know you. I know you're kind of coming back to Mobile from a life of travel, so how are you adjusting to that? Jim: Well, I'm coming full-time back. My family's been down here 11 years, but the last 18 years I've been working in the NFL so it's really in town as much as I'm out of town. I tell people one of the big reasons I took this job at the Senior Bowl is I've been married 16 years, I've been in the NFL 18. I've been in the NFL the last 18, married 16, but if you go in my Marriott profile I've been in those hotels over nine of those years, so it's been in and out. So yeah, it's been an adjustment actually being home. I think it's more of an adjustment for my family than myself. Marcus: Having you around. Jim: The kids having dad show up every night, my wife having me home. So that's been ... Marcus: That's cool, man. Very cool. Jim: Yeah, it's been awesome. Marcus: One of the things that people enjoy about this podcast is getting to hear some of the backstory of who you are, where you're from, where'd you go to school, all of those kinds of things. Obviously you've mentioned that you're married, you have kids, so give us some of the backstory of Jim. Jim: I grew up in Northern Michigan. The podcasters can't see it but Michigan people usually use their hand to show where they're from because we're shaped like a mitt. So I can't do that but I grew up on the Lake Michigan coastline, so grew up on the water. So being down here in Mobile is kind of a homey feel for me, just being on the water again. I went to the University of Michigan out of high school. People always ask me, "did you play football at Michigan?" because of my experience in the NFL. And I didn't, my only opportunities out of high school were small schools, division two, division three offers. And at the time, pre-internet, I knew what I wanted to do with my life, from the time I was a little kid. People always ask, "well how'd you get in the NFL?" And I told them really the only leg up I had is that I knew from the time I was about seven years old that I wanted to scout in the NFL. Marcus: Really? Jim: Yeah. My dad was a football coach so I grew up around it. I never got bit by that coaching bug. The more team building part of it was always a lot more interesting to me. So I went to Michigan, I thought you would have to go to a big major football factory to get a step in the NFL, so that's what I did. I worked with the coaching staff my last couple years there, did some things in the athletic department, and then just sent out resumes and cover letters to all the NFL teams. So that was again, pre-internet, I didn't know how to do it. Just sending stuff out, and I got a bunch of rejection letters back and I only got one internship offer with the Green Bay Packers. So again, that was my first job out of college. Marcus: And I would imagine going to college there's not a major for recruiting? Jim: For scouting, yeah. No, not really. That's why you just need to immerse yourself in football and learn football. I got my degree in Sports Management and Communications, I took a bunch of business classes. A lot of kids ask me that wanna get into scouting what the most applicable classes are and what you do. To me, you need to know human anatomy and physiology, just how the body works. Because you're really breaking down athletes is what you're doing. So that, I took a lot of English classes, you gotta know how to write. You gotta know how to write reports, because you're writing for your general manager or your head coach because those are gonna be the ultimate decision makers so you gotta be able to paint a picture and have a pretty strong hold- Marcus: Grasp of the vocabulary? Jim: Yeah, you need to do that. And then the business side of it. Thank god I took some business classes because now I'm in a job that I actually get to use some of it. It would be great if there was a scouting major, but there's not. Marcus: Go back to high school. Would you paint a picture of yourself as a good student? What was that like? Were you a straight-A teacher's pet? Jim: No, not at all. Marcus: I'm asking the question knowing what the answer is just from knowing you a little bit. Jim: Yeah, and I did okay in school. I was wait listed at Michigan. Michigan's a pretty good academic school and it was my dream school but I was wait listed. I didn't think I was gonna get in so I was actually gonna go play college football, and then I got in late to Michigan. I ended up getting better grades in college than I did in high school. My son's in eighth grade, I think he studies more right now as an eighth grader than I ever did in high school. Shoot, my fifth grader probably studies more in her classes than I did in high school. Marcus: If they're listening to this, that doesn't matter. Do what your father says, not what he did. Jim: I didn't crack too many books in high school, but I really did in college. I busted my butt in college. Marcus: There was something for me that switched when I got to college, and I don't know what it was. If it was just that I felt that I was actually working towards something that really mattered, and not just checking boxes going through. Or if it was really that I was studying things that I wanted to be studying, versus having to take all of these general classes that I really didn't give a rat's ass about. Jim: Yeah, I think that's part of it. I think getting on a track where you're actually interested. And for me, not having the sports anymore, because that took up so much of my time. Then I had all this time on my hands, oh geez I can actually study a little bit. To me, and I try to impress this on kids when I talk to them, you really don't wanna mess those four years of college up. Because that really sets the course of the rest of your life. I've had friends that have gone to school and partied too much and flunked out and found themselves out ... you can't ever make up for those four years. It's hard, I mean you can, I'm sure there's instances, but those four years really kind of set your course. So if you buckle down and do well those four years, you can party the rest of your life. Marcus: Do you want your kids to go to college? Jim: Absolutely. Marcus: Absolutely. Jim: I want them to do what they wanna do, but yeah. I had a good experience, my wife had a good experience, she went to Alabama. Marcus: There's been a lot of discussion in the business community lately about just how college doesn't have the same emphasis that it did. At the same time I do see some value of learning how to work with teams, and continuing education, especially if you know what it is that you wanna do. My hope is that we will move away from a standpoint that college is a requirement. Jim: I agree. Marcus: And move towards something where, if there is something you wanna do that requires the education, then do it. But we need to stop looking down our nose at people who don't go to college. Because there are all kinds of things ... like I have an English degree, I don't know how much, I mean it does help because I do a lot of writing. But at the same time, it didn't teach me to run an ad agency. Jim: Right. I agree, the value of trades now. It's just the college debt thing is what blows me away. Why go to college and incur all this debt- Marcus: 100,000 dollars easy. Jim: And then you're digging out until you're 40. Whereas you could go to school, learn a trade, you can make a really nice living if you're a tradesman. It's sad that our country's kind of got away from that blue collar mindset. Again like you're saying, look down your nose at it. To me, my grandfather was a factory worker and he was the hardest working man. I learned a lot of my work ethic from him, and my dad passed that down from him. I feel like our country's just gone away from that. College isn't a necessity. College to me is more personal growth than actually in the classroom. It's getting away and one thing I will stress to me kids because I have traveled all over the country now for my job in scouting and being in the NFL, the benefit with that was I've seen all the different universities around the country. I've been on all the different campuses. And maybe kids today are different because of the internet, maybe their minds are more open and we're more global thinkers than we were back in the early 90s when I was coming out of high school. I dunno how you were, I didn't think beyond the state limits of Michigan. I was either gonna go play small college football or I was going, that was it. Marcus: That was mine as well. I stayed in the state that I was in. Jim: To me, I'm gonna encourage my kids to go, I'm gonna take them and visit places all around the country. Because college to me is about growth. And if you stay in your backyard for college, you're going to school with the same types of kids you went- Marcus: High school number two. Jim: Yeah, exactly. I know everyone down here is Alabama, Auburn. Marcus: It doesn't have to be that way. Jim: There's nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't have to be that way. I want my kids to go to a place where they meet people from different cultures and parts of the country. Because again this is one country, but it's amazing when you travel and you get to meet- Marcus: Culturally the differences between the northeast and the southeast- Jim: And the west coast. Marcus: And the midwest and the west coast. Jim: No question. Marcus: Northwest. This'll be released before this happens, so it's a slight plug but not a huge plug. We have somebody coming in to speak, Aaron Draplin from Portland, and I'm curious to see how he's received. Because I know what Portland is like, and bringing him to the southeast. In the design community, I don't think he's gonna have any issues because people love him. But at the same time, it is kind of an unknown. Jim: I love the state of Oregon, it's one of my favorite states. Marcus: It is pretty cool. Jim: I love it out there. Marcus: We have a lot of friends in Bend and so, yeah, I'm excited. What position did you play in football? Jim: I was a quarterback. Marcus: Quarterback, really. Very good. Go back and tell us about your first crap job, and were there any lessons that you remember from it? Jim: I had numerous crap jobs when I was young. Marcus: Well the first one. Jim: My first one I was probably working illegally at the time. I was 13 and there was a seafood restaurant two blocks from my house. When it opened up, a buddy of mine and I went down there just to try to pick up some work, and we basically just cleaned fish. We were butterflying shrimp, and deboning fish. Marcus: I'm sure that was illegal. There's no doubt a 13 year old with a very sharp knife cleaning fish. Jim: And I actually got let go from that job after, I don't even know the timeframe, maybe like a year later. One of the busboys came up behind me one day when I was cleaning the fish, and he grabbed me by the waist and just instinctively I kind of flipped around, but I had the knife in my hand and I sliced him. And they were like, "yeah we're gonna have to let you go." Marcus: Never mind the fact that he grabbed you like that. Jim: He was probably 16, and I was 13, we were just screwing around, kid stuff. Marcus: So what lessons were learned from that experience then? Anything that you can think of? Jim: Not to wield a knife. At that time, I just wanted to have some of my own money. And something to do. I don't even know what I was spending my money on when I was 13. Marcus: Girls. Jim: Baseball cards or something, I dunno. Marcus: It was probably girls. Jim: My grandfather was a hard worker, my dad's an incredibly hard worker, it just kind of gave me something to do. And then from there I had other crappy jobs working at Pizza Hut. My hometown is the cherry capital of the world. So there's cherry farms everywhere. So the big job when you're in high school, is you only have to work for like three weeks, but you pull tarps. You have these big farm equipment, and you pull these tarps out, and you pull the tarps under the tree, and then a shaker comes and shakes all the cherries and they fall off onto the tarps. Anyway, that's really crappy work. Marcus: I can imagine that's very physical. Jim: But for three weeks you get paid really well. But you're on the farm at 6am and you're off at 7pm, so those are some long days. So I've done some crappy jobs. Marcus: Breaks? Who needs any stinkin' breaks? Do you remember the first time that you kind of stepped into that role of recruiter and what that was like? It had to be kind of a sense of, holy crap, I can't believe I'm actually here doing this. Jim: Yeah. My first long trip out on the road. So I moved to Phoenix, and I was scouting the west coast. And there is a difference between scouting and recruiting. Marcus: Sorry, I apologize. Jim: It's okay, everyone does it. So the recruiting aspect of it, I don't know how good a college recruiter I would be. If I was an assistant coach at the college level, and I had to go out and recruit 16, 17, 18 year olds, I don't know how good I would be at that because there's a lot of- Marcus: I'll try to reprogram my brain about- Jim: It's okay. There's a little- Marcus: Nuance. Jim: Yeah, whereas scouting you're just, it's straight evaluation. But no, I remember my first trip, I lived in Phoenix. And when you scout the west coast you basically just map out two big loops through the west coast. We lived in Arizona and I had to go all the way up into Montana and Washington state, and then back down through California. My first trip out I dead legged it from Phoenix up to Salt Lake, it was like an 11 and a half hour drive. So I get to Salt Lake, and I'm just worn out after that drive and I just wanted to get a burger or something, chill out, grab a beer and a burger, just relax then go back to the hotel. Well I go to the burger place across the street that they recommended and they wanted a cover charge. I'm like, "I just want a burger, is that..." And they're like, "well we've got talent tonight. Pay the cover fee." And I'm like, "well who's playing here?" And they said, "Tone Loc". Marcus: I just had flashbacks to the 1990s. Jim: So I'm like, "yeah, okay, I'll pay a cover charge." So I went and had my burger and stayed on until Tone Loc came out and played. He played Wild Thing and Funky Cold Medina or something, you know? Marcus: Yeah. Jim: That was my first night actually out scouting. I was only 26 at the time, so that's pretty young to get in being a full-time scout. I don't know if there was that one moment where like, oh my gosh I'm doing this. It was a little overwhelming. It's hard. It's a hard profession, especially the travel part really beats you down. The report writing at night really beats you down. You're up every day at 5:30, you're at a school by 6:30, and you type reports until 12:30 at night, so it's- Marcus: I don't think people realize. Everyone has this romantic notion of what travel for work is like. It's miserable. It really is, it's miserable. If you only have to do it once every other month or something like that, it's fun. But if you're doing it as your regular, that's no fun. Jim: Yeah I heard some horrible statistic once about the years it takes off your life if you are consistent traveler. I'm like, oh please I wish I didn't hear that. A lot of people, again working in the NFL, they think it's kind of a glamorous thing, and I'm like, not really, you're staying in Farifields and Courtyards every other night. It's not like you're staying at the- Marcus: Ritz Carlton. Jim: The Four Seasons or the Ritz. Marcus: So you made the switch from scouting, I got it right that time, into Executive Director for the Senior Bowl. How has that transition been, because the roles are really, it feels like it would be different from the outside but I don't know, maybe it's not. Jim: It's a lot different. It has been a transition. And now we're three months into the job. June, July, August, four months now. But it's been a transition because when you're in scouting and you're working in the NFL it's football 24-7. And that's really all it is. You're going to a school, you're evaluating players, you're writing reports, you're going to games on weekends. Whereas this role, you wear a lot of different hats. The Senior Bowl's taken on a really big profile around the country, because we're on the NFL Network and ESPN for our practices and- Marcus: You described it as a large event. It's really not just a game, it's an event. It's a week of- Jim: It is. I mean you look at the NFL draft and they had 11 million viewers last year for the NFL draft. So the draft is a huge event. We kick that off. The Senior Bowl is really the first stage of the process, that's how the NFL views it. We're the first stage, the combine's the second stage, and then you have the draft at the end of April. So it is big event, but that being said we're still a really small operation in town. It's myself and four full-time staff members and I've got a couple young scouting assistants as well, but it's a small operation. So it's kind of all hands on deck. We try to do different events throughout the year, we're gonna continue to try to create different events. It's managing people, which I've never had to do before. There's the sales aspect of it, there's the marketing aspect of it, there's the public relations aspect of it. When you're in the NFL, anything short of sitting in the GM chair you can't do any media. There's no public speaking. All those things are new to me. It's been a little bit- Marcus: Different. Jim: Yeah. Marcus: Let's just leave it at that. Jim: It's been different. But how else do you grow as a person unless you push yourself outside of your comfort zone every once in a while? Marcus: That's cool. Now you don't own a business, but you run a business. So if you were talking to somebody that was thinking about going into business, or maybe into moving into a role of executive director for a nonprofit, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Jim: Set the culture, and surround yourself with people that have that same mindset. One of the biggest issues, not issues, but one of the things I've learned working in the NFL because I've worked for a couple different teams that have had completely polar opposite cultures. The New England Patriots were ... it was a great place to work, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to bad mouth it, we won a lot of games and they've been very successful. Marcus: Really, I've never heard of them before. Jim: But it's kind of an eggshells environment. You go to work and it's work, it's business. It's okay, put your nose to the grindstone and let's get it done. There's not a lot of- Marcus: There's a lot of money involved. Jim: Yeah. Whereas Seattle, working for the Seahawks it was completely opposite. There's music going all over the place, it's more loose, it's a really fun place to work. But really both places, anytime you work in the NFL you're working with really highly competitive people. So that's what I'm used to. My thing would just be, if you're the leader, you've gotta surround yourself with people that match what you have, or you're gonna be disappointed and looking elsewhere for help. You have to get the person right. You gotta hire the right people. That would be my first- Marcus: Very cool. If you look to the business world, who's the one person that motivates you? Jim: That's a good question. Marcus: That's why I'm here. 120 episodes, I think we're right around there, right Jared? I think we're close to 120 episodes so I'm- Jim: The person who's had a great impact on me, when I worked for the Green Bay Packers like I talked about, is my first job. So I'm this 21 year old peon intern for the Green Bay Packers. And they're a unique organization because they don't have an owner. They're publicly owned. You can buy stock in the team. Marcus: I did not know that. Jim: But they do have a team president. So my first day on the job, his name was Bob Harlan, greatest man ever. He pulled me up in his office and we sat for about two hours. He asked, "where are you from? How did you get here?" Basically wanted my whole life story. He talked about what the expectation is in Green Bay with the Packers, and just set it out. He took time for everybody in the building. He was such a good mentor. And I was only there one year. But just to see how he led that group, because again when you're in a football operation there's so many different aspects in the building, whether it be equipment or the trainers or ... Then it's a full-fledged business, there's the marketing arm, there's the PR arm. And just to see him float within the building and oversee all of it was really impressive. Really just the human element to it, too. He didn't take himself too seriously which was huge. He didn't put himself above others. So he made a big impact. Marcus: Very cool. That's awesome. What's the most important thing that you've learned about running an organization? Jim: Most important thing ... well I'm still learning that. I'd be lying if I said I had that totally figured out yet. The big part for me is gonna be, because our game is in late January, it's gonna be interesting. I know that's when everything is gonna go down for us. So right now we're really in the planning stages. We're working on some other events, but that's the big event. And that's gonna be the stressful time. Just to see how that week is pulled off. I know I'll learn a lot from that aspect. But to me, as the leader you have to set the example. You have to be consistent. I think the most important thing being a leader is the people that work for you need to know what they're getting every day. Because I've worked for people before where I didn't get that, and it was really hard to come in every day and not know what to expect from that person. The people that I've really respected that I have worked for, you show up to work and you know they have stuff going on in their personal life, but you wouldn't know it by the way they came into work every day. They put that stuff aside when they come in, and that's how they set the tone, and I think that's really important. Marcus: Business still has to get done. Two more questions. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been really helpful in moving you forward in this current role? Jim: I haven't had a lot of time to read. Marcus: Come on. It's not like you've had anything going on. Jim: I've had a couple people pass along some books to me, and I've got into two of them. Marcus: Even outside of this current role, are there any books maybe in the last year that you've read that have really been impactful on your way of thinking? Jim: Well one of them is called . It's really just the singular thought of the one mission of what you're trying to do. Marcus: Is that Simon Sinek? I can't remember. We'll find the author and we'll add it to the notes. Jim: That would be good. Marcus: I know that book though, I've seen it before. Jim: It's really just, focus in on what you do. Because we do a lot of different things at the Senior Bowl, I really wanted to focus, what are we? We're a football organization, really, so let's focus on that and build around that. So that's been a helpful book. Marcus: Awesome. Last question. How do you like to unwind? Jim: How do I like to unwind ... Marcus: Give everybody the tip. What can they do to kind of release the stress of a busy day running a business? Jim: I would say get back with family. And that's been the greatest thing about this new job, is I get to go home every night to my family. The nights I am stressed out, I walk in the door and my daughter will run downstairs and then it just kind of- Marcus: All falls off from there. Jim: Snaps you right back into, okay, this is ... yeah. That and a cold IPA. Marcus: That's awesome. Now tell people where they can find out more information about the Senior Bowl and all the things that you all are doing. Jim: Everything we're doing is gonna be on . We try to keep the website current with everything we've got going. And again, here's another transition adjustment for this new job. I've never been on social media, so that's been really frowned upon in the NFL. It's a very secretive- Marcus: You don't say anything that doesn't have to be said. Jim: Exactly, it's a very paranoid league, it's a very secretive league. It is taboo to be on social media. So I just hopped on Twitter like three weeks ago for the first time, and trying to build more of a little presence in that area and reach out to some of the people that we haven't reached. And it's really been cool, because ... I hired a football staff outside of Mobile that are all around the country. I've got four scouts that have 69 years of NFL experience right now. Got a guy in San Francisco and one in Madison, Wisconsin. We're kind of all over. But they go to games on the weekend and they shoot me video from pregame on the field. And then I post it up on my Twitter. So if you wanna keep up on what we're doing on the football end of things, it's my Twitter account which is just for Senior Bowl. Marcus: Cool. Jim: And everything we do we're gonna be updating. And again, we do have new events coming on. We started the Senior Bowl Ambassador Club in August. We announced that, which I'm really proud of. Which is an organization of all the players that played in Mobile or Baldwin counties that went on to play in the NFL. I know the people down here realize how big football is, and that this is a hotbed for football, but we had 25 guys in NFL camps this year. And then after the cutdown day, Miami had the most players in the NFL this year with 24 when the opening season started. And Houston was two with 20, and Fort Lauderdale was third with 16. Now we weren't part of that equation because we just weren't. But if you combine Mobile and Baldwin counties, we had 16. Marcus: Wow. Jim: If you did that per capita, we'd be blowing everyone away. So between our two counties we've got 16 guys in the NFL right now. And then there's three or four more on practice squads. This community really should embrace, it's almost like a natural resource down here. Marcus: I was really quite surprised when I moved down here, just how big ... I get it, I knew football was big down here. But football and baseball are just such massive things down here. And for it not being a large metropolitan area with all the resources and money and stuff like that, that goes into the programs that you're gonna have in say Atlanta or D.C. or Boston or whatever, there's just something about the grit of the people that are here in the area. There's definitely some grit when it comes to the players. So I've been impressed, to say the least. I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Jim: No I just appreciate you having me on. This is a unique thing for me, so this is cool, I've enjoyed it. Marcus: Awesome, man. Well I appreciate your willingness to sit with and share your journey as an executive director. It's been great talking with you. Jim: Awesome, thanks Marcus.
SUMMARY Matt: Hey, I'm Matt Gray, founder of Leveld. Marcus: Awesome, Matt. Well it's good to have you on the podcast. Matt: Thanks for having me, I appreciate it. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. So we'll get into a little bit about what Leveld is here in just a minute, but to get started, why don't you tell us the story of Matt. Where are you from? Where did you go to high school? Did you go to college? Married? Anything else you want to share with the audience. Matt: Well I'm a simple creature for the most part. So yeah, I grew up in ... born in Alabama, actually born up near Birmingham, spent a lot of my childhood in Alabama, grew up just out in West Mobile, I actually grew up in Mississippi, West Mobile was always our home. Marcus: That is considered West Mobile by now, right? Matt: Yeah, well you know, some people argue that, right? Marcus: [crosstalk 00:00:51] Matt: Yeah, yeah. So I grew up in Mississippi, all my family is there. Went to school there in Mississippi, near Hattiesburg, I actually graduated high school there, little small town called Purvis, Mississippi, and from there, went to school at Mississippi State University, got my engineering degree. Mechanical Engineering is my background, so the tech venture and all of the things that I'm diving into here with Leveld has been new for me. But yeah, I'm a single entrepreneur if you will. I've spent a lot of my early career, early life traveling the world. My first career out of college took me abroad to about nine different countries, so I spent the first three to four years living out of a suitcase if you will. So just kind of traveling around. I spent a lot of time in Asia and Africa, and made my way back here to Mobile about a year and a half ago, to this area, and started trying to figure out what's next for Matt, what's next in the journey. So I kind of came up with the concept of Leveld, and it started getting really rooted here in this area, here in Mobile on the eastern shore, so this has just kind of been where I set up shop if you will. Marcus: Yeah. Matt: Spending all of my time here, so. I'm calling it home if you will. I'm putting down a flag. Marcus: Yeah. I know you ... I mean, when we talked originally, you had mentioned that you were doing a lot of traveling and stuff- Matt: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: So I'm glad to hear that some of that's calming down, because I know that as Leveld kind of grows, that the focus you're going to need to have is ... traveling is not going to mix well with that. Matt: Sure. Well there's a good bit of personal time that you could use there that works well for you. I get a lot of my inspiration, a lot of the great ideas I've had, I've learned from abroad, my travels abroad, but yeah, absolutely. It's imperative I guess at this point, when you're trying to launch a business or a company or anything like that, you really have to spend a lot of your time and focus in the business and not so much in airports and traveling, so it's got its balance for sure, so yeah. Marcus: So tell us about Leveld. Matt: Okay. Marcus: What is it? What do people need to know? Matt: So when I kind of brand it to people and people who have no idea what we're doing, I pitch it as we're just like Airbnb, but for tools and equipment. So granted, I'm not licensed to use Airbnb as a reference or their name, but we're taking that platform and we've kind of put our own little spin on it. We've innovated a little bit in trying to implement that type of marketplace, peer to peer interaction, into a new industry that really hasn't had much of that yet. If any yet. So Leveld is an out based marketplace, essentially, where we bring together two people who have a problem. We have, on one side, we have people who have tools, equipment, whether it be large equipment, small equipment, lawn equipment, whatever that is, might have that in their house, their garage. We tend to find, or at least I have so far, where you have a lot of angry spouses who said, "Oh, I've got a garage full of stuff that I would love for my spouse to get out there and get out of our way." So you have these people who have a lot of inventory that's not being utilized. They spend a lot of money, it's being used a few times a year, and it's just kind of thrown out of the way, right? Out of sight, out of mind. So that's one side of the fence. On the other side of the fence, we have people who need items throughout the year to do projects around their home, whether it's a DIY project or some kind of larger undertaking that they've decided to do themselves- Marcus: Renovating a potential office space. Matt: Renovating, right. Building a new office space, absolutely. Just like you. After this is over, hit me up, we might could work. But yeah, you have folks who don't necessarily want to invest time and money in purchasing things, they don't have space to store things, and maybe they don't use it but a few times a year or a few times every couple of years, so it doesn't make economic sense for them to buy something. So the polar opposites there, that's what we're here to connect. So we created this marketplace where we can allow people to put their own items on there. They set their own price, they set their own availability to rent it in and out, and it's a great way for those folks to make some passive income, right? I mean, they've got a lot of money invested potentially into these things, and it's just sitting around, so why not put it out there to work for you? Marcus: Now, I mean, I'm keenly aware because I have tons of tools that literally just sit, and my issue is just time. You know, like the idea of sitting down, and I'm sure this is going to get easier. And I'm not making a judgment call on the app, so let's be clear, but even just sitting down for two or three minutes would be a bit much right now with a renovation project and running a business, but getting some of those in so that I can make those kinds of transactions is interesting to me because I've got all kinds of power tools and torque wrenches and all kinds of other stuff that just sits around unused, so. But yeah. Go back in your history to your first job, and not your first engineering job, but your first burger flipping job or sweeping the floor job, that job. Your first crap job, how about that? Were there any lessons that you still remember from that? Matt: My first job that I ever had, I started when I was fifteen years old working for a local ... he was an entrepreneur himself, he was very successful in real estate and construction, and he had a large farm, and I went to work for him afternoons after school, weekends, that type of thing. And even today, when I'm going through a challenge or when I'm faced with something in business or even in my "day job", there's one thing that resonates with me from working for him, and one thing he used to say all the time, he said, "If there's a will, there's a way." So anytime you're in business, anytime you come across challenges, there is a way, I should say, if you're willing to look for it. If you look hard enough. And that's been something that really has resonated for me. Yeah, is to really think about that anytime you hit a roadblock. If there's a will, there's a way to get around this, there's a way to get through it. Marcus: Absolutely. Matt: Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. And setting your intentions on that positive outlook versus, "Oh my gosh, the sky is falling." Matt: Right. If you focused on the negative, you'd just give up and quit, right? If you focused on the negative, you wouldn't be moving into a new office space, right? You wouldn't be growing your business. So you have to be able to look at the positive side of it and think, "Well, there's always an out. There's always a way to get around something." Right? So- Marcus: Yeah. No, very good. Matt: And search it out. Marcus: So tell us a little bit about how you started Leveld? How did that come to fruition and what efforts have you kind of undertaken so far? Matt: So the idea came about, I was sitting in a conference actually through my prior job, and we were listening to a speaker, the keynote speaker, his name was Jack Uldrich, and he was ... and he is, I think, a New York best-selling author, I guess, if you will ... New York Times best-selling author. And he was giving a presentation on kind of the evolution of technology, and he was really kind of looking in the present where we are and kind of flipping backwards in real time on the screen as to where we came from, what we were. Really, he focused around Uber, right? Twenty years ago, no one would have thought about sharing a car with a random stranger- Marcus: Shoot, man. Five years ago, nobody would have thought about it. Matt: Well five years ago, for sure, and he was really showing the rapid expansion of technology in about a twenty year span, so he was kind of flipping back and forth between twenty years and now, present day. This was a year and a half, two years ago that I sat through that, and that's really started resonating with me, thinking about how we've made strides. And he kind of hit on Airbnb as well, we talked about that at a great deal of length. And now you have a marketplace where strangers are interacting, and the largest hotel chain in the world doesn't actually own a hotel, right? They don't have any inventory, they don't have any "employees". So he was really diving into that, and he made a comment in passing, "Who knows what could be next? We could change how we rent the things in our closet out or how we work independently with each other and start interacting with people on a day to day basis." And when he mentioned renting out things in your house, my mind kind of started working, thinking about, "What do I have in my house that other people might want?" Right? Marcus: Right. Matt: And it came across about a week and a half later, at that time, I was helping my girlfriend at the time who I was dating, and she had a project and didn't have the tools that we needed to get it finished, and I thought, "Man, if I only had a neighbor down the street or if I only knew someone down the street." You know? So it all just started coming together. At that point, the wheels were put into motion, I guess, and I thought back to that presentation and how we were talking about, "Man, this could be a great platform to use. If I'm needing this, there's probably someone else out there needing something similar." You know? Marcus: It's wild how something in passing that somebody said can spawn off a completely different- Matt: Right. Marcus: Yeah. It's incredible. Matt: And his presentation was an hour long, and I took away maybe a ten second blip of that and thought about it long enough that it resonated with me throughout the weeks and days after. Marcus: Now I think it's fair to say, you've been planning this for awhile, but you're still fairly new into this venture? Matt: Right. Yeah. Marcus: Is that fair to say? Matt: Yeah, I started planning it quite awhile back actually. Marcus: Yeah. But if you were talking to someone that was wanting to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Because obviously you ... as you've been going through this process, you've learned some things. Matt: I've learned a great deal, absolutely, and I guess it all goes back to what I said a moment ago. If there's a will, there's a way. I had really no business contacts in Mobile. I had a lot of friends here, I've been in the area most of my life, so it really goes back to the beginning when I thought about the idea, and I had no clue where to get started, and I just started reaching out to everyone I could think of, and making cold calls, and cold emailing as I call it, just reaching out to individuals in the city that I thought might could point me in the right direction. So if there are people out there, and I talk to them all the time, that are trying to get started and do their entrepreneur thing if you will, I always tell them that. I always say, "Look. If you want to get into it and you've got a great idea and you're passionate about it, you need to find the right people. The right people that can help you push that along." And when I got started, I connected one person, and they connected me with two people, and those two connected me with four, and then it's just growing in that way. Marcus: Yeah. Network can be everything when it comes to that. Matt: Yeah, and it's not so much networking in the sense where you go out to social hour and have a drink, it was more or less just connecting, "Hey, you've got this idea. I know this person is working on something similar." And then you kind of start building that out. So it was networking unintentionally. It just started building upon itself, and that's one aspect of it I tell people, you really can't be afraid to get out and just start knocking on doors and trying to find people. I was able to reach out to our local chamber, some of the folks there at the time, and they put me in connection with a few folks at the small business group and the entrepreneur center out at south, and then that kind of expanded into Exchange 202, and then it just ... the network's been building ever since. Marcus: It grew from there. Matt: Yeah. Absolutely. Marcus: If you look to the business world, is there someone that motivates you or that you kind of look to and think, "Yeah, I want to get there." Or they've got some skillset like you're ... yeah. Matt: There's a lot of people. There's people from my past. I mentioned the gentleman awhile back that I worked for when I was just starting. He's passed on now, but he was an entrepreneur from the beginning, right? He had been through a lot of financial hardships I believe, and he had been able to rebuild himself and rebrand himself and come back and achieve success ultimately. So he was one I really looked up to just from a ... what's the word? From a persistence- Marcus: A mindset, yeah persistence. Matt: Yeah, persistence standpoint. He never backed down from a challenge. If there was a problem, whether it be a legal issue or financial issue, he always found a work around, he always found a way to get through it and be successful on the other side. There are some folks here that I've met just on this journey in Mobile, somebody from a mindset perspective and a thought perspective, Todd Greer here in Mobile. Todd is a phenomenal individual. Marcus: He keeps coming up. That name and Mel Washington. Those are the names that are kind of ingrained in our- Matt: Well, I can't leave Mel out either, I was going there next. Mel was the first person I connected with in Mobile, and he brought a huge amount of enthusiasm to the project that we're working on with Leveld, and then he helped me meet Todd, and Todd helped me meet the others, and ended up recommending you as well, so it all kind of came through together. So yeah, those two guys just bring a wealth of knowledge, but there's been so many people along the way. I look at the business culture here in Mobile, a lot of entrepreneurs that are starting out, young and old, I think there's something to learn from each of those. Each of their backgrounds, each of their experiences. If you look at the pool here, it is deep. We have a lot of great talent here, and there's a lot of folks here that I look up to. Yeah, absolutely. Marcus: That's very cool. Are there any books or other organizations outside of the ones you've mentioned that have been helpful in moving you forward? Matt: Books? Yeah. Marcus: What are you reading right now? Matt: I tend to read ... so I actually found this book the other day that had been thrown out ... not thrown out, I should say. It had been given to me awhile back and I kind of tossed it aside, never really circled back to it, but it's called "On Fire" it's by John O'Leary, and if you've never heard of John O'Leary, look him up, he's an incredible inspiration, and not just from an entrepreneurial standpoint, but he was injured severely as a child, near death experience. Spent six months in the hospital I think, came back from it. But he puts just such a positive vibe on everything, and basically it's not what happens to you, it's how you respond to it. So I think that goes a long way in life, but that goes a long way as well in business too because there are challenges every day that you face, right? Marcus: Right. Absolutely. Matt: And I face. And you've got to kind of figure out, okay, well I can't change what's happened here. How do we push forward? What do we do? Whether it's money, whether it's any other situation that might come up. So I found that book, I've been reading that. "Lean Start Up" was a good book, that's one that Todd had recommended to me in the beginning. Marcus: Kind of appropriate for you. Matt: Yeah. That was kind of the bible at the beginning, right? Trying to understand and just kind of get introduced into the world a bit more. So, that was a great book. Yeah. That's been the couple that really stick out to me right now, and then I read a book, my mother actually gave to me for my 30th birthday, and it was called "Detour", and it's more of a spiritual, religious type book, and she had given it to me I guess because mothers love in their own bounds, right? So she had given me the book, and I kind of tossed it aside, but it really talks about your life and journey through that, and I really felt like there was a lot of parallels in the business/entrepreneurship side of things too, that really take you through a lot of detours if you will, right? When you get momentum or you get things moving forward, and then all of a sudden you've got a little bit of a sidetrack. Marcus: Yeah. Matt: So- Marcus: We've changed the term from detours to pivot, you know? Right? But it is what it is. You're going to hit something and it's going to change your direction whether you want to call it a detour or a pivot, which is the more modern term. You just have to ... it's a guaranteed. Matt: Sure. Marcus: You just kind of have to accept that's going to be the way things go. Running a business or founding a company is much like the game Plinko, where you stick a quarter or something or a ball in the top and it kind of bounces around. Matt: That's right. Marcus: That is the life of a business owner. Matt: That's right. And you never know where it's going to land until the chips fall. Absolutely. Marcus: What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Matt: Responsibility I think would probably be that. I mean, there's no one looking over your shoulder to tell you what you need to do next. You have to be persistent, you have to be aggressive, you have to be out thinking the next move if you will. And I knew that, right? I say I knew that. I kind of had a sense that, "Hey, this is what a business life is like." But when there's no one there to hold you accountable, it's up to you to achieve success or wither and die. So I think for me, it's the accountability part of things. When you go out and you're looking for investors or you go out to talk with a banker about raising or acquiring some funds to get things started, they're not ... you don't have a ton for them to base things off of, right? They're really putting their money in you as a person, and I think that's been important for me to learn and understand, and I hold that value very close to me because I feel like I am the person that's accountable. I am the person that's looking over my own shoulder if you will to make sure that, "Hey, you're doing all you can to make this a success." We've pushed it this far. You've got to push it the next mile and just trying to keep one up yourself if you will. Marcus: I think people underestimate the ... what's the word I'm looking for? They underestimate the pressure that it takes to even just be able to make the decisions that are required for running a business. Matt: Sure. I had to ... in the beginning, I had to make a decision whether or not I was going to personally spend my own money to fund the beginning of the project. I mean- Marcus: [crosstalk 00:18:42] Matt: We couldn't find the investors, we couldn't find ... right? In the market we were in, we had to proof it out, we had to come up with our MVP, so that was all on my shoulders to do that. So there were a lot of sleepless nights after writing that check or clicking send on that wire transfer, yeah. Absolutely. It's a lot of stress that goes into making the big decisions that have to be made, and no one else can do it for you. Marcus: Well it's even the small ones, too. Even the small decisions, because there's this thing that many people don't know about called decision fatigue, right? So I'm just speaking from personal experience. Getting out of the office at night, sometimes seven, eight, nine o'clock or later, the last thing I even want to think about is what I need to eat. So it's literally just like just go home and have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich because I don't even want to think about that. I just want to go home and get something in me that's going to take away the pain in my stomach, you know? Matt: Right. Right. Marcus: And I don't think people really understand just how even making small decisions throughout the day, all of those get tossed on top of the pile of the larger decisions too, and you get to the end of the day, or the end of the week, or the end of the month, or the end of the year, and you're just like, "Good night, I'm just over this." But I get what you're saying as a business owner, not having somebody else. That's not there for you to bounce those ideas from. There's nobody there that's telling you what to do. There's nobody there that's ultimately going to take responsibility, it lands on your shoulders. Matt: That's right. Yeah, and it's difficult too when you don't have someone who shares a ... maybe your vision, or maybe they don't share your aggression towards the project, so they don't understand exactly how you're looking into it, right? So when you don't have those types of people to bounce ideas off of, it comes back to you, and you have to think through, and like I said a moment ago, you really have to anticipate the next move before you even get close to it so that you can understand a little bit more about, how risky is this situation? How risky will this decision be if it goes wrong? That type of thing. Marcus: No, very good. How do you like to unwind? This is the hardest question. Matt: Outdoors. I love being outdoors. We live in an incredible place here in Mobile on the bay, the beach, right here on the coast. So I love being outdoors, whether it's on a boat, fishing, riding my bike. That's what I get the most stress free weekends, I guess, come from being out on the beach with a book or something, just hanging out, no thoughts in mind. Marcus: Well tell people where they can find out more about Leveld and get the app and all that other stuff. Matt: Sure. Sure. So the app is available for download now in the IOS store. So currently, we're only in the IOS store. We're looking to expand to the Android market hopefully by the end of this year. Marcus: Cool. Matt: But yeah, you can check it out there. And then you can also go on our website, , it's L-E-V-E-L-D. So it's Leveld misspelled. Yes, that was intentional. Marcus: Because you can imagine Leveld all spelled out correctly was probably quite expensive as a domain name. Matt: Well and it makes no sense. Why would you spell it correctly when you can spell it wrong? Marcus: Yeah, exactly. Matt: So there's an interesting story behind that as well, but yeah, you can find out about that on ... and check us out on social as well. We're on and @GetLevld as well. Marcus: Nice. Well I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Matt: Thank you, man. I appreciate you having me. I want to acknowledge you for a moment. Small business of the year in Mobile. That's big for yourself and your team here at Bluefish- Marcus: Very much so. Thank you. Matt: Congratulations on that, and just the work you're doing here with Mobile and what you're trying to do with getting the word out here in Mobile for a lot of the cool stuff that's happening. So yeah, I want to acknowledge you for that as well. Marcus: Yeah, I mean, we've kind of moved away from this, but Jared reminded me of it earlier today because we've recorded ... you're our fifth podcast of the day. Matt: Nice. Marcus: Yeah. Matt: It was strong, I hope. Marcus: Yeah. No, absolutely. No, where I was going to go with that is we started this because we wanted to be cheerleaders for the business community and we wanted to share the stories of people like you and the cool things that are happening here because I think oftentimes, those stories get lost in the larger picture of Airbus and Austal and some of the larger job providers here, but the truth is that Mobile is an economy made up of individuals like you and like me that are providing jobs for fifteen, 20, 30 people or so, and there's just a plethora of people out there that are doing that. Matt: And one thing that's cool I'd like to mention and showcase, even when we launched, my big message pushing Mobile has been the people that are here, the culture that we're building, a lot of the young talent that's here that's coming up with ideas, and they're expanding on it and they're building it. It's bringing a lot of attention to Mobile, right? Marcus: Yeah. Matt: Far too long, Birmingham, Hunstville, they had gotten a lot more of the attention. I think it's time to bring some of that attention south. Bring it to Mobile, bring it to the gold coast here if you will, and I think there's a lot of cool stuff happening especially exciting things, big projects here that are going to be expanding and exploding out of Mobile soon, so it's exciting. Marcus: I couldn't agree with you more because I think I knows some of the same people you're talking about. Well I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Matt: Thanks. Absolutely.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Hayley Hill. A New York girl in Alabama went from working for some of the greatest magazine publishers to becoming one herself. Grab your coffee and listen to Hayley’s story from college to the creation of Access Magazine. You can find this episode on , Spotify, or iTunes. Hayley: My name is Hayley Hill, and I am the Founder and Editor of Access Magazine. Marcus: Well welcome to the podcast Hayley. Hayley: Thank you for having me. Marcus: Yeah, no, this is awesome. I'm excited to have you on the podcast, 'cause I'm a big fan of what you all are doing, and what you represent, and what you're bringing to this community. So thank you for coming on today. Hayley: My pleasure. Marcus: Yeah, so well one of the things that we always start with is we get some of the backstory about the person that we're listening to. So we want to hear where you're from. Where'd you go to school? Did you go to college? If so, what did you study? And any other backstory that you want to share with us. Hayley: Well I could fill a novel with my backstory. But I am for the most part from New York City, where I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology right there in Midtown. Marcus: Nice. Hayley: And from before I could even really remember, I had a obsession with fashion. I considered high school my runway. I was determined to get to New York, that was my tribe, and life did not start until I moved there in 1986. Marcus: Nice. Hayley: I did go through school in New York at the Fashion Institute. Back in those days, before the big celebrity movement, and before the term celebrity stylist had even come to fruition, I would go to my advisors and say, "I want to work at Vogue, and I want to put those outfits together." They didn't know what to tell me. There was no major for that. There was no way to study. So I picked up different internships with magazines, and photographers and found my own way. I had landed, in the early 90s, at a magazine called Teen People. Marcus: Nice. Hayley: I was one of the founding editors. That's back in the day when People Magazine did Carol Channing on the cover. It was a much older celebrity. Culture wasn't interested in the young celebrity yet. So Teen People came in right at the time of the 90s pop stars like, Britney Spears, NSYNC, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera. All those pop-stars were really just taking over. So the launch of Teen People was the perfect time. So I was able to get a job there, and I got to meet all those celebrities, and then I started dressing them on the side, as well as being an editor. Marcus: Wow. Hayley: So my original career was in fashion, either through the celebrity styling, or as a magazine editor. Marcus: And so you would say that editing was really ... I mean that was your way into what you really wanted to be doing, which was the styling? Or were they kind of- Hayley: That's a chicken or an egg question. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: I love being an editor, but I also loved being in fashion. I loved dressing celebrities. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: And I happened to hit it just at the right time. I mean, it's been said about me that I was the first celebrity stylist there was, so that's interesting. Marcus: Nice. Hayley: You know, where I was taking it up a level doing the tours, the album covers, all the ad campaigns like, remember Got Milk? Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: All that kind of stuff. For all those young celebrities that I just mentioned. Marcus: So I'm having kind of a brain fart here, how in the world do you end up from New York City, doing all that, you've got to tell that story. I mean how did- Hayley: That's a whole nother book. But it starts and ends with a man. Marcus: Okay. Hayley: And I had three children. From Teen People, I had this great career in styling, and I was an editor. I went on to work at In Style, and US Weekly as well, and did all their fashion pages. And then I ended up having three children that I never saw, because I was working constantly. And I had a team of eight that worked in my apartment making outfits for NSYNC and Britney. It obviously was a lot. So when I had my children, I just was like, "Okay, I've done this for a really long time." I did it for over 20 years. And my now ex-husband and I decided to move to Mobile, where he was from. I had never heard of it before. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: But I did end up here, and my plan was to just stay home and raise my kids. But some of the local women, the movers and shakers, heard about my background, and they sought me out to help them with their wardrobes. So I got into the whole culture of Mobile, and was exposed to ... You know, like a Southern wedding is like a blood sport. It's so competitive. I'm not knocking it. I absolutely love it. Marcus: No, I know totally what you're saying. I completely understand what you're saying, and I hope the audience does too, but that's great. I mean it's a blood sport. Hayley: It took an outside view to see what was happening here. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: I was asked to dress the Queen of Mardi Gras one year. I thought Mardi Gras was a day. Marcus: I've been here for 12 or 14 years, or something like that. I'm still trying to understand Mardi Gras, and all the ceremony that surrounds it. Because there's a lot of stuff that you don't ... It's not just the parades. I mean, like you're saying- Hayley: There is a whole underworld. Marcus: Yeah, there's a whole underworld that goes along with it. Hayley: Starts in November with balls and parties for the courts. It's a whole other show, actually that what goes on. Marcus: Wow. Hayley: But I was so mesmerized by the process of dressing a queen, and what goes into making the train, and what goes into curating a wardrobe for the whole season. Sometimes they have their own china made. You know, extravagant parties. As an editor in New York, I would have died for these stories. Marcus: Right. Hayley: So I got to thinking, "I should start a magazine." And this was kind of at the time where the newspaper had started cutting down their frequency, and I had tried to get interviews at some of the other local media outlets, and people didn't know what to do with me. Marcus: Right. Hayley: 'Cause they just saw fashion. But I had also already had 20 years editing. I had worked at the top- Marcus: Just probably more than most of the people that you were actually trying to get in front of. Hayley: Right. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: So not to be heartbroken, I just decided to do my own thing. Marcus: I love you. I absolutely- Hayley: Which, you know, sometimes ignorance is bliss. Marcus: That's incredible. Let's take a minute. Let's take a pause there for just a second, 'cause you're starting to get into another question. But, do you remember what your very first job was? And I'm not- Hayley: [crosstalk 00:07:05] yes. Marcus: Yeah, your crap job. Yeah, not your good job. Your crap job. What was that? Hayley: Crap job, it was the take whatever you can get. I was just graduated from FIT, and there was, I had two job offers. One was from Harper's Bazaar, and one was from Woman's Day Magazine. The one at Harper's Bazaar was to be a credit assistant, which means that you write up all the fashion credits from all the photo shoots. And that is not my strength. Marcus: Right. Hayley: Even though I wanted to go to Harper's Bazaar, and I had a really awkward interview that could be qualified as maybe a me too movement moment. Marcus: Oh God. Hayley: And then I had an interview at Woman's Day Magazine, which is like what all our moms read. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: And they had made me, they offered me the job to be the location scout, and the model editor. So I thought that was much more fabulous. So I took that job. It was great. So I started going scouting for locations for the different photo shoots, and booking the models to wear the mom jeans, that kind of thing. Marcus: So what lessons were learned out of that first job, that carried into your career? Was there anything that you, when you look back at that, was there anything that sticks out as a lesson learned? Or I mean it could be even as nebulous as knowing how to work with people, or I mean something along those lines. Hayley: Right. I think, you know, I noticed early on, it's a industry of relationships. It's also an industry of hard work. It all looks so beautiful. It all looks so glamorous. But I notice, so many of the girls that I worked with were there because it's almost like they wanted to be the models themselves. But I realized that behind every photo shoot, behind every article, you have to go after every detail with such persistence and stop at nothing to get what you want, and that's what I'm really good at. I am not afraid to work hard. I am not afraid to introduce myself. I am not afraid to speak up about my ideas. Marcus: You're from the Northeast, of course not. Hayley: Right. But the industry is full of a lot of followers. It's very interesting that there are just a lot of people who just want to be in the industry. I wanted to make my mark on the industry. And I just have never been fearful. So that's one thing that I always want to instill in everybody who works for me, go after what you want. Marcus: Right, be hungry, be driven. Hayley: Yes, and don't be afraid to work. Marcus: Yeah, we were talking at lunch, and one of the things that kind of grates on me, is when people don't try. When they don't put in the effort, even for something that they are passionate about. Hayley: Right. Marcus: They're not going after it and being driven and seeking the knowledge and seeking the activities that they're going to need to do in order to actually achieve the goals that they have for themselves. Hayley: Right. Marcus: They just wait for it to happen. Hayley: I didn't spend a lot of time as an assistant. I moved up the ranks pretty quickly because I brought more than what was asked to the table. Marcus: Yep. Hayley: And I wasn't ever shy about introducing a weird idea, or a new idea. I wasn't shy in talking to my bosses. It got me to a place where I realized, it's like, so many people will tell you what you can't do. I just look at them and say, "Tell me what you can do." Stop at nothing. Marcus: That's awesome. That's really good stuff. Now you started to talk about starting the magazine. What was that like? 'Cause I mean it's not ... We talked about it a second ago, or minute ago before we started. But Mobile is a difficult market, and especially when you start thinking about running a magazine like yours in a fairly small market. What has that experience been like? Hayley: Well it was very interesting, to say the least. First, I was faced with two really big challenges. Marcus: Right. Hayley: My dream was to start off with a $200,000 investment from some venture capitalist, or some local person that just wanted to be associated with my obviously genius idea. And I literally spent two years on a business plan. Marcus: Wow. Hayley: And I got so frustrated, 'cause I would go out and tip-toe around in my heels and try to talk to people about my experience and what I thought this magazine could do. It was not working at all. I got no bites, and I was so frustrated. And then it just got to the point where luckily I had engaged myself in this community, going back to having met all these women who brought me into their life, and I became their friends. I just started hosting events, and asking these women to come and they did. One of the events that I did, it was called Seventh on the Hill. It was a runway show. It involved all the local businesses. I had partnered with one of my friends who was on the board for what was then Junior Miss, which is now Distinguished Young Women. So we were able to produce a fashion show where we, I think we made over $100,000 with the last show that we did. I was working on that fashion show, not getting any bites on the magazine to get this business partner that I needed to have the big office that I thought we should have, and all the fabulous startup things that we should have. I just was like, "You know what, I need to launch this magazine at this fashion show." So I went to my friends and I begged them to work for me for free. I was like, "You know what, there's going to be a payoff. It's going to come in about three months." Marcus: That doesn't sound familiar does it? I'm looking at Jared. Hayley: Yes. Marcus: The story is that we started this podcast, and he didn't work for me, it was just a side project that we were doing. It was kind of a fun thing. But yeah, now he does work for me, and he does get paid, so yeah. Hayley: There you go. There you go. Marcus: But no, that's really cool. Hayley: Yeah, so we did it. We broke even on our first issue. Everybody got paid, and we were off and running, but I never found a backer. Marcus: When was that? When did you start the- Hayley: 2009. Marcus: Nine, very good. Hayley: Yeah. Marcus: Wow, so nine years? Hayley: Yes. Yeah. Marcus: Okay, that's really cool, 'cause I can imagine. I mean it's print, in general is not an easy, there's not an easy- Hayley: Well that was the other challenge, is trying to tell people that Mobile values print. That print is not dead. Marcus: No, it's not. Hayley: Bad content is dead. Marcus: Amen. Hayley: And for lack of a better term, there's so much crap content out there. Marcus: Yep. Hayley: But the one thing I know from 20 years of editing in New York, is I know women, and I know how to talk to them, and I know what they want to read. And it's just my people are like, "How do you do it?" And it's simple. You put your consumer first every time. Marcus: So tell us more about that story though. What else surrounded the startup? Hayley: So we had no money to startup. I had a team with no print experience, that I had to personally train every step of the way. We also had no fancy office. So we worked in a pool house, that somebody said we could use for free. Marcus: Now do you mean a pool house like shooting pool? Like somebody's actual pool, like a swimming pool? Hayley: No, like off of somebody's actual pool, yes. Yes. Marcus: Wow. Hayley: It was in the Spanish Villa apartment complex, which was hilarious, because there was a lot of shenanigans that go down in the Spanish Villa apartments. Marcus: Nice, yeah. Hayley: So we just put ourselves there. Sometimes there was a/c, and sometimes there wasn't. But we got to work, and we did it. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: And you know, now I look back and I would have it no other way. Because now I appreciate our giant, beautiful office that took us several years to get, but it's doable. Marcus: But you bootstrapped the whole thing. I mean not taking any investors means that you have been able to decide every step of the way, and control the business every step of the way, versus giving up some level of control to someone else that all they've done is just donated money to you. Hayley: Exactly. Marcus: Yeah. Well if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Hayley: Kind of what we were just saying is like, go for it. Don't wait for your million dollar venture capitalist to come through. If there's a will, there's a way. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: You know, I had to get so super scrappy, but I did it. Don't give up. And I mean, Mobile is a hard place to launch a business, but it's also a great place to launch a business. We're not so ... We're not Seattle, where we're at the center of the IT community. It's not the media capital of the world. You can take some of the tried and trued, tried and true, excuse me, trends that are happening in the business world and mimic them, the successful ones here. Marcus: Yep. Hayley: It's kind of a perfect market. Marcus: Have you ever ... 'Cause even you ... We live in the same kind of world. Have you ever seen a time like this where it was so easy to actually get started in a business though? 'Cause I don't know that I ever, I've thought about that a lot lately 'cause I'm preparing a talk for a big conference over in Pensacola. One of the things that I just keep thinking of, there's never been an easier time to come up with a product, get that product made, whatever it is, whether it's software or a physical product, or even a magazine, or anything like that, and get that in front of an audience. There's not been any time like that in my recollection, have you? Hayley: Well, we need to talk. I have a million ideas. You know, all I can really speak to is what we've done. I wouldn't say it's been easy at all. Marcus: Sure. Hayley: But I would say I'm super proud. And yes, being in New York 20 years ago, you have so many outlets now to publicize yourself. Marcus: Yep. Hayley: Social media, obviously. The media in Mobile, in terms of TV and radio, they're so flexible and happy to hear from you, and happy to help you. Marcus: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Hayley: That just doesn't happen in big markets, without a big check at least. Marcus: Right. Hayley: So that part is easier. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, no absolutely. Now, is there anything you all are currently working on that we can talk about? And we can X this if you don't want to talk- Hayley: Well one of the things that has really been important to our brand as we grow is we've really realized that we need to be a community partner. We do so many stories on women that have impacted this community. Like the women who have built cancer centers, to the women that are feeding people at battered women shelters. But we decided, we need to do more. So that really has seemed to be a great avenue for us. We've been able to partner some of our clients like Porsche, with the Mobile Symphony, or Mobile Ballet, where we can bring both audiences together for the greater good. We're really good event planners, so we do a lot of event planning, and our clients can network at those events. So the whole thing of being more than a magazine, which is our tagline, has really been important to us. We seem to be doing really well with that. Mobile is driven by community service. You know, your more influential clients or consumers are so connected to their charities. Marcus: Yep. Hayley: And as a business, if you're not genuinely and authentically connected, they might look elsewhere. Marcus: Yeah, and I think people want to know that you're giving back. Hayley: Exactly. Marcus: They want to know that you're plugged in and that you actually give a shit, know what's going on in this town. Hayley: Exactly. How are you going to ask me to buy something from you, when you have a beach house on Ono, and you have children at a very upscale private school, and you have the fancy house on the golf course. But you don't do anything in this community. Marcus: Right, yeah. Hayley: So we've really been able to bring a lot of people together in those worlds, which extends our brand. Marcus: That's incredible that you've been able to do that, and I have heard nothing but absolutely fantastic things about the events that you all hold. Hayley: Well we do like to throw a party. We do like shenanigans. Marcus: That's awesome. So if you look to the business world, is there anyone that sticks out that motivates you? If you think that person, they really achieved something. Or they're working on a project. Or they've got a skillset, or something that really draws you in? Hayley: Wow, tough question. Marcus: You didn't think this was going to be all softballs did you? Hayley: Who motivates me? Who motivates me? I mean it's going to sound lame, and it's going to sound like it's not genuine, but it completely is. I'm really super proud of my team, and I'm really proud of my sales team because as you know, it's not easy in this market to get out there and sell your services to people. At the end of the day, while Access is a great read, and it's beautiful, it's very expensive to produce. Marcus: Yep. Hayley: My girls get hung up on all the time. They get snapped at, and I always want to scream at people, like, "We're also consumers here in this market. Don't treat us like that." They have such thick skins, and they keep going into battle every day. If it weren't for them, we would not have a publication. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: Ruth Ginsberg, love her. Marcus: No, going back to what you were saying though, I get it, there are days where you get up and I mean it's the employees that motivate you. It's like, "I'm not feeling it today. But I know I've got to be on my game, because if I'm not, then they're the ones that are going to bear the brunt of that." But also, I want to go back to your ... It's amazing to me that people don't put the connection together of I have a platform. I don't want this to come from an arrogant place. But recently I was thinking this through. Most of the time I go in places and I treat people with respect, and I'm the guy that says thank you to the person that's cleaning the table, and doesn't treat them disrespectful or anything. But recently, we've had some situations where I'm just like, "I don't think you realize the reach that we have, as a media house." And I try not to go there, but at the same time it's like what you're saying. Don't treat people with disrespect when they're calling you on the phone, or ... Now granted we all get the recorded sales calls. And I'm always the one that's like, "Stop." Hayley: I don't have a student loan. Marcus: No. It's not even a person. It's just a recording. Those, I'll say some choice words to, because they don't even have the common decency to have a person call you. But anyway, as to the audience, treat people with respect. Hayley: It is astonishing, yeah absolutely. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: And it's like we're ... Yes, it costs money to participate in our media platform, but we're going to work so hard for you. If you're not interested, just say, "No, thank you." Marcus: Right. Hayley: It's so simple, and I will come eat your pizza. Marcus: It's fine, you know. Hayley: No hard feelings. Marcus: Yeah, exactly. Hayley: I can handle no, I'm 50. Marcus: Alright, so this next one, is are there any books, podcasts, people or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? Hayley: God, you're making me seem so shallow. Marcus: No, not at all. Not at all. Hayley: The current book that I'm trying to read ... I don't get much time. I'm a single mom, three kids. Marcus: Oh yeah. Hayley: And I work around the clock every day. But I did recently meet this guy who is from Pritchard, so I've taken an interest in Pritchard. He wrote a book. He goes by the name Champ, but his book is called it's Prison and Poverty. Or Poverty and Prison, I don't remember. So I'm trying to read that, and he writes about how he was in prison for murder, and how he became a drug dealer. He makes the connection of how he evolved into becoming a drug dealer. Saw his dad killed at three years old, in front of his house. You know, this horrible life. So that's what I'm reading. I don't know if it relates. Marcus: No, it's light reading. Hayley: But I love the human story. That's more interesting to me than reading a business manual. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: 'Cause I read business manuals. They're like, "Do a business plan." I threw that in the garbage, 'cause I couldn't get any ... Two years I spent on it. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: I also read this great book a long time ago that really all entrepreneurs should read. It's called Startup Nation. And I don't remember the author, but it's all about Israel. Which I don't know if most people would be interested in that. I'm very interested. They have a huge percent of entrepreneurs, when you look at it in terms of the world, and they have a huge economy, when you look at it in terms of the world. The book is about how easy it is to start a business in Israel, and how business deals are done over a coffee and a handshake. Marcus: Wow. Hayley: And it's not this process that we have in the states. And it's very interesting because the Israeli government ... And I don't know if they're still doing this. But what they did to build their nation was, if you had an idea, and you could prove that it was a decent idea, the government would actually give you money. And if you made it, you pay the government back. Marcus: Wow. Hayley: If you didn't, thanks for trying. And they built this whole nation. I mean they're the lead of agriculture, technology- Marcus: How encouraging is that? 'Cause you think about what that communicates to the nation as a whole, to the people- Hayley: Anything's possible. Marcus: Yeah, anything's possible. Hayley: I mean out here you can't get a loan. I mean you can't. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: It's so hard. You have to beg your friends, like I did. Let's do a project. Marcus: What is the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Hayley: I've learned maybe the deeper level, is that there are days when you just want to cry, and you just want to throw the towel in. Our days as business owners can change in a minute. One minute you're down in the dumps, and the next minute you're on cloud nine. Marcus: Yep. Hayley: Just always keep that in the back of your mind, like, "It's going to be okay. Ride it out. It's okay." Marcus: And if you have that trusted advisor that you can call to talk you down off the ledge, sometimes that's helpful, or your sidekick that you can have talk you off the ledge then it's helpful too. Hayley: Right. My relationship with my staff in Mobile is very different than the relationship I had with my staffs in New York. Marcus: Right. Hayley: In New York, everybody's making bank. You know, it was I hire, I fire, get it together or go home. Marcus: Right. Hayley: When you have your own business in a small town, you have to have the comradery, you have to be each other's support team. So we are all very close. I mean, I don't always let them see all of my stress. But they do definitely see a lot of it, and they know the business, the hurdles that we have. They know the problems that we have. It's not hidden like it was in Time Inc. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. So how do you like to unwind? Hayley: Well, I'm no stranger to a cocktail. Marcus: [crosstalk 00:28:12] this is a trick question. Yeah. You did mention you like to throw a party, so. Hayley: We throw a lot of parties at Access, but that's for networking opportunities for our clients. It has nothing to do with our enjoyment of libations. You know, I walk, I lift weights. I hang out with my team. I have three kids, and a good night's sleep is about all I can ask for. Marcus: Believe me, I completely understand that 'cause I'm not getting much of it- Hayley: I did just go back to New York though, and that was everything, for a visit. Marcus: Yeah? Have a good time? Hayley: Yes. It's so inspiring. Marcus: See any good shows, or do anything that stands out? Hayley: Interesting you should ask. I saw, I think the name of the show, it was based on the Go-Go's. I can't remember the show. The name of it. It might have been ... I'll have to think about that and get back to you. Marcus: No, it's all good. Hayley: I had a band in high school called the Stop-Stops. 'Cause I'm an absolute Go-Gos fanatic. Marcus: The Go-Gos versus the Stop-Stops. That's great. Hayley: True. So at Access we're contemplating starting our own band about angry housewives. Marcus: Okay. Hayley: All we have to do in this world, and work too. So that's ... But anyway, the show in New York was awesome. I saw a great exhibit at The Met about how the Catholic imagination has influenced designers. Where else in the world would you find something that specific? Marcus: Yeah, fairly specific. Yeah. Hayley: It's just to be around all those ideas, it's so good for creative types like us. Marcus: Yeah. Hayley: We have to get involved with those movers and shakers. Marcus: I mean oftentimes I'll go to conferences just to get away. I'm not even so much concerned about what the topic is. I mean if I can get something out of it, it's great. But conferences are an excuse for me to go to bigger cities and see what's going on, eat some good food, see some good shows, or go to an exhibit or something along those lines. Hayley: Exactly. Marcus: You know, it's nice to just get out and see what the world has to offer. Where can people find out more information about Access Magazine, and maybe some of the offerings that you all have? Hayley: Okay, well I'll start with the offerings. Access is primarily a women's magazine. Most people don't know that women are the core consumer of all products and services. Marcus: Really? I had no idea. Hayley: You do. Most people don't though. It's astonishing. There's a study out there called the She-conomy, that we like to quote a lot. Literally, everything from healthcare to groceries, to where we live, what shrubs are in our front yard, to cars, to- Marcus: To the flooring that you're putting in a new office [inaudible 00:31:00] Hayley: Women's opinions are behind every decision. Jen, my girl sitting over here, her husband might be like, "Oh, we're going to get this car." If she thinks it's ugly, it's not happening. Marcus: He's not getting that car. Hayley: And if she and her husband pick out a car and their teenage daughter doesn't like it, then they're not getting it again. So even though we're a pretty magazine and we're glossy and it's all about local women, it really is a business vehicle to let people know what services and good are sold in the Mobile, Baldwin County area. We take a very unique approach. We might do a story on a cosmetic surgeon. Well I don't want to spend 1,200 words writing about boob jobs and facelifts. I want you to know who that doctor is. Where did he go to school? What kind of dad is he? What kind of [crosstalk 00:32:03] Marcus: What does he like to do? Yeah. Hayley: What kind of sense are running through his office? And does it feel like a spa. So we're much more- Marcus: Painting a picture for people versus just telling them the straight facts. Hayley: Right, it's conversational. So that's essentially what we do. Where you can find out the most about us, our website is under construction, so I would send people to for Access magazine. Marcus: Access Magazine on Facebook, very good. Well I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Hayley: I think I gave you more than ever asked for. Marcus: Now I appreciate your willingness to sit here with me, and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Hayley: You too, thank you. Marcus: Absolutely.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Allen Carroll, a partner with Wilkins Miller. I think if we learned anything from this episode is that Allen is not only committed but likes to have fun! 31 years of the same post-college job to flying planes and riding street bikes, there’s much wisdom to be learned. Tune in and listen or read on MobileAL.com, Spotify, or iTunes. Allen: Hi. I'm Allen Carroll. I'm a partner with Wilkins Miller. Marcus: Well, welcome to the podcast, Allen. Allen: Thank you, Marcus. Congratulations to you and your team on your recent recognition as small business of the year. That's an incredible honor and recognition, so good job. Marcus: Thank you very much. I do appreciate that. I think we were talking a little bit before, and I mean it was as big a surprise I think as I could ever have imagined, but it is absolutely an honor, and we don't take it lightly. Yeah. Allen: That's great. Marcus: Well, we always start by getting a little bit of information about who the person is. You and I have a chance to visit a little bit, so I know a little bit about your story, but why don't you tell our adience the story of where you're from? Where'd you go to high school, college, married, how you got to where you are right now. Allen: Sure. I was born in Mobile, the only child of two great parents that ... best parents anybody could ask for. I graduated from Baker High School and then went onto the University of South Alabama, where I graduated with a degree in business with a concentration in accounting. I joined my firm, Wilkins Miller, right out of college. I just celebrated my 31 year anniversary with that firm this summer. Wilkins Miller is a CPA and advisory services firm here in Mobile, with offices in both Mobile and Fairhope. Sort of on the person front, I was fortunate enough to marry a gorgeous, young lady that I met in high school. We got married right after college, and next week we will celebrate our 31 year anniversary. Marcus: Congratulations. Allen: Thank you. That was the easiest decision that I ever made. Marcus: The hardest sale, but the easiest decision, right? Allen: That was easy. We've got two kids, a 26 year old son that lives in Auburn and a 22 year old daughter that is at the University of South Alabama. Marcus: Very good. How long has Wilkins Miller been around? Allen: Wilkins Miller traces its roots back to the early 60s. When I joined the firm in the late 80s, '87, it was known by a different name at the time. It was actually an office of a national firm, and our name has changed over the years, but the organization that I joined as the core is still there. Marcus: Very good. I mean, you all have a very good name in the area, not just for the accounting services that you provide, but also for kind of the business knowledge that you bring along with that. Allen: Well, you're kind to say that, and thank you. We're proud. We have a wonderful group of people. We've got a wonderful group of clients as well. Marcus: The reason why I say that is because your team has been involved in the emerging leader stuff, and I think, if I remember correctly, 1702 and a number of other things that I've been involved in, so I've gotten to know a couple of folks that work for you, and I very much enjoyed getting to know them. But let's go back in time, your first job. This is your crap job, right? This isn't Wilkins Miller, you know, starting out in accounting. This is flipping burgers, or scrubbing toilets, or mopping floors job. What was that first job, and what were some of the lessons that you remember from that? Allen: Yeah, Marcus. Early on, like a lot of kids, I was cutting grass probably in middle school, at a really young age, around the neighborhood. I actually did that on through high school, until I got real jobs. My first real job was at Dollar Rent A Car, which I was washing the rental cars and cleaning the cars as they returned them. It was kind of a weekend job through early high school. Some of you guys may know, Margie Wilcox is our local state representative now. She was my boss. You know, in terms of what did I learn in them, I guess at the end of the day it was just work really hard, and try to go the extra mile, and make a difference. I did that there. Of course, that kind of morphed into airport jobs all through sort of late college, or I should say late high school and throughout my entire college career I worked at the airport. But in the end, I think ultimately just going the extra mile and trying to do things right, and set yourself apart is ... because a lot of folks- Marcus: They don't. Allen: ... they don't. Marcus: Yeah. It's interesting, because we've done a number of these interviews now, and one of the common themes, especially with people that have achieved great success, is not just doing what is expected of them, but actually going above and beyond that, whether it's the customer service, or the information that's provided, or the washing of the cars, you know? I mean, making sure that everything is done to a T. We were just talking with Mamun, which he's a realtor, but he's from Bangladesh, which was a really interesting story. He started out as a dishwasher. You know what I mean? I mean, even there in washing dishes it's like be the best dishwasher that you can be. It's the old adage of if you're gonna be a garbage collector, be the best damn garbage collector that there is. Allen: That's it. Marcus: Right? Allen: That's it. Marcus: Then you just find that as you're doing these things that you're handed more responsibility and more success. Allen: That's right. Marcus: Now, I normally ask about how you start the business, and you didn't start Wilkins Miller, but obviously as a partner you have a very integral part. Why don't you describe, because I don't think a lot of people understand what that kind of entails. What does a partner at an accounting firm really do? Allen: Well, a partner in an accounting firm ... Of course there's various disciplines within a traditional accounting firm. You've got financial reporting, which might typically be referred to as audit types of things, where folks are auditing companies, the financial statements. You have tax compliance area. You have outsource accounting area. You've got a number of areas. You have a consulting area, which is where I spend most of my time, with forensic accounting, litigation services, working with attorneys. That's where I spent the majority of my last 25 years. But within any industry, and accounting's a great example, you know, you're focused early on with technical skills and learning technically skills, being the best at that, but as you mature, and get more experience, and work yourself through the ranks, so to speak, you can grow and become more of an advisor to your clients and working more closely with clients, and senior leadership, and owners. Allen: So, at the end of the day, you're working with folks trying to help them achieve whatever it is that they're trying to achieve at the highest lever, and so partners in accounting firms are ultimately responsible for those relationships. We have help with all of those things with a number of really good folks, and every engagement is approached with a team. But you are a business owner. A partner is a business owner. A partner is responsible for and plays a role with setting direction of a firm, just like any other business owner does, responsible for developing people, developing business, playing a significant role with community activities. So, it's like any other small business owner. Marcus: Now, I know one of the things ... because we have very much and entrepreneurial audience, right? Their mindset is entrepreneurial. One of the things that I've learned over the course of the last two years is ... Last year a buddy of mine, Abe, who's also been on the podcast, suggested a book, Managing By The Numbers. It's the book that they use as part of the Emerging Leaders Program. As you kind of go through that, they're talking to you about balance sheets, and profit loss statements, cashflow, all that stuff and the analysis of all of that. I think one of the things that people don't realize when you go into business ownership is you start as someone who has a talent most oftentimes, like I started, I knew how to code websites. Marcus: One of the things that has to progress as a business owner is you have to first understand that your primary role is people and sales, but then you also have to have a very firm grasp of your financial situation, and that's not just looking at the checkbook and going, "Well, there's $500 in the bank account, so I can write that check." I think that's where people kind of get locked into accounting as not just something that you do at the end of the year to file your taxes, but accounting as a way of looking at your financial situation, and is it for me to buy a building? Is it okay for me to invest in this piece of equipment? Is it okay for me to press in and hire two or three more people? You know? Allen: Marcus, that is so true. Accounting is not ... it shouldn't be historical. While the historical financial statements or the tax returns, all those are infinitely important to the success, at the end of the day the numbers are telling a story. You know, we all need to be looking forward to what that is and of course understanding what those numbers ... or what the story is behind those numbers. Then let's all do our part to help express those, help the owners, the decision makers use that data and information to pick their future and accomplish what it is that they want to accomplish. Yeah. We work very hard to work with our clients to help understand the story behind the numbers, because that's also the fun part with what we do. Marcus: Look back. When you first got the inkling that you were gonna go into accounting, do you remember that moment? Was there something like a decision that was made or something that happened that- Allen: You know, Marcus, as a young person, it's tough. What I did know was that I loved the business. I really loved business. I know that accounting is the language of business, and so I went into accounting because I like business, not so much that I was the debits and credits guy. That was [crosstalk 00:10:51]. Marcus: Crunching number? Allen: Yeah. That was a necessary evil. That's important, and we are in a technical business, but, again, the numbers are ... just they tell the story. That's how I selected accounting is that I fell in love with business early on, and accounting being the language of business was why I chose accounting. Marcus: Very good. It's interesting, because sometimes people, especially like in my world ... I managed to sell a website to somebody, and I put that website together, and I thought, "Wow. There might be actually something to this," and the business has just kind of progressively grown over a decade now because of that. I don't know. Is there a situation there? Because you came out of college and went into Wilkins Miller. Did you even have that experience when you started at Wilkins Miller, like, "Oh, no. This is it. I'm really jazzed"? Because it sounds like you made that decision kind of early on. Allen: Yeah. I knew I liked business. In 1987, we didn't even have computers. Computers were kind of a fresh thing. Marcus: What? Wait. There was no computers? Allen: They weren't widely being used. Marcus: You had to get the abacus out [crosstalk 00:12:05]. Allen: That's right. It was all by hand. Early on there was a lot of technical, a lot of things that are being done by hand, but I think kind of bigger picture, you know, I knew I loved business, and so being at the core of business, in terms of accounting, was where I found my home. It's highly technical early on, but as you get more experience, you get to get out of some of those details, and of course computers and software have helped us get out of the details, even with the young folks today aren't in those kinds of details, and ultimately provide higher level service. But as I got more experience, I increasingly loved the field, as I've gotten more experience and got to work with the business owners and the CEOs, like you, helping shape direction, and select strategy. Again, doing our part to develop the numbers, but then help interpret what does all that mean? It's a lot of fun. It is. Accounting's got I think an increasingly exciting profession for a lot of folks, because of some of those details. Marcus: Yeah. I think as people come to understand what it can do. Now, if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Allen: The one bit of wisdom. I would say jump in with both feet and try to be the very, very best at whatever it is that you choose to do. Try to be the very best, and get passionate about it, and try to be the very best, whatever I is. Marcus: Yeah. Those are life lessons that don't go wrong in any way, shape, or form. Allen: That's right. That's right. Marcus: Yeah. Now, what does a typical day look like for you? Allen: Oh, gosh. There is no typical day. That's what's- Marcus: I need to reword that question, because I get that quite often. It's like, "No. There is no typical day." I mean, give people kind of a glimpse. I know you're probably meeting with people a lot and spending a lot of time just answering questions and stuff. Allen: Yeah. I spend a lot of times with our team, which I always really enjoy, on the phone a lot with clients, and managing projects, spending time on those, a lot of phone, a lot of phones, a lot of conversations that occur. Marcus: Now, when you look, and not just to the business world here in Mobile, but when you look to the business world, is there anyone that you kind of look to and think, "Yeah. That guy's ... There's some stuff to look at there," that you really think is cool? Allen: You know, Marcus, that's a great question. It's also a tough question. When I think about that, I don't have it zoomed in on one particular person. I think about some of the traits of people that I admire or that inspire me. I've been fortunate to have a lot of really good mentors over the years that folks had invested in me, colleagues, partners, you know, a variety of folks. My parents certainly made a huge impact on me. But I think about folks that motivate and can get the best out of people. I know I've been the benefactor or the beneficiary of folks that led me, and I could do more with them being there and pushing me than I could do on my own. Allen: I think about football coaches. You know, I'm an old football player through high school. I always admire the college football coaches and their ability to motivate people I think about the business leaders that can do the same thing, in terms of developing teams. In the end, I am really inspired by the folks that are really passionate about what they do, you know, and that they really, truly do is and try to do it at a world class level. I mean, that to me is always really a cool thing, you know, within any industry, or profession, or whatever it is. I'm always really moved by that. Marcus: It's interesting how that has ... I mean, it's not just the business world anymore, is it? When we look to how things have changed even over the course of let's say the last even 10 years or less, you know, you can be a world class baker, or a world class electrician, or a world class whatever and just caring about your craft. I mean, it doesn't have to be Steve Jobs or Elon Musk, or anything like that, right? Allen: That's right. That's right. Marcus: Going kind of along that same vein, are there any books, or podcasts, or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? Allen: Yes. In terms of books, a couple of the books that have shaped my past and helped me get better, a couple was, and I would kind of take them in order was Jack Welch's book, Winning, that basically taught me that even at the highest levels of leadership, that getting involved in the details, and understanding, shaking things up, trying to get an organization better processes, whatever it is. That was an early reading for me. But probably the biggest book or the book that made the biggest impact was Good To Great. Are you familiar with Good To Great? Marcus: I am. Allen: Jim Collins. Marcus: Very much so. Allen: For those that may not be as familiar with it, Jim Collins and his team spent 10,000 hours studying and researching companies and looking at similar or the same industry, comparing companies that went to become excellent and then those that stayed- Marcus: That were just mediocre. Allen: ...mediocre. What they learned, as you know, that it's all about the people. It wasn't some grandiose strategy. They found, it was a little bit of a surprise, from what I remember, is that it was all about getting the right people on the bus and in the right seats, and then everything else good comes from that. I read that early, pretty much when it came out. That really has helped shape my own thinking. I think we instinctively know a lot of those things, but we've tried our best within our firm to do that. We don't get it perfect all the time, but we really, really try to keep our eye one that. That was an important reading for me. They actually have a monologue that goes along with that for the nonprofit sector that I've- Marcus: I didn't know that. Allen: ... read, and it's really great as well. Marcus: Is it? Allen: Then some, following on from that, the power of purpose, you know, the book, Starts With Why. Basically, the theme is- Marcus: Simon Sinek I believe. Allen: Yup. I think that's right. The power of having a strong purpose, and that too has been I think ... Again, I don't know that there's anything that is just earth shattering. I think it affirms our instincts that we all want a strong individually and organizations need a really strong purpose and a mission. If you have that strong purpose and mission, a lot of great things can come from that. Marcus: Those two go together though, don't they? Allen: They do. Marcus: So, if you have a strong purpose and mission, you know the people that you need on the bus in order to achieve the goals that you have set forth. Allen: That's it. Those are two perhaps most important things for us to get right. Then the book, Blank, by Gladwell. Marcus: Yeah. Malcolm Gladwell? Allen: Yeah. I think that- Marcus: I've not read that one, but I've heard very good things about it. Allen: You should read that. Again, I don't know that anything will just like surprised you, but it will affirm that I think most of us have really pretty good instincts, that there's a reason for that. We have all these experiences that build into where we are, and it affirms to me that I think we need to maybe listen to those. When I look back, I felt like I've had pretty good instincts, but I haven't always acted on them. Marcus: Interesting. Allen: That book will give you some confidence to act on. Marcus: You said that a couple of times, that there's nothing earth shattering, but I find when I'm reading a book, or going to a conference, or listening to a podcast, or something like that, I am looking for that affirmation, but sometimes it's just a nuance, like there's some ... I'm gonna take one little piece out of that whole thing. I listened to a three hour podcast, or I'll read a 200 page book, and there may be just one paragraph in that whole book, and I'm just like ... You know, I just kind of put my hand against my forehead and go, "Why didn't I think of it in that way before?" It makes the whole thing worth it, because let's be real. We're all reading these books. Marcus: I have this spoof that I want to do on Tai Lopez's video, and I don't know if you know who Tai Lopez ... He's the guy that did the iPhone video in his garage, and he's got a Lamborghini sitting there. He goes, "Yeah, but what I find more important is the 4,000 books," or something, that he had seven bookcases. I want to do a spoof on that, because his whole thing is that he talks about books as a way of folding back the time, because you are taking somebody else's knowledge and injecting it into your head, and that helps shorten the amount of time that it's gonna take you to learn and get where you want to be. Allen: That's a good point. Marcus: So, I think when we listen to a podcast, or read books, or things like that, if we change our perspective and think of it in that sense, then it becomes even more powerful. Allen: That's true. I guess what I was referring to is we have thoughts that we go through time, and maybe we don't have the confidence to think that we're either really on it, or we're missing- Marcus: As business owners, we always have that thought. Allen: Yeah. When you read and you get the perspectives, you either ... that you debunk some thinking that you may have had, or it affirms some of your core thinking. Marcus: Absolutely. Allen: [crosstalk 00:22:38] Marcus: No. Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. What's the- Allen: Marcus, you talked about organizations. Of course, I've learned a lot from my organization, but one of the organizations, and it was a service oriented role for me, I was serving on the board of Saint Luke's Episcopal School at the time. It was my kid's school. Marcus: Very good. Allen: It was probably in the 2002, 4-ish, to the late 2000s range. That school was considering, the board was considering creating a high school. It only went to the eighth grade at the time. I was sitting there as chair of the board at the time. So, we began to study that whole process. What I learned put a lot of things for me. I learned an incredible amount through that exercise, but what I learned is, again, the power of people, having the really good people on the bus to accomplish something. Of course, that school went on to acquire the old former Right's Girl School Campus out on University, and it did create the high school, which is doing great things today. My daughter graduated from the high school. Marcus: Awesome. Allen: But the cool thing was is that people, the power in people, okay? Having the right people on the bus in the rights seats, and we had a world class team that came together to make that possible. Secondly is the power of purpose. You talk about a strong purpose is sitting back and saying, "Let's go start a high school, and how can we afford it? How can we fund it? Does it make sense?" That is a strong, strong purpose. Allen: Then the other thing I learned through that is timing, the importance of timing. I didn't realize or didn't appreciate this at the time, but looking back I can see it, that there was probably a very short window of time, because that was on the eve of the whole financial crises that of course the market crashed, and the economy took a big step back in the beginning of I think it's the Great Recession is that we refer to it as. Literally probably a six month or a year window of time that that would have been possibly, because of all the moons aligning, and then there was a period that it would not have been possible. I think that the power of timing ... I wish we could all look in a crystal ball and see all of that. We can't see that, but I think that so much of both good and challenges that come to the world or have come to all of is in our businesses is a lot of timing too. Marcus: There's some truth to that for sure. They all go together, right? So, people, purpose, timing. Yeah. The relationships there are very, very important. What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Allen: Just take care of people I think is the biggest thing. Just try to get the right folks, take care of them, and serve your clients. Marcus: Right. Show them that you appreciate them. Allen: Go that extra mile. Work your rear end off to deliver to clients. Marcus: Do you have any interesting ways that you reward people? Allen: Yeah. Marcus: You've been a very giving ... I mean, full disclosure, you and Lindsey have both been very gracious and brought gifts, because of the small business thing, so I Thank you very much for that. So, I'm betting that that probably carries over into the business world too. Allen: Yeah. We try to have fun. Marcus, we do a variety of things. We try to have a lot of fun as a group. We enjoy each other. We spend more time with our colleagues than we do our own families often. So, much like you all here, I can see y'all have fun. You have a great group as well. That's a big part of it, just enjoying each other and compensating folks well, trying to maintain some work/life balance or integration as well is important. We've got a number of different things. We often have our socials and our TGITs. Marcus: I know you have retreats, where you get together- Allen: We do. Yes. Marcus: ... and have speakers come in and stuff like that. Allen: That's true. Marcus: I mean, there's all kinds of different ways. I guess where I was going with that is you mentioned compensation. Compensations isn't all ... I think I want to break through that box of people thinking that, "Well, I just have to pay people more. I have to give them ..." There is some level of, yes, you do need to pay people what they're worth, but there are small rewards that you can do, whether it's just buying somebody lunch or telling them in some other way that you really appreciate the extra mile that they went. Allen: That's a great point, saying, "Thanks. We appreciate what you're doing," is a big deal. You're right. It's not just about monetary compensation. There are lots of intangibles, because if you don't have the right organization, there may not be any amount of money could pay somebody to get them to really stay with you for the long term. Yeah. There's more to it. Marcus: This is the most difficult question that I'm gonna ask you, and you're gonna squirm a little bit when I ask you this, but how do you like to unwind? Allen: Gosh. I've got a bunch of things that interest me. I grew up, I learned to fly at a very early age. Marcus: Really? Allen: At 18, I got my pilots license. I guess I'm deeply passionate about aviation. Marcus: That is so cool. Allen: That was at Brookley back in the early 80s. That's a life long passion. I'm not current right now, but I really, really, really love flying and aviation. I've got pretty much if you can get on it, and ride it, and twist the throttle or push the gas- Marcus: [crosstalk 00:28:20] motorcycle or- Allen: ... I'm gonna have fun with it. Yeah. I've got motorcycles today. I grew up riding dirt bikes. I've got some street bikes now. I love to get out in the spring or in the fall and ride my bike down to- Marcus: You don't like to ride in the dead heat of summer? Allen: I don't care for that. Yeah. Marcus: With the haze coming up off the asphalt. Allen: That's really just no fun for me. I get on the boat during the summer. My wife and I have a boat. We enjoy getting out and getting in the water, being on the water. I love Dolphin Island. I kind of grew up and my parents have a place on Dolphin Island. My wife and I do now as well. I enjoy getting to Dolphin Island as much as possible, getting out on the water. Those are the kind of things that we enjoy. Marcus: We got to get you back in a plane though. Allen: I'd love to. Yeah. I'm just on the bench right now, just because of time. Ido really love flying and aviation. My son and I, we were fortunate to go to Oshkosh probably 15 years running. I don't know if you ever heard of Oshkosh, but Oshkosh is the great big industry trade show for general aviation up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The whole town shuts down. I think a third of general aviation fleet come through that event. It's like Disney for the aviation types. You know? It's like Disney. Marcus: Abe, from Harper Tech, is a pilot and has a small plane. I've always been envious, because it's nothing for him to pop over to New Orleans and pick up beignets and come back, or fly up to Birmingham and get a hard drive from somebody and come back, or go there for dinner or something like that. I love that idea of being able to, you know, just go, because so oftentimes, as business owners, we don't have time, right? So, if you can cut it out somewhere, that's great. Allen: It's a great way to travel regionally, but you have to stay with it, and take it seriously, and fly a good bit to be good at it. Marcus: Good? Yeah. Yeah. There's nothing worse that a bad pilot. Now, tell people where they can find out more about Wilkins Miller. Allen: Our website is . My email address is . Marcus: Very good. I imagine you guys . I know you're on , because I get pinged there a couple of times too, which is cool. An accounting firm that has an Instagram account. Go and follow them. That's really pretty cool. Allen: Thank you. Marcus: Yeah. Well, Allen, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comment you'd like to share? Allen: You know, Marcus, I'd like to thank you for doing what you're doing in these podcasts. I'm certainly honored to be here to participate. Thank you for being a cheerleader for the entrepreneurial community in Mobile. Having grown up here, I'm so excited about what's going on, and I think the kinds of things, what you're doing, is an important element in what's going on, so thank you for that. I mean, lots of wonderful things that are going on, so we appreciate what you do. Taking time from your business to do this is incredible, so thank you. Marcus: Thank you for saying that. Well, Allen, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Allen: You're welcome. Thank you, Marcus.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Richard McGill, the founder of Mobile Fashion Week. From a background in theater, design, photography, and fashion, Richard dreamt of bringing every facet of the fashion industry together to support a local charity. Listen to this week’s episode to hear the story of an upcoming Mobile event! Richard: Hey, I am Richard McGill, founder of Mobile Fashion Week. Marcus: Well, welcome to the podcast, Richard. Richard: Oh, hey. What's up, you? Marcus: Okay, so full disclosure, Richard and I do know each other. We've met through Tony, who is a photographer here locally, and we've kind of run into each other occasionally, but I wanted to have you on the podcast, because I love what you're doing with fashion week. Richard: Awesome. Marcus: Thank you for coming. Richard: Thank you for having me. Super excited. Marcus: The way that we normally start the podcast is we always kind of try to find out a little bit about the person, before we get into some of the ways of their thinking and what they have going on and stuff like that. Tell us a little bit about who you are, where you from, where'd you go to high school? Did you go to college? Did you graduate? So on and so forth. Richard: Awesome. Awesome. Well, I'm Richard McGill. You already got that part, but I'm from Mobile, Alabama, born and raised. On the playground is where I spent most of my days. Y'all get that reference? Marcus: Yes. Absolutely. I'm old enough to get that reference. Richard: Awesome. Marcus: Jerry's just trying to touch you again. Pay no attention to the man. Richard: Let me shimmy for you. But yes, I went to Davidson High School. W.P. Davidson. I was in musical theater, I was in color guard. I was the only boy in color guard at that point. I was the boy with the flag. Marcus: Blazing new trails. Richard: Man, hey, I always had that flag and I was throwing it. Had a big old smile on my face. I was good to go. In Mobile, Alabama, 2005. I went to the University of Southern Mississippi, and then I transferred to the University of South Alabama. I did have a musical theater ... I was on the tract for musical theater degree. Developed a nodule on my left vocal cord. Kind of switched it up for me. But it didn't end anything, it just started a new path, which I was really excited about. And then I ... Yeah, in Mobile. Marcus: But you didn't graduate music theater, you went and got a graphic design- Richard: Yes. Photography and graphic design. Marcus: Photography and graphic design degree. But you're in ... I mean, you predominantly are in fashion. That's where you live, that's where you love, that's, you know, all the things that are you surround fashion. Richard: Is about, just with fashion. It's just explaining to people and educating people on the fact that fashion is every day. You might not think you are the most fashionable person in the world, but what you picked and your chosen skin is what you're wearing. You chose that to wear, and whether you think it's fashion or not, like you'd make a decision. Marcus: Conscious or not. Richard: Yeah, and just teaching people that that's okay. No matter if people are telling you "Oh, well that doesn't look great together, that doesn't look good together." There's going to be people that tell you all the time "That doesn't look good." But there's going to be those people that are like "Hey, that's some pretty fresh style you got going on there." The only thing that changed in between those conversations is the person. You didn't change your outfit, it was the person that looked at it and so that's what I always try to remind people about. That's what it's about. Marcus: So, I'm the same way. I didn't grow up with a whole lot of money and so I was always very ... like I remember when Nike first released the Cortez's and they had the red heel and they had the blue stripe and I just was like "Oh, man I'd really like to have those," but I was the kid wearing the shoes from Payless, right. Just recently I started getting Air Jordan's. Richard: Okay. Marcus: And so I was wearing some the other day and Terrance DeShaun who has not been on this podcast but he is going to come on this podcast, was giving me crap about "What do you know about J's?" And I was like "Please player, don't even start with me." Like I've been lusting after J's since they first came out in the 80s but I would agree with you that fashion is very much what you're comfortable in but it projects quite a bit. Richard: Yes. Marcus: And so even as a business owner ... I'm going to go out on a limb here and I may make some enemies but the thing that kind of bugs me about fashion here in Mobile is that, you know, in the business community it's much like what it was in D.C. where you go to a business event and it's the blue blazer, the gray slacks, the white shirt with the red tie and it's like there's so much more to it then that. Richard: There's so much more you can do. Marcus: Put some effort into it and so I'm the guy that shows up wearing all the weird stuff, you know, and the funky clothes but I love it. That's who I am, and I can get away with it because I own an advertising agency, and I don't work at a law firm. Richard: But everybody can get away ... Even those people who do work for law firms. Even if you feel that you have wear a suit, wear a funky sock with it. Do something really cool, wear a really different tie, wear a bow tie or do something crazy because it's not the norm any more. I think it's definitely the new generation of people that are showing us like "Hey, you should be you." I mean people are going to love you and it's not so much more, I feel, it's not so much more about the business anymore. It's more about who you are and people are realizing that. Marcus: Like, authenticity. Richard: It's your authenticity; you are not playing a suited person. Marcus: No, and they can see thought it. Richard: You're playing you and that you are amazing so be you. Just be great being you. Marcus: Yeah, that's awesome. So I want to go back in your history. What was your first job, and I don't mean your first job in fashion. I mean like your first crap job, like flipping burgers or whatever. Richard: You want to know it? Marcus: Well, yeah. Richard: Only a few people know it. I worked at Golden Corral. Marcus: Seriously? Richard: Yes, Golden Corral. Marcus: Doing what? Now a lot of people know about it. So you know, like.. Richard: Golden Corral. I was that really loud guy at the front saying "Hey," to getting your Coke, getting your drink and that's back when like the budget really wasn't good the sign wouldn't say Golden Corral it would say like the Golden Oral or something in the light. Marcus: I'm telling you this may be the last episode of this podcast, friends. Richard: Hey now, people know me, they know my spirit, they know my heart. They know me... Marcus: It's all good. Richard: But, no, that's what was my first job and I loved it. Just because it taught me a lot. It really did even though it was my first crap job and I knew I wasn't supposed to be there. I knew that wasn't in my wheel house but I was touching people and I was my energetic self and I did make peoples day. It was a job that taught me from day one that it was okay to fail and I feel like a lot of people these days feel like ... Especially because of social media and I love social media, I'm always on social media. But you have to post like the best of the best, of the best, of the best and you have to live this like that's not authenticity you. When you fail you learn so much more than if you succeed. Like if you're doing great all the time how are you growing? You're not growing but the moment that you mess up, you know what I'm not going to do that again and I'm going to learn from that and then I can help the next person that comes and asks about it and you're just sharing that knowledge. Even though it was Golden Oral. Even though it was the Golden Corral that's where I learned it from and I learned it from there and then I probably got out of there quick. Then I went, of course, into Abercrombie & Fitch. That was my next ... Marcus: No, the Golden Corral ... Richard: You almost said it to. Got you! Marcus: The Golden Corral is the much better story and the lesson that you learned there is absolutely perfect. Richard: Yes. Marcus: Yeah, because I think sometimes so many people are afraid to fail but I actually I want to fail quickly and I want to fail often. And I want those to be micro steps that allow me to pivot into the direction that I need to go. Richard: Because that's the only way that you are literally going to grow as a person. If I'm telling you you are great all the time ... Marcus: Or as a company. Richard: Person, company ... Marcus: Organization. Richard: Who you are, just anything. If you are being told "Oh, that's just great, that's just great, you know, that's awesome." No give me honesty back. I know, and this goes back to fashion week, not to be conceited or anything but we put on the best show that we can put on. So you telling me "Oh, that was a great show," well, that's why I did it like that. I knew that, what could I have made better? "Oh, well the lighting over here really couldn't see the clothes when it got here," Bam! Not going to do that again. Marcus: You're going to fix that. Richard: I'm going to have them make sure there is plenty of lighting over there, that's right. Make it overly bright. "This designer, her clothes started falling apart in the run way." Okay I'm going to make sure to talk to her about her seams and making sure that we are secure in our seams and we're doing this and we're doing that. You just telling me "Oh, it was a great show. Thank you, we can't wait until next year." Okay well you're going to see the same thing next year if you don't tell me what else you need. What do I need to give to you? Marcus: Yeah, and like anything there is a good way to give feedback and I think giving feedback is an art form. You want people to give you that feedback. You want it to be from a position of them wanting to help you versus being overly critical and just trying to destroy you. Richard: Just being shady. There's no point in being that. I get it. There's a lot of shows that have been inspired by Mobile fashion week, a lot of different fashion events, fashion weeks have been started and of course they're going to say stuff like "Oh, we would have done it like this, we would have done it like this." Okay, that's great. Marcus: Go do it. Richard: Yeah, go do it. That's not how we do it but that's okay. You do your thing. Marcus: So you are a founder of Mobile.... Are you the founder? And that I know that. Richard: Yeah, so I'm the founder. We did it after an event we had called Fashion Forward. It was me, Suzanne Massingill, with Barefoot Models and Talent, and Toni Riales. There was a local model Morgan that had a brain tumor and we needed to raise money for her and then we don't play sports. We don't do any of that stuff so what are we going to do? Marcus: Really? You seem like a very sporty guy. Richard: Right? Don't I look like I play something. I'm just like "Yes, field goal, touch down, War Tigers, Eagles." Marcus: No, let's not do that. You just lost the rest of our audience. Richard: Roll Tigers ... War. Marcus: Yeah, but that was how it started? Richard: Yeah, it started from that because everyone loved the idea, they love the concept. They loved that we booked real models, got real designers, real styling. Everything was authentic about it. Before then, it was a little fun mom-and-pop, mom and daughter little fashion shows. Like fun stuff which is done by the Junior League which is an amazing group. They have the audience, they have the clientele and that's who they market to but we wanted to do something different. So then me and Susan got together and I was like "Hey Susan I want to start something, I want to start it, let's do it." And she was like "Hey let's try it, let's go, let's see what happens." And that was year one in 2011. Okay, we learned some stuff. We got in a little bit of debt. Let's try year two. Year two, okay we actually donated a pretty good check to Camp Rap-A-Hope. Year three, okay, this is an even better check. Okay, year four. Marcus: Is that where the proceeds go? Richard: Yeah everything goes to Camp Rap-A-Hope. We've had little other non-profits that we've joined in. We do Children With Hair Loss, that's a really cool one where if you go to any of the salons that we partner with you get a free ticket to the show if you donate your hair and that's 100% free wigs to kids that have lost their hair towards any kind of cancer treatment towards alopecia like just losing their hair any kind of diseases like that. It's just been so much fun getting to work with these people and getting to know that it's not all sad. Yes, it's sad when you see the little bald girl. Marcus: Yeah but it doesn't have to be. Richard: But it's not ... that's now who they are. They're still getting though life and they're doing this and we're getting to help them and it's powerful. Marcus: So, you're are in your ... this will be your eight. Richard: This will be year eight, season seven. Marcus: My gears just crunched. Richard: Last year I had the opportunity with H&M to go to Vietnam to open up Ben Thanh Market in H&M and it was an amazing opportunity and I couldn't let it pass and neither could, like the board, they're like "Hey, no, you've got to go. You've got to have this happen." This is one of those, not failure times, one of those times we reflected on because when I was gone a lot of stuff happened that was going to cripple the show and people spend money ... It's not like we're a cheap ticket. Like we're $25, $30 a ticket to come support Camp Rap-A-Hope and see a show. So if we don't put on the best show or if we know that we're not going to be able to provide that. We're not going to have you waste your money that you could have used on this, that, the other. Could have just given to Camp Rap-A-Hope right out of your pocket. So, when it got closer to the fashion week we walked the space again it just wasn't what we needed it to be. We've talked to some vendors, they weren't going to be able to deliver what they were supposed to and then I was out of town, so I couldn't pull up the charm like "Hey let's get this together guys. Go team." The board was like "Hey, it's going to cripple the show, it's going to ruin the brand, it's going to not be like anything anybody signed up for and people are going to be wasting their money and we can't do that to them." So we decided to cancel the show last year. The PR nightmare that came with that was like "Oh, their canceling it forever. It's because Richard was out of town." No, it wasn't because of just me out of town. It was other factors that went into it. This isn't just the Richard show, this is an amazing group of people that just come together, volunteer their time and energy to raise money for Camp Rap-A-Hope and the only way that our industry knows how, which is to put on a fashion show. Marcus: So, Mobile is not the epicenter of ... Richard: Right, where have you been? What are you talking about? No it's not. Marcus: No, but I mean let's be real. I mean it's not the epicenter of fashion. So I just want to say in this that it is absolutely very cool that we have something like this because it's not New York City, it's not L.A., it's not even Miami or any of the other secondary markets that would be considered fashion centers. Richard: Yeah. It's really not and when I got back here that was one of my main ... I moved out to L.A. that's when ... around the time when I met you and we started being cool with each other. I don't know what to say. That was kind of weird. Nothing creepy was happening. Marcus: It's all good people. Richard: But when I moved out to L.A. and I was there for six months and I got to work with some people at L.A. fashion week and I've got to engulf myself in there and when I came back and because the L.A. market just wasn't for me. It just was a lot of mean. I just didn't ... Marcus: Born and raised in Mobile you're used to people being friendly and hospitality and stuff. Richard: Smiling and just being able to be who you are and you would think that in L.A. it would be even more. Marcus: More embracing. Richard: More embracing. Like me just being the loud person that I am it was more embracing but no. It wasn't so came back on home. So I came back home and when I got here a lot of my really talented friends that were into make-up, into hair, into designing were leaving for these big markets as well. They were going to even New Orleans or Atlanta, some of them went to New York, or some of them went to L.A. and I was like, "Wow, we just lost a lot of really talented people," because they feel they didn't have the outlet to express themselves in Mobile and I was like "No, we can't lose anymore talent." That's why we have to show that we can embrace that talent here. So we did the fashion show for Morgan and then I was like "No, it's fashion week. That's what we're going to give them." Yes, you might be a hair stylist down here, you might have to do up dos for prom and homecoming all year but this is the one week that you can do these crazy looks and you can get pictures of them. You can have them all week. Marcus: Thanks for filtering. Richard: Man, you know I was. I was about to... I'm trying to be a good Christian around here. Marcus: He's trying to church it up a little bit though. Richard: Sorry, everyone. Sorry everyone but yeah, love y'all. Marcus: Now, let's think about this as an organization, okay. So, if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running these types of events or being more involved in the Mobile community, what's the one bit of wisdom you would impart to them? Richard: Don't be scared, do it. I mean even if you have three people that show up and three people that support you. Those three people next year will tell three more people and then those six people will tell six more people. Marcus: So, just out of curiosity how many people came to the first event. Richard: The first event it was fresh, I was young. So I was on the street I was peddling. It was our first year because we are a 501C3 though the Mobile Arts Council and so those were the days of Bob, Charlie, Hilary. Give me all these contacts and meeting all these people and that when I met Stacy Hamilton and I got in touch with the Downtown Alliance and I was like "Oh, I know all these people now." So the first year we did get about 150, actually 200. Marcus: Pretty darn good for the ... Richard: For the first year, yeah. There was a lot of ... I called in a lot of favors because like you said I worked with Tony Riles and so though that I knew people at Mobile Bay Magazine, I knew people at Access Just Launch that year as well. So I knew Hayley Hill. So I was like "Let me get all these people and let me try and get some free ads from them," and be like "Oh, it's a non-profit." So we had a lot, a lot of press in that first year. It was the first year. Marcus: Right. Richard: So, I feel now, of course we've grown, we've learned a lot from that year. Now if we had that same amount of press and people coming it would be even more. But hey this is what you learn. Marcus: Yeah, it'd be a much bigger event. No, I just ... to your ... I mean what you were saying though, those three people. I mean it is, it's a process. You have to go though that process and go through it and build on it and learn the lessons like what you're talking about and grow. Richard: Learning the lessons because ... guys just don't be afraid. You can do it. There are at least three other people that have the same idea that you have in your head but they are just so scared of failing or just scared... Marcus: There's more than that. There's more than three people. Richard: Three people. Marcus: So, I will go just to soap box for just a second. Richard: Yeah, let's soap box. Marcus: I get tired of people coming to me and not wanting to tell me their ideas and the reason why is because they're scared that if they tell me that idea that somehow ... First of all I've got my own ideas and I'm busy executing on those, but the other thing to is ideas are cheap. Ideas are really cheap, it's the actual execution of the idea is where it becomes valuable. And most people never take that first step to execute the idea and so it's just a wasted thought. Richard: Yeah. Marcus: But anyway. Richard: Stand on that soap box. Marcus: Get back on topic. Richard: The more you know. Marcus: By the time this releases we will probably be two or three weeks out from Mobile fashion week so what are you currently working on? Richard: Okay, so what am I currently working on or ... Marcus: Right now, but I mean ... Richard: Right now. Marcus: Yes, right now. So we're recording this on the 30th of August. So what are you working on for ... Richard: Right now. It's just finalizing the schedule. Everybody thinks that "Oh, it's just a fashion show. You can put that together in a month." Marcus: That's hilarious. Richard: No, no, darlings. It takes literally a year. After the last show we are already ... Like while we're putting that last show ... this show on we're already going to be working on ideas, concepts, designs for next year because one you have to give these designers a chance to make something and you have to give them a chance to let their ideas grow because sometimes their not thinking about it yet. They're just trying to get though that month. Those are the new designers that don't realize they have to be so far ahead yet. But then there's other designers that are a little bit more into the game and know a little bit more. They're already prepared, already have some of that worked out. But you need to give them time. You have to get the Pantone colors for the season, you have to make sure you're trendy. You're keeping the social media up all year so people just don't forget about it and it's like "Oh, well August is here so we're going to start hearing from Mobile fashion week again." No, we have to be at events, we have to be at this, we have to be at that. We have to be promoting, we have to be sharing. So, right now we are finalizing the actual day of fashion week. We used to do three shows. Then we started doing two shows. This year is going to be our first year with one show. One really big show and it's not because of anything else besides the fact that shows cost money and at the end of the day the more money we're spending; yes we have a great week. But the less money we're able to give to Camp Rap-A-Hope. At the end of the day that's what it's about. Like giving the money to the kids with cancer. How do you say no to that? So us cutting down the days that we're actually having to spend on production costs and just focus on the show, focus on the big show and just do other little fun special things though out the week that have to do with fashion, have to do with Camp Rap-A-Hope and promoting that. That's what's important this year. That's what we're focused on this year. Marcus: Very cool. Richard: Just another little fun little change. So yeah just finishing out the calendar. Making sure all the models are still the size they're supposed to be from casting because sometimes you just like ... Marcus: Cheeseburgers. Richard: A new restaurant will open up and you'll eat there a couple times. I've been at that Poke Luau. Marcus: Where's that? Richard: Oh, man you don't know about Poke Luau? Marcus: No. Richard: It's over in Pinebrook shopping center. Marcus: I'll have to check that out. Is that buy ... We're going on a tangent folks, give us just a second. Richard: Yeah, y'all go there too. Marcus: Yeah, is that over by Whole Foods? Richard: Whole Foods. So it's Whole Foods and then that new F45 work out place. It's right next to ... Marcus: Andy Vickers, owns F45. Richard: He's an awesome guy too. All these awesome people. But right next to it there's this Poke Lulu place. Marcus: What kind of food is it? Richard: It's just Poke. It's like... Do you know what Poke is? Like the rice with ... Marcus: Some sort of meat and fresh vegetables and stuff like that. Richard: Yeah everything. Marcus: Alright. Richard: Just go see them. Marcus: Come on, you had to know. I should have told you beforehand just strap yourself in dear listener because we're going on a ride today. Richard: Left, right, up, down. You all should be prepared. Marcus: Who's one person from the business world that motivates you? Or from the fashion world, I'll throw you a bone. So fashion world ... Richard: No, it's actually right in like I can always think big. Think globally act locally and the one person that just inspires me right now and he's local. It's Scott Tindle. Scott Tindle is just an amazing ... y'all clearly ... everybody should know who Scott Tindle is right now. Marcus: Yeah, I mean he's been on the podcast before and Scott and I are friendly. Richard: Yeah, he's just like one of those people that has those ideas but doesn't just spit them out. Like all the sudden they're just there and it's like "Oh, this is an actual thing now. Oh, we actually have a restaurant here now." Marcus: We have Duck Boats that drive down... Richard: We actually have Duck Boats. Marcus: Dauphin Street and we have a fort that's actually being used and we have a restaurant in the fort that has amazing Po Boys and who knows what else dear Scott Tindle has planned for this city. Richard: Hey, and there's going to be a fashion week at that same fort. Marcus: Is it going to be there? Richard: Yeah, it's going to be at the fort. Marcus: Nice. Richard: Yeah, it's going to be great and then we have some food there from ... oh, and they just got their liquor license so we got booze from them too. So you know the fort is going to be a poppin' place Marcus: Somebody hide the Vodka from Richard before the show. Richard: I don't actually drink. I take pictures of everybody else being drunk. It's really good. Especially at business events. It's like "Got this for later." What he has done ...It's just one of those people that's also inspiring also can make light of bad situations. Like bad stuff happens ... Marcus: Yeah. Richard: Forgot to get this license so we've got to ground, you know, the Duck Boats for a little bit but hey learned now not going to do that again. Marcus: Yeah, move forward. Richard: Yeah, move forward. So he's just really ... He's inspiring so many like Andrew Vickers he like worked with Scott and now he's doing his own thing. Just being that inspiring person and being okay with sharing ideas and not thinking like "Oh, I have to keep these ideas to myself because I wanna be the most successful, the richest person in Mobile." No, share your ideas. Marcus: One of the things that the internet has taught me is that ideas are meant to be shared. Richard: Yes. Marcus: Right, they're meant to be shared freely and that, you know. So we give away a lot of information whether it be on the videos or the podcasts or the blog posts that we right and stuff like that and I mean we go into great detail in some of the things that we share. The funny thing is even if you give away those details often times people will never do anything with it. It's just information that they kind of consume. Richard: I learned a lot about SEO from y'all. See look, hey. Marcus: Throwing that out there. Richard: Yeah, learned it, hey. Marcus: Are there any books, podcasts, people or organizations that have been helpful to you? Richard: Yeah, Mobile Arts Council has been just the supporting of Mobile fashion week. When Bob and Charlie were there, of course, they were just people that I could go in there, talk to, cry if I needed to and just be like "Guys, I'm so overwhelmed. I don't know what's going on. I don't know what to do next." And they were just there ... just the ear to talk to. They were also ... It was really inspiring just for them to talk to in the fact of fashion is art as well. I know it gets lost. Marcus: I love it. Richard: A lot of people don't think of it as art. They think if it's not hanging up on a wall it's not considered art. Marcus: Right. Richard: So, being that outlet for them as well saying "Hey, fashion is art." Yes, it's clothing. Yes, you can wear it every day. Marcus: It's functional. Richard: But yes there are some designers that are making these gorgeous pieces that you will never wear down Dolphin street but they're these beautiful concepts and it took time and effort. It took just as much time to make that dress as it did to paint that picture. Marcus: And as much creativity. Richard: Much creativity and much uniqueness and that's just energy. Marcus: What's the most important thing that you've learned about running this organization? Richard: Just to ... I know that sounds bad because you should take everything seriously but not to take it too seriously. Marcus: Right. Richard: Not to take everything ... It's not mapping the brain, it's not brain surgery. It's nothing to do with that. Yes, we have this. Yes, we're dealing with money. Yes, we're donating money. All this important stuff behind it but if it ended today, if it ended tomorrow, if this was the last year, if next year's the last year, if anything happen that would not affect me as a person much without saying "I've learned a lot from it." I've learned so much for it and now I can move on and do something else for it. Not that it's going to end anytime soon. Marcus: Right. Richard: Because we're still young around here and we're just going to ride it until the wheels fall off. Marcus: There you go. Richard: But it's just the importance of just not taking it too seriously. Marcus: Well, I mean fashion and art are meant to be fun, right? Richard: Yes. Marcus: And there is ... often times I think we try to make things serious in an effort to lend importance to them. Richard: It gives it validation. If we make it serious, if it's a serious thing then it's validated. Marcus: Right. We have to study it and pick it apart and make it mean something more then what it means. Richard: Those lines. Did you see those lines ... Marcus: Right, exactly. Richard: It was a fun picture. Marcus: Yeah, exactly. Richard: It was a Campbell's soup can, you know. Marcus: Yeah, Andy Warhol is the reference there if you're not catching it. I mean it is ... How much cocaine was consumed in the making of those Campbell's soup cans? Richard: No matter. Marcus: I mean, how much fun was he having while he was doing that? You really think he was trying to be all that serious, no. I mean it was Campbell's soup. He was trying to make a statement but it wasn't meant to be this global thing. Richard: Yeah, no. Marcus: See I get on these soap boxes. I need to just ... Richard: I like your soap boxes. Marcus: Yeah. Richard: Where did that term come from you think? Marcus: Soap box? Richard: Where's that term come from? Marcus: Soap box. Back in the day when people would stand on some sort of pedestal and what's the old term ... Stump speech when ... in politics. Anyway we're way off topic now guys. See I told you this is the last one. We've got another one, we may have to put him in front of this just to make sure that this ... Richard: Make sure you know. Marcus: How do you like to unwind? Richard: How do I like to unwind. Do I unwind? No. I like to sew. Marcus: So you do ... I mean you're actually making fashion pieces and stuff. Richard: One of my things for fashion week ... one of the other things that inspires me. Yes, I make ... I sew, I design, I do all that fun stuff too. I love so many ... and this is what help people that want to start events as well or want's to start something to. I don't believe in a jack of all trades. Like I just don't think it's a good concept. I never really liked it. I liked the fact that you know a little bit about everything but I don't think it's good for the market place, I don't think it's good for anything. Like you just doing it all yourself. So I love make-up, I love hair, I love design, I love shows, I love everything about it but I don't want to be the designer that also does hair, that also does make-up, that also does photography, that also does this, that also does that. Marcus: No, but you have to have some understanding of it in order to pull all of those things together. To make your vision come though. Richard: I do that through fashion week. So I get to play dress up with the designers, I get to talk design to the designers, I get to talk make-up to the make-up artists that support. I get to talk hair to the hair stylist that are coming. You get all these facets together and you get to be engulfed in it all at once without trying to be like "Oh, I'm perfect at everything." And you're not actually giving it everything you're 100% because you can only give 20% of yourself to hair, 20% of yourself to make-up. Marcus: Yeah. Richard: Just put an event together, get these other people that are amazing at these talents because that's what they focus on and just be engulfed in it and just have fun with them. Marcus: Yeah, that's really cool. Now tell people where they can find out more about the event. Richard: Gosh, go to Mobfashionweek.com M-O-B fashionweek.com We post fun blogs there, we have some information about Camp Rap-A-Hope there, we have pictures from past shows. You can see what designers are walking this show. You can see the hair stylists that are supporting, the make-up artists. Everyone that's on the board and on the team that puts this show together because yes I talk because I'm the talker. I'm the loud one. I'm the one ... Marcus: [laughs] Richard: I'm the loud one. I'm the one that puts myself out there but there's so many people and that's what's also empowering as well. Having people because there are those people in life, in the world we live in that have to be the center of attention but I work with this amazing group of people that they will work back behind the scenes. You don't need to know their name, you don't need to know they helped at all. Susan Massengale one of the ones been there since day one and she never comes out and says thank you afterwords. She never does that after the shows. She cleans up, she gets all the models stuff that they leave because we have these ... Marcus: Make sure that everything's buttoned up and taken care of. Richard: Everything's buttoned up and taken care of. You don't have to see her, you don't even have to know she was a part of it because at the end of the day we all work to donate this charity to Camp Rap-A-Hope. Marcus: Yeah. Richard: And that just one of my things that I just loved about working with her, working with the rest of the team with Allison, with Lindsey, with Malcome, with all of these amazing people. Just they don't have to be the center of attention. You don't have to know they're there but they are, they're helping and I appreciate them so much but I'm, of course, like I said the loud one. I'm the loud one, I'm the one like "Hey, y'all coming to the show now? Y'all get over here y'all." Marcus: Oh my god, help us. Richard I want to thank you again for coming on my podcast to wrap up any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Richard: Man, just come to the show, support Camp Rap-A-Hope, support all the local events that happen in Mobile; 1065 all these great really cool events. There was that new music ... Marcus: South Sounds. Richard: South Sounds, gosh, please go to South Sounds. Marcus: Yeah, and then you're talking about Mobfest Richard: MOB Fest. That's an event that comes around. All these events, support them. So go there. It might be something you're into, e-mail them say you want to be a part of it if you want to be part of it. If you don't, if you just want to be at the house and go to a cool event, man there's so many events around Mobile. Marcus: It's important that you support them. Some of them are free so it's not even a matter of paying to go but it's important because the people put a lot of effort into that and if people don't come out then they stop putting that effort in and the other thing to is just from the economic impacts stand point because well it's a business podcast so we'll talk about it. Richard: We gotta talk about that. Marcus: From the economic stand point, you know, I was talking to someone who shall remain nameless who said that they generate $30 million worth of revenue for the city by bringing their event here. Richard: Voldemort? Was it Voldemort? Marcus: No. Richard: Oh. Marcus: And so we ... Richard: You said nameless, okay. Marcus: No. It's... Richard: It's not a bad guy. Marcus: Yeah. Richard: Their bringing money in. Marcus: I don't want to ... I mean he's going to be on the podcast soon and he may actually talk about this but we were having lunch the other day and $30-$40 million every year is brought into the city by this guy. Richard: Oh, wow. Marcus: And, you know, the tickets to the event are not that expensive but it's extremely important that we go out and we support these events. Even if they're free because there's sponsorships that, you know, they want to know the numbers that of people that come and there are organizations like yours where it's $25, $30 to come or even if it's $50 who cares. That money's going to a good cause and yes that's not a cheap ticket but at the same time it's a fun event, go. Richard: It's not like trying to go to New York. So many people ... Some of our guests that come they will never have the chance to go to New York fashion week. They'll never have the chance to go to Miami fashion week or L.A. fashion week so we want to bring that experience to them and we don't want be like "Oh, it's $100 to come to our show." Yeah we would love to raise that much money, if you want to spend that much money on a ticket write the other donation to . We don't need that money, we're okay. We're not profiting off this at all. No ones making money everything after they count zeros out goes to Camp Rap-A-Hope. So we're not trying to profit off of this. All we're trying to do is create an amazing event for you to have fun at and not think about ... because that's the fun thing about Camp Rap-A-Hope is they don't ever want to push the fact that the kids have cancer on you. They want to push the fact that they're having fun and they're able just to have fun because its not a big taboo subject because every kid there has cancer so you don't have to talk about it. Marcus: Right. Richard: Because you already know everybody else here has it so we're just going to have a fun weekend and not have to talk about it. You don't have to worry about these ports and tubes around you because you see it all around. It's just a fun week of kids ... oh gosh, I get emotional about it. Marcus: Well, I do need to wrap up. Richard: Oh, yeah we do. Marcus: But I want to say ... I normally wrap up with appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business center but I would just like to commend you for taking something like this on because I know it's not a small feat. So pouring your life into something and not getting anything from it other than just an outlet is an amazing thing. You're a beautiful individual. Thank you for what you bring. Richard: Thank you so much. Thank you so much everyone. Learn more about Mobile Fashion Week on their and follow them on , , and .
On this week's podcast, Marcus sat down with Mamun Siddiq. From Bangladesh to Mobile, AL, Mamun quickly owned his hardships and inspired others on his way to ownership. This podcast is so motivating you might not even need coffee to get through your day! Mamun: My name is Mamun Siddiq and I'm with Re/Max partners. I'm a realtor. Marcus: Very good Mamun. Well, it's wonderful to have you here today. I know we were introduced by Ron Sivak from Lagniappe and he felt so compelled by your story that he wanted me to sit down with you and after we sat down I understand why so I'm excited to share your story with our listeners. Thank you for being here. Mamun: You are most welcome. Marcus: Yeah. Well, why don't we start with that story. Why don't you tell us where you're from. How you got here. Where you went to college. All the kind of back story of who Mamun is. Mamun: Yes. I'm originally from Bangladesh. I came as a student to USA, University of South Alabama. When I came to the University of South Alabama and at that time there's not to many place you can get a job and plus you go to school. I started working in Pizza Hut and at that time I could not speak very good English. They hired me as a dishwasher and one day I became a store manager. Marcus: Wow. Mamun: Then it was around three years period of time. I was 2003, Pizza Hut had a competition all over the United States. It's called Champs Program. I was number one Champs in the entire United States at Pizza Hut and there was 13 thousand Pizza Hut. The mayor was Mike Dow at that time and he give me a recognition and also the Pizza Hut corporation I was recognized by them with Dallas, Texas. Marcus: The additional to that story is not that that particular Pizza Hut was one of the worst. Mamun: Yes. That Pizza Hut- Marcus: You managed to turn it around. Mamun: Mm-hmm (affirmative). That Pizza Hut was suppose to be shut down within six months. The time they transferred me over there as a manager, but I took that job as just like a regular job. I turned that Pizza Hut working hard and luckily I got a great team, people working with me. We become number one in the whole country. Marcus: That's wild. So go back, you grew up in Bangladesh. Give people an idea of what's that like. I mean, it's obviously, how old were you when you arrived in the United States? Mamun: 24. Marcus: You were right about college age for what somebody even here in the states would be, but up to 24 years old you were growing up in Bangladesh. That has to be a vastly different experience than arriving in lower Alabama. Mamun: You are absolutely right. Challenge we see in Bangladesh and challenge we see over here and I see this is more opportunity in this country. I took the opportunity and tried to become like nowadays as American. How to take the opportunity and make and build the American dream. Marcus: Yeah. It's amazing to me when I talk to immigrants because my father is an immigrant and very much tried to, he was always in sales and management positions and always striving to do as well as he possible could. You made a comment when we were sitting together before of you just whatever it was, whether it was the dish washing or the managing the Pizza Hut or, and we're gonna get into a little bit about what you're doing now, that it was always your mindset to be the best that you could possibly be. Mamun: Yes. I remember when I was washing the dishes, my supervisor told me you are the best dishwasher I ever have. So, I did my best. When he told me do you want to cook? I started cooking and then he came by and said you're the best cook I ever have. What I did, I tried to put my hundred percent effort to try to be the best one. Marcus: Yeah. It's that good immigrant mentality. Mamun: Oh thank you. Marcus: I mean, it's in all sincerity because I think people that come here from other countries have a very keen awareness of the opportunity that they've been given and I think some of us that have been here for a while, no offense to majority of our audience, but we forget just what we have and we don't strive to be the best in whatever it is that we're doing. Mamun: Every day I see the opportunities over here and I use all my opportunity whenever I can to bring success in life. Marcus: Yeah. Now what was, not here in the states, but what was your very first job? Mamun: I came when I was ... came to the Mobile and I don't have enough money to pay my tuition fee or anything, then I had to go to New York and I was working in New York in a gift store. I stayed there for one year and that was my first job in the Korean Gift Store and I learned a lot of good things from there. I basically called this like a boot camp to me as a job because sometimes I had to work like 17, 18 hours a shift. Marcus: Not easy. Mamun: Not easy, but you just have to do it. Marcus: Yeah. So you didn't have any jobs when you were in Bangladesh at the time? Mamun: No. I never have a job. I just have the challenge. Marcus: Growing up in a country like that I can imagine as rife with challenges. Now what, I mean besides the long hours, were there any lessons that you remember from that first job in New York. I often times, and I'll give you some background, I often times find that when people look back to their first jobs that there's something that they learned about how you have to show up and do the work. Like I am often, and people are getting tired of hearing me say this, but I often give the example of I learned that there's a right way to do things because there was a right way to mop the floor. There was a right way to wash the dishes. Is there anything that you remember from your first job? Mamun: My first job is when you're working with Korean and they are immigrant also too. So you got to do like even when you are eating you are working to. So I just think how to use your time. Make sure a hundred percent time being used while you are working. It does not matter if you are eating, it does not matter anything else, but you are working the time you are on the clock. Marcus: Yeah. That's really good. Now you are a Re max agent, right? Mamun: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: Do you have your brokers license to? Mamun: No I do not have that myself. Marcus: Just considered an agent. How did you get started because I mean going from, and actually go back. What did you study at South? Mamun: Business administration. Marcus: Okay. That makes sense going into real estate then. So how did you get started in real estate? Mamun: Well, when I get awarded by Mike Dow, the mayor of Mobile and then I was awarded by the Pizza Hut corporation nation-wide and we have a realtor that used to come to Pizza Hut. Their name is Angie and Robbie. Mr. Robbie, he died. Mr. Robbie he basically came to me and asking me one day, "What are you doing in Pizza Hut?" I said, "I'm working." He said, "No. You need to come to see me." Mr. Robbie he basically guide me how to both become a Pizza Hut manager to become a realtor. Believe it or not, a lot of time, 60 hour class which is before you take the test to get your license. It almost take one and a half year to finish it because sometime employee don't show up so I had to leave my class to cover the shift. Marcus: Wow. Mamun: So Mr. Robbie he basically brought me in real estate. I don't know anything about real estate, but he's the man who brought it. Marcus: Now it's really cool he saw something in you and wanted to give you that opportunity as well. Mamun: I took that opportunity, yes. Marcus: Wow. To have that handed to you. Do you remember the first time that you made a sale in real estate and you thought maybe there's something to this? Because I mean checks in real estate don't come often, but when they do come they usually have a couple of zeros behind them so I can imagine. Mamun: It is a lot of hard work over there and then when I see the sales I compare what the opportunity I was working in at Pizza Hut and what is my sales team. Then I took the opportunity that I want to be full-time in real estate. Marcus: Real estate isn't an easy business I'm keenly aware because my wife is a realtor so I know that there's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. I'm impressed. You say it took you a year and a half because you were having to leave and cover peoples' shifts and stuff like that, but let's keep in mind you didn't know English that well and when you go to take your real estate exam a lot of that is legal documentation about contracts and fulfilling agreements and stuff like that. I mean, that had to be a challenge. Mamun: It is a challenge, but as a human, as a challenger, as a person I always believe that the bigger the challenge, the bigger the effort. Marcus: Right. Mamun: So my effort is bigger than my challenge. So I overcome the challenge. Marcus: That's very cool. Now if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in learning their own business because I do view realtors as business owners. They're solopreneurs. If you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Mamun: I will tell the person do your best. Whatever you do, even you cut the grass, do the best. If you give a commitment, do the best. This is what learned is ultimately you need to give whatever you have. Marcus: No holds barred, right? Mamun: No holds barred. Marcus: Yeah. Now were you currently working on anything interesting that you're trying to accomplish or any achievements that you're trying to make with your RE/Max because I know you've been quite successful as a real estate agent? Why don't you kind of brag on yourself a little bit. Mamun: Well, it's not a bragging in life. It's just that doing the job. Right now I want to do some development project in like how is eastern shore right now. They have a lot of development going on like subdivision here, there and so I want to work with developer and so we can see the Mobile, also they can grow and we can attract more quality people to live in mobile instead of go to Baldwin county. Marcus: As a Baldwin county resident I can understand why you would say that, but we like people living over on the eastern shore too. Although I will say traffic has gotten absolutely ridiculous over there lately so ... that's interesting. So if someone was to ask you what your day as a realtor typically looks like, what does a typical day look like for you? Mamun: Basically you wake up in the morning and you put yourself or what the job you need to do. Are you going to list something or you going to sell something? Then you just have to be put yourself on the map and say, "Hey. Listen. This is what my direction will be today." Marcus: Is there anything you do in the morning mentally just to kind of flip that switch and turn it on? Mamun: I run one mile. Marcus: Run one mile. That's great! Mamun: Yes, it's help you a lot to put your brain together, put your thinking together. Marcus: It's funny how physical exertion, I don't do mine in the morning but even in the evening, physical exertion has a way of taking your focus from a very obtuse into a very narrow field of vision and get you kind of laser guided on that, right? It's interesting that yo start your day that way. If you were to look to the business world, is there a person that motivates you? Is there somebody that you look to and say that person's really kind of achieved something. I want to get to where that person is? Mamun: In today's Mobile life, I always try to follow Coach Mike Godfrey [team focus 00:13:22] and coach does a lot of different thing for the kids. A lot of stuff and then being an Alabama fan I always follow Nick Saban. Nick Saban it is something he does different than other people. Other wise Alabama can not be champion. Marcus: We just lost half our audience by the way. We're evil. I agree. I mean, I think there's been a lot of new lately about Saban and whether he's a good coach or whatever, but I mean you can't look at that team and not think that there's something there. Whether it's the recruiting aspect of it or the decision making during the game or whatever, as a leader, if you just look at him as a leader, don't look at him as whether you're a fan of Alabama or Auburn or LSU, but if you just look at him as a leader there's definitely something there. If you start to pull that apart, if you start to pick it apart and just look at how he operates, it's pretty impressive. Mamun: It's different. Marcus: Yeah. It's absolutely different and I just think that's cool that you think along those lines. That's somebody that "hey, he's achieved some stuff." What do you see specifically that you kind of want to mimic or you want to bring into your own world? Mamun: I always say he's a fighter. He always want to overcome all the challenges. He always see that he can make the difference, so I try my best. It doesn't matter where I am. It doesn't matter what I do, I think I can make the difference. Marcus: No matter what kind of diversity ... Mamun: Yeah. Marcus: Are there any books, podcasts, people or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? You mentioned the gentleman that brought you into RE/Max, but outside of that. Mamun: Mobile Chamber of Commerce is a big time. I was serving as ambassador and I was ambassador of the year. It was 2009. Marcus: So what you're telling me is your an underachiever, right? Mamun: Well, not underachiever. Marcus: Everything he does he excels at. Mamun: It is just the way life is, you know, you try your best whatever you do and whatever your intention is you do the best. Marcus: I love that word. Intention, right? Because really that's what it's about. Mamun: Yes. Marcus: If you set your intention on something, if you set your mind on something then that is what you will achieve. Mamun: Yes. You are right. Marcus: Very much so. You mentioned the Mobile Chamber. Is there anybody or anything else? Any books that you've read or any other people that have been influential in your life that have helped move you forward? Mamun: My mom. My mom always use to tell me that some people are born with a gold spoon, some people did not, but it doesn't mean that you can not have the gold spoon. You can. Marcus: Yeah. Is she here now? Mamun: She's not. She is in Bangladesh, but sometime she visits over here. Marcus: I can imagine she's extremely proud of the opportunity and how you seized it. Mamun: Well she always said that doing good, you're trying your best. Marcus: The immigrant mom: "Yeah, well you're doing okay." It's like come on mom, give me some credit. Mamun: Yeah. But as the immigrant mom, they always think that you're son will be... way higher. Marcus: The expectations are way up here. Mamun: Either your son will be a doctor or an engineer. Marcus: Or a lawyer. Mamun: Or a lawyer. They always look that way, but unfortunately I could not be a doctor or an engineer, but I'm a real estate doctor. Marcus: That's a good way of looking at it. Now what's the most important thing you've learned about running a business? Mamun: The most important thing that when a client like I give you one example. When I was in Pizza Hut I see someone call you like it doesn't matter what time in the morning or they call you they ask you what time do you open? My message was to my client that what time do you want me to open for you? That basically changed the day for the client. The person who call you, he think different way about you also. Same way when the client that use to call at night and they use to ask hey what time do you close? My answer was not a specific time. I use to give the time that what time do you want to me to close for you? So that is basically giving impression about a person and the person who call you. They think about you that you are not a regular person. You are different. You want to make the difference and they will help you. Marcus: Where does that come from? Mamun: Well,- Marcus: Because not everybody, you understand, not everybody has that mentality. Mamun: Well, I will just always want to do something different in my life and I always use to think about that how I can attract my buyer or my client and what to expect like when even I was serving in the buffet, I use to go to my customer and I use to ask them, what do you want, what do you like to eat that we don't have in the menu in the buffet that I think I can make for you? That's basically, I give the message to your client what exactly they are looking for and fulfill their needs. Marcus: It's a sure fire way to win people over, right? Mamun: Yes. Marcus: To let them know that you actually are taking care of their needs. I worked at Lowe's Home Centers back when I think Lowe's actually gave a shit. I apologize for the language, but I'm just frustrated with and we're currently in a building project so when I listen to this 20 years from now I'll understand why I said that. We're currently in a building project and every time I go to Lowe's or Home Depot now it's just the service is poor. They're thinking more about the bottom line instead of actually about taking care of their client, a clients needs. It's showing and instead of cutting costs they should be trying to provide the best service that they possibly can. Anyway, I remember we we're told you don't point to an isle and tell somebody it's on aisle 17. You say I would be happy to show you where that is. You don't just walk away from them if they're needing to load their cart. You actually help them and put it in their cart. It was all the small things because you wanted people to know that you care and that if they come to the store that they're gonna be taken care of. I just, I love that you still carry on that customer service oriented attitude because it's missing in today's society. Mamun: You are absolutely right. Marcus: I applaud you for that. Mamun: I always look for what exactly the person looking for. What exactly the demand of the person. That's what I always try to do intention of that person. Marcus: Now how do you like to unwind? What do you do to relax? Mamun: Well, the relaxing is the family time. I have a son. I enjoy it with my son. I enjoy going to the beach and I enjoy sometime go to the woods. Marcus: Yeah. Go for a walk or something like that. Mamun: Yes. Marcus: That's good and clear your mind. Now tell people where they can find you? Mamun: Well, they can look my website, or they can call me 251-391-2047. Marcus: Very good. Mamun: My cell phone number is always there and RE/Max partners and I have my Facebook page also, and also I have a , a business page also. Marcus: Very good. And you are mostly a residential? Mamun: I do both the residential, commercial because I keep it both simultaneously and both is doing very well. Marcus: Is there a specific area that you would call yourself an expert in as far as location, geography? Mamun: I do West Mobile and Semmes area which I heavily are involved in the two part of that area and then commercial wise I do more gas station than anybody else in Mobile and Baldwin county. Somehow I do it very well. Marcus: Now that's very cool. Now I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Mamun: I will and just want to tell you thank you so much all the hard work you do and you will going to give the message for other people, for the community and people need to know that what different people is different things they are doing in our culture, in our society. Being me as a person I was thinking to tell like being a Mobilian or being Alabamian, we love this country and we are here for the purpose and will be here until we die. Marcus: Yep. I do want to address that. I think it's wonderful that what we're seeing now in Mobile is we're seeing an influx of people that are from outside of the Mobile area. We're seeing a lot of immigrants come into the area and I think we as Mobilians need to embrace and I guess it's kind of a biased things because I'm not a native Mobilian. I moved here from outside of the area. I think we need to embrace those people because there's a lot to learn from other cultures. Mamun: Yes. Marcus: By culture I don't just mean Bangladeshie. I mean also just I'm from Norther Virginia. I am very different than your native Mobilian. So I think there's a lot to be learned, but I think that also as we start to see these people come in and we embrace them, that there's something that's going to happen in Mobile that there's going to be an uprising of this entrepreneurial business community of people like you that are gonna kind of raise up and it's gonna change the way that Mobile operates. Mamun: Absolutely. Marcus: That's why we do this podcast. Mamun: Thank you and I want to also let you know that Mobile have a great future and a lot of thing happening in Mobile and I'm very optimistic about the Mobile gonna grow and grow and grow. Marcus: Yeah. Mamun: We'll have more people gonna come over here and our living standard will be much, much better. Marcus: Yeah. Well, Mamun I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you man. Mamun: It is my pleasure that you invite me to come and to share my life. Marcus: Awesome. Thank you. Mamun: Thank you.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Andy Scott with New Hand Signs. From his brother’s findings of some old sign painting brushes to getting to create art for businesses all over Mobile, you’ll want to hear the stories of how he has been inspired as an artist. Tune in and listen or read on , Spotify, or iTunes. Andy: I'm Andy Scott and I'm New Hand Signs. Marcus: Yay. Welcome to the podcast, Andy. Andy: Thank you guys for having me. Marcus: Yeah, so I'm super excited to have you on. I'm a huge fan of your work. We'll get into that just a little bit. We're going to tease people. We'll get into what he actually does here in just a bit. But tell us the story of Andy. Where are you from? Where'd you go to school? High school? Did you go to college? Did you graduate college? What'd you major in? Are you married? 21 more questions, they're all coming your way, so yeah. Andy: So native of Mobile. Lived here my entire life, went to Murphy High School and went to South Alabama BFA prep design and minored in sculpture. Which at the time, the sculpture there was really weird. Had a teacher that learned how to weld, we did iron pourings, it was pretty cool as far as that goes. I have a wife, her name's Laura. Son, Otto, he's four, and then I have a new baby girl on the way. Marcus: How's the spelling of Otto? Andy: O-T-T-O. Marcus: Very cool. Yeah. So I mean you have an art background, so it's not ... I mean it's no surprise that you ended up where you, with the business that you're in. So why don't you tell everybody what it is that you actually do. Andy: So it really started out as just me being interested in things. Normally how that is with me. And it's hand painted signs, traditional sign lettering, and also gold leaf, pin striping, just kind of the old school style lettering you would see everywhere back in the day that you don't see anymore that signs have been taken over by digital printers and vinyl cut, things like that. Marcus: So you don't drink coffee? Andy: I actually drink a little bit, but yeah. I have to kind of- Marcus: I was going to say. You gotta have a steady hand to do the things that you do. Andy: You definitely do. Marcus: I think the first time I saw your work was some friends of ours, Chalore, had you do some gold leaf on their previous location. And when I saw that I was just completely blown away because I've not seen ... I mean like you said, its kind of very old school, the art that you practice with. Andy: Definitely. Marcus: And so I mean I was just kind of blown away that there was somebody still practicing. Recently I think we met because we're looking for some new signage for the new building. Andy: Yep. Marcus: But yeah, I mean how did you kind of fall into this? Andy: It's ... I didn't realize at the time, but for years and years now, little pieces have come together to where this has happened. As far as I worked in a sign shop. I've been working in sign shops for almost 20 years now. And then my brother, he gave me some pin striping brushes, I got into pin striping a little bit. Then at a thrift store one day I found this sign, modern sign painting, and it was from the 1940s. Got really into that. Marcus: Modern. Andy: Yeah. Modern for 1940. But the things is is that everything is still translate. I read about that. But the biggest thing that happened was my brother's friend, they were cleaning out a house. He buys houses. And he was cleaning out this one house and he found these old sign painting boxes. They didn't know they were sign painting boxes. So he brought them to my brother and my brothers was like, "I think Andy might really like these." So he brought them to me and I'm looking through these things, literally time capsules. It's this wooden box from Hollywood, California. And you open it up, pictures of the guy's kids, his business cards, his brushes, his paints, he's got sketches in there. I mean it was a working ... This is how this guy made his living. Marcus: Wow. Andy: So it really ... I kind of dug into that box to try to figure out all the little tools. What did he do with this? What was this for? And that's where it kind of sparked off into me painting ABCs at the kitchen table for months and months at a time. So it just kind of spiraled from there and I kind of got obsessed a little bit. Marcus: No, I mean it's really cool. So now let's kind of backtrack, because I have other questions here. So what was your first job? And normally this is like flipping burgers or doing something along those lines. I mean do you remember what that was for you? Andy: Lifeguard. Marcus: Okay. Andy: Yep, I was a lifeguard and it was the just typical high school kid lifeguard job. Marcus: Now do you remember anything from that time? Were there any lessons or anything that you learned from that? Andy: I mean it taught me how to ... you know. You had to be on time, a responsibility as far as you couldn't really slack off being a lifeguard so you really had to do your job. Marcus: Right. Andy: As far as that. And then they had on your break you would do the cash register and things like that. Snack bar. Marcus: Yeah, it's just interesting because sometimes we find that there are lessons that we've learned from previous experiences that are now still with us as entrepreneurs or as business owners. Andy: Sure. Marcus: So but now do you remember the first time that you ... Maybe not at the kitchen table, but the first time that you showed this to somebody, your work, and they were kind of like, "Oh wow." And maybe the first sale that you made or something like that that made you think, "Hey, maybe there's something to this." Andy: Yeah. Well the first job I actually did I just dove headfirst into this. The brushes, there are specific brushes, things that you need for sign painting and they're kind of hard to find. They're not that cheap either, so I didn't have any supplies at all. And right down the street from where I used to live there was a barbershop and it was old hand painted lettering on the window. It was just rough, super rough, and the lettering was bad. So I went in there, it was this old lady in there. I said, "Hey, you want your sign painted? Re lettered?" And she was like, "Yeah, how much?" And I have her the price of how much my materials would cost, because I just wanted these brushes and stuff, and she's like, "Yeah, that sounds great." So I did that and I was so excited to do this. So I'd go out at night. It took me two nights. I freehand sketched everything, repainted, and she loved it. Gave me the money, and as soon as she gave me the money I was like, "Whoa, I just made money doing this? This is pretty cool." So that was kind of the spark that I was like, "I could probably do this." Marcus: Make something of this. Andy: Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. Andy: So from there I just went out and didn't advertise at all but just searched out things I wanted to do. If I saw a business and I was like, "I'd love to do something like that with these guys," I'd go in there and kind of pitch it to them and make it happen. Marcus: Yeah, that's really cool. Now if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, is there any wisdom that you would impart to them? Anything that you might say? Andy: Definitely being passionate about what you do. Not just it being a money maker. As far as I'm concerned, I think, I don't see how people could spend a lot of time with their business if they weren't passionate about their business. Marcus: Yeah. Andy: So I think that's a huge thing. Marcus: And what are you ... Is there anything that you're currently working on with the business? Andy: As far as growing it or? Marcus: No, I mean just in general. I mean it could even be something as simple as I'm really trying to learn this one specific skill. Andy: Oh yeah. Really learning sign writing more. Sometime I'm designing a lot and I'm doing a lot of pattern stuff, large scale stuff that I'm designing. But those old school guys that were sign writers that would come out and they would look at something and they would lay it out and then freehand everything. There's nothing, no guidelines. That is such a skill that is few and far between and that's something I'm working towards. Marcus: I would imagine. I mean there's not any ... Are there resources for you to learn this stuff? Or is it- Andy: Honestly, sign painting right now has kind of taken a resurgence a little bit. Marcus: Okay. Andy: With the younger generation that is very DIY. Marcus: Those hipsters, man. Andy: Yeah, no, it does kind of seem like that. And I go to letterhead meets where it's a bunch of older guys and then there's some couple new guys, so you get to learn some stuff. But it's all these underground magazines or zines and just stuff like that. But Instagram is huge because there's some guys that I thought were like rockstar sign painter guys and you can just message them and talk to them, you know. Marcus: Yeah. Andy: About stuff and they're really open to different ideas. Marcus: It's just curious to me because I mean I see it as an art form that needs to continue on. Andy: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: Right. And I guess my fear is that there's not, there aren't resources. I don't know. Maybe there is. That's why I asked the question. But there doesn't appear to be resources out there like we would do. Everybody thinks digital, so when it comes to graphic design or web design or something like that, there's a ton of resources out there for that. Andy: Sure. Marcus: And so it'd just be really cool. Maybe I'll plant this in your brain, maybe it's you that is the guy that is the resource that rewrites those books for the modern age. Andy: Sure, yeah. Marcus: Because, you know, I would love ... I love the art form so much that I would love to see more people using it and taking part in actually doing it and stuff like that. I think it'd be really cool and I would hate to see it lost for generations. Andy: Absolutely. That's kind of ... And I've, when you do have to find this information you have to really dig for it. And looking at books from the 1940s and stuff, which is really cool because a lot of that stuff is lost, that information was kind of lost and you're kind of re digging this stuff back up. Marcus: Yeah. Well my next question I usually ask. What's the one person that motivates you from the business world? But I'll give you an out. If you want to answer that specific to what it is that you do. Like is there one person in your genre that really you kind of look at his stuff and you're like, "My gosh, how does he do that?" Andy: There's so many different guys. There's one guy, Mike Meyer, that he's become almost the ambassador for sign painting. Marcus: Yeah. Andy: And he actually, this company actually gets him to travel all over the world and just basically endorse sign painting to people. He goes to letterhead meets, he does little workshops, stuff like that. So his stuff is awesome. I got to meet him a while back. He actually lettered my box for me and just a cool guy, you know? He just comes, hangs out, and puts a cool vibe as far as sign painting goes. Marcus: Yeah. Andy: Which, I don't know, a lot of people probably wouldn't consider sign painting cool, but- Marcus: No. I mean, obviously it is, it's an art form. Andy: Yeah. Marcus: I mean we get that. So even when we're dealing with design, like we're ... I don't know when this is going to go live, but November 8th we're having a nationally renowned designer come in and I'm really looking forward to actually just spending some time with him and getting to know him. I hope that doesn't freak him out too much. But you know, I mean he just puts out a really cool vibe and I just would love to kind of hear some of his stories that he doesn't tell from the podium. Andy: Exactly. Marcus: So, yeah. Andy: That's how I kind of was getting to meet him and see him, but just actually having a beer and hanging out with him is a totally different thing. Marcus: Yeah. Now are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in moving your forward? Andy: Like I said, Instagram is one of those things where I can meet, I can see stuff, ask questions, and there's a lot of information behind the scenes that I think happens with that. But the old books, all of these older sign materials. There's one specific, it was I think from '86, it's called Mastering Layout and it's by Mike Stevens. That book is awesome. And it's not just for ... I feel like any designer need to see this book. Marcus: Okay. Andy: Because it's not just a ... It's based off a sign painting, but I mean sign painters, how they laid things out, nothing's really changes as far as layout goes. I mean it's just, this is solid layout. Marcus: Right. Andy: You know? And so learning that is huge, I think. Marcus: Yeah, there are cues that are [inaudible 00:12:32] and timeless. Andy: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Yeah. Marcus: Right? And so just understanding what those are. Let me go back just a little bit. You've graduated with a BFA and then also some sculpture, but I mean you've taught yourself design, I'm assuming illustrator and Photoshop and all those tools. Andy: Sure. Marcus: I mean what was that like? And is that of any use? Is there kind of an interweaving of the sign as well as the design and all that other stuff? Andy: There is with me because I'm used to that and I've worked with digital sign shops forever. That definitely plays into me designing ... I might design some more high end type sign stuff through illustrator and then kind of switch it over into sign painting from there. But, you know, I'm trying to give a balance of some on the spot hand lettering and some of that design work. But, you know, logos and things like that, people want their logos to look correctly. You don't want to be just eye balling a logo for someone. Marcus: We know a little bit something about that. Yeah, we're a little specific when it comes to how Bluey appears on things. Andy: Definitely. Yeah. People, you know, that's a huge thing to be cohesive with your brand. Marcus: What is the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Andy: Like I say, it comes back to trying to just enjoy it. It's one of those things that you just got to kind of push. I do this all hours of the night, sometimes when I can't sleep I'll go paint. It's just something that I love, but it is one of those things that you have to put some work into it. Marcus: Do you still paint on canvas? Andy: No, not really anymore. Marcus: So it's really mostly just the ... I mean it's glass is mostly what you're painting on, right? Andy: Glass, wood, I've started painting a ton of brick buildings, so that's another thing. Marcus: Really. Andy: A lot of- Marcus: I can't imagine the amount of paint that gets soaked up in painting a brick building. Andy: It's ... You got to use special pig hair brushes called fitches that you can really ... They say it's like stabbing paint into the brick. Like you're literally getting them into the grooves, you know. Marcus: Wow. Andy: So but then other times a lot of people want their lettering to look old, they want it to look like its worn and it's actual lettering, not, you know. So if that's the case, you can go a little bit quicker over lettering and it looks, it gives it that kind of- Marcus: Aged look. Andy: Aged look, and that's easier. Marcus: Vintage. Andy: Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. You drive around Mobile and there's some new work that's appearing but there's also a lot of old stuff. So the building across the street and kind of down a little bit, there's this old sign for some school that used to be down here. Andy: Yeah. Marcus: I mean I just see stuff like that and I mean that just goes to show that character of Mobile and the history and I love seeing that stuff. It's part of the thing, one of the things, that I love so much about being downtown besides the food. Andy: The food's great. Marcus: But seeing all that texture, all that character, I mean you're adding to that, right? Andy: Yeah, that's what I kind of feel like when I do that. But I love that stuff. I sometimes will break my neck driving down the road and I will see a sign or a letter that I've never seen before and I can kind of pick out lettering now, like if it was hand lettered, and I'm always looking. Like I feel like my head's always looking. Marcus: Yeah, that's really cool. Andy: My wife always says to keep my eyes on the road. Marcus: Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous. Andy: Yeah. Marcus: Now tell people where they can find you. Andy: Really, I have done a horrible job of marketing. Marcus: We know some people. You want some help? Andy: I'm on Instagram and that's it and it's kind of been that way just because it's been one of those things where I've just shown my work and it's been all word of mouth. And that's really, yeah, my only place is . People message me but then I, you know, email address. Marcus: It is the mechanism by which showcases your work. Andy: Exactly. Yeah. Marcus: Okay, I'll take the two seconds and say you probably should be on Facebook, too. Andy: Yeah. Marcus: I mean not just your personal account, because I know you're on there as that, but yeah. It's ... Facebook is an extremely powerful tool. Andy: It really is. And it's one of those ... Some people didn't even know. They knew me but they didn't know I was New Hand. I was doing New Hand as almost like a graffiti tag. Marcus: So I have to ask, what is the New Hand, what's ... Andy: It was as simple as thinking these are new hands doing something old as far as sign painting. You know? So ... Marcus: Glad I asked. That's really cool, dude. Well I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. Wrap up, any final thoughts or comments? Andy: No, I don't think so. I appreciate you guys so much, I'm really blown away that people like you guys ask me to come in here and do this type of stuff. Marcus: Absolutely. I would highly recommend that anybody that's listening to this and if you go and look at his work, I mean it really is absolutely stellar. So I mean the artistry behind it is just incredible. Andy: Thank you so much. Marcus: Yeah. Well I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. I've only said that like 120 times. Am I going to get through? You leave this in. Okay? I'm screwing this up, I'm telling Jarrod ... What's your name again? Andy, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you, man. Andy: Awesome. Thank you.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Erin Sheppard of Nire Bathery. Erin grew up on a farm in Grand Bay and became a huge consumer of high quality bath products through being a travel nurse after college. The story of her hand-crafted soap making beginnings started with a torn ACL and has taken off ever since! Tune in and listen or read on , Spotify, or iTunes. Erin: I'm Erin Sheppard, and I'm the owner of Nire Bathery. Marcus: Well awesome, Erin. It is great to have you on the Podcast. Full disclosure to everyone listening, we don't know each other. Erin: We don't. Marcus: Yeah, so these are some of the fun podcasts because we get to know each other as we kinda go along, but to get started, we always get to know who the person is behind the business before we learn about the business. So why don't you tell us the story of Erin? Where did grow up? Where did you go to high school? Did you go to college? Are you married? Just give us some of the backstory. Erin: Sure. I grew up on a farm, actually in Grand Bay, Alabama. And went to Alma Bryant High School in Bayou La Batre. I did go to college, I'm actually still a college student. I did my undergraduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi. And got a degree in nursing. I've been a registered nurse for about ten years. And am now a nurse practitioner. I graduated from the University of South Alabama. And I'm currently enrolled in their doctoral program. Marcus: Golly. Just couldn't get enough? Erin: I know, I'm just like [00:01:08]learners. So. Marcus: It is one of those industries where you do kinda keep going, I mean if you're driven at all you have to go back to school. And. Erin: For me, yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. Marcus: Do you work at a... Erin: Actually, I just got hired on, I'm very excited with USA Family Medicine. Marcus: Very good and I don't know enough about that is that a doctor's office or is that part of the hospital, or? Erin: It's a clinic, now there's associated with USA, and they have the doctors that or family practice physicians there and they have a residency program as well. Marcus: Very cool. No, so is that part of the, I guess that doesn't make any sense, so you're currently enrolled as a doctor in the doctor program but you're... Erin: I'm working on a doctorate of nursing practice, while I'm a nurse practitioner. So I will remain a nurse practitioner Marcus: While you're running a business. Erin: Right. I'm busy. Marcus: Gluten for punishment, I'd say. Golly and I thought I had a lot going on. You, obviously enjoy school. Erin: I do. Marcus: you wouldn't go this far if you weren't actually good at it. Erin: Correct. Marcus: Right? So I mean as we've interviewed, a lot of people, a hundred plus people, we've just recognized that there's not any one path to business ownership. That there are some people that don't go to, don't graduate high school, there's some people that go and they get their doctoral degrees. Steven McNara is one that comes to mind, right? And so, it kinda runs the gambit, and I guess we're just doing that for those of you that are listening, just to high light the fact that there's no right answer when it comes to that. That schooling does not dictate the success of your business, sometimes it can help, and especially if you're going into nursing, you have to have that schooling. But for your business, you don't necessarily have to have that. Erin: Sure. It was a steep learning curve for me, actually i did not go to business school. I am a nurse and now nurse practitioner, by trade and so, there is a lot to learn and it can be quite overwhelming, actually. But I was a travel nurse in my twenties and also personally traveled the world and loved doing that and nursing can be stressful. I'm sure you've heard. Marcus: Just a little. Erin: And through that, I really became a huge consumer of high quality bath products. And a bit of a connoisseur, I would say, as well. And in between my travel assignments, I would come home to Mobile and visit my family, of course. And in doing that, I could never find what I was looking for and I would be so disappointed. I love things that are small batch and high quality and I don't want things that are shrink wrapped, and not eco-friendly and I want them if they're hand-made. If I can get them. And I've always cared about my skin a lot, even since I was an adolescent, and so I thought why not make it myself. I injured my knee, I tore my ACL years ago, a few years ago, and couldn't nurse any more. Just for a period of time. For a few months. And I took that opportunity and my sister Jatta and I, collaborated on different ideas and products and essentially we spent the entire summer making soap. And we would take pictures of it, because we'd be so proud of it and post it on Facebook. The response was great. And I was so happy to see that there was a consumer base for a product like that and it's really just taken off from there. Marcus: So what kinds, I mean in case somebody hasn't caught on, I mean Nire Bathery is a soap and bath products company, right? Erin: Yes, it is. Marcus: What predominantly are your products? Is there a like... Erin: Soaps, bath bombs, I do scrubs and bath milk and bath salts predominantly. I'm always open to new things and experimenting. But those are the things that I currently sell on my website, Nirebathery.com. Marcus: Nice. Erin: And everything is hand-crafted and locally made. I believe in personally, I've tried to translate it seamlessly into the business, staying in and remaining eco-friendly. All of the labeling is biodegradable, I compost it, it's recyclable, lots of it is printed on recyclable paper, and I have solid lotions as well. I didn't mention that, but I do have solid lotions and those in a reusable tin. Marcus: Very cool. Now are you manufacturing those locally or, you are. Erin: Yes. Everything is manufactured locally. Marcus: Wow, that's really cool. Erin: Thank you. Thank you. Marcus: I mean cuz it's not I mean I don't know it's just not that common to find that kind of stuff happening here. Erin: True. True. And there are products here to buy, and that's wonderful. I just, I was always looking for something a little bit different. I'm quite particular and what goes on my skin, I'm looking for natural things and I don't want things that have palm oil, and sulfates, and parabens and I don't want things that have been animal tested, I don't want things that are shrink wrapped and the closest thing I could find is a big box store in New Orleans. And why not bring something local like that to Mobile? Marcus: Full disclosure on this, maybe TMI, but like I can't use most hand lotions. Erin: Really? Marcus: Yeah. I have kind of some weird reaction to mineral oil. And so over the years I've gone to just using straight coconut oil because I don't have the same reaction to coconut oil that I have to mineral oil. Erin: That's wonderful. Marcus: But it took me a long time to figure that out. Like I would use just like your regular Jerkins or something like that, and I've had issues with my skin since I was a little kid, I've always had problems with Eczema, and stuff like that on my hands. And of course, it doesn't help that most of the jobs that I had through high school and college, were washing dishes, and stuff like that, that are really rough on the skin as well. So it, I mean even as a guy, like I get it, because I... Erin: It matters. Marcus: It matters. It very much matters. And if i don't put something on my hands every day, then I actually almost immediately my knuckles and my hands will start to dry up to the point Erin: And crack. Absolutely. Yeah, yeah. Marcus: So and I certainly I'm not a big bath bomb kinda guy, I mean like. Erin: I mean I do make men's. Marcus: I don't mean to scare anybody out there. That might actually be Erin: I do make a men;s bath bomb. Its called Mantastic. If you're ever interested. My nephew came up with the name for that. And he's very proud of it and I am proud of him, too. Marcus: Yes. Yes. Well so tell us, let's go back to some of the questions here. What was your first job and were there any lessons that you still remember from that? Erin: My first job was Treasure Trove Souvenir Store on Dolphin Island, I don't know if you guys are familiar with it. Yeah it was cool. I'm an excellent folder of T-shirts, actually. Those would get messed up every day. But more than that, I think the greatest lesson I took away was no matter how big or small the job is, take pride in what you do. For sure. Marcus: And I'm sure that's carried over into everything whether it's the nursing or the bath products. What you've done, it's apparent. Erin: Absolutely. Marcus: Do you remember the first sale that you made or the first product really that you made, thinking wow there might actually be something to this, I mean you mentioned putting it on Facebook, and seeing the reactions, but what was that like because I mean you had really no intentions of going into business, right? Erin: Right. And I do remember my very first soap. Jatta and I made Lavender Lemongrass and Shea. Marcus: It sounds good. Erin: It is. It is so good. And it's still one of the best selling soaps that I make. Its fabulous. All the oils that I make it with are infused with Lavender. And the water that use I infuse with oats. The first sale, was a resident's wife. We did a labor and delivery Christmas party every year, I was a labor nurse, and I gave a gift, we would make all these things, I would give them out to my friends and family. And as a hostess gift, I gave her soaps and scrubs. And she like me and cares about what goes on her skin, and what types of products she uses, what things she eats, that's all important to both of us. She asked if she could buy it. And I of course was like, absolutely. But I have no idea how much that costs yet. But that was the very first person to offer. And ask to buy it. From there, fortunately, I had friends and family offer to host trunk shows and so I would bring in all this product that I made, and this was before I had a label. I would hand letter the cards with the names of the products and I would essentially set up a pop up shop in their home and they would serve wine and cheese, I mean what's not to love right? Wine and Marcus: Always a good way to get women to buy things. Is to serve wine. Erin: Exactly. And it was so much fun. And I found great success there and what a blessing that has been. Seriks gift shop on Oak Street Place was actually the very first store that was interested and picked me up and I'm so grateful that they did. They're fabulous. Market at the Pillars, that's an event of the pillars every month, it's the second Sunday from 12 to 4 and it's full of local crafters and makers and bakers in the Mobile area. I get to do that every month, which I love. And a couple of stores out in West Mobile Domkey Market, and Sheik Jolee Boutique also carry my products. And there's a new store that will be carrying my products, they're not technically a new store, but it will be new that my products are there in Spring Hill so do stay tuned to find out when that is. We'll be there very, very soon. Marcus: Very cool. Now if you were talking to someone that was looking to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Erin: Let's see. I would have to say, you are going to encounter lots of neigh sayers, do not dwell on the negativity. It is important to stay positive and it's overwhelming and you're going to fail, you're going to make mistakes, and you have to forgive yourself for doing that, which is hard if you're a very critical person, I'm critical of myself, but the important thing is to persevere and keep going. I can't emphasis that enough. You know sometimes I'm making products and I'm like oh this is not turning out actually how I envisioned it at all, but I'm so glad that I kept going because the final product is actually quite beautiful. Marcus: Right. I noticed a lot of times that people that actually put out product that is of a high quality, that they are often times more critical of themselves and that's how they get to that product of high quality. Erin: Absolutely, because I want to produce things and make things that I want to use. So I'm very critical about it, quite particular. Marcus: Very discerning, particular is a good word. Also I would just say that there's a good chance that if you jump off into this pool of being an entrepreneur that the neigh sayers are actually going to be people that are very, very close to you. Erin: Absolutely. I couldn't agree more which is surprising in a way and you can listen all you want but it's important to believe in yourself at the end of the day. And to trust yourself. That's what it really comes down to. Because you know there are a million reasons why it could go wrong and why it couldn't work, but there is some really strong reasons why it could work. And if you keep pushing and keep trying, I couldn't encourage anybody enough to do that. Marcus: I would just say to those of you that are listening, that aren't necessarily looking to run a business, but just find these stories of these business owners interesting and that's why you tune in, I would say that if you are fiends or family or married or whatever, brother, sister, to someone who is starting a business, don't be that person. Like there's enough in their life that is drawing them down and pulling them down. There's enough negative thoughts in their own head Erin: And self-doubt. Marcus: And self-doubt in their own head, that they don't need that other person, they don't need you being that person, unless you literally think that they're in a position where they're going to do physical harm to themselves or you could lose everything and still recover, so they need to get that out of their system. They need to go down that path and they're going to bounce along and fail and they're going to succeed and then they're going to fail again and hopefully they keep going and they end up a success, but you really just need to be there and encourage them as part of that process. Now when you look to the business world, is there someone that motivates you? Is there somebody that you look to and think man that would be really cool to achieve, you know? Erin: I, that's a hard question for me to answer, because there are a lot of really small and local business owners that I admire and through networking at markets, I love to see other small and local businesses succeed. I am inspired by that. I find and share joy in that. Because to me it's community over competition. I strive to be a person that lifts others up. It takes nothing from you to do that. And you shouldn't tear people down that's exciting for them and it's also really nice to know that you're not the only person who struggles in some ways. You know I'm not good at every part of the business aspect, again, I'm small and I'm new, and I didn't go to business school, so I feel like I'm starting behind and its just nice to have that comradery and share that you're not the only one who has a difficult time and a bad day and you tried really hard and it still didn't work. But it's important to keep trying. Marcus: Yeah. Good, those, hey, Jerrod, slice that out. And put that in there. Cuz I mean if there's something that we've learned over the course of this is, I mean for me specifically, in running a business, it is difficult. You often times do feel that it is a lonely, lonely place. So it's always a joy to sit with other business owners because often times there's feelings that they have that are very similar and that you share and it's not all Erin: Right. You know I've never set up a LLC, like how do I go about that? How do I use QuickBooks? You have to find these things out. Marcus: You mentioned, okay, so you mentioned a couple of tools, and I'll go out on a limb, cuz this isn't something that I normally ask, but your business is online as well, are you using Shopify then? Erin: I am. I am using Shopify. Marcus: Very good. And so just draw that out, just as an illustration, because when we do talk to somebody that has a presence online selling Ecommerce, we do Shopify work, but I love that platform for people because it is super simple for someone to set up and Erin: User friendly. Marcus: It's user friendly and it literally it got themes that you can just be up and running in no time. So if you're looking to set up an Ecommerce site, obviously check out Shopify if you need help. Erin: I recommend it. Marcus: If you need help, call us but chances are you probably won't. Now are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations, that have been helpful in moving you forward? And I'll say that again. So books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful. Erin: You know people and organizations have helped me most I think. Marcus: Anyone specifically? Erin: Yes. Gift shop on Oak Street Place. They were the first to give me a shot and take a chance and they have really helped me. My very first friend in college, I met through a sorority, so it was an organization, she is a very talented graphic designer, and her name is Lauren and she does all the design work for Nire. Additionally, every local opportunity I've gotten with Domkey, with the Spring Hill shop, with Sheik Jolee, Heather Feffercorn, Livia Noble, I do ... Marcus: All people we know. Erin: I do these custom bath bombs for the Pillars bride so if you book with them, they get a Pillars bath bomb that's made by Nire and the same for Lidea, it's called the Noble Bride. So I do some custom work on the side, as well with soap favors for weddings, but they are an encouragement to me. And they have certainly had a hand in helping Nire go forward. Marcus: Nice. That is really cool. I mean Heather was a client. And we love what she's doing especially with the market. I think that's phenomenal. And sharing the makers of Mobile with Mobile. Cuz I know that there are a ton, I mean obviously that's why we kinda do this podcast. And Lidea was on the podcast a month ago or so, about ish. And I told her afterwards, that we were going to be BFFs and I still believe that. She freaking rocks. Erin: She does. Marcus: So she's my, is it inappropriate to say, she's my spirit animal? Lidea, I hope you're listening to this. What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Erin: Personally, I'm pretty self-driven, naturally. But carrying perseverance over into the business world and being an entrepreneur is, to me, critical. And I think it's important to surround yourself with successful people and watch them and learn from them. And again to just not to dwell and set on and harbor negative thoughts. Cuz you're going to encounter em, you know you're going to get a lot of no's before you get a yes. I've gotten a lot of no's, that's been, I grew up dancing, through childhood, adolescents, in college, and you will hear no's before you hear a yes and you just have to keep trying. If you're passionate about it, keep going. Marcus: Yeah you read all these sales books, and stuff like that. Or, I do, I'm sorry, I've read all these sales books cuz I spend a lot of time in sales, before running my own business, and so they always tell you it takes seven or eight no's to get to yes. Or something like that. And I don't know that I ever really understood what they were talking about until running a business. And I don't know that I necessarily care to go to one person and hear no seven or eight times, but at the same time, it is a running theme of hearing no, no, no, no, no, no, no, but it's the yes's that you have to grab on to and run with. Erin: Absolutely. Marcus: When you're a business owner. Erin: For sure. Marcus: So I'm going to ask this. How do you like to unwind? Erin: Bath bombs, of course. Marcus: I have to, occasionally I'll throw that question in there. I felt like it was totally appropriate for this podcast episode. Erin: Yeah, yes, definitely. Marcus: Do you have a favorite bath bomb? Erin: Bridgette Jones, cuz I feel like she's my spirit animal. Marcus: That's great. Erin: She, that's actually my favorite one. It's Lavender and lemongrass and it's filled with dried lavender botanicals and full of coconut oil and avocado oil. It's really great. But it smells so clean and it's fresh and it's relaxing all at the same time. Bath bombs, of course, that's how I unwind. Marcus: You think Jarrod would totally judge me if I ordered one of those? Yeah, okay he's shaking his head no. So sounds like a good way to Yeah, order two? Okay so you mentioned all the shops that you're in. But where else can people find you? So give them the website address again, give them your Facebook page. Instagram, if you're on Instagram. Erin: Yes. You can find me at Nirebathery. It's and I'm on at Facebook slash Nirebathery and @Nirebathery on . Marcus: So okay did we say why it's Nire? Erin: Oh I get asked this question a lot. Even by people that I know. And Nire is actually [...] my name backwards and my step-dad used to call me that sometimes growing up. Marcus: That is so cool. Erin: Yeah, thank you. Marcus: The stories behind companies, sometimes you don't hear that, and I think that's really interesting. Erin: Thanks. Marcus: Well, Erin, it's been great to have you on the podcast. Want to wrap up any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Erin: Sure. It matters. It matters what you put on your skin. It matters what products you buy. It matters that they're local. It matters that the packaging is eco-friendly. I am not on an assembly line, I created these recipes and make the product, I'm still hand-pressing fresh bath bombs, and I take the picture and work on the logo with my graphic designer and write the description so it all matters at the end of the day. Marcus: Very cool. Yeah the skin is the largest organ? Erin: It is. Marcus: Yeah, most people don't think about that. But it absolutely matters what you put on your skin. Well Erin, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner. Erin: My pleasure. Marcus: It's been great talking with you. Erin: You, as well.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Chris Cockrell with Third Realm Creations. We could try and explain everything Chris dips his toes in but we think you should listen to find out! (Hint, hint: he’s developing things of the future!) Tune in and listen or read on , Spotify, or iTunes. Chris: I'm Chris Cockrell, and I am co-founder of 3rd Realm Creations. Marcus: Awesome dude. Well, it is great to have you on the podcast today. I am super excited about what you all are bringing to Mobile, so it's awesome to have you here. Chris: Awesome, thanks for having me. I really appreciate it. Marcus: Well, before we get into what the Realm is, let's talk a little bit about you. Tell us the story of Chris, where you from? Where'd you go to high school? College if you went? If you graduated, married? Any of that back story that you [crosstalk 00:00:31]. Chris: Okay, gotcha. The life story of me. Marcus: Yes. Chris: I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, called Mount Olive, Mississippi. Most people don't know where that is, but- Marcus: I don't. Chris: You wouldn't unless you stopped to take a piss stop in my hometown on the way, on South 49 or North 49. It was a small town, our claim to fame is that's where Steve McNair, the former Hall of Fame quarterback is ... that's his hometown as well. I went to, again, small town, I went to a high school there called Magee High School, and after high school, went to Millsaps college which is in Jackson Mississippi, actually played football there and had a great time there. After college, I met my wife, Lindsey, and we moved to Memphis, Tennessee and we got married and have two kids now, Luke and Blakeney, my son Luke is five, and Blakeney is three. Luke just started kindergarten on Monday, it was his first day at Mary B. Austin, so time flies man, time absolutely flies. I guess my first ... I mean, I've been working since I was 12. I grew up in a small town, so a small town means, it's child labor. Marcus: Yeah, small town, yeah. Chris: That was just pretty much it. 12 years old, you're out working on a farm or picking vegetables or whatever the case may be. Marcus: Cutting grass. Chris: Exactly, but my first real job was as a human resources representative for a long term health care company, and that's pretty much been my entire career up until we started 3rd Realm Creations. Marcus: Well, pause there, because actually I do want ... When we talk to people on this podcast, often times we talk about the first job that they had. What I mean by that is not necessarily the child labor job, but the first job like flipping burgers or scrubbing toilets, or that kind of thing. Did you have- Chris: I did. My first, I guess my first paycheck from a reputable source would have been Dairy Queen. I actually worked at Dairy Queen for ... I mean it was in the summer job, I guess for three summers. I did pretty much everything. I was actually assistant manager at 16 years old. Marcus: 16 years old. Chris: Yeah, 16 years old. Marcus: The reason why we ask about that, because I often times find that people have lessons that they learned at a very early stage of their working life. Are there any lessons that you can remember from looking back at that? If there's something that sticks out? Like the example I always give and people are probably tired of me saying this, is that there's a proper way to mop a floor, and I've learned that working in a bagel shop, so. Chris: That's right. I think the lessons I learned there, your job and your career are going to be what you make it. Whenever you go to work every day, like you said, if your job is to mop floors, mop them the best way that you can. There is a right way to do things and there is a wrong way to do things, and if you do the right things, typically you're rewarded for those things, especially in a professional environment. That doesn't matter if you own your own business or if you work for someone else, it doesn't matter. That's probably the biggest lesson I learned. If you make the best of your situation and the best of your opportunities, and do things the right way, things are going to pay off for you. You're going to advance, you're going to get better, you're going to have those intangible things- Marcus: You're going to see the success then warranted. Chris: Yeah, you're going to see the success. Exactly. You're going to have the success at the end of the road. It's all about your perspective. Marcus: Right. Chris: That wasn't the most glamorous job and there weren't a lot of jobs where I grew up, so I was actually lucky to get that job- Marcus: And the fact that you made assistant manager by age 16 is saying something. I don't know how old you are, but that's not something that you typically would be handed at 16 years old, because there's a lot of responsibility that goes along with that at a fast food place. Chris: There was. I was actually assistant manager over a lot of people that were way older than me at the time, which has its own interesting dynamics, but yeah, I think that's the biggest thing, work hard, understand that there's a right way and a wrong way to do things, do it the right way and stick to it. Marcus: Were you a good student? Chris: I was a good student. Marcus: Good grades and studied hard and did well in math and science and all that stuff? Chris: I don't know about math so much. I thought I was really good in math until I went to college. Actually I made very good grades in high school. Millsaps College is a really tough school to get into. I was very fortunate to get into that school. I played football and that's how I got- Marcus: What position did you play? Chris: I played middle linebacker. Marcus: I did too. Chris: Oh, awesome. Marcus: Yeah, very cool. I didn't go past ... Honestly I think I stopped after my freshman year of high school, because I hurt my knee and I was like, "Man, this isn't for me," but I switched to lacrosse. Chris: It's tough man. Oh that's ... Yeah, I wish ... I've never even ... We never had that option. Marcus: I grew up in the Northeast, so it was more popular up there. Chris: More common. Marcus: Yeah. Chris: We had no lacrosse and no soccer where I grew up. It was kind of weird. It was a very small town man, very small. Marcus: Well, yeah it's when you have to make a choice, football wins. Chris: Yeah. Marcus: Now, 3rd Realm. Why don't you kind of describe to people what you're doing, because when we've had discussions in the past, what you guys are doing absolutely just kind of blows me away. I see what you're doing as the future of where things are going, so I'm super stoked about the fact that you exist here in Mobile, so go ahead and tell us a little bit about 3rd Realm. Chris: Sure, thanks number one. The kind of "elevator speech" or us in a capsule is that we're a software and development company, and that we specialize in virtual and augmented reality content. Most of the time when we tell people that, their first question is, "What the heck is virtual and augmented reality content and how do you develop it?" We've kind of ... You're right, it's a ... We've only seen the tip of the iceberg, but we're involved in an industry that we fill will revolutionize the way that we- Marcus: It will change everything. Chris: It'll change everything. It will be as common place as your iPhone or you iPad. Marcus: I'm actually having a little bit of jealousy here, because ... no, seriously. A number of years ago I went to [inaudible 00:07:07] and god, I wish I could remember the ... What was ... Robert Scoble who is a prevalent blogger out of Silicon Valley, so he was there to explain to the audience what he saw coming. I left that conference just absolutely blown away by what he was saying, that people like you are going to actually bring to the rest of the world. Not to take away from what you're saying, but I mean like seriously, it's just really exciting stuff. Chris: It really is. When you see the utilization or I guess I should say the multitude of applications that you can do with this technology, it really starts to ... it make your mind race and then you start to get overwhelmed at all the things that you can do. You think about advertising, marketing, education, just the number of ways this can impact our every day life is, it's really endless, honestly. Marcus: Then the lest new listener think that this is all stuff of video games, and geeks sitting in their basement nerding out. The example that Robert gave was imagine that you go into Home Depot, and you are trying to pick out cabinets for your home, and you're having a hard time visualizing what that looks like. Well, Home Depot will come out to your house, they will scan your house, they'll set up a camera, it'll take a scan and then you will go to Home Depot and you will put on a set of goggles and you'll be able to choose the different textures and finishes and stuff like that and actually experience first hand in a virtual world, what that looks like. That's virtual reality. Augmented reality would be like if you are an aircraft mechanic and you are needing to have something in your peripheral view that allows you to see what the socket size is that you need or whatever, that will be right there at your ready and your peripheral vision, and glasses, so you'll actually be able to see the real world in front of you, the engine, and you'll see the augmented world, whatever information it is that you need. These are the kinds of things that, I mean it is really we're on the [inaudible 00:09:26] of changing everything that we understand about how to interact with these spaces. Yes, video games are a large part of that right now, because it's nerds. You know what I mean? Chris: You're right, and a lot of times, a lot of people that we approach, that's their view of augmented, or that's their view of virtual reality specifically,- Marcus: Right. Chris: Is video games. The fact is that 80% of the people that do what we do, are focused on video games, this low hanging fruit, right? Marcus: Right. Chris: You build a game, you put it out for consumer use. Marcus: It's pretty quick. Chris: It's pretty quick. People buy it or they don't buy it. You know pretty quickly how marketable or how well your product is based on who buys it. How we set ourselves apart is that we focus on the business application, the business use of this technology. Everything you just said is absolutely true. Actually, one of ... I think he was our first client here in Mobile, Frank [Lot 00:10:21] with Heritage Homes. He has that app- Marcus: I know Frank. Chris: ... we built that app for him. Or you can go and pick out your siding, your roof- Marcus: You guys showed me that app. I didn't realize it was for Frank, but yeah, that's cool. Chris: Yeah, it was for Frank. He was our first ... You know, it takes people that have that vision to see kind of how to utilize it, but that was one of the first applications that we did, was exactly what you just said. Pick out your paint, pick out your color, pick out your siding, pick out your door, and then you can go in and pick out your other finishes. A lot of the other industries that we worked in are gaming, healthcare, medical device, education. Marcus: You're working at a national level now. I don't want you to say who, but you just went to New York and had some ... closed a deal. Chris: That's right. We've actually we were in San Francisco last week and closed a deal with a fortune 100 company. We've been to ... We've been a lot, we've been to a lot of places. We've been to New York twice already, we've been to Las Angeles, San Francisco, these are the places, kind of the hot beds where this stuff is really, really happening right now and there's a big need, a big demand for it, for especially for businesses that want to engage with their consumers on a new exciting level, but also just a ... It's just a more, it's like a target missile for marketing. This is a way that you can get in front of that consumer at the point of the sale, or before they make that decision, there's a new interactive way that you can advertise to your target market that makes this a very, very valuable commodity. Marcus: How did you guys get started? Because I mean, I didn't hear anything in your background about software development. Chris: Yeah. You won't find any that other than me playing video games and just kind of [crosstalk 00:12:23]. Marcus: I'm guessing you're the business guy behind the company name. Chris: I am. I do the business part, but I also come up with different ideas. One of the reasons I ... I left my job that I had, I was a healthcare executive for 12 years, and there was an opportunity that came to me and my family to either stay here in Mobile, try something new, or to move to Denver and keep doing what I've been doing. I didn't want to uproot my family, I have two small kids. We love Mobile, we love the community, we absolutely just fell in love with the place when we moved here, so I decided to take the leap and do something new, and this all kind of came to be around the same time that I met Nathaniel, and Charles and those guys through a mutual friend, actually at happy hour at Beer Garden. We sat down and we started talking about this. I've always kept up, I've always been a tech kind of- Marcus: Yeah, plugged in. Chris: Yeah, I've always been plugged in, not really a professional at it or anything, but I've always kept up with the technology part of the industry. I've always had my eye on virtual and augmented reality ever since Google Glass. The first kind of version of Google Glass, I saw that and when I saw that, I was like, that will change everything. That will change everything that we know about technology and how we interact with other people. Marcus: The world. Chris: The world, absolutely. I always kept up with it and read articles and when I saw the development of the Oculus and the basically new hardware that made it a lot easier for this to be more common place, I started to research and I found ... or when I met Nathaniel, we started discussing the business applications he was working on and he showed me a hologram that he had built on a computer, on his iPhone, I'm sorry. He pulled up his phone and he clicked the screen and a hologram stood on the table, and my first ... my mind just, it just took off. I started thinking about business cards. Business cards with holograms on them. You can stand on your business card and you can actually interact with the person you just met with. It's just a whole new level of business opportunity. We started to discuss that and we found that there was a lot of opportunities that we could pursue. We put a business plan together and we started to come up with just a handful of products that we could show for demo purposes and we just took off from then. We started that ... We opened our doors, the exchange on May 1st, 2017 and it has been drinking. Marcus: Has it really just been that long? Chris: It's just been that long, and it has been drinking from a fire hose, ever since the day I started. Marcus: Wow dude, that's really cool. Chris: Yeah. It was shocking- Marcus: It was [inaudible 00:15:16], I hope you take that the right way, but that's just really impressive. That's like insane. Chris: I do. Well, we tapped a vein that we're one of the only, besides Orlando, maybe a couple of companies in Nashville, and Atlanta, we're the only company in the Southeast that does what we do, so it's been, like I said, drinking out of a fire hose since the day we've been opened. Marcus: Well, and there's probably only a handful of companies, not handful, there's probably 100 or less in the country? Chris: Yeah, you're right. There's really, in terms of what we do, we do everything in house. We do our own video production, we do our own animation, we do our own graphics, we do all of those things. A lot of companies that do what we do, they just do the apps. They build the apps, then you have to give them content separately. We do all of that on our own. From my research, we are the only company that I can find in the country that does everything. We do everything from ... We can do commercials for you, we can shoot the commercial for you, then we can put it on a billboard for you in augmented reality. I mean, there aren't a lot of companies that do the full gamut, the full scope of what is included in the virtual and augmented reality development. Marcus: Yeah. It's really cool. Now, I've normally asked, do you remember the first time that you made some product or something where you thought there might be something to this, but the truth is, when you've only existed really for a little over a year, this is all still very new to- Chris: It is. It is very new. Pretty much we think all of our ideas are awesome ideas, but we found that some of the ideas are not great ideas for a myriad of reasons. Mostly its finances, I mean there are some industries that would love to take advantage of this, but the method by which they have resources to pay for this type of technology is just not available, but there are some game changers. There are some real game changers we feel like ... the one app we worked on with Nanny Connie, who is a celebrity Nanny, that lives here in Mobile, she's from Mobile, we work with them on augmenting, doing an augmented reality kind of reader guide, or reader supplement to the book that she just published through Simon & Schuster. She was on Good Morning America. We were fortunate to go up there with her to Good Morning America to promote this book. As we were building that, we were like, "Wow." The possibilities of incorporating augmented reality into books, whether it be this instructional book that the Nanny Connie book represents, just kind of teaches new parents how to be parents for the first four months of parenthood, but then you go to the fiction. When I read a book that's fiction and they reference a place I've never seen, and I automatically go to Google- Marcus: How cool would that be. Chris: ... so just have a logo there and just open your phone and bam, you get that reference. Or children's books. When you're reading, fill in the blank, children's book, what if that character was able to stand on that page and talk with you? That's a big idea that we've been working on and we hope to continue to develop. Marcus: That's cool. If you were talking to someone who wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Chris: Be careful what you wish for. I mean, it's a big adjustment even though ... it sounds, when you say entrepreneur and you say you own your own business and all these other things, it sounds really awesome, it sounds really cool, but there's a lot of it that's not. It's not for the faint of heart. Marcus: Nope. Chris: One of the biggest adjustments I think that I've had to make is the value of a Saturday. I'm going to explain that to you in a second. In my old job, my old world, Saturdays were no ... everybody else was off, so even if you were ... there was nobody at the office to send you an email or to call you because everybody's off on Saturdays. There lies the value of a Saturday, like, you're off, you're disconnected from work and you really if you wanted to, you can just do whatever you want to do without worrying about it. When you're an entrepreneur, when you're owning your own business, there's no Saturday. There's no Monday, there's no Tuesday, everyday is work. Now, if you love what you're doing and you do it- Marcus: Every minute is work. Chris: every minute is work, but if you really are passionate and love what you do, it doesn't feel like work. Marcus: Right. Chris: It just feels like life. Marcus: I mean, there are some, yes, it doesn't feel like work, but it's also ... I can't shy away from this idea that at some level, disconnecting is something that is healthy and that entrepreneur's do need to do occasionally- Chris: Absolutely. Marcus: ... and you need to figure out ways to do that and it's really, really hard. Chris: It's a work, life, balance thing. Marcus: There is no such thing. Chris: Well, I think you can ... There is no such thing, but there are ways that you can reset your mind, like you were talking about. Marcus: Right, so going to the beach and spending the day- Chris: Absolutely. Marcus: Like at the water, for me, because that's how I kind of rejuvenate myself I guess, is to just go there and just sit with my feet in the sand. That is my way, but I'm mincing words here, but the truth is, you go to the grocery store and people recognize you if you're doing things correctly. Chris: That's right. Marcus: Or if you go to a chamber event, you're there and you're on, right? Chris: Yeah, that's right. Marcus: You're always in, at least in my situation, because we put so much out. It's you're always under the microscope in a sense. Chris: True. Marcus: I'm not complaining because that is necessary for a business. Chris: That's right. Marcus: It is the fuel that drives lead generation and sales and stuff like that, but at the same time, it's nice and like this past weekend I spent Saturday and Sunday working eight hour days at the new building, and this coming Saturday and Sunday, my wife had said, "We're going to the beach," because I think she realizes that I've gotten a lot more gray hair in the last month. [inaudible 00:21:34] and this is being recorded in the past, so hopefully by the time you listen to this, I will be back and be rested. Chris: Well, I think that what a lot of people ... It sounds really exciting to do that. Marcus: It's sexy. Chris: It is, it's sexy. Marcus: It's sexy, yeah. Chris: I think the degree to which you will last, you'll find out pretty soon, kind of the gauge I use is I feel more of my work days feels like Fridays than they do Mondays. Does that make sense? Marcus: True. No, absolutely. Chris: Like Mondays are typically, generally speaking- Marcus: I look forward to Mondays. Chris: I do too. I look forward to getting back in the office and getting [crosstalk 00:22:12]. Marcus: No slight to my family if you're listening to this. They don't listen to the podcast, but if they do listen to this in the future, it's no slight to my family, I love my family, I love my time at the house and stuff, but there's just something about ... I mean, this is like the oxygen for- Chris: It is. Marcus: ... an entrepreneur is to be able to work on your business and see it grow and take care of it and all that stuff. Chris: Yeah, that kind of becomes almost like when you're excited about doing what you're doing, that's invaluable, it really is. A trick that I do is whenever I'm ... When I go to the beach and I have those moments, turn off your device- Marcus: What? Chris: ... leave them home. Marcus: Sacrilege. I can't do it. Chris: I'm telling you. My wife and I, again, this is back in my old life when I was working 10 hours a day, we went to Costa Rica for a vacation and I did not know. I didn't even check, I didn't even research it. You don't have- Marcus: No cell service. Chris: You have no cell service, there is no Wi-Fi,- Marcus: No Wi-Fi. Chris: There's nothing. I didn't know this. Marcus: Did you have a panic attack? Chris: I almost did. The first day, I went to the office and like, "Do you have a computer?" And [inaudible 00:23:23], no, no computer. No, they did everything by like a cell- Marcus: Silly American. Chris: Yeah. I was like ... I started to, I really started to- Marcus: No, I feel you man, because yeah.- Chris: ... but, the flip side of that, when I left, we were there for eight days. When I left, I have never felt more rejuvenated ever in my life. That's something that has always stuck with me, because I was forced to put this down and turn it off. It made me feel ... Its like a feeling that I highly recommend to anyone. Now I try to ... I can't do it eight days in a row anymore, it's just impossible, but I try to find those opportunities and those times where I can absolutely unplug. Marcus: The interesting thing that I find is when you do get a chance to unplug, that's when the vision comes. Chris: Absolutely. Yes. Marcus: I have three boys, so I don't get to do it much anymore, it's weird because I actually say, I don't get to do it, but mowing the grass. Mowing our yard is a good two hour affair or something like that, because I don't have a riding mower, I'm old school, I got the old self-propelled, but it's a push mower, but spending that time just wish some music on or something along those lines, maybe listen to a podcast, those are the times when I'm not ... I don't know, there's just something in that time, but also going to the beach, it's nice because you don't have those pressures, so it's that time where sometimes I get the clarity that I need on decisions that I'm trying to make or things like that. Chris: That's right. Marcus: It was kind of funny, because yesterday, I had a block of time set in my schedule and it literally just said meeting and I don't think anybody here ... I'm just going to have to start doing that more, because I need those times to just go and be at a coffee shop or some place and just figure some shit out. Chris: Absolutely. Marcus: I know this is a ... We try to keep her somewhat clean, but at some level, you just got to figure it out. You know, I mean, sometimes that's not easy in an office where there are a lot of ... It's a good thing, questions are being asked and decisions are being made, and conversations are being had and stuff like that, but sometimes you just need an extended period of time to get away and think. Chris: I think also the [manoosha 00:25:51], scheduling time away from ... I try to corner and isolate manoosha. Email, voicemail, those types of things that I believe, I'm a strong believer, this goes back to Franklin Covey kind of principles, like manoosha. Marcus: I'm old school like that too. Chris: Yeah. That manoosha will absolutely kill a business. It'll absolutely, it'll drive a person insane. If you're always answering your emails and doing those things, you don't really have time to step back, look at the big picture and start to realize the opportunities or the ideas that might be coming at you, because you're focused on something that at the end of the day, it's important, yeah, and everything is in its- Marcus: Also, in the industry that we work in, there are very complex problems that are being worked on, and even for the staff, we're trying to look for ways that we can bring in that time where they can unpack those problems and really dive into them, because when there's a lot of little things coming your way, sometimes it's difficult to get to the point where, okay, now I know all the things that I'm dealing with and I can start to solve those problems, so we're being diligent about that. If you look to the business world, what's one person that motivates you? Chris: One person that motivates me. Jimmy Buffett. I'm a [inaudible 00:27:24] and I as you know, people can't see on the podcast, but I wear shorts and flip-flops and usually T-shirts pretty much every day. Marcus: Yeah, you dressed up a little bit today for us. Chris: I did. I put on an actual button- Marcus: It's not a white collared shirt, but it's almost. Chris: No collars. Marcus: Yeah, exactly. Chris: To follow a passion relentlessly, and I don't know if you ever read his book, his plural books, but to follow his passion relentlessly for the amount of time he did and to have it pay off, and then to take that success that he had and not sit on it, but to continue to build his brand, continue to build casinos, hotels, now- Marcus: Restaurants. Chris: ... retirement centers. Marcus: A brilliant idea. Chris: Yeah. He has Margaritaville Assisted Living facilities out. Marcus: Wow. Chris: Restaurants, he writes books. Everything that he's been passionate about, he's just followed throughout his life. From right here in Mobile, Alabama as well. Marcus: He could have very easily have just rested on his laurels and lived the good life on the beach with the royalties- Chris: Royalties from Margaritaville. Marcus: Exactly. Chris: Yeah, because he makes ton of money from that, but I just think that his is not ... He wasn't a Steve Jobs, he wasn't Bill Gates that had this crazy technical knowledge and this genius mind, he's just passionate, that's it. He took a passion, he followed it, and he worked on that and then he took that passion and transformed that into a multi-million dollar business. Marcus: I won't unpack this right now, but it's interesting that you talk about Margaritaville and how he's using that as his brand to go into some other things. There's probably a marketing man in this video in there somewhere, so to be continued. Are there any books, podcasts, people or organizations that have been really helpful in moving you forward in the last year? Chris: I would say, yeah, there definitely been some people here in my building that have really helped us. Todd Greer has been- Marcus: Don't say that. Chris: Oh, don't say that? Marcus: No. Chris: I'm sorry. Marcus: Of all people, Todd's [inaudible 00:29:38]. Chris: Do we need to hit pause on that? No, I mean, from the day we moved into the exchange, he was extraordinarily helpful. Always available, you know? It was one of those guys that no matter ... He's always got time for you, he's always got time to talk to you, he's always got time to help you out, especially for a new business like ours when we were trying to do things that no one had heard of, and how do we explain that to people. Hayley Van Antwerp and Corey James at the Innovation Portal, very helpful to us. Scott Tendall, a good friend of mine, he always opened to have lunch and tell me, being a very straight shooter, this is a stupid idea or this is a good idea, this will work, this will not work, let me tell you why. Marcus: We all need those people in our lives. Chris: You got to have those people, you got to have those people. I think that the Mobile community has been incredible with helping us try to find our place and giving us advice when we need it. They give you tons of advice too. Some of it you can say, "Wow, we can't do that, we don't have time to do ... we don't have time to do all the advice, but you through all the advice, because of people that are genuinely trying to help you, you find some gems, and you stick with those and they've helped us tremendously. Marcus: That's really cool. All stellar people and it's very cool that you mentioned the people instead of ... Not to take anything away from books, podcast, or organizations, but the more I am in business, the more I understand that it's really the people that you lean on that make that difference. Chris: Absolutely. We can get into the Franklin Covey stuff and the Stephen Covey books and all those things, and all those things are tremendously helpful, but I agree with you. I think the most important thing are the relationship with people that we met. Marcus: What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Chris: I think that it's important to understand that the highs are never that high, and the lows are never that low. I think that's an old sales adage or something but, I heard that a long time ago and it's kind of stuck with me, but it's never meant as much to me as it does now. You celebrate the successes when you have those successes, and you celebrate them as wins, knowing that tomorrow, you may take a loss. If you can kind of stay in the middle, if you can always just stay right in the middle of being too high and too low, you'll do fine. Again, it takes a ... This is not for everyone. Running your own business is not for everyone. I find it's the people that can stay calm in a crisis and also to stay calm in the success and not say, "Oh, we're going to be billionaires," and the next day think, "Oh we're going to be poor,"- Marcus: We're going out of business tomorrow. Chris: That's right. Yeah, if you can just kind of live in the middle. Marcus: Such is the life of an entrepreneur. Chris: Exactly, because it is. It is a rollercoaster ride as you well know. It is. Every day brings new challenges, every day brings new successes, and just enjoy the ride, because you don't how long you're going to be able to do it, and just living right there in the middle. Marcus: That's cool. Tell people where they can find out more information about what you all are doing and stuff like that. Chris: Well, we are at the exchange, at 202 Government Street, that's where our offices are. We have our most active page is our page, we post a lot of things on Facebook and we have a website that's still under construction, it's always been under construction, because we keep changing. Marcus: [crosstalk 00:33:22] issues. Chris: Yeah, well we just ... Our business keeps changing, that's the thing. Marcus: Right. Chris: We started out as being one thing, and now we have morphed over the last year, in a handful of months into coming out with more specific things, so every time we think we're ready to finalize the website, we need to add something or we need to take something away. Marcus: Pivot. Chris: Yeah, that's right, pivot. Come see us at the exchange, we always have some cool toys, we're always the people with the goggles on, so you may have to knock on the door, because we may not see you, but our doors are always open and we love to show people new things and show them new toys. Marcus: You guys have open houses as well sometimes too, which is always really fun, so. Chris: Yeah, we do, we set up V-arcades at the exchange where you actually do get to play games, and we're always more than happy to show people the business applications that we've put together for other companies, but yeah, we do a lot of those things, where a lot of fun stuff at the exchange. It's a cool place to be and yeah, come see us. Marcus: Well, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast to wrap up any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Chris: No, thanks for having us. We're really excited about being here in Mobile and being a part of the business community. We would love to have, for anybody listening, we would love to have more business in Mobile. It's really nice to wrack up frequent flyer miles, however, it would be nice to do some business in town and walk down the street and go to lunch at Dauphin Street or somewhere like that, so yeah, it's been a whirlwind and for anybody that's looking to do a ... to start their own business or be an entrepreneur, jump both feet in, but realize you got to swim when you jump in. Marcus: There is no other way. Again, I'm just excited that you all exist here in Mobile, because- Chris: Thanks, thank you very much. Marcus: ... normally you only here about this stuff in far off places, so I know you guys are going to be successful, so I don't need to say that, but I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur, it's been great talking with you Chris. Chris: Thanks a lot. Marcus: Yeah.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down with Dale Speetjens with Shipshape Urban Farms. Dale grew up in Baldwin County and left after high school to serve in the military before heading to study at Auburn University. From his first job at McDonald's to teaching in the Galapagos Island, Dale and his wife are now celebrating one year of Shipshape Urban Farms and their first crop! Tune in and listen or read on , Spotify, or iTunes.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus chats with Courtney Rouse-Heinz with Habitat for Humanity. Courtney is a Mobile native who went to Murphy and USA and like many of our podcast guests, wandered away for a little bit but came back quickly! From working in treatment facilities to moving up the ladder at Habitat for Humanity, she is now the Executive Director for the Southwest Alabama division. Tune in and listen or read on , Spotify, or iTunes.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down and talks with Meredith Simmerman of Reney’s Honey Butter. A Mississippi girl grown up to be a therapist can be thanked for your new favorite topping to all breads, desserts, and more. You’re going to want to listen how overnight Meredith went from zero people showing up to her tasting party to over $1000 in sales the next morning! Tune in and listen or read on , Spotify, or iTunes. Meredith: Hey, my name is Meredith Simmerman. I'm the owner of Reney's Honey Butter. Marcus: Awesome. Well, it is so good to have you on the podcast. Meredith: I'm excited to be here. Marcus: Your name proceeds you. The quality of your product is definitely something that we've heard about. I will admit, I have not tried it yet. But I am very excited to get my hands on some of your honey butter and give it a shot. Meredith: Yes, I'll definitely be bringing you some. Marcus: Well, normally on this podcast, we like to get a little bit of backstory about the person that owns the business. Why don't you tell us where you're from, maybe where you went to high school and college if you went to college? Are you married, kids? All that stuff. Meredith: All the good stuff. Marcus: Yeah. Meredith: I grew up in Pascagoula. That's where I went to high school, and then I went to Mississippi State. Go Bulldogs. My degree there was in communication and public relations. Then after we lost our home in Hurricane Katrina, my whole family relocated here to Mobile. And then once I graduated from college, I started working here and then decided to sell everything I own and move to California. So, I lived out there for three years and then came back here. And then as- Marcus: Hold on. Meredith: Yes, it's lots of things. Marcus: It just didn't jive with you or what? Meredith: My mom had cancer, so I moved home. Marcus: Oh, gosh. Moved be with family. Meredith: Yes. Family is important to me. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. Meredith: Right. So, then I moved here again and started getting my masters in counseling. Finished that I graduated from Liberty University. That's just three years later and I'm a therapist. But about one year ago is when I started this Reney's Honey Butter business. Marcus: Nice. One of the things that we've realized because we're well over 100 episodes in now, it's hard to believe. But one of the things that we've realized is that sometimes there's no connection between what somebody studies and what they actually end up doing. So, how did you end up like this? Meredith: Well, it was never my plan to start a business. Last Easter after we'd all gone to church and eaten a really big lunch, I decided to go out and pick blackberries. I ended up picking blackberries for hours, I had way more than I knew what to do with. So, I started getting creative. I was making all the muffins that you can imagine, I was making blackberry barbecue sauce, blackberry cream cheese, and then I made this blackberry honey butter. Marcus: Oh, my gosh. That cream cheese sounds delicious. Meredith: Yes. It was all delicious. And I was giving it all out. Because there was just so much blackberry stuff. Marcus: Then I need to become better friends. Meredith: We do. We need to be friends. Marcus: Yeah. Meredith: When I gave it out to people, they said, "Meredith, you should sell this." So, the thought just got put into my head. Well, I had a tasting party. I created a Facebook event tasting party and invited people. And then the day of the tasting party, zero people came. Marcus: Oh, my gosh. Meredith: I was like, "Okay, whatever." That night, my sister posted on social media that I had some jars of honey butter for sale. Within 24 hours, I'd sold $1,000 worth of butter and the people who own Old Shell Market- Marcus: Hold on. Meredith: Yes. Marcus: Holy crap. Meredith: I know. I was like, "What is happening right now?" Marcus: People like butter. I got to say. Meredith: Yes. Well, then the people who own Old Shell Market who I'd never met before messaged on Facebook saying, "Hey, we want to put this butter in our store." So, from zero people- Marcus: They never tasted it. Meredith: No. Marcus: You literally didn't even really have a product at that point, let's be honest. Meredith: I know. I was shocked at what was going on, so I just ran with it. And now here I am a little over a year later. Marcus: That is so cool. The general idea when you're wanting to start a business is if you can find one customer, then you know you have an idea that maybe there's something to it. Some of my questions is, when you go back to that first sale, what was that like? But you put a post on Facebook and immediately sold $1,000 worth of stuff and actually had somebody immediately wanting to place it in a retail establishment with the opportunity to sell even more. That's insane. Those stories are just so few and far between. That's really cool. Meredith: That is how it's been. Doors have just opened for me. I randomly met a lady who owns 13 Piggly Wiggly's, and I didn't know that at the time that I met her. I was just sharing my story. She said, "Well, I want to get you in my stores." So, that door opened. It's just been like that for every place that I've been able to get into. Marcus: Yeah. You mentioned that you're a counselor. Are you still practicing? Meredith: Yes. I do still do counseling. Marcus: Is that just because you really enjoy it? Because obviously, there's something here. Meredith: Yes. I love people. Even that's the heart behind my honey butter business' connection. I want people to give it as a gift or bring people over and have breakfast together, or make dinner with my honey butter. I will bet to be the heart behind my business, and that is who I am. I'm a connector. I love relationships and empowering people. Marcus: Yeah, we have that in common. I'm very much of the same mindset, which is part of the reason why we do this podcast, is just sharing the story of business owner so other people can know who you are. Right? Marcus: Okay. So, we got a little bit ahead of ourselves because I also like to ask about your first job. If you go back to, and I'm talking like you flip burgers or you had a ... What, is it? A lifeguard position or something along those lines. What was your first job, and were there any lessons that you still remember from that? Meredith: Very first job was at a local drugstore in Pascagoula called Sav-Rex. It was a drugstore slash gift shop slash soda fountain, and it had been there for years. So, everyone came there to hang out. That's where I originally worked. Marcus: Did you work in one area of that? Because it'd be really kind of interesting if you were in the soda fountain side of things. Meredith: I was not. I just worked at the front register. I just learned more about myself, building confidence in your first job. Marcus: Knowing that you have what it takes in order to exist in- Meredith: Yeah. And being willing to receive feedback from other people and learn and grow so that you can be your best self. Marcus: Yeah, that's really cool. Now, if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started on running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Meredith: Just to go for it, to not let fear drive you. Because it is about connection. So, going to events, meeting people, taking the risk. Marcus: You put yourself out there a lot. Meredith: Put yourself out there. Marcus: Yeah. Meredith: Yeah. Get to know people. But don't let fear keep you from doing it. Because if I would have done that, I wouldn't be here today. Marcus: Right. And if you don't want to, you don't have to get into it. But how have you worked past that? I think I've mentioned it before. I would consider myself an introvert. The true definition of an introvert, someone who recharges themselves by going and being alone or being quiet, versus somebody who needs to be around people in order to be recharged, which would be classic definition of an extrovert, right? So, I'm an introvert, but I'm a high functioning introvert and that I have extroverted tendencies. That's how I normally describe it. But it's something that you have to kind of move past as you move into being a business owner and being active in the business community and going out. Marcus: Even the act of sales, I don't like to view sales in the stereotypical used car salesman. Like, "Just sign here," kind of thing. It's more about just knowing people and getting to know people and helping to educate a market and stuff like that. But when you think about fear and moving past fear. The reason why I'm really curious about this is because of your counseling background. How have you moved past that? What does that look like, and how have you moved past it? Meredith: It looks like a lot of self-talk. So, talking to yourself, building your courage up and then when that door opens for fear, rejecting it. Saying, "Nope, I'm not going to listen to that voice." I experienced that a good bit like. If someone comes and is trying my product and they think it's too expensive or I don't want to buy that, that's not my favorite flavor. The voice of fear, of rejection, of I'm not good enough, or I shouldn't have taken that risk will come up. So, I just have to- Marcus: You mentioned Liberty and knowing Liberty's background, obviously, I know that you're a Christian. And so, oftentimes hearing that, that voice of doubt, that voice of negativity, it's not coming from the right place. Yeah, just knowing that and rebuking it and moving on. That's really cool. Marcus: Well, I have to ask, tell us about how is the product made and that kind of stuff? Obviously, are you doing all that manufacturing yourself or do you have a team of people or do you- Meredith: It is still just me. Marcus: Wow. Meredith: Yes. I do it all. I work in a commercial kitchen that are I rent space in, and all the magic happens in a mixer. That is the only thing I need is a mixer. It all goes in there. Marcus: Nice. I would imagine you're using quite large equipment too. So. it's not like the kitchen aid that you have on your counter at home. Meredith: Right. Large mixer. Marcus: Very cool. Meredith: And then I have different flavors at different times of the year, too. Marcus: So, it's just honey butter. You're still doing the blackberry thing and you're doing some other stuff? Meredith: Mh-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: Gosh. Okay. Meredith: Yeah. Marcus: I'm hungry. And I just had breakfast. Meredith: In the summer, I have blackberry, honey butter, strawberry, blueberry, and then cinnamon. In the fall, I have peach, pumpkin, and toffee honey butter. In the winter, I have gingerbread, apple pie, and peppermint. So, I change it up all the time, which keeps me on my toes as well. Marcus: Yeah, that's really cool. Now, is there anything that you're currently working on in the business whether it be expanding distribution or sales or processes? What are you working on? Meredith: Well, my goal for the year is to be in 10 stores by the end of the year. Right now, I'm in six. So, working to increase that and grow. Marcus: Another four. Yeah. If you're out there and you're listening to this, Cheese Cottage, or Noble South, or Vons or any of those guys, drop her a line. I know she'd love to partner with you. Meredith: Yes. Marcus: Now, what does a typical day look like for you? Meredith: I don't really think there is a typical day. With counseling, they're never typically. So, I could have five sessions and then I'd go to the kitchen in the evening. Or have one session and work on stuff on the computer. Create. It just depends on people, and people are not consistent. Marcus: That is the one thing that we've noticed over the period of doing this podcast. When it comes to one of the most difficult things that entrepreneurs deal with, or business owners deal with, it's people. Meredith: It's people. Marcus: Now, you're talking about it in a different context. But still, the same context is that people tend to be difficult, whether it's finding the right people are motivating your people, or somebody is leaving, or somebody needs to leave or all of those things. That is a common thread. So, if you're listening to this and you're a business owner, know that you're not alone in that. Marcus: Who's the one person that motivates you from the business world? Meredith: In the business world, there is a lady, Christie Wright. She wrote a book called Business Boutique. I think she still works with Dave Ramsey. But I've read her book and listened to her podcasts, and she motivates me to continue to be willing to learn and grow and challenge myself and take the risks. So, I love her. Marcus: Yeah. Do you remember the name of the book and the podcast? Meredith: Business Boutique. Marcus: I'm sorry, you did say that. Business Boutique. Meredith: Yes. Marcus: The podcast is also Business Boutique? Meredith: Mh-hmm (affirma tive). Marcus: Okay. Very good. Meredith: And it's really geared towards women in business. Marcus: Whatever. I'm still going to check it out. Meredith: That is what she felt like her calling was, to empower women in their businesses. Marcus: I recognize the need for that voice. Because there're certainly things that women deal with that are unique to women. Just like minorities, they deal with different things and men deal different issues as well. So, are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations besides the one that you just mentioned that have been helpful in moving you forward? That's books, podcasts, people, or organizations. Meredith: Lots of things. There are a lot of people here that I've met as I've journeyed who have been very helpful to me. Other people who've run small businesses that I've met just as I've done events who pour into me, giving me feedback, giving me some extra skills or inside info. So, I don't want to name drop. But people like Tony Salster, or Heather at Market at The Pillars. Marcus: Tony is actually in my Emerging Leaders class. And Heather has been on the podcast and was a client at one point in time. We'd like to winter back. Meredith: Yes, Marcus: Yeah wonderful people. But, yeah, go ahead. Who else? Meredith: All amazing people. Lots of books out there. the StoryBrand book. Marcus: Very good, Donald Miller. Meredith: Let me think. Those are the ones that are at the top of my head right now. Marcus: Yeah. Now, the StoryBrand one is really interesting, because he's really well-known for Blue Like Jazz and some other books that he wrote back when he was the ... I would say he was almost one of the figureheads for the postmodern movement in Christianity, right? And the whole you know, it's okay to question because questioning helps you solidify your belief system. And so, it was really interesting for me to see him kind of pivot, because he is such an amazing storyteller. That's why people loved his writing. And so, now he's pivoted to helping other people figure out what their story is. Meredith: Yes. Marcus: His podcast is phenomenal. I don't know if you've ever listened to that. Meredith: Yes, it is. Marcus: I was having a conversation with a friend, Austin, he's the boyfriend of [Varduey 00:16:36], which is our designer. He was talking about the podcast. I'll be honest, I don't know that I knew that there was an actual podcast. I've just been kind of diving into those because there's just ... Every podcast, there are some that are really good and then there are some where it's kind of like, eh, but that one usually is pretty consistent in how good it is? Meredith: Yeah. And then it kind of combines my love for counseling and the brain with business. He talks about how the brain responds really well when you tell things in story version. That's just really neat to me. Marcus: As marketers, it's something that we love too. Because if you've got a good story, even if it's something that is ... I don't know. It's interesting to me, because I think a lot of business owners don't realize how good a story they have. It's not until they actually ... Last night I went to emerging leaders, I'll say that, but I won't say who it was. There was a person there that actually said something and immediately, the instructor was like, "That's your elevator pitch." And she had been struggling up until that point, because, it's a difficult thing when you first sit down and you have to come up with an elevator pitch for those people that haven't done it before, tried to succinctly tell people in 30 seconds or less what it is that you do, right? Meredith: Yes. Marcus: When she said what she said, it was immediately like, that's it. That's your elevator pitch. Even if you don't drop, because she kind of dropped the name of the company that they had done something really awesome for, he said, "Even if you don't say the name but you just tell the story, that's it." It was just cool because it was a story, and that's going to resonate with people much more than just like, "I'm the largest producer of XYZ widgets, and we have distribution in XYZ states." It's like, let it go. Small businesses, it's important for us to lean on that story. Marcus: What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Meredith: That you need other people? Yeah, you can't do it all by yourself. I am still one man, one woman. Marcus: One woman. Meredith: Yes. One-woman show, but I ask for help when I needed it. I ask for help with taxes from my accountant. I to ask for help with logo stuff or website stuff. So, know that I cannot do it all, even though that would be awesome if I could. That I need other people. Marcus: No, it's cool. It is a difficult thing because you'd like to think that you could do it all yourself. Meredith: That's kind of the American way. Be independent. Do it all. Make your stuff happen. But- Marcus: You just end up burying yourself in things that you don't like doing. It's much better to find people that actually like doing the things that you don't like doing. Like, I don't like editing audio. That's why Jared's here. Meredith: Yey. Marcus: Yey, Jared. What do you like to do to unwind? Meredith: I love food. So, a small little part of my story, I have lots of little pieces. I did go to culinary school. Marcus: What? Really? Meredith: Yes. Marcus: Which one? Meredith: At the University For Women. It's in Columbus, Mississippi. Marcus: I don't know how old you are, but you appear young. So, it's amazing what you've done. Meredith: I'm over 30. Marcus: Oh, wow. Very good. Yeah. So, it's a lot of schooling. You've got a master's degree in counseling, and went to culinary school. Meredith: I love learning. I have a high value for learning. Especially as I get older, I realized the value of that wisdom and knowledge. Marcus: It's very cool. Meredith: So, I love food. Anytime I can try something new or go somewhere new- Marcus: I'm going to put you on the spot then. Where do you like to eat in Mobile? Meredith: That depends on the day. Marcus: What's your craving. Yeah, I know. Yeah. But any spots that you that really stand out for you? Meredith: We mentioned the Cheese Cottage earlier. Love cheese. They modeled that after the Houston Dairymaids, which I went out there as well on my search for cheese, because I love that. So, that's a fun place to go here in Mobile. Marcus: Very cool. Yeah, I also love food. So, food is good. Meredith: Yes, it is. Marcus: Do you cook a lot too at home? Meredith: I used to. It's just me. Not married. Don't have any kids. Marcus: Very good. Meredith: So, I do like to cook but don't usually have a ton of people to do that for. Marcus: Yeah. Well, it's interesting because I didn't go to culinary school. but I do like to cook and I find that that's almost a way that I unwind. So, going home and ... I used to have a lot more time to do it. But instead of going to Publix, which is still a very nice grocery store, going to Fresh Market or Whole Foods and getting new ingredients and a new recipe and stuff like that and kind of experimenting with some stuff. At one point in time I was doing Blue Apron, and I liked it and my family didn't like it so much, but I liked it. Because it was always something new and you never really knew what you were going to get, but it was kind of interesting to try new things. Meredith: Yes, I agree. Marcus: When we go on vacation, oftentimes it's all about where we're going to eat. It's amazing that I'm not like 500 pounds. I just got back from New Orleans, I spent a night there and I wish I could remember the name of the place that I went. But it was this small little café that the people that I was meeting with actually found and introduced me to. They hadn't beef short ribs that were just like ... They were so good, and the desserts were phenomenal. They have a rustic bread that was just absolutely tasty. We could talk for 30 minutes just about- Meredith: About food. Marcus: Yeah, about food. But let's not do that. Meredith: That's one thing that I want to do, is start to make recipe cards for my honey butter. Because when people think honey butter, they just think bread. But I want people to think outside the box because, I made pork chops with my blackberry honey butter. You could do chicken and waffles with it. Lots of different things outside of the bread and butter. Marcus: Right. Yeah, that's really good. Tell people where they can find you. Meredith: Well, you can always go to my website reyneyshoneybutter.com, and then I'm in six locations. So, Old Shell Market, Domke Market, Crimson Blue Boutique, the Piggly Wiggly and Fairhope, there's June Christine boutique which is in Pascagoula, and then Sylvia's Biscuits and Poboys. Marcus: Very good. Facebook page as well, I would imagine? Meredith: Yeah. Facebook, Instagram, website. We can ship all over the United States. Marcus: Yeah. No, that's very good. Well I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Meredith: Well, I love you all's heart to show Mobile about small business owners and to introduce them. So, I feel honored to be here. Marcus: Well, we appreciate you coming. It is actually an honor to showcase the business owners that we have. We have kind of a unique ecosystem here, and that there are a tremendous amount of small business owners. It's just really cool to be able to provide a platform for people to know about people like you. Meredith: It's really cool. Yeah, well, thank you so much. Marcus: Absolutely. Well, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Meredith: Thank you.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus chats with Jeff Carter with the City of Mobile. You’re not going to want to miss this interview as Jeff shares his journey of connections and organic education that sent him from being a paramedic to being the Chief Innovation Officer for our city. Jeff: I'm Jeff Carter, the Chief Innovation Officer with the City of Mobile. Marcus: Awesome. Well, welcome to the podcast, Jeff. Jeff: Thanks. Marcus: Yeah. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. Jeff: I have no idea. Marcus: Now Jeff, full disclosure, Jeff and I know each other from a number of organizations. The one that we should probably mention because we want them to known is Fuse Project. We both sit on the board for Fuse Project. I've known you from your past life as the head of the I-Team, which we won't get into here because I'm very curious to hear about what you have going on as the Chief Innovation Officer. But before we get into all of that, why don't you tell us the story of Jeff. Where are you from? Where'd you go to high school, college? I know a little bit about your background before getting hired as the lead of the I-Team. Married? Not married? All that stuff. Jeff: Ah, the short biography. Well it's a- Marcus: No, this is 25 to 30 minutes, so you better talk for a little bit or we're gonna have to dig deep. Jeff: Well, it's kind of a bizarre story that doesn't make a whole lot of sense how I got here. I'll try to make it as concise and believable as possible. Marcus: Sure. Jeff: But I grew up in the booming metropolis of Citronelle, Alabama. Marcus: Sweet. Jeff: When I got to the age of middle school, my parents decided to send me to school in Mobile. I came to the Magnet Program. I went to Phillips for three years. At the end of three years, my dad made a deal with me that I could go to high school wherever I wanted. He assumed that I would go back to Citronelle High School because that's where my friends were and everything. I did miss that a lot. But when I got through at Phillips, it just occurred to me that I'd had such a good education at Phillips that I really couldn't go back to Citronelle. Marcus: Even as young kid you recognized that? Jeff: Yeah. Marcus: Wow. Jeff: I wound up graduating from LeFlore High School, which was the Magnet High School at the time. It was a very interesting change for me to go from a small town to really an inner city high school when I graduated from LeFlore. It was, I don't know, 97% African-American. I tell people all the time that that was really one of my first and best real learning opportunities. I tell people I got an education and an education there. It was really, really good to be able to learn, at that age, so many different things that I had never been exposed to before. That really started opening my mind to how to learn from different people and how to focus on people, and it was very important to me. When I got out of ... When I was in ... um. Lot of ums. When I was growing up, my parents worked hard. They were blue collar. My mom's a teacher. My dad worked in the chemical plant. They tell people that the dreams they had for us as kids all came from a Willie Nelson song. They wanted us to grow up to be doctors and lawyers and such or get a good job. Marcus: Did they know at the time that Willie Nelson was ... nevermind. Jeff: Hey, let's not down an icon here. All right? Marcus: Yeah, a massive pothead that, you know, but anyway. Jeff: Willie's an American treasure. Marcus: He is absolutely. Jeff: He's an American Treasure. Marcus: I love Willie Nelson, but, yeah. Jeff: Anyway, so I thought I wanted to go to med school is what I thought I wanted to do. I did well in high school and tried to do all those extra things that they tell you're supposed to do. One of those extra things I wound up doing was I became an EMT. That made perfect sense to me at the time. I was gonna be an EMT, and I was gonna have this on my transcript when I applied for med school that I had had patient care experience, and it was all gonna be great. After high school went to South, enrolled in South and wound up finishing my paramedic at night while I did the rest of my college courses during the day. Then what happened was I was 19-years-old and I had a paramedic license. I was the youngest paramedic in the State of Alabama. I could give narcotics but not drink alcohol. That's when I found out that a 19-year-old boy should not be allowed to make his own money. At the age of 19, I was a paramedic, and I found out that I could get a job and make money. Somehow that became a lot more alluring to me than finishing college. I dropped out of college, much to my dad's chagrin, and I worked on the ambulance. I worked here in Mobile County. Later transferred over and worked in Baldwin County. I worked 24-hour shifts, 48-hour shifts, 72-hour shifts, X-hour shifts, but I loved it. It was great. What I loved the most about being a medic was that in a single day, in a single shift, you might help the smartest person in the world, the most challenged person in the world, the richest person in the world, and the poorest person in the world. You might get to see all those people and learn something from them in a single shift. There's really nothing else like it. It was a really cool experience. It taught me a lot about how the world works. Taught me a lot about how to talk to people of different backgrounds and learn information in a very short amount of time, and then try to turn that information into something that could help make them better in a very short amount of time. I worked on the ambulance for a little while. I was fortunate enough to get hired at SouthLight. My hire date at SouthLight is pretty memorable. The hire date was 9/11 2001. Marcus: Oh, gosh, dude. Jeff: That was my first full-time day on the helicopter, and so did that for a while. Loved that. Working at South was amazing. Also in that time, I got asked to come back, and I taught in the paramedic program run at South. Paramedic, EMTP means EMT part-time something else, where every paramedic has a bunch of jobs. Marcus: Right. Jeff: I was fortunate enough to work on the ambulance, work on the helicopter, and teach, and did that for a while. The Hospital chose to get out of SouthLight at a time and went over to a private provider. That transition was where I learned a lot about business, because all of a sudden it was more than just taking care of sick people. You really started having to understand the business aspect of it. In the healthcare world that's a challenge. Did that for a while. I thought I was ready for an eight to five day job, and got asked to come be the Deputy Director of EMS in the country, for Mobile County. I knew they had some challenges there when I took the job. Marcus: It's a nice way of saying, "Things were kind of messed up." Jeff: Yeah. Well, it reminds me of one of my favorite John F. Kennedy quotes. He was asked by a reporter his first week in office what he was most surprised about so far. He says, "Well, what I'm most surprised about is things was as bad as we were saying they were." Anyway, so we got there and they were in the transition of going from a full volunteer to a paid service and trying to do a better job for citizens in the county. We just realized we had to get to work. What happened there was I'm really proud of. We were able to turn that operation around from an operation that had very, very long average response times for the county, just very, very long was all I can say. In two years we had grown that organization from about 10 employees to 120 employees, and we cut response times in the county to 10-minute average response times for the entire county. Marcus: Wow. Jeff: We did that really sort of organically by finding problems and addressing problem, finding problems and addressing problems. The way we started to do this was really by looking at data and mapping. We started really, really paying attention to the data that we had on our run volume and the needs of the county. We really looked at mapping those calls for service by hour of the day, and day of the week, and hour of the day. We were able to match up our schedule side or deployment side to the needs and then keep growing with a county that was growing. That was our little formula there. That worked out real well. Marcus: It sounds like that was the beginning of your data analysis- Jeff: It was. Marcus: ... because I know that that becomes also very important in what you did at the I-Team as well. But I didn't realize that that was where that education came from. Jeff: Yeah, a lot of my education is pretty organic. I learned things as I needed them. Taught my self a lot of things. I don't have a very traditional education background, although I did go back to South and complete my bachelor's degree. Marcus: What'd you get your degree in? Jeff: Some of my degree is in emergency management. Marcus: Okay. Jeff: I did go back to South and complete my degree. But most of the other things I learned since then were really just sort of ad hoc in a lot of ways. But it's interesting to me how all of those things have kind of wound themselves together and built on one another, so, yeah, the data analysis and stuff that I learned there and the mapping that I learned there has been instrumental in what I've done here. Marcus: Right. Jeff: Do I just keep going here? Are you good? Marcus: Yeah, no. You're good. But seriously that's what this podcast is all about, man. Jeff: All right. All right. Anyway, so while I was working there, things had gotten settled down and we were in a maintenance mode and just growing a little bit, and things were really good out there. They're still doing a great job out there. I started getting invited to some of this volunteer stuff. In 2010, I did Leadership Mobile, which was cool for me because when I was in high school and I thought I was going to med school and I was trying to check all the boxes, I had signed up for a Youth Leadership Mobile. It turned out to have been the first class of Youth Leadership Mobile that Mobile United had ever done. Marcus: Interesting. Jeff: I was in the inaugural class of Youth Leadership Mobile. Then in 2010 had applied for the Adult Leadership Mobile course and was the first person in the adult class that had done the youth class, so that was cool. I really enjoyed that, met some awesome, awesome people, had a great experience, learned even more about Mobile. Then after that I'm kind of in this mode where once you do that, the next thing you're supposed to do is "be on some boards." I thought that's what I needed to do next. I got an invitation to the Greater Gulf State Fair Board. I didn't know the Greater Gulf State Fair had a board. I just knew that I'd been to the fair. That was all I knew. I really had not other motivation to do it other than- Marcus: To be on a board. Jeff: ... you're supposed to be on some boards after you do this. This is kind of the thing. Right? Marcus: Yep. Jeff: I think I'm following the formula. I found out later I wasn't following the formula, but I thought I was following the formula. I get on the board and to my surprise when I got there, I found that they had a lot of challenges. I was on the board for four or five years, I guess, and in that time we went through some pretty big transitions. There was some staff turnover. I wound up hiring a guy named Scott Tindle. Marcus: He's a common theme in what's going on in Mobile right now. Jeff: Yeah. I never forget it. I talked to him, interviewed him. The board voted. I went outside and said, "Man, if you're dumb enough to take this job, they're gonna give it to you." Marcus: Yeah. He's the dog that caught the car. Jeff: Yeah, so before he got there, we had made a lot of changes. When he got there was when we really started the rebranding efforts. I love telling the story because people assume that we hired some high dollar agency to do all the rebranding. The truth is we drank a lot of beers, and somebody said, "Let's just call it The Grounds." The next morning, Tindle got on Fiverr and got us a logo for 300 bucks, and hence it was rebranded. Marcus: Sure. Jeff: But all the changes that we made there, that organization had been losing six figures a year for a while. Marcus: Wow. Jeff: We were able to take that organization by re-changing its brand, changing its presentation, and changing who we advertised to. Marcus: Yeah, the audience. Jeff: Who we market it to. The feel of the event as well as some price structure, some contract things, and just a sort death by a thousand cuts. But we were able to take that organization from losing $100,000 a year to making $400,000 a year in 13 months. Marcus: A $500,000 swing- Jeff: In 13 months. Marcus: ... in 13 months. That's amazing. Jeff: Well, the cool part about it is what we did with the money. The cool part about it is we had this concept we call Community Capital. I define Community Capital by if you wink out of existence tomorrow, who would raise their hand and say, "I really miss those guys at Blue Fish"? Marcus: Right. Jeff: If there's nobody that'll raise their hand, then you don't have any Community Capital. Marcus: Please, somebody raise their hand, please. Jeff: We started doing things with the money that organization made and reinvesting it back into organizations that were providing service. One of the things we did was used to have a hard time getting people to work the ticket office. Well, we had 10 nights, so we gave a thousand dollars to a different nonprofit every night to staff the ticket office. If you've worked at a nonprofit, you know how hard it is to make a thousand dollars in six hours of profit. It is a huge deal. We started doing things like that to help really engrain that organization in the community. Marcus: Well, then also, I don't know if it was intentional, but you're also probably getting marketed to the audience that they have as well. Jeff: Everything is related. Every single thing is related and there's a- Marcus: Scott's good at that kind of stuff. Jeff: ... value exchange on everything. I did that for a while, enjoyed that. Sort of through that, that's when I got introduced to Grant and the Fuse Project. I missed their very inaugural event, but I've been on the board since right after that. What I loved about that organization was their focus on creating immediate measurable impact for kids in our area. I liked that we weren't gonna do things regular. That was really something that spoke to me, so I've enjoyed being a part of that. Actually, that organization is why I am in the job I am now. Marcus: How so? Jeff: It was a little bit serendipitous. The first year we had the first Dragon Boat, we made more money than we thought we were gonna make. At the time we felt like we needed a strategic plan, but we really didn't have enough money to go hire anybody that did a strategic plan. We didn't really believe that we could do our own strategic plan, so we had this idea that we would have an event called Light the Fuse. We had this dinner, and Noble South catered it and gave us a great deal. We completely redid the lot next door to Downtown Alliance. We invited a hundred movers and shakers of Mobile. These were the guys who get hit up for money every 10 seconds. Marcus: All the time. Yeah. Jeff: The hook we told them for that night was that we needed their brains not their wallets, and there was no charge. We paid for the entire dinner, and paid for everything. All they had to do was have a fantastic dinner, sit with some fantastic people at 10 tables of 10, and dream up what solutions would they have to fix issues for children in our area. That was what they had to do. They had to do that before dessert. Marcus: No small feat. Jeff: Yeah. We are on a clock here. Marcus: Yeah. Exactly. Jeff: Before dessert came around, we went around the tables and filmed each table's response to their answers and cut them all together real quick and played them up on that wall while dessert was being served. The 10 answers from that thing did dictate the next projects that Fuse entered into. One of the first ones, they said, "You know we need a place for nonprofits to come together." Marcus: Which became Fuse Proper. Jeff: Which became Fuse Factory. Marcus: Yeah, Factory. Jeff: Several tines we heard that we really need more mentoring in Mobile, and so that became a pledge to Big Brothers Big Sisters to fund a hundred new mentors in Mobile and Baldwin County from Dragon Boat. That was our strategic plan, and we're still working on some of that stuff. But I digress a bit. As I was doing research for the table that I led that night, I came across this article on Money.com, of all places, about Memphis, Tennessee. What they had in Memphis was an I-Team, and I read about the work they'd done in Memphis on rebuilding neighborhoods. They used a model they called: Clean it, fix it, sustain it. It was fascinating to me. I just dove into it. I found everything I could read about it. They were one of the first five I-Teams in the world, the inaugural I-Team class from Bloomberg. I just could not read enough about it. I was fascinated. We did this event in October. In December, low and behold, there's Mayor Stimpson walking down Texas Street announcing the City of Mobile has gotten an I-Team grant. I felt just compelled to apply for it. I don't think I had any special skill set that would get me in the I-Team. I didn't think that the resume I had would get me in I-Team, didn't know anything about it. But I felt I'd read about it, I was fascinated by it, and I wouldn't be able to sleep until I applied for it. I sent my application into the dark. They were dumb enough to call me, and here I am. When I got offered the job, it completely freaked my mom out, because she wanted me to have a good job, a good stable job, and I had that at EMS. I was the Deputy Director and things were good. Marcus: Right. Jeff: I'll never forget. I went to sleep one night and I woke up the next morning and I said, "You know, if I stay where I'm at, in three years I'll know exactly where I'll be. If I go take this grant-funded job, in three years have no idea where I'll be. I'm actually more terrified of knowing where I'll be than not knowing where I'll be." Marcus: There are some life lessons there. Jeff: Yeah, so here I am. Marcus: For those of you that aren't familiar with the I-Team and ... if I understand from what you said earlier ... Terrance is now the head of the I-Team, so we want to get him on as well. Because honestly I wasn't aware that you had been promoted to Chief Innovation Officer for the city. We're gonna get to that in just a second. But for those of you that aren't familiar with the I-Team, the I-Team, I usually refer to them as the virus that is infecting the city. Whenever there is a problem area ... Correct me if I'm wrong but ... where the citizens are necessarily receiving the service that they should be receiving as the citizens of Mobile, then the I-Team usually goes in, tries to assess the situation, oftentimes there's interviews of the citizens of Mobile to find out what the issues were. The I-Team tries to go in and find pathways that they can smooth out those rough spots. Jeff: Oh, that's part of it. To simplify it a little bit, the I-Team is really there to add a capacity to help the government think of old problems in new ways. Marcus: Yep. Jeff: Many of these problems that the City of Mobile has challenges with, cities all across the US have challenges with. Sometimes cities are not necessarily have the human capacity to think of new ways. A lot of the times when you hear about cities cutting budgets and all of those things, you really have an organization that has just enough people to do the job it's doing. Marcus: Sure. Jeff: For it to stop and think about how it might do it different- Marcus: It's a luxury. Jeff: ... it means that it has to stop, and you can't stop the functions of government. That's where this I-Team Innovation capacity comes in is to really help think about those things differently. To do that, the focus is very, very much on the end user, whoever the end user might be. A lot of times everybody thinks the great ideas come from the corner office. Well, they don't. The great ideas come from the people doing the work every day. Marcus: Right. Jeff: That's where the real focus of the I-Team is and has been a focus of mine. No matter what I've done is to think about it from the perspective of the guy that's out there actually doing the thing, whatever the thing is. Marcus: Getting into the change here with your role as Chief Innovation Officer, so what does that look like? What are you? Jeff: Yeah, so as the Chief Innovation Officer, I'm a member of the I-Team, the city's I-Team, city's GIS and the city's 311. Those four organizations are all related and separate. But each one of them really is a service. They provide a service to someone. Our I-Team provides a service to citizens and to the city. They're really, really, really good at looking at things from end user prospective and letting that help the design and dictate the solutions that the city needs to make sure that whatever we do as a city that we continue to serve our ultimate purpose which is to improve the lives of citizens. Our IT Department is super-strong in the technical stuff, but hasn't in the past had the capacity to think about those things from the user prospective. Marcus: User prospective. That is normal with IT. Jeff: Yeah. They're good at technical stuff. Marcus: They're really good at technical. Jeff: They're really good at it. Marcus: And they understand it- Jeff: They do. Marcus: ... but translating that into how they reach an audience is difficult. Jeff: The one thing that our I-Team gets from this marriage is they get better access and understanding and capacity on the data side of the house to make sure that when we talk about the changes that the I-Team makes, it's not good enough just to "make things better." We have to make sure that we did it in a measurable fashion and that we're meeting targets. Or if we're not meeting targets, we're adjusting what we're doing along the way so it's a continuous improvement cycle. That's the big vision of this Chief Innovation Officer, and working hard to get there. Marcus: Well, that's exciting because you're the first Chief Innovation Officer for Mobile. Right? Jeff: Yep. Marcus: Again, First Youth Class, first youth in the Adult Leadership Class and breaking down walls, Chief Innovation Officer, man. Jeff: I'll get you to make my commercial for me. I don't think about it like that, man. I'm just- Marcus: Yeah, no, I get you. Jeff: ... here to do work. Marcus: I think it's cool. I was excited about having you on because I think people need to hear that the city is trying to get better. That we oftentimes we hear it and from the mayor, and I think he's a straight shooter. Obviously we do, because we did a bunch of stuff to try and help him get elected. But we think he's a straight shooter so we tend to believe him. But there are a lot of people that look at a politician and they just think, "Well, he's just saying those things because he wants people to believe that he's doing his job." I've oftentimes said that I view the position of mayor or the position of governor or the position of President as a person that needs to be the cheerleader for the group that they represent. That they're really casting vision for that, but it is the responsibility of the business owners and of the citizens to actually take up that mantle and move it forward. We've had that conversation a number of times on the podcast where it's not the city's job to provide good jobs in Mobile. It's the entrepreneur's job to do that. But it is the city's job to make it easy for the entrepreneur to operate and to do business. I know that you all have been, with your work with the I-Team and hopefully now continuing that as the CIO that ... Well, I guess I should take say Chief Innovation Officer because CIO is Chief Information Officer typically. But I know that you'll be continuing that effort. For people to hear from you that A, there is a Chief Innovation Officer and that the city is still looking at ways to smooth those rough edges and being self-aware and that things aren't perfect and that you're trying to get better. I think that's promising for people. Jeff: Yeah. I'll tell you the one thing that we know for sure in the city is that things aren't perfect. The only thing we know for sure in the city is that everybody's working hard every day to make it better. I haven't had a meeting with the mayor yet that at the end of the meeting he didn't say, "Go get them." That's what he wants to see done. He wants to see these changes made. The city is better for everyone. The one thing that I see with the city right now and I kind of heard you say a little bit, but it's something that I really believe in is that you can't do anything by yourself. Everything is a team. Marcus: Yep. Jeff: Whether you build a large team or a small team, you have to make sure that there's a lot of respect amongst all the people on that team. They trust each other. We trust each other. You trust each other enough to say when things are good and high five. But you also have to trust each other enough to say when things are bad and really challenge one another to make things better. We do that a lot inside of the I-Team. We're doing that now in this new Innovation Department. But it's also being done at a macroscopic level. It's also being done amongst the city as a whole. The City Administration is a team. The City Council is a Team. The business owners and citizens, those are all team members. Marcus: Yep. Jeff: Each one of them has an important role. Neither of them could do the job for the other people. Everybody has to do their part. But we also have to keep building that trust and respect to get down to what we really need to do. Marcus: Have you read, and if you haven't, I wouldn't be surprised. But have you ever read Startup Communities by Brad Feld? Jeff: I have. Marcus: You have? I think that's amazing. The whole premise of the book is that, again, going back to what we're saying, the city has to operate at a certain level, but it's up to the entrepreneurs. Also, I love that University of South Alabama and Spring Hill and University of Mobile, they're all very much trying to be a positive influence in the business community and the economic development of the area and stuff like that as well. Because I don't know that anybody is orchestrating that at a high level, but without really even trying we're kind of following the book. Jeff: Yeah. I think if you blended that book with Maker City, I think you'd have a lot of what's going on in Mobile right now. Marcus: It's blowing me away because ... speaking of Maker City ... earlier today we posted on our Facebook page that if you're a maker of goods in Mobile, please tag your business or let us know by making a comment or something like that. The last time I checked, there were like 50 comments. Jeff: Nice. Marcus: It's just blown me away. Heather Pefferkorn and I have had a number of conversations because she does The Market at The Pillars. I was blown away to hear how many people she was hearing from that were makers in the city. I don't think people realize just how much stuff is being created here, whether it's candles or art or music or whatever the goods are. I think she was talking about a young brother and sister that make bread and baked goods and stuff like that, all kinds of stuff, so. But anyway, it's cool to see that. Jeff: It's a super-cool phenomenon. I would also venture that if there were 50 people who would call themselves makers, there's probably another 150 there who are doing great at making amazing things, but don't feel in themselves that they're able to elevate their work and name it as a maker. But Mobile is just full of that kind of talent, man. It's [crosstalk 00:30:44]. Marcus: Yeah. We're looking at ways that we can actually amplify the voices of those people. Honestly the reason why we started this podcast was to amplify the voices of business owners and the awesome things that they're doing in Mobile. Because we're unique in that as a city we have a lot of people that are entrepreneurs and that step out and do some really great things. I don't know that we celebrate that enough. It's a difficult road, and if we can give somebody a platform that allows them to get some notice and some notoriety, then by all means we'll do that. Because I just think it's hats off to those that take it upon themselves to start businesses. It's not an easy road. Jeff: It's a good one though. I'll tell you, I was walking down here and I looked across the street and saw the graffiti mural on the side. I was very, very glad all of a sudden that I lived in Mobile. I'm glad to live in a city where Johnny Cash, Tupac, and John Lennon can be painted side-by-side. Marcus: That is great, isn't it? I know. I love it, and it's cool because I don't know the artist that did that. But two days after Prince passed away, he had Prince up there, and you know what I mean? Jeff: Nice. Marcus: It's just like he is continually adding to that. I don't know. I love that aspect of what we have going on here as well, so. Now I do want to get back to some of the questions don't necessarily apply to you, but there are some that do. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that you would like to recommend or that you think would be helpful to business people. Jeff: The number one business book I'm stuck on right now is Zero to One. It's by Peter Thiel. You know this one? Marcus: I don't. Go ahead. Jeff: Ah, it's amazing. Peter Thiel is the creator of PayPal- Marcus: Yep. Jeff: ... and thus the PayPal Mafia and Elon Musk and all of those other guys that worked there are doing amazing things. Everybody knows their name right now. I've read it once and listened to it twice. I've been really obsessed with it right now. It's such a great book. It's not just a great book about the business world. There's a lot of businesses that take one thing and try to make it from one to many, but that real active creation of going from nothing to one. Marcus: Yeah, getting that first client or that first product that's viable. Jeff: Yeah, is fascinating to me. But what was so fascinating to me about it again was how much focus he had on the team and building that team and how he looked at the business. So huge fan of Zero to One. Marcus: In regards to PayPal or in regards ... because he's doing mostly venture capital investment type stuff now, isn't he? Jeff: Yeah. He does a lot of things now. He does Palantir and does some VC stuff. But his team that he built there ... They wind up calling them the PayPal Mafia ... those guys started and ran tons of things out there. Marcus: Yeah. They're changing the world that we ... I'm adding that to my books to read list. Jeff: Zero to One. Got to have that one. Marcus: Yeah. Anything else you want to add to that? Jeff: That's my number one business book right now. I'm really kind of eclectic in everything else that I listen to and look at. One of the things that I hate about the digital world that we live in is that if you're not really, really, active and purposeful, you'll just keep getting fed the same kind of stuff over and over in our little filter bubble world. I don't really have any one thing to recommend as far as blogs or podcasts. It's pretty eclectic. I really try to jump all over the place. Marcus: Yeah and that is totally cool. Now I'm gonna ask this question and we may have to mark it out, so. Is there a bit of advice that you would give to people that are looking to start a business in the city? Jeff: I tell you, my best number one answer for people right now is you keep going until you find someone who says yes. Mobile is in a very, very weird time in its lifespan right now. I see Mobile more as a frontier city where anything is possible and anything will work. But starting a business, if you're starting something new and the number one thing you need is 10 people to say, "That's a great idea," you're probably not under the right space. But if you keep going, you will find this tribe of people here that really want to see Mobile do the right thing and embrace all these different ideas and all these different things. Because of that, Mobile is a place where really anything can grow here. Marcus: Yeah, Scott Tindle's proving that. Yeah. No. Without getting into too much detail, I've found that to be true. That oftentimes if you are not speaking to the right person, whether that be somebody that you're dealing with at the city, at City Plaza ... or whether that's just doing business in general ... that just finding the right person that you should be talking to oftentimes you'll get the right answer, but you just have to be persistent and push forward. Jeff: Yes. Keep going until somebody says yes. Marcus: Yeah. Now how do you like to unwind? Jeff: I'm a fisherman. I got two boys at the house. Right now I am 0 and two, my last two games of NBA 2K17 against my 12-year-old. We won't talk about the 30 games before that, but. Marcus: I'm sure he gets a lot more practice time than you do. Jeff: His practice time is higher than mine. But no, I spend time with family and fishing, being outside, is kind of my thing. Marcus: Now if people want to understand more about some of the changes that are gonna be happening, because I recognize you are just getting started, so there might not be a whole lot. But is there a place where they can keep tabs on all of that? Jeff: That'll be coming soon. Marcus: It will be. Jeff: That'll be coming soon. Marcus: Okay. Right. Well, I want to thank you, again, for coming on the podcast. I know that this is outside what we normally talk about here, but I felt because of your position and the influence that you have over what business owners care about that it was very important to have you on. I want to thank you for your time. Anything else that you'd like to add or comments you want to make? Thoughts? Jeff: No. Thanks for having me. Enjoyed it. Marcus: Yeah. Very good. Well, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me, and it's been great having you on. Jeff: Cool.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus sits down and talks with Liz Garza of FOY Superfoods. Liz moved to Alabama from Texas to pursue grad school at Springhill and marry her now husband and co-owner of FOY, John. In pursuit of starting a new life here, they have now started many new businesses that all pertain to their passion for health. Tune in and listen or read on and do yourself a favor by grabbing lunch at FOY! (You might even see us there…) Liz: Hey guys. I'm Liz Garza, co-owner of Foy Super foods down here in Mobile on Dauphin Street in Bienville Square. Marcus: Awesome. Well, welcome to the podcast, Liz. Liz: Thanks for having me. Marcus: Yeah. We're big fans of yours. We ate there today. Liz: Right. Marcus: That is not just because you were coming on the podcast. That's a couple of time a week. Liz: Oh, for sure. Yeah, I see you guys all the time. Marcus: Yeah. I think I'm addicted to your acai bowls and the jerk, which is a very tasty bowl with chicken and, you can add chicken, with spinach, and rice, and sweet potatoes, and all kinds of there yummy stuff. Liz: Yeah, for sure. Marcus: I don't fall asleep after eating at Foy. Liz: Right. Marcus: I also don't feel like I'm destroying my body when I eat at Foy. Liz: Absolutely. Marcus: Yeah, but we're excited about having you on. So, to get started, why don't you give us some of the back story of who you are and where you're from. Where'd you go to school? High school and college, if it's appropriate. Liz: Yeah. Marcus: And tell us about John 'cause we know that he's a big part of this. So, give us some back story. Liz: Absolutely. I'm from a city in South Texas, right on the boarder to Mexico, it's called Laredo. Marcus: Cool. Liz: And it reminds me a lot of Mobile. It has a lot of that old town charm. Everybody knows everybody, that kind of thing. I'm real comfortable. I feel like I fit in well in Mobile, just growing up in Laredo. I am a first generation US citizen. Both my parents are from Monterey, Mexico. Marcus: Very cool. Liz: Yeah. I went to high school of course, at a school in Laredo and went to college at Texas A&M for my undergrad and then- Marcus: That's it? You just went to Texas A&M. Liz: Right. Yeah. Yeah, that's it. Marcus: Underachiever. Liz: That little school, yeah. But yeah, I have a business degree with an emphasis in human resource management over from Texas A&M then went on to ... When I moved here, got my masters over at Spring Hill College in liberal arts. Of course, it's a liberal arts school, but I concentrated my degree in leadership and ethics. At the time in grad school, I was expecting our only son at the time. John and I were trying to navigate our way through, "Our we gonna go to Corporate America? Are you gonna get a job?" It was kind of slim pickings, really, moving to Mobile and coming out of grad school thinking, "Well, what am I gonna do?" Marcus: Yeah. Liz: We decided, let's start our own business. We saw a need for it and it just fit into our life in more than one way. John and I both have a background family history of obesity related disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, all of the above. John's actually a diabetic and so, at home we were wondering, or I was wondering, "How the heck am I gonna cook for this man and not make him sick?" Trying to figure out all that world out. Marcus: And not make him feel like he's wanting for more. Liz: Right. Exactly. Like he's lacking or like you said, wanting. That's when we started Balance, which was six years ago. It was a paleo meal delivery service and we did that for almost four years before we started Foy. Marcus: Does that still exist 'cause that's the first time I'm hearing of that? Liz: Yeah. So, now when you come into Foy, you're gonna recognize all my coolers are wrapped and they say Balance and stuff on them. The business was based on basically, prepping healthy meals, packaging them down. And what we did, we established partnerships with a ton of different crossfit gyms, yoga studios, that kind of thing. We furnished the coolers and we would go make these massive drops of food. We were eCommerce. People would go to our website, they would see our menu, we change every week, and they would order meals for the week. Instead of charging them a delivery fee, we would say, "We have a partnership at a gym in Spanish Fort, or in Fairhope, our in West Mobile. If you work, live, or exercise at this place or nearby, it's convenient for you at no charge to pick up your meals that you've already ordered online and prepaid for". We did this for a few years and it kinda just grew into this big monster that sucked our life away. It was constant. We had no weekend, we had a little one, and we kinda tried to balance home life and work life and it became a little too much. We decided, "Well, why don't we take all the things we know sell really well and open up an actual restaurant." Like a brick and mortar, right? Not having a restaurant background, not even a high school job that I worked at, like a McDonald's or anything. Just passionate about health food and seeing that there was a need for it in the city and just seize the opportunity and it just worked. We realized, "Okay, now we're running Foy." That allows me to have a life. It's a lot easier. I met super cool people. We're in a little niche area here downtown. Marcus: Yeah. Liz: That's just how things came about. We're already going into our second year, so far so good. Marcus: So, you closed Balance? Liz: We closed Balance. Marcus: Okay. Liz: And we have plans to- Marcus: That's really interesting 'cause we know, he was on the podcast so, full disclosure, Lorenzo was on the podcast a while back and he's got a really interesting idea, but he tries to deliver to everybody. Liz: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Marcus: That's gotta be so hard. Liz: It is. Marcus: Your idea of dropping to central locations and then having, especially when it comes to crossfit gyms are real big into paleo eating, which is what your menu typically follows. Liz: Exactly. That's exactly what it was. Marcus: Yeah. Liz: I met Lorenzo when he first got started. He actually reached out to us and just said, "Hey, can we meet? I need some pointers." There were a lot of things that we were able to share with him about lessons that we learned the hard way, and things to avoid, and all that good stuff. Glad to see that he's still doing it. For me, it's like hey, the more the merrier. I'm all about, "Let me help you out." If I have a great idea ... I just talked to a guy with a local up an coming gluten free bakery called Gunkel's. I just met with him right before I came here. Same thing, I was sharing with him that idea 'cause he works out of a commissary kitchen. I'm like, "Well." He's trying to retail his stuff out of different stores and he's like, "I just signed on with The Cheese Cottage and I would love for you to carry my stuff." I said, "What would really seal the deal is if you had a mini Gunkel's refrigerator, wrapped in your logo, to say "Hey, will you house this cooler for me. I'll make these deliveries and you sell my product out of my cooler, that way I have control of the inventory, of how clean the cooler is, of how things are packaged." You know what I mean? Marcus: It puts that on him, that responsibility. Liz: Right. Then you get more brand recognition with, "Hey, you have this super cool cooler wrapped in your logo. They spent all this money on an awesome logo design." So, I'm like, "Put it out there for people to see." If I have an idea, I'm not to shy away from letting anybody hear it. I know you asked about John. I started going off on a tangent, but John's originally from Mobile. Marcus: Okay. Liz: He went to McGill Toolen for high school. He went to Morehouse in Atlanta, which is an all boys school. They call it the Harvard for black men. It's one of those things that he's got generations of family that they've all gone through Morehouse College. Marcus: We did an interview with Carl Cunningham just recently. Liz: Oh, yeah. Marcus: One of his Kapa league guys, Paul Lockett, hopefully is gonna be doing an internship here this summer. Liz: Yes. Marcus: He's going to Morehouse. Liz: He's on a scholarship, right? Marcus: Yes, full ride. Liz: I've heard about that. Marcus: I tried to hire him and he said, "No, I'm going to college." And I was like, "No, you don't wanna do that." He's like, "I've got a full ride." And I was like, "Yeah, I can't argue with that." Liz: Yeah. I didn't know about it until I met John, but they put out a lot of really quality men. Marcus: [crosstalk 00:08:18]. Yeah. Liz: Yeah, they push leadership and they push innovation. Marcus: You're not biased at all. Liz: Right. No, I'm not. I'm not biased at all. But no, even my son, I have a Morehouse man in training. What do you know? Marcus: There you go. Yeah. Liz: He finished from Morehouse and we actually met in Atlanta. He went on to Nova Southeastern out in Fort Lauderdale for his masters. He's got a background in public health, which is totally, you would think the opposite of the realm we're in now, but it kind of opened our eyes to this possibility where ... On the flip side, we have Foy. We also have a mental health agency. We house individuals with intellectual disabilities. Yeah. Marcus: What? Where? Liz: Here in Mobile. Marcus: Wow. Liz: We did that before we did any of this other stuff. Marcus: What's the name of that? Liz: It's called Lifetime Healthcare. Marcus: Very cool. Liz: And they are residential facilities. So, it just looks like a house in a neighborhood. Marcus: Yeah. Liz: Through the department of mental health. We get managed by Altapointe and we're contracted through the state, medicaid funded. We house these individuals and basically rehab them in several ways, but diet is one of them. Marcus: One of them. Liz: Because people don't realize how big of a role food plays into behaviors, and disease, and all these things, right? So, we were working with dieticians getting, they call them PCP, person centered plans, to say, "Okay, well, we're gonna give this person the best quality of life doing all of these things." So, we were developing diets to say, "Okay well, this person has cerebral palsy or this person has epilepsy and so these are the foods that they should avoid." We were working trying to figure that out and we said, that's how balance came about. We were like, "Nobody here in this city that we can say "Hey, I suffer from Celiac." Or "I've got arthritis." There's special diets that you can adhere to. So we were like, "Why don't we do that?" It really was one of those conversations like, light bulb went off. We were like, "Okay, should we do this?" It happened and it grew. The crossfit community embraced us and that's how we went into the whole paleo thing. But that's how this all came about. Marcus: All right. Folks, I had no idea the onion that I was peeling back when we invited you on the podcast. Liz: Yeah. I know. Marcus: We know you from Foy and we obviously, we wanted to have you, but I had no idea. That is so cool. Liz: Right. Marcus: Yeah. Just to tag on, my parents are from Brazil and so I get that, the Latin and black communities both, that there's a ... Even a white community. There's not a whole lot of information given to people depending on your socioeconomic status on eating. It's amazing to me the ... I have friend who's a physician. He's a general practitioner in Washington D.C. Shout out to Terek is you're listening. I don't think you are. Anyways, he's more of a holistic doctor so he believes in eating as one of the ways he treats people. Liz: For sure. Marcus: Out of the blue one day, a couple years ago, he sent me Rob Wolf's book on paleo eating and he was like, "You have to read this." And the reason why is because he knew that my father, I'm 44 I think. Jerrod, come on. You're supposed to keep track of these things. I'm 44. My father had a heart attack when I was 16 years old, which would've been younger than I am today. Liz: Wow. Marcus: For years, I have gone in to get my blood work checked and I've read up on various articles of what's important and hey, news flash, if you're listening to this and you're still having your cholesterol checked, you're checking the wrong thing. Go in and get your C reactive protein checked. The reason why, I know you're kind of looking at me ... C reactor protein is actually an indicator for inflammation in the body and getting that checked will be a better indicator of whether you are at a high risk for heart disease because inflammation is actually the reason for plaque build up in your arteries and stuff like that. Not cholesterol. Liz: Wow. Marcus: That's why the paleo diet and all of these other diets that eliminate some of the things that ... They're all geared towards reducing the items that inflame our bodies. The reason they why they've been so successful is because they remove the gluten and all the other things that- Liz: Processed stuff. Marcus: Yeah, the processed stuff that inflame our bodies and so the doctors should be, those that are progressive in their thinking, should be prescribing these diets more because it will actually eliminate your problems with heart disease, and with diabetes, and with all these other things. Liz: Absolutely. Yeah. Marcus: Wow, I had no idea that we were gonna be having this conversation. Liz: I know, yeah. Marcus: This is so cool. I don't even wanna go ... I'm just so fascinated by this. Did you come here to go to get your masters at Spring Hill? Or did you move back for other reasons? Liz: Well, I came here basically, to be with John. We were in a long distance relationship. Marcus: So, he was here already. Liz: He was here, yeah. I was living in Dallas. Marcus: 'Cause you said you met in Atlanta and I wasn't sure. Liz: Yeah, we had mutual friends and met that way. Both of us had, well, he had already finished his masters and he was here starting the assisted living facility. So, he started that on his own and I kind of help him here and there, but that's solely John. That's his thing. He built that up and that really allowed us to start this business debt free. Marcus: Gives you some freedom. Liz: We didn't have to borrow a dime. We did it on our own and to this day, what I have I own and if I can't afford it, I don't get it. That's our mentality with it all, but thankfully he's done well. He was more established and I was kind of in limbo with my undergrad. I was working HR in Dallas. Living the life, of course. Living downtown with all my friends and my life. I just got to the point where four years into dating, it was one of those, excuse my french, "shit or get off the pot", you know, "What are we gonna do here?" And he thought, "Why don't you just come here and go to grad school?" He was more established, of course. We were heading that direction in our relationship and so I moved to Mobile. Of all places. All my friends were like, "Oh, my God. You're moving to Mobile." Marcus: "You're moving where?" Liz: Right. But it's been the best decision. Marcus: Who's laughing now? Liz: I know. Right. Exactly. Marcus: Those suckers are all working a nine to five and you've got multiple businesses that are up and operating. Liz: Yeah, I've got my brother in town and he's recently retired and he's like, "Man, you've got a really sweet gig." I sleep in a little. I'm like, it will be 8:30 and I'm like, "Okay, let me start getting moving." And I'm here for our little lunch hour and then we can go on to the next thing. It's allowed us a lot of freedom. At the beginning, like I said, it was a grind with Balance and everything. It still is. The restaurant industry is like a monster and it will eat you alive. There's so many elements that people quite realize that are involved in running a restaurant. Not coming from a background at all of food, it was a huge learning curve. We went through all sorts of growing pains, but not the dust has settled, we've developed our processes. We have things that we bring in, like when we hire people, customer service training things, we have checklists for all types of things. The ultimate goal is to franchise and so we're setting ourselves up, basically treating this like a project. In grad school, you've got this big project that you work on when you're in business school. So, we said, "Well, let's just dissect this. Treat it just like a school project and have everything that we could possibly need to franchise this place and Lord willing, it will happen." Marcus: Yeah. Forgive me, but I think every business owner should be looking at their business in that respect. Every business is a project. I think one of the things, I keep alluding to this 'cause I'm in the midst of it people, so forgive me, but I'm in the emerging leaders program here at the chamber and the small business administration. They call that a streetwise MBA, but the biggest thing about that program is they force you to actually work on the business and not just do the business, right? So, it'd be really easy for somebody in your situation just to say, "Well, I'm just gonna work on ordering the food and I'm just gonna work on serving the customers." But you're looking at it from a much bigger picture just like we're having to look at Blue Fish in a much different picture of, "Hey, where do we wanna be in there or five years? What does that look like? What's it gonna take to get there? How do we guide ourselves into a product spaced service business?" Liz: Absolutely. Marcus: I imagine that you're having to look at, "Well, how do we set up all the processes so that we can hand this off to somebody. And that when somebody walks in it's still the same experience?" And all that stuff. Liz: Absolutely. Yeah. The thing with it and in treating it like a school project is that you never stop learning. The industries are constantly changing. You've gotta adapt or die. Really. That's just what it is. Now, with people wanting fast food, they want it fresh, they want it cheap, they want it now. You have to get with the times in this industry. Really, my biggest takeaway from this whole experience is it's like a child. You have to nurture it, it takes a village and you have to know every single rule that you have. If you're hiring somebody, you had to have already done that job. You see what I'm saying? From the beginning up. I will mop floors, I will wash dishes, I will package food, I will chop chicken, everything. Marcus: You have to know what's involved. Liz: Right. To be able to tell somebody, "Well, this is how you're supposed to do it." And to develop the process say, "This is the most efficient way to do it." Because you've trial and errored the whole thing. Marcus: It's funny because here at Blue Fish, with the exception of video editing, there's not a job that I haven't done here. Liz: Yeah. Marcus: When I hire people, I can speak their language even though they're skilled in their roles. I can speak their language because I've already done all of those things. Liz: Yeah. Marcus: But I also, I go back to one of the very first jobs that I had was, I worked in a bagel bakery in Washington D.C. I will never forget that the guy, he was the main manager of the bagel shop. And he literally, I was mopping the floor one day and he was like, "No, that's not how you do it." And he showed me the right way to mop a floor. When you're in a bakery or in a restaurant situation where a lot of stuff gets thrown on the floor, the right action can really make the difference between just pushing stuff around on the floor and actually making things cleaner. It just blew me away that, here's this man who ... I think he had military background, too. So, there was probably some of that coming through. But it was like, I never forgot that, that he knew the right way to mop a floor. Anyway, I recognize what you're saying and when you're in that position you have to know all those different skill sets so that you can train somebody else up in that situation. Liz: Absolutely. Marcus: All right. Question number two. Twenty minutes in. What was your first job? Liz: Okay, I was a lifeguard. I'm a strong swimmer. It's my favorite thing to do. I started life guarding and teaching little kids how to swim when I was a junior in high school. It was an awesome summer job. It paid well. I had a tan. Marcus: Yeah. Liz: I did it with all my friends. Marcus: You're not flipping burgers, for sure. Liz: Right, yeah. It was cool. We worked at the city pool. I was the slide girl so I was up at the top like, "Go. Go." Marcus: Yeah. Liz: That was cool. I did that for a few years. I actually did that even when I left off for college. I'd come home during the summer and do it just to make a couple extra bucks. Marcus: Where there any lessons from that first job that you still remember, to this day? I told you about my mop experience. Liz: Oh, gosh. Marcus: Was there anything similar to that early on in your career? Liz: I think that just ... That's a hard question. Marcus: That's okay if there wasn't. Sometimes there's not. I can see how lifeguard to where you are today, that might be a reach 'cause you're taking care of people and stuff like that. I assume that there's some level of that. Liz: Yeah. If anything, it just instilled in me that you've gotta work hard for anything that you want. I didn't necessarily get a job when I was a junior in high school. My parents weren't pressuring me to get a job, but I like the fact of having my own money. If I wanted to go and buy a shirt or whatever, I didn't have to ask for the money to go get it. Marcus: Preston, are you listening to this? Liz: Right? It's almost like a sense of empowerment. Like, "Hey, I've done this on my own." You just feel like you're- Marcus: There's a freedom there. Liz: Right, there's a freedom there with that. No matter how tired I was from staying up until two o'clock in the morning the night before and whatnot, I knew that hey, tomorrow morning rain or shine, I'm getting up and I gotta be there. Marcus: I gotta get up. Liz: Right. I think that's really important just all around with employees. That's something that you really can't train. You can't instill that in somebody. Either they have it or they don't. I deal with employees and in the restaurant industry there's a lot of turn around and that's one of the main things of just finding somebody who is reliable and somebody who takes pride in what they do. To say, "I don't care if all I'm doing is mopping the floor, I'm gonna mop it the right way and I'm gonna be here on time to do it." There has to be some sort of pride about what you're doing and just reliability, too. Marcus: There are lessons. So, I guess the point there, when I ask that question is, if somebody is listening to this and they're in that position, because not everybody's a business owner that listens to this podcast. But if they're in that position that knowing that there are lessons to be learned in something even as menial as scrubbing a toilet or mopping a floor, that it is like you're saying, the pride that you put into that because that will carry you way into the future. It's that effort that you put forward. You may not get it right, but that fact that you're trying, it will get noticed and will carry you a long way. Liz: Yeah, absolutely. Marcus: Now, if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, is there one bit of wisdom that you would impart in them? Liz: Don't be afraid. When somebody says no and one door closes, because that definitely happens, keep pushing. Don't get discouraged. There's gonna be times where you're probably just going to be sitting on your living room floor crying like, "What am I getting myself into? What's really going on?" But it's just one of those ... There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It does take time. YOu're gonna have to jump through hoops and do all sorts of things coming from trying to get the money, the capital together to start your business, trying to get somebody to come in and help you, that you can trust and work well with. There's so many different things, but my main, I guess, piece of advise would be, learn your business inside and out. Be able to do every single job that way, when Tommy doesn't show up in the morning, you can jump in and not skip a beat. Marcus: Right. Liz: 'Cause that's what's gonna happen. People will let you down. But on the flip side, for every person that lets you down, you're gonna have five or six more people to come in to bring you up, and to be there for you, and to support you. But it definitely, it's good to network, get out there, talk to people, find people that you have synergy with and join forces. For example, like what we did with the crossfit gyms like, "Okay well, we'll furnish the cooler. Now, you have an extra service to offer your customers that are gonna have all these healthy meals after they work they can just take home and eat. Marcus: Yup. Liz: Then, "Hey, as an owner or coach or trainer, we'll give you everything at cost that way you can be able to help sell the food, too. You know what I tastes like. You know what it's doing for your performance, that kind of thing. Marcus: It's also helping support their mission of helping make people healthier. Liz: Right. Marcus: I would imagine ... You're out of that business now, but even doing something like offering your services of coming in and actually talking about nutrition and paleo, the diet itself and the ins and out and stuff like that would've been extremely helpful to. Liz: Yeah. Marcus: Most gym owners or box owners are gonna know that anyway 'cause paleo's really big in the crossfit world. Liz: For sure. Yeah, and I do stuff like that now. I do, with the board of health and Franklin clinic, they bring me in about once a month. There's a support group for women with heart disease and we have lunch and learns. Every time I come in, it's a different group and they always ask, "Are you a dietician or nutritionist?" And I'm like, "No, not at all." Marcus: No, because they don't really ... I don't know. I don't know if I wanna say that. I'm not saying take it out of the podcast, but I'm just saying ... I've talked to a number of physicians that usually have one credit hour that they take on nutrition and most of it is geared towards the pyramid, the food pyramid. Liz: Yeah. Right. Marcus: And we now know that that was created out of an industry that wanted to push more grains than anything and that those grains are not necessarily the best thing for us. Liz: Right. Marcus: If you look back at ... Historically speaking, if you look back at even 50 years ago when people would wake up in the morning and they would have bacon and eggs. They would have a cup of coffee and that's how they started their morning. Those people tended to be smaller as far as body mass goes and we didn't have nearly the incidents of diabetes and all the other things that are prevalent in our society nowadays. It was because we weren't shoving a piece of bread into our mouth with every meal, or worse. Donuts, I love them. Don't get me wrong I'll eat a dozen or two. When I eat them, I know that they're not good for me and that I'm basically doing damage. Liz: Right. Just think about the amount of processed food that we have just available to us at convenient stores or at grocery stores. To me, if it's not rotting, what's going on? What kind of magic powder do you have on there to have it just last forever? Marcus: Looking at you Little Debbie. Liz: I'm all about, "Hey, in moderation." Yeah, every once in a while yeah, we order pizza. We go get burgers and fries or drink beers or whatever. Enjoy life. Don't restrict yourself to that point, but at the same time be aware of what you're putting in your body and what it's doing to your body. Be an example, too, to people who have children that kind of thing. Their gonna mimic what they see. Make it a point to instill that at a young age now, where, hey, you go to the school cafeterias and you see they're feeding them junk. Marcus: Right. Liz: At least they can get a quality meal for breakfast and for dinner 'cause at school it's like, it's just a lost meal right there. There's a ton of stuff that's just processed things that are at the grocery store that we really should just do away with altogether. There's other countries that I've heard just rumors, "Oh, in Europe, Cheetos are banned. They don't even sell them." Marcus: You can't even get them. Liz: Yeah, you can't even get them. I'm like, "Why are they on every shelf here?" What's going on? Marcus: There are other options, too. Now, if you were to look to the business world, is there a person or organization, or something that motivates you that you've kinda looked to? Liz: Yeah, gosh. That's kind of a loaded question, too. At the local level, there are a lot of entrepreneurs who I admire and I just follow and that kind of thing just because I feel like there's a movement going on right now. Marcus: In Mobile, definitely. Heck yeah. Liz: In Mobile, especially here downtown. There's so many doers. There's so many movers and shakers and everybody has an idea and everybody's like, it just lights a fire up under you to see other people doing it and making it. At the local level, there's tons of them. I follow Scott Tindle a lot. I love what he does. He's been able to reinvent himself over and over. Matt Lamon is another one that I admire, what he's doing. There's so many, gosh. Marcus: Both of them have been on the podcast, too. Liz: Oh, really? Marcus: Yeah. Liz: Yeah. Super cool down to earth people. They're always willing to help. I remember when we first started Balance, Scott came in was just like, "I wanna introduce myself to you and I wanna learn about what you're doing." Marcus: Yeah. Liz: And it just meant so much that it's like, "Hey, this person who's already established is coming, taking the time to figure out ... Like, "Hey, this is a new cool idea and I wanna know more about it." Marcus: Yeah. Liz: With no agenda or anything. Marcus: Matt is really big in crossfit so, I can imagine he really took to what you all are doing. Liz: Exactly. For sure, yeah. He was a customer of ours. It's funny to just see how over the years we've all just found our own way, but still have synergy with each other. Marcus: Absolutely. Liz: It's just cool. We're all in the same age group. It's an exciting time. Marcus: Anybody else? You looked like you were getting ready to say somebody else's name. Liz: You look to people of like, of course, somebody like Oprah or somebody who built this giant empire- Marcus: Nah, it doesn't have to be. I ask the question open ended. I'm appreciative actually, that we've done ... You're our third episode today. Full disclosure, we batch record these. We record four or five in a day. The previous two also mentioned ... One of them, it was his father, but his father's a business owner, a barber. The other one was mentioning some local entrepreneurs that were already doing business in the industry that she wanted to do business in. I think that's cool that people are looking ... 'Cause I'll be honest. Growing up, I was never big into idolizing celebrities or anything like that. So, I have a really hard time with that now, too. Although, I do have a deep appreciation for freaks like Elon Musk and these guys that are just literally changing the world that we live in. At the same time, I would much rather work with other business owners in the area, geographically, or within my own industry, and look to them and see what they're doing. There's a conference for agents and owners that I went to in February and there was a guy there that he had no intentions of building a large agency and as he sat on the stage he was saying, "I've got over a hundred employees." Liz: Wow. Marcus: He probably has one of the largest agencies, and it's a digital agency. So, they're very much like what we are. I was just blown away. Three years ago, I think he said, it was eight people. Liz: Wow. Marcus: So, he went from, it was a small number, it was like eight or twelve people to over a hundred people in just a couple of years. That's the guy that I'm just like, "Holy Cow. How in the world?" Liz: Yes. Marcus: How do you scale at that level and still keep the wheels on the bus? Liz: Yeah, I've got a friend that is, he's a dentist in Dallas. Came out of dental school, worked for one year for a dentist, and came up with a concept ... In a city like Dallas, it lends itself to opulence, valet, and red carpet, and all this kind of thing. Well, he started at a company called Mint where they marketed themselves in such a way that now, he has twenty Mints and they're all over the place, all over Texas. We all started at the same time. And John and I, when we visit, we go to their house and we're like, "oh, my God." They have this super cool, they're driving a Bentley, and we're like- Marcus: 8,000 square foot house in Plano, Texas Liz: Right. Yeah. How on earth did you manage to build this that fast? What's the secret sauce? What's up? What are you doing? I guess some people just have it in them and if we can just have small takeaways from what they do- Marcus: You know what's cool? People are gonna listen to this and they're gonna say the same thing about you. Liz: Hopefully. Marcus: Yeah. All right. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? Liz: Off the top of my head, for sure, Leadership Mobile was very instrumental in moving us forward and Foy as a brand, downtown. I was a class of 2017 and it was such a diverse mix of people, but a lot of us were in downtown. This was during the process of, "Hey, Foy is gonna be opening." We were doing the construction and stuff. While I was in the class, that's when we opened Foy, and they were just so supportive. I had Todd Greer, who is another person who I just adore and follow. Marcus: He's been on the podcast. Liz: I'm sure. Marcus: Yeah. He's a good friend. Susan Shawl was in that as well. Liz: Susan, well, she wasn't in my class, but I love Susan. Love her, love her. We keep joking about we have a Susan button at Foy 'cause she comes in pretty much everyday and gets the same exact thing. Marcus: She's funny. Liz: Yeah. I love Susan. But there were a bunch of people in our class that were just super supportive. When we first opened, I remember, they all came to the grand opening. They were all sharing it on social media and most of them were people in the city like, "Hey, if you're having an issue with this permit. If you need this, call me." That's big. There's a lot of red tape involved in opening a business, especially a business in downtown Mobile. So, to have that network of people is priceless. Marcus: Yeah. Liz: That was a big organization that, for me, it helped put us on the map, for real. Marcus: Correct me if I'm wrong, 'cause a lot of people may not know what leadership Mobile is. Leadership Mobile is a program where you are meeting on a regular basis and you're also being introduced to various leaders in our community whether it be visit Mobile with all the CVV stuff, so the tours and stuff that's going on. Or people at the city, or just other leadership positions in the city. Liz: Yeah, University, at the hospital. You are meeting where the buck stops. They've got CEO's, CFO's. Marcus: Yeah, you're not meeting the person at the front door. You're meeting the person at the sea level. Liz: Yeah, and they get to tell you their story, which is always interesting. Then they get to talk about the good stuff that they're doing in the community. And you learn a lot, especially not being from Mobile, you learn the history of the city. We did a timeline at our first retreat. They do an overnight retreat out in Fairhope at Camp Beckwith and it's tons of fun. It's bonfire, we all bunk with each other, and they do this thing where they have a big ol' time line and you mark, "Okay, this is the inception of the city." So, you either were born this date or you moved here on this date. So, everybody puts a marker on when you moved here whether you left and came back. At that point, everybody gets to share their story of how they came in, what they perceived, will they stay. All things Mobile. You start to learn ... One of them, she's a city attorney, [inaudible 00:37:25]. What's her name? Marcus: It's okay. Liz: Can't think of her name. Anyway, you would think she was a historian or something. She knew everything about Mobile, but it was so cool coming from somebody who ... I didn't know much about the city, but it just opened up a whole new idea of the city. Thinking it's not a sleepy little old town. There's a lot going on here and there's a lot that has happened here. Marcus: I think as an outsider, and you can appreciate this, too, coming from Dallas. I came from D.C. One of the things that I love about this city is that the people that are doing cool things in this city are people, individuals that are just saying, "Hey, I wanna start this thing." And we're not really a city that larger brands look to. Which is kind of a bummer in some instances because it'd be nice to be able to get some clothes people and stuff like that 'cause shopping is a little bit difficult. Liz: Right. Marcus: It would be nice to have some more options there. Outside of that, it's nice because we do have small businesses that are here, that are providing services. It just makes for a different texture to the city. Liz: Absolutely. Marcus: Instead of D.C. where it's like, you've got an Olive Garden, a Maggiano's , and some other Italian place, I can't remember enough of the names. But three different choices and none of them ... Well, Maggiano's is good, but anyway, none of them are very good. Liz: Right. Marcus: But here we've got a lot of different business owners that have started restaurants. When I think of Foy, or I think of Vaughn's, or I think of Rooster's, or even El Papi, or Five, or all these different restaurants, it's like none of those are huge corporations with hundreds of locations. These are all just individuals that have started restaurants. It's just so cool to go to these places and you're always very friendly and so are all the other restaurateurs, they're always very friendly when you walk in 'cause they know the clientele is keeping them in business. Liz: Right. It's like Cheers. Marcus: Yeah, exactly. It's like where everybody knows your name. Liz: Yeah. It's funny 'cause we get a lot of people that are not from Mobile, Alabama at all. They're from all over, just coming in on the cruise ship, or coming in for a conference, or one thing or the other, 'cause we're near all the hotels. There's a common thread where they're like, number one, there's a ton of entrepreneurs. There's a lot of small business down here. It's so cool, it's just so quaint and all these things. Then they're like, "This is in Mobile?" It's like if we're just underestimated and then they come and see and it's like," [inaudible 00:40:03] pretty cool little town." Marcus: Just don't tell too many people. Liz: Right. Marcus: Not yet. Liz: Yeah, that's the thing. When they come in they're actually impressed. It's cool, I'm proud to be from here and I'm proud to, I have a business here. It's just cool all the way around from literally sourcing our ingredients locally, because we've got the perfect climate for everything as far as fresh produce is concerned. Marcus: You do get some of your stuff from- Liz: Everything. Well, all of our produce comes local. Marcus: Really? Liz: Of course, we have to outsource a lot of our specialty items like how we deal with hemp, and flax, and all- Marcus: You mean you don't get acai locally? Liz: No. We order that online and you'd be Marcus: I know. I joke because acai is actually a Brazilian fruit. I think it's very cool. I'm gonna say this, I very much love what you all are doing. I can literally like paleo pancakes is a favorite, the Thai chicken quesadilla absolutely love it, the jerk bowl is phenomenal, I love the acai bowl. I'm sitting here rattling this stuff off. I don't have a menu in front of me. Liz: I know. I'm like, "Hey." Marcus: She's like, "Hey, he knows my menu." Liz: I know. Marcus: What's the smoothie that I always get? Liz: PB and J? Marcus: No, it's the hummingbird. Liz: Oh, yeah. The hummingbird. Marcus: The hummingbird. See? Even the smoothie. No joke, give them a shot. Tell people where they can find you. Liz: On all social media outlets, we're at Foy Super foods. Foy is an acronym for the Fountain of Youth and we call ourselves the super food café. We of course, take pride in all of our ingredients. We have an open concept so you can see our kitchen, see all the stuff that we're using and putting out. We're in Bienville Square right on Dauphin Street. It's 119 Dauphin in the old Tom McCann building which I've heard was a shoe store that everybody used to shop at back in the day. Marcus: That's too cool. I did not know that. Yeah, that is cool. Liz: Yeah. Yeah, hopefully Foy number two will be right around the corner. We're looking and in negotiation for a couple different spots right now. Marcus: In general, you don't have to say exactly but in general, can you say where that might go? Liz: Yeah, definitely Airport Boulevard. Somewhere with a lot of traffic. Marcus: Over in that direction. Liz: Not too far west, but pretty central to make it easier for people to get to us. Definitely gonna have ample parking. We're shooting for a drive-through and we're trying to step it up a little bit because that's a lot of the feedback that we get from our customers now. Marcus: Nice. Liz: It's like, "Oh, my gosh. I would eat at Foy so much more if I could find a place to park." Marcus: Yeah, there's no parking down where you're at right now. Liz: Exactly, yeah. Marcus: But honestly, with as busy as you are normally when we go in, I don't know that you could handle ... 'Cause that is a true testament. You guys are always busy when I go in there. Liz: Yeah, busting out at the seams of the little place. We've got 1600 square feet and we've added some outdoor seating, but we're rocking and rolling. Marcus: If it's raining or cold outside. Liz: Well, that too. Yeah. When it rains, which is pretty much every day here. Marcus: Well, I wanna thank you again for coming on the podcast. Wrap up any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Liz: Well, just pretty much of course, I'm honored that you asked me to come here and share some of my stories. Marcus: I'm glad we did. I had no idea. Liz: Yeah. Of course, we love seeing you guys. I know you guys come in all the time and definitely just appreciate the love and I love what you guys are doing. Any way that we can help each other out, I'm all about it. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. Liz: It's interesting to learn, even too, your background. I saw your face. I'm like, "He's got the olive skin." You've got this look and I was wondering are you from here? But it's cool to just find different people. Especially, of Latin decent here in the city. Marcus: Yeah, yeah. 'cause there's not that many. Liz: No, no there aren't many. Marcus: Not like Dallas or Laredo. Liz: Right. Yeah, Laredo, for anybody who doesn't know, is like little Mexico. Marcus: Yeah, I was gonna say- Liz: You can't even go to McDonald's and order in english. Nobody speaks english. Marcus: Right, yeah. "Hola, Buenos Dias." Liz: Right. Marcus: Well Liz, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Liz: Cool, thanks a lot.
On this week’s podcast, Marcus was excited to finally get Lydia Noble on because of how highly revered she is in our community. From graduating from the University of South Alabama with a Musical Theatre and Opera major to becoming a self-promoted “great at throwing parties” planner, she has birthed an incredible business and team at Noble Events.
Randi: Hi, my name is Randi Wilson. I'm the owner of Wilson Interiors and I'm an interior designer. Marcus: Very cool, Randi. Well, it is a pleasure to meet you. Randi: Nice to meet you as well. Marcus: We've not actually ... One of the things that I love about this podcast is I get to meet new people. I'm excited to get to hear your story about how you started your interior design business and just get to know you a little bit more. Why don't we start there? Why don't you tell us the story of where you're from, where did you go to high school, did you go to college, some of that information? Randi: I grew up in Oregon in a rural small town called Gaston. I grew up on a farm. We had it all in cattle, and sheep, and goats, and pigs, and chickens and rabbits. I had a horse, the whole shebang. I started off in college as a pre-med major actually. I finished my first year, and over the summer, we found out that my Dad had cancer. After seeing my Dad go through chemo and radiation, and going with him to treatments, I realized that I couldn't be a doctor. I had naively focused on only helping people, not realizing that ... Marcus: Sometimes you just can't. Randi: Right, you're not going to help everybody. I went back to school in the fall as a business major because I didn't really know what else to do because I'd been focused on that for so long. But I didn't like business. I thought it was boring. My Dad said, "Why don't you take a break from school and get a job and think about what you want to do for a while?" So I did. I went to work for a chiropractor. I met my husband, Chad. He was in the Coast Guard. We got married six months after we met and we started moving around the country. We've been moving around for 25 years. Marcus: Very cool. Randi: This is our last stop though. He's retiring and we're staying here. I'm so happy to put down roots. Marcus: I can imagine. My wife is an Air Force brat. She still gets the itch every once in a while, you know, kind of, "It's been three years. You know, it's been three years." Randi: It's been three years this summer for us and I have to say I'm getting a little bit of that itch 'cause I'm used to moving along at this point. Marcus: I'm here to tell you that it passes, you know, after a while. I think now she ... We still like to go and visit places, but recently she was in Dallas and she's just like, "I was following the GPS instructions and it said, 'Please stay in one of the five left hand turn lanes.'" She's like, "Yeah, no, I can't do that anymore." Marcus: You studied business and where did you go? Did you? Randi: When I met him, I was going to Portland Community College. Then we met, and married and transferred to Hawaii. Marcus: There are worse places to be stationed. Randi: Right, exactly. I tried to go back to school in Hawaii, but it was too much of a playground. We played for three years pretty much. Then when I came back, I decided it was time to grow up. Everyone who would come over to my house would comment how much they loved it, and what a good job I did decorating it, and would ask me for tips, and could I help them with their home. I just sort of discovered that I had a knack for it. I thought, "This is something I like to do and I'm good at. It's a job that I can pick up and move with, with my husband. It's also something I could do working out of my home and have kids." I thought, "It's a win-win all the way around." Randi: I went to school, and got my degree, and got my license and started working and I love it. Marcus: Very cool. It's funny how sometimes stepping away from school is a necessity in order to figure out what it is that you're actually passionate about. Randi: It is. Marcus: I don't know. I oftentimes wonder if I should have taken a break after high school and figured some things out, but I don't know. I mean, I went through school, went through college, and graduated with an English degree and then found technology and went into programming. It was just kind of this weird like ... I don't know. I mean, at the time ... 'cause this is in '96. The internet wasn't really even a thing that most people were using and stuff like that. I don't know that time away would have necessarily meant that I had gone down a different path. But it's interesting that you were able to still ... Because oftentimes when people don't go through immediately, they don't ever come back. So it's cool that you were able to do that. Marcus: Do you remember your first job and were there any lessons that you still remember from that? I imagine growing up on a farm that there was probably a lot of work to be done there too, so even that would qualify as a job. Randi: Right. You meant like my first job ever? Marcus: Yeah, first job ever. Randi: Oh. Marcus: Like flipping burgers or scrubbing floors. Randi: Well, because I grew up out in the farmland, there really wasn't anything out there. I used to go out into the strawberry fields in the summer, and you would- Marcus: Pick strawberries. Randi: ... pick with the migrants, yeah. That's all there was to do. That was the only way to earn money. They paid 10 cents a pound. Marcus: Wow. Randi: Right. I would start at seven in the morning and I would usually knock off around one o'clock in the afternoon. Then when strawberry season was over, you would move to blueberry season and you would pick blueberries. Then when I was old enough to get a car and drive somewhere, then my first real job, I guess, was Burger King. Marcus: It's safe to say you're not afraid of hard work? Randi: No. That's backbreaking work, let me tell you. Marcus: Yeah, picking strawberries, yeah I have a deep appreciation for anybody that's willing to do that 'cause that's not easy. It's hot. You're bent over. It's not easy. Randi: Like I said, I would leave at one, but they would stay until five o'clock in the afternoon 'cause that was their full-time job. Marcus: Wow. Well, how did you get started? You mentioned that people would comment, but the forming of the actual business and getting started with the interior design business, how did that happen? How did that start? Randi: I took a long break to be a stay-at-home mom. I wanted to stay home and be able to focus on that. Then once my youngest son started kindergarten, I started to get that creative itch. I'm like, "It's time to work." Some friends of ours owned a construction company. I came onboard with them. That was a great way to get my feet wet again and get back into the business. I worked with them for about a year. During that time ... This was when we were stationed in Alaska. Marcus: They sent you from Hawaii to Alaska? Randi: Oh no, we were many spots in between. Marcus: Oh my god, but still that's not right. But anyway, I digress. I'm so sorry. Randi: That's okay. Marcus: I just can't imagine like you're sitting on a beach, palm trees and luaus, and then Alaska, the barrenness that is the snow covered Alaska. Randi: Yes, we've been all over the place. Marcus: Wow, I'm sorry. Randi: While I was working with them, the Travel Channel approached us, Hotel Impossible. They wanted to redo the Alaskan Hotel. I got the opportunity to work on that. That was a lot of fun. I was an assistant to the designer. Got to be in a couple little camera shots, but mostly behind the scenes. That was a lot of fun. Then I decided to after that just sort of spread my wings and go out on my own because there were projects that I wanted to take on that I couldn't take on working for the construction company. I never really intended to, I guess, start my own business, but it just kind of- Marcus: Accidental entrepreneur. Randi: Yeah. Marcus: It happens. Is your clientele predominately corporate type customers or homeowners or- Randi: No, both. Marcus: It is a mix? Randi: Yeah. I do residential and commercial. Marcus: You can kind of specialize if you want to go into more designing hotels and designing commercial spaces and stuff like that. But you do a mix of both of those? Randi: I do. Yeah, I've done offices and restaurants and people's homes. It's more fun, I think, than to pigeonhole yourself into one category. Marcus: Yeah, I can imagine it gets a little bit rote. Now, if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Randi: I would say get out there and network. Networking, for me, especially coming in from out of the area, has been very important because I didn't know a single person here. Go to these networking events and introduce yourself and shake hands and meet people. It's about getting to know people and getting your name out there and your face out there. It's so important. Marcus: I guess this is getting into one of my other questions, but I'll segue into that. Is there an organization here that you found where you've been able to get some of that networking opportunity? Randi: I belong to the Baldwin Business Council. They've been a tremendous help. We have plumbers, and electricians and people that I need within my network that I have met and can rely on. If we don't have that profession within the group, I can ask around, and they will refer me to someone that they trust. That's been beneficial. 'Cause for me, I need to be able to trust my painter, and my electrician and my carpenter. I can't just go to the Yellow Pages and call somebody. References are very important. Marcus: Yeah, I would imagine after a while of working with somebody, you can start just to speak shorthand with them 'cause they know what your vision is, they know what your style is, they know the direction that you're wanting to go. They can see it with you and not ... You don't have to spell everything out to the nth degree. Randi: Right. Marcus: Now, what does a typical day look like for an interior designer? What does a typical day look like for you? Randi: It depends. I might have a client needing ... or a lot of times I do a lot of online shopping for clients. Marcus: Which sounds like fun. But is it really after a while- Randi: It is, but. Marcus: ... you start to get cross-eyed looking at- Randi: Sometimes you do, yeah. When you've looked at 400 lamps- Marcus: Just pick one. Randi: ... in a day, you know? Marcus: Yeah, but it's not right. Randi: It can get a little old, but yeah, you know I'm a woman. Shopping is fun. You're spending other people's money. Marcus: Yeah, I guess there are worse jobs to have. Randi: Right. Marcus: I just remember like when we moved into this space, looking for even the couches that we're sitting on. There was a website, and I think it's Dot and Barry or you would probably? Randi: Dot and Bo? Marcus: Dot and Bo, yeah, it was Dot and Bo. I had my mind set. I wanted this look that I just had in my head and everything. My wife was just adamant like, "No, that's not going to work, blah, blah, blah. It's not comfortable, blah, blah, blah." I was like, "Fine, whatever." I spent probably a good month just looking, and looking and looking. I was just like, I was over it. We finally settled on this stuff. I would imagine after a while, at least for me, I was just like, "Just pick something," like click, buy, so ... Randi: The other day I went sofa shopping, but she didn't want me to shop online. She wanted to actually sit in the physical sofa. I went around to furniture stores all day and I sat on sofas and took pictures. It just varies. It depends on what I need to do for them that day. Marcus: Are there any books or podcasts, people or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward outside of the networking group that you mentioned? Randi: Because we move around so much that I feel like every time I start fresh on my own and it's all on me. I don't necessarily feel like I have an organization or a group behind me. I feel like it's me kicking down doors and saying, "I'm here." Marcus: Even online, is there an interior design organization that you've been part of that has helped you understand how to get your name out or how to market yourself or how to approach projects and how do I structure my contracts, or anything along those lines? Randi: I wouldn't say it's an organization. It's more friends that I have in the business. We'll sort of bounce ideas off of each other and say, "Oh, this came up. I'm not sure how to handle it. How would you handle it?" It's just internal networking with friends who are in the business or in my other networking group that I rely on. Marcus: Very cool. What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Randi: Customer service is very important. I think that's what keeps people coming back to you. It's what people want to refer you if they've had a good experience with you. When you're a small business, the clock doesn't shut off at five o'clock. I have people text me at eight, nine o'clock at night asking questions because that's when they're free because they've worked and they've had dinner and sports with their kids. You respond to them because you want to be helpful and you know that's a good time for them. Marcus: You also need the answers to the questions that, you know ... Randi: Right. Marcus: No, I can completely relate. I'm sure there's Chrissy who has been on the podcast as well. She owns Landshark Promotions. I'm sure she gets tired of ... 'cause I'll text here at seven or eight o'clock at night like, "Hey, do you have any hats that are like camo?" She'll send me some screenshots of some things. I'm always impressed by other small business owners that just go above and beyond. 'Cause it'd be real easy to say, "No, it's after five o'clock." Randi: Right. Marcus: But the reality is business doesn't stop. Randi: It doesn't, especially when you're a one person business like me. Marcus: Wearing all the hats. Randi: Exactly. Marcus: What do you like to do to unwind? Randi: I like to play golf and tennis, lay by the pool. Marcus: Do you have a favorite golf course around here? Randi: We play a lot at TimberCreek. Marcus: Oh, very cool. I live in TimberCreek. Randi: Okay. They offer a nice military discount. Marcus: I've played there a couple of times. I've played Rock Creek. I don't golf much anymore just because I'm horrible at it. I was like, "You know, if I'm going to give something up, the four hours on the weekend that I spend hating myself because I have a horrible slice." Randi: But when you get that one good shot, that's what keeps you going. Marcus: That is true. Yeah, it's like, "Man, I really ... Hole number eight was amazing, like shot it on par." Randi: An eagle will make your day. Marcus: Yeah, it'll make your year. That was not me though. I did not have many of those. Well, tell people where they can find you, and your website, Facebook if you have one, that kind of thing. Randi: Yes, I have a business Facebook page, Wilson Interiors. I also have a web page and that's RandiWilsonInteriors.com. Marcus: Very good. Any information that they might need as far as the kinds of projects that you can help them with and stuff? Randi: I can help them with any sort of small project. If they just need a color consultation, they want to paint their bedroom a different color, I can come and help them with that. I want to say no project is too small. I can help you choose furniture for your room or I can help you redesign your whole home. Marcus: Redesign the whole house, yeah. Randi: Yeah, build your home from scratch. Marcus: Very cool. If they're a business owner, I'm assuming you can help them with plans for laying out, whether it's retail or office space or whatever, helping them understand laying that out, and buying furniture for that and stuff like that as well. Randi: Right. Getting ready to start working on an insurance company office. Marcus: Nice. Yes, lots of leather, wood furniture and leather. I always think of the Steeple. The Steeple has a room in there that has this couch has got to be 15 feet long. Have you had a chance to see that? Randi: I haven't been in there. Marcus: It's amazing. It's a tufted leather couch and it's really worn. I love this couch. At some point in time, I'm going to steal this couch from them because it's two of these couches put together. I mean, it's massive. But I love that room that's it's in, too. Anyway, I digress. Randi: It can be tricky because you have to work with company colors sometimes, which aren't always the best. Marcus: Yeah, I hear that. Well, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd to share? Randi: I would just like to say that I've been in Mobile now for three years. I love it. I'm so glad this turned out to be our last post because we didn't know what to expect when we moved here. I'd never even been to Alabama. The people are so warm and friendly. I've just found it a great place to start a business and people have been so supportive. My second year here, I won a Nappie. That's amazing to have that kind of support. I just got nominated for another Nappie. Marcus: We'll have to trade votes. Randi: Cross my fingers that I win another one. It's been a great experience here. Marcus: Now, as I'm also a transplant from the DC area, and so I understand what you're saying. Because it is when you live in a city, or if you're moving around like you're describing, oftentimes it's difficult to get your bearings. You're in a city, you don't really get to know anybody except for maybe people that you see at church or something along those lines, or maybe people that you went to school with. When you're moving around, I can imagine it's even more difficult. But the cool thing that I found about this area is that people are really welcoming. There is truly Southern hospitality here. Given the opportunity, people will go out of their way to help each other. Randi: They will. Marcus: It's awesome, yeah. Well, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. It's been great talking with you. Randi: It's been talking with you. Thank you for having me. Marcus: Absolutely.
Kati: My name is Kati Lovvorn, and I'm the store director at Urban Emporium. Marcus: Yay. Kati: Woohoo! Marcus: No, it's great to have you on the podcast. I know we talked about this beforehand. We've had Carol on, and you all are kind of part of the Downtown Mobile Alliance, but not really. So, when I was in the store the other day getting a Mother's Day present, because I shop local, people- Kati: Yeah! Marcus: ... it occurred to me that we had not talked to you, and I was glad to hear that you were coming on. So, thank you for being here. Kati: Yes. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here. Marcus: Yeah. Absolutely. Well, you know how this goes, because you listen. So, tell us the story of Kati. Where did you grow up? Where'd you go to high school? Where'd you go to college, if you went? Because not everybody on the podcast has been. Give us some of the backstory. Tell us who you are. Kati: So, I'm from here, born and raised Mobile, Alabama. Marcus: Yay. Kati: And I went to McGill-Toolen for high school, which was great. Then I actually went to the University of Southern Mississippi for college. So, that was a change, because not a lot of people from here went there. It's actually really popular for people from here to go there now. Marcus: Interesting. Kati: But met a lot of great friends there. Moved around a little bit. After I graduated college, I moved straight to West Palm Beach, Florida, like the day I graduated college, which was kind of crazy. But I was a fashion merchandising and marketing major, so I wanted to work on Rodeo Drive, but I didn't want to go all the way to California, so- Marcus: So, West Palm Beach was as close- Kati: Yeah. So, they have Worth Avenue, which is like a mini Rodeo, so I was like, "Let me get in on that." And I had a good friend that lived there. So, I did that for a while, and I ended up working at Nordstrom down there, which was a great experience for corporate retail. I had never worked in corporate retail before. And let me tell you, it is a different world from local. And learned a lot of lessons in that, and kind of learned that it wasn't for me. So, I moved to New Orleans after that. I came home for I think four or five days, and it was Memorial Day weekend, and I went to New Orleans, and then I was like, "Yeah, I'm gonna move here now, too." So, I packed up a bag and lived there for about a year. Kati: I worked for a small business there. It was a boutique. The owner, she was just the most amazing person ever, and she was so great about teaching me about business. She was a struggling small-business owner. She had just started her company. She was under five years old. And those are the really hard years to make it happen. So, you- Marcus: Amen. Kati: ... everybody says, "If you make it to five years, you will make it." But it's a struggle to get there. And you go through highs and lows and getting your name out there. And she was great. And she taught me how to do some buying and all the ins and outs of retail. And she really got me excited about small business I guess is how that all started. Marcus: That's cool. So, what was more valuable to you, the experience that you had in work or the experience that you, the knowledge, not necessarily the experience, because college experience is something different, but the knowledge that you got when you were in college? Kati: I'd say the experience was way more because you're talking about out of college ... Marcus: Yeah. Kati: ... in college? Yeah. So, in college, obviously it's a book that you're learning from, so you don't really get prepared for real-life situations or how hard it really is. And even in college, I worked for a small-business owner, too, in a boutique there. So, the experience is better. You learn the struggle. Everyone thinks it's so easy to go open a small ... They're like, "I'm gonna open a business." And it's like, it's really not that easy. And I guess I got to learn that at a really young age. And that's actually what made me wait a very long time to open my own small business because the struggle is real. And I learned it firsthand. Kati: So, I got a chance to ride on other people's coattails I guess and learn from their mistakes and their hardships to figure out the best way for me to make it work. Marcus: And it's cool that you got the experience at a corporate retailer to know that that, even moving up in that world wasn't for you, because for instance, we deal a lot with technology. So, we just had somebody in. We wish him well, but we had somebody leave because he had aspirations of working on much larger, bigger projects. And quite honestly, I come from much larger, bigger projects. I mean I worked for contractors that did projects for the DOD and Department of State and all ... It doesn't get much bigger than that. Marcus: But that is not, I don't enjoy that at all because you're really just a cog inside of a huge wheel, whereas what I love about what we do now is that I'm impacting other business owners and I'm getting to do a lot of what you're getting to do, which is really help other people achieve their dreams and their goals as well. So, that's cool. Kati: Yeah. It was a different world. And you know then, right, you learn so quickly that it's just not for you. Marcus: Yeah. Kati: Working for small-business owners, you just become family. You're part of the team. Their successes are your successes. And you get excited about different things. It's a whole different story because in a corporation, you don't really matter a lot of times. And your opinions or your thoughts and all that kind of stuff is pushed to the wayside because they have a plan. They have a plan 18 months out. And- Marcus: Or longer. Kati: Yeah. So, small business it's fun because you can fly by the seat of your pants. It's like, "There's an event coming up? Let's do it. Let's pack up a bag and go." Marcus: It's like even small things, the Nappies were just released today, and we were nominated for two awards. Kati: Fantastic! Marcus: I know. So, I stop and I ... That thing is, we haven't talked about it internally, but that's kind of a big deal. Kati: It is, yeah. Marcus: We've never been nominated for a Nappie before. We've not done a whole lot of business here locally, so it's kind of cool to see ... I don't know. Anyway, this isn't about me, so we're gonna stop. Kati: It's exciting, though. Marcus: But it's exciting. As a small-business owner, it is, it's very exciting. Kati: Yeah. Marcus: Now, what was your first job? And are there any lessons that you still remember taking from them? Kati: I think my first job, because I kind of got a heads-up about this before, it was either working at my dad's office filing papers or a lifeguard. And I don't remember which was first because I kind of did them at the same time. And I don't even know. Lessons to learn, do what you're told at those kind of jobs. You're 16, and you're pushing papers around. But I did learn, I think organization skills was probably one of the best things that I learned. I didn't realize how important is it to be organized until you're filing house plans and papers and stuff like that all together. And if you don't put them in the right place, it's gonna- Marcus: Or in the right order even, yeah. Kati: ... yeah, it's gonna be a problem for somebody. But, yeah, and then lifeguarding, that was just a lot of fun, and meet some cool people and don't drown. Marcus: Yeah, and people's lives in your hands. Now, you mentioned starting your own business. Why don't you tell people a little bit about that. Kati: I've been with Urban Emporium almost four years now. It'll be four years in August. And when I first started there, I was just so excited to move back to Mobile and have an opportunity to work in the fashion industry in a different way because I kind of always struggled back and forth with, "Am I gonna be able to live in my hometown that I absolutely love and do what I absolutely love to do? Or am I gonna have to suck it up and move somewhere else? Because this is my career. This is what I chose to go to school for, and I love it." Kati: And then through a friend, through the grapevine, I heard about Urban Emporium, and I'd been in a couple of times but didn't really know what it was or the concept about it. And interviewed for the job, and it was awesome. And then just I didn't realize how much good that they did and how many different people they reached out to and how many businesses they were helping. So, over the years, I've learned so much being a part of the organization that I finally decided to be ... I think I've learned so much now that I'm like, "Okay, I think I can do my own business now." I've been wanting to do this since I was 17. I'm like, "Hey, you can do it now." Kati: So, I finally decided to take the leap. And it was hard. I did even working with small-business owners every day and sharing the advice and all of the things that I've learned over my years in my career in fashion, and it's kind of easy to teach it, but then when you're actually doing what you're teaching, it's hard. Marcus: It's hard. Kati: Yeah. It again, I was prepared for the wake-up call and I was prepared that how hard it is to run a small business, but then it still got me. Marcus: Yeah. It is a bit of a different bird. It's funny because even Blue Fish has been in existence for over 10 years, but as a marketing company, it was oftentimes like the cobbler's kids have no shoes. And it wasn't until probably about a little over two years ago or so, three years ago, because we started the podcast about three years ago, where we started putting a little bit more effort into those kinds of things. But it is, small-business owners are really focused on serving their clients, and oftentimes, it sounds like that's what you got tapped into. Kati: Yeah. Marcus: It was like, "Well, I'm busy serving the Urban Emporium clients and putting that over my own desires, but- Kati: Yeah. Because I mean and I still do that today because the Urban Emporium has to succeed for retail to be able to [come 00:10:44] a real thing downtown. And we have succeeded. We've been in operation for it'll be six years in October. And it started at first as a proof of concept that retail could live in downtown. And now, it's snowballed into this amazing landmark in downtown for shopping and retail. And we love that. So, without that, my business wouldn't exist. So, it's just one of those things that I truly love working with all of our tenants and our consignors and artists and everybody that are involved in it. And I want them to succeed because I want the shop to succeed, too. Kati: It's like Urban Emporium wouldn't be there without them, so- Marcus: Well, let's go back. Kati: ... it's one without the other. Marcus: Describe ... I don't know, have we said what Urban Emporium actually is? Kati: No. I could do that. Marcus: Yeah. Let's do that because I think many people probably don't even know what it is. Kati: Yeah. Every day, I meet people that don't know what we are. So, Urban Emporium is a 501c3 nonprofit, and we're started to revitalize retail in downtown Mobile. So, the Downtown Alliance actually came up with the concept and started us as a nonprofit wing of the organization and to fill a need in downtown. After everything moved out West, there wasn't really much left down here. And then with companies moving back down here and more and more visitors trying to come to town and the CBD is obviously done huge things to bring more and more people into town- Marcus: Tourism and stuff like that. Yeah. Kati: Yeah. So, they actually, with other downtowns across the country, they went and visited all these different places and got the idea from a PieLab. So, it was this incubator that all these different chefs and cooks were in, and they were all making desserts under one roof and selling their product. So, that's kind of where they got the idea. So, they took that and ran with it and created this whole retail concept with it. And there aren't very many retail incubators across the United States, but it's cool. And it has changed 100% from day one the plan. We have a 4,000-square-foot store. It was originally designed for six retailers. And now we have 32 retailers in there. Marcus: I was just gonna ask, yeah, how many people are represented? Kati: Yeah. It's totally different. We were just started to support entrepreneurs, local, start-up businesses, maybe even businesses that are in other locations that want to be in downtown now, because a lot of people we've had some people recently from the mall come down. We've got people from West Mobile that are down here because it's such a different consumer that you can reach so many different people. Being in West Mobile doesn't mean that everybody's getting to you. And being down here doesn't mean everyone's getting to you. But down here, there's just a feel about downtown and the people that come down here. It's just fun. Marcus: Well, I know that the chamber has spent some time in Charleston. Kati: Yep. Marcus: And I imagine the Downtown Mobile Alliance has also looked at what Charleston has as well. And I can't for the life of me remember the street, because we were just in Charleston in February for a conference. I was. And there's a street there, and it's either King Street or something along those lines. And literally it was just store after store after store. And they shut it down I think it was we were there on a Sunday if I remember correctly or a Saturday. They had shut down the street. And we just happened on it. We went to Husk, which was a dream come true. This is where Jared inserts angels singing, stuff like that, because it was literally a gastro experience like no other. Marcus: But anyway, and we were just walking around downtown. And all the sudden, we saw all these people. All the restaurants had brought tables out into the street. And there were stores all over the place. And I think if I was to look into the future, Dauphin Street becomes that. Kati: I would love that. Marcus: And there's no more traffic, and there's just retail shops and restaurants, yeah. Kati: Cobblestone streets and tables and people everywhere. Marcus: Yeah, and I think that would just be very cool. So, you guys were kind of the stake in the ground of, "Hey, this can be a reality." Now, one of the things that we're flirting around is that you said 32 different retailers. The idea here is that people that don't necessarily have retail experience or that may not need a big enough presence to own or to lease a 1,500-square-foot or bigger space, which is about as small as you're gonna find in downtown, that they can come to you and apply to be part of the Urban Emporium. And then you'll get into some of the semantics later, but then they can have their stuff there. Marcus: So, you walk in and you may have soap that's made by somebody and jewelry that's made by another person. And one of our previous guests, the Mobtown Merchants, has their t-shirts there. Kati: Absolutely. Marcus: And you were saying Mobile Bay Company has some hats and shirts and stuff like that. So, it's just a mix of different products. Kati: Yeah. We've got as small as a wood turner that has pins and delicate candlesticks and things like that to as big as 200-square-foot retailers in there. So, the size [crosstalk 00:16:20]- Marcus: There's even a dog food- Kati: There is. [crosstalk 00:16:21]- Marcus: It was funny, I made a joke with the woman that was working the counter that day where there was a dog biscuit or something like that. I think it said, "Eat me," or something along those lines. And I like .. She was like, "No!" And I was like, "I'm kidding. I know that this is all-" Kati: Kids lick them all the time. We're not surprised by anything that happens. We've got a lot of people that've come in and licked them and taken a bite out of them. And they don't taste that bad. They just don't have sugar in them. Marcus: Yuck. So gross. But I just think it's a really unique and really cool idea. But I have to go back because you've not told us what your business is. So, what is your business in the Urban Emporium? Kati: My mom and I started our business a year ago March. So, we just had our one-year anniversary. We didn't even do anything to celebrate. I don't know. It just passed and didn't even realize it. And it's called The Broke Croker. And it's basically we started out because starting a small business, we didn't want to take out a loan or anything. So, we kind of just did it out of pocket. So, without a lot of startup capital, you have to get creative with what you're gonna do. And my dad does a lot of handmade furniture, frames, tables, really cool stuff from refurbished wood from the bay and the delta. Marcus: Very cool. Kati: So, we started out with a lot of stuff like that, local fill type stuff and some jewelry and cards and just a few gifts. And then now, we've grown into clothing, accessories, gifts, candle, a little bit of everything. So, it's kind of like a mini Urban Emporium because I've ... My favorite thing about Urban Emporium is how we have so much to offer. There's literally something for everyone. So, when I started my small business, I was like, "I want something for everybody, too." You can't get so narrowed down with, "I'm just gonna do this," or, "I'm just gonna do this." And it's such an ever-changing business that you really have to just fly by the seat of your pants and do what you're feeling. Kati: So, we've gotten some really crazy stuff and just kind of run with it. And it's- Marcus: Well, I love that it's there because I think, if I remember correctly, it may have been Valentine's Day or something along those lines, I went in and got something for my wife. Mother's Day was just recently, was able to pick up a piece of jewelry for her. I bought a t-shirt from Mobtown Merch there. I think it was the "Defend the Delta" one, you know what I mean? I always like stopping in and seeing what you have all have because it is such a hodgepodge of different things. It's not just a women's boutique. They have guys' stuff there. They have pet stuff there. They have kids' stuff there. It's all kinds of things. Marcus: And I do like the idea that from what I understand, most of the people that are in there are local businesses. Kati: Everyone is a local business. A lot of the people, and [they're 00:19:09] make their own items, so they're handmade artisan items. But the people that don't hand-make their items also go to market and do things. But it's all local businesses. So, we don't have anything chain in our store. So, that's great because everything you come in it's gonna have a local feel. Marcus: Yep. Shop local-local. Kati: Yeah. Marcus: All right. If you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Kati: Do your research. Just make sure it's something you really want to do because ... Marcus: Because it's gonna suck? Kati: Yeah. It's hard. It's not gonna be fun like you think it is in the beginning. It is so super stressful. And if you have a partner, you're gonna fight, you're gonna get mad at each other. You're gonna not be able to handle some days. There are a lot of tears in starting a business. And that is just straight-up, 100% honesty. I think I cried more this past year than I've ever cried in my life. And it's just it comes with it, and some happy tears, some sad tears, some stress. But in the end of the day, every day, I knew I wanted to do it. It was like, "Okay, I learned something new today. Keep going. Take it down, learn a lesson, and keep going." Marcus: We hear oftentimes, especially when it comes to political things, like, "Small business is the engine that blah, blah, blah drives America blah." And the truth is that really when you look at Mobile, it is a small- and medium-size business. If I remember correctly, the classic definition of a small business is 100 employees or less. Kati: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: So, the vast majority of businesses in this area would fall into that classification. Kati: Oh, my God, they probably have less than 10. Marcus: Yeah. Most of them are gonna be 20 people or less, right? Kati: Yeah. Marcus: So, really, small businesses are the engine that drives Mobile. Kati: Absolutely. Marcus: So, the more that we can do to foster that through mechanisms like Urban Emporium and then also the more that we can do through the chamber to educate people on how they can take that business and accelerate their growth and stuff like that, I just think that that's extremely valuable. So, you guys play an extremely important part in that. Kati: Yeah. And we've got a business consultant on staff. She's here every Wednesday. Being a 501c3, to hit all of our qualifications of what we are, we offer education classes. We have the business consultant on staff. And her major role is to really help people that are brand new starting out develop their business plan. So, it's a very simplified, three-page business plan. You fill out this little questionnaire, like, "Who are you? Who's your market?" What you're trying to do. And she really helps you put that together. And then once you've got six months or a year under your belt, she meets with you again to really go over your numbers, because our retailers in our store are selling as much square foot as the mall or a Nordstrom or a Saks or something. I mean they're up there with major retailers. And it's just on a small scale. Kati: So, there's such an opportunity and a need for it. And we can't make it if people don't support it. So, it takes the whole community to get behind small businesses. And we try to just be a flagship of a supporter to say, "Hey, you can do it." And if you start it and you decide in a year it's not what you wanted to do, you tried it out at minimal risk. And that's what we're here for. It's like it's- Marcus: Just try signing a lease for a year. Kati: Yeah. Figure out if it's really what you want to do. So, we're a good jumping point for that, too. And we help you along the way so you don't fall hard or have any major setbacks. You don't have to do rent, staffing because we handle all the staffing, the bills, all that kind of good stuff. And, like you mentioned earlier, it's really hard to find an appropriate-sized storefront in downtown for a small retail business. So, that's a struggle that we've been dealing with and trying to work with property owners and stuff like that because the sweet spot is 1,200 square feet for a retailer that's graduating out of our store. They've gotta be able to operate at minimal cost for what they're doing. Marcus: Especially the average cost per square foot right now is $15 per square foot in downtown Mobile. So, it's getting a little bit ridiculous. And if something doesn't change, then it'll mean that those- Kati: It's gonna push people out. Yeah. Marcus: ... yeah, those smaller retailers won't be able to afford to be down here. Now, if you were to look to the business world, is there someone that you oftentimes go to that motivates you or that you look up to? Kati: I love Rachel Zoe. She is so, she's my fashion idol. Marcus: I'm surprised. I actually know who that is. Kati: Yes. She's amazing! How could you not? Marcus: I get a cookie right? Yeah. Kati: Yeah. I think when I was young, I wanted to be a stylist, so I followed her very closely, and I still do today, because she's turned ... She started as a stylist when she was a kid. And now she's turned it into a multi-million-dollar empire. She's amazing. And she worked really hard for what she has. And she's just, she's somebody that I'm like, "She did it. Why can't I do it?" So, I like to look to her for inspiration and girl power. Marcus: That is cool. Are there any books, podcasts, people, or organizations that have been helpful in moving your forward? And the Downtown Mobile Alliance does not count. Kati: Oh, my goodness. Yes. So, when I was in college, I was in a sorority. I was a Phi Mu. And that really shaped me as a young adult I think to ... We did a lot of community service and did different things in the community. And it really taught me how to reach out and get outside of your box and don't just sit at home and not do anything. So, I'd say they, and the friends that I made there, definitely motivated me, and we encourage each other to do better things and to keep going forward. And I'm actually a board member on the Girl Scouts of South Alabama. And that organization does so much for young girls everywhere. And they're great. It's a great thing to be a part of that organization. They've done a lot. Marcus: Yeah, that's cool, because I know that, especially for minorities and for women, having somebody that's actually doing those kinds of things paints a path to a different future. So, that's really cool. What's the most important thing that you've learned about running a business? Kati: It's hard. I mean it is hard. And it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to make it happen. It's worth it, but I think that's something that people sugarcoat and that's something that I've tried with our tenants and our potential tenants is to not sugarcoat that for them because it's tough. And you need a lot of support and help being in a small business and being in a community. And I think we're lucky that Mobile is, downtown Mobile especially, is so supportive of it. The mayor, he's come by and done ... We do our continued education stuff we do. He came and did a talk one night. And it was just great to have him come out and show his support for the community. And just that people, everybody down here believes in it, and it makes the hardness a little easier- Marcus: Easier? Kati: ... to swallow. Marcus: Yeah. Well, I mean going back to this, it has to be a little bit satisfying to know that there are a number of shops that are popping up downtown. Kati: Absolutely. Marcus: And that would not have happened without the existence of the Urban Emporium. Kati: Yeah. It's great every day. Covered Boutique is a graduate of us. Very early on, she was a pioneer in going out and doing it on her own. And she's worked really hard. And then [Cable's 00:28:08] popped up along with Urban Stiles and several other small shops along the way. And it's inspiring. I'm so happy because several of those places have had no affiliation with us at all. And it makes me just smile so big to know that people are seeing us and seeing that it can happen. And they're like, "I'm gonna take the risk and do it." And- Marcus: They're betting on it. Kati: Absolutely. And it's just so great to see more and more people taking the risk to do it because it's so great. And there's such an untapped market for it down here. There's room for everyone. And that's something that I really want people to know, too. There's room for everybody. We need it. We want it. The people need it and want ... It's just- Marcus: It's gonna be a different downtown in five years. We'll look back at this podcast and we'll be able to ... Because you just named most of the retailers. So, in five years, we have to come back- Kati: I have to come back and listen to it. Marcus: ... and we'll have to listen to this, and we'll probably be amazed at the number of retailers that are in downtown, because right now it's mostly focused on restaurants and businesses. Kati: It is, yeah. Marcus: But I can totally see that this, especially as the weekends with the market that takes places down here and with the art walk and stuff like that- Kati: The cruise ship, yeah. Marcus: ... cruise ship. I know a lot of us are pushing for Mobile to become a destination for tourism. All that's gonna really drive this need for retailers to be down here. It's not just something that we want. It needs to happen. Kati: Yeah. And with all the breaking ground on the new living downtown is amazing. That's gonna drive it right there alone. I am so excited about that because with more and more people down here, it's just brings more, it's just the more the better. Marcus: It's $185 million of investment in living. Kati: It's pretty amazing. Marcus: Let's just pause for a second, folks. If you're listening to this, $185 million of renovation is happening in downtown Mobile right now. So- Kati: Get in early. Marcus: ... get in. I just bought my building. What are you doing? So, tell people where they can find out more information. Kati: Our website, . We've got it's just a little information. We've got our tenants listed, and there's a where you can find an application. If you're a potential tenant and you're interested in starting your own business, definitely reach out and give me a call. I'd love to talk to you. And and you can follow us there. And you can come stop in the store and see us. That's my favorite thing. Marcus: They are across from the Downtown Mobile Alliance, which is next door to the offices for the Mobile Symphony. Kati: yes. Marcus: Well, it's the Saenger Theatre Mobile Symphony offices, which is ... Okay, for all you listeners, it's near Loda Beir Garten. Kati: Yeah. It's right next door to Brickyard. Marcus: I'm trying to give all the- Kati: We have a hot-pink awning and now we have a hot pink fence in the back patio, so you cannot miss us either way. Marcus: That's too funny. Well, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. To wrap up, any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Kati: Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be a part of this. And I just want to share my love for downtown. And it's come such a long way since I've been down here. And I'm ready to see it keep rolling. Marcus: Awesome. Well, it's been a pleasure. Kati: Thank you. Marcus: I appreciate year willingness to sit with me and share your journey. It's been great talking with you, Kati. Kati: Thanks. You, too.
Thomas: I'm Thomas Smith, the owner/operator at Cuppa Go Coffee. Erin: And I'm Erin Smith, the co-owner/co-operator of Cuppa Go Coffee. Marcus: Very good. Well, welcome to the podcast, guys. Thomas: Thanks for having us. Marcus: I really am excited to hear your story about Cuppa Go and how you got here, but to get started, normally we get some backstory about where the people are from, where you grew up, where you went to school, did you go to college, kind of what your background is, to give people a flavor of where you're coming from. Thomas: Sure, yeah. I was born and raised in Mobile. I spent my entire life here. I went to University of South Alabama and graduated with a communications degree, which is about as useless as it sounds, and met Erin eventually. We ended up going to the same high school and same college, but never knew each other, and met each other about 11 years ago now at one of the places that we were working, and ended up getting married, and I'll let her ... Erin: Also born and raised in Mobile, went to South, was in the communications department. We had the same advisor, everything. Marcus: How in the world did you guys not meet in school? Thomas: No idea. Erin: And the school that we went to had one hallway. I mean, it was very small. I have no idea. Marcus: Which high school? Erin: We went to Mobile Christian. We're a couple years apart, but ... Thomas: Yeah, so it's a smaller school. Yeah. We were about [crosstalk 00:01:45] years apart. Marcus: Okay, and you weren't necessarily in the same grade? Erin: We weren't in the same grade, but- Marcus: Okay, and were you ... I guess at that point then, you weren't in the same classes at South either then. Thomas: I'm surprised we weren't. Erin: Actually, we might have been. It's possible. Thomas: Yeah, it's possible, but yeah. Marcus: That's too funny. Thomas: It's just we never crossed paths. It was really strange, and yeah. Marcus: So, how long have you been married? Thomas: 10 years. Marcus: Very good. Congratulations. Thomas: Thank you. Marcus: Any kids, or ... Erin: No. Thomas: No, two small chihuahuas, and that's- Erin: They think they're children. Marcus: Fur babies? Thomas: Yeah. Erin: Yeah. Thomas: Yeah, they're a handful. One's two now, and she's crazy, so [crosstalk 00:02:20] Erin: Furry toddlers. Marcus: Yeah, and I can relate. We've got a Pomeranian/dachshund mix who passes as a chihuahua, but she's a little bit bigger, and she's eight pounds or something like that, but yeah. We'll share picture afterwards, but ... So, what made you study communications? Was there something ... Thomas: Well, I had actually started off with pre-law, political science, and found out that was kind of boring, and I've always had a passion for filmmaking and storytelling and that sort of thing, so I got into the communications departments at South, took all the film classes there, TV production, thinking that maybe I would be a camera guy for the new station, something like that, and make some films on the side, and once I got my degree and graduated, realized there's not a lot you can really do with that communications degree, and ended up working at TeleVox Software as a scriptwriter for on-hold messages, which is very strange. Marcus: Weird. Thomas: Yeah, and she actually- Marcus: They have a person that write scripts? Thomas: Yeah, yeah. So, if you call into a doctor's office and you get that automated message that says, “Please hold. Our team is busy, and we'll be with you shortly," someone that writes that, and she recorded some of those messages, and that's actually how we met there. She was a voiceover artist, and so with that communications degree, I still continued to make short films on the side and do filmmaking, and still do that as well, but it was a driving force for me. Marcus: Yeah. Now, you have started a new business called Cuppa Go, and so we'll get into that a little bit, but where are you, where currently as far as jobs go? Thomas: I still have a full-time job as communications director at [inaudible 00:04:19] Smith. Erin: And I am over at TeleVox West doing voiceovers still. Marcus: Still? Erin: Still doing those. It's a really fun little job. I like it. Marcus: I was gonna say, there is not many opportunities for somebody with that skillset, so I have to ask you, were you ever in choir or did- Erin: Oh, yeah. Marcus: Okay. Erin: I started off at South in vocal performance, opera and musical theater, and realized that while that was great and what I wanted to do, I still needed something to kind of fall back on. I always enjoyed journalism and writing and that sort of thing, so I went and got a journalism degree, which is so useful these days, so much. Marcus: Our stories are the exact ... Literally, I went to James Madison, studied voice- Erin: Oh, wow. Marcus: ... and I was a music education major, but I never learned keyboard, and so in order to graduate, I would've had to stay for six or seven years in order to pass the keyboard proficiency exams, and I was paying my way through college, so I was like, I'm not staying around for an additional three years so that I can teach kids how to sing. If it's gonna take me that long, I'm just gonna switch. So, I switched the English, and so it was the closest thing I could do to a business degree without actually going back to business because of the reading skills and writing skills and stuff like that, so that's really cool, though. Yeah. Erin: Yeah. I figured if I wanted to go for a career in performance, I could do that really with or without a degree as long as I had the training. So, I went and got the fallback degree, I guess, and ended up using the vocal performance way more than I never used the communications degree. Marcus: Interesting. Erin: So, that's how I got started doing voiceovers. I did a lot of theater and did a little bit of radio, and they were looking for voiceover artists at TeleVox, and got started there, and it's a really cool gig, so I just stuck with it. Marcus: I've never met a voiceover artist. This is a first. That is so cool. Thomas: She annunciates very well, all the time. Erin: I do. Marcus: And most vocal performance majors do. Yeah, they kind of beat it out of you. So, the short tangent, I don't know where I picked it up. I have a feeling it was because of my love of U2, that With or Without You, so I always said my [chu 00:06:56] instead of you- Erin: Chu, mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: ... or whenever you say a T, sometime it comes out with a C-H instead, and so my vocal professor was just like, “Where in the world did you grow up, because ...” Then I was like, “Well, I grew up like two hours away from here.” James Madison is in the Shenandoah Valley, and I grew up, for the most part, in Northern Virginia, and he was just like, “Yeah, I've never heard that,” and I think it was just because of the kinds of music that I was listening to. They just didn't pronounce things correctly. Erin: I did the opposite. I was born and raised here, but I trained a little bit in New York, and they were always asking me where I was from because they didn't believe I was from here, so ... Marcus: Right. Yeah. Erin: But just with the annunciation and- Marcus: Lack of ... Erin: ... lack of Southern accent. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Erin: But I still sing all the time professionally, and it's been fun. Marcus: Very cool. Erin: I've enjoyed it, but the day job is basically telling people to press one for English over and over again. Marcus: That's great. Erin: Somebody has to. It's me. Marcus: Somebody has to do it, yeah. No, that's great. Well, go back for me. Go back to your first job. Can you picture that? Thomas: Out of college, or- Marcus: No, first job. Thomas: Very first job? Yep. I was working the lawn and garden section of Target at the mall, Bel Air Mall, back when they actually had one. Marcus: Nice. Yeah. Thomas: Yeah. It was during the summer. I was saving up to pay for a trip to go to London. Marcus: How old were you? Thomas: I was a junior in high school, so 16, 17-ish, something like that. Marcus: Any lessons that you learned out of that? Anything that you took away? Thomas: People. It trained me to deal with people, because you could get a gamut of someone who's really sweet and really nice, and then someone who just wouldn't care if you dropped dead come through that line, and also, it was summer in Mobile, rain and heat and everything, and it taught me to just endure what you had to to do your job, that not every circumstance is gonna be nice and cushy, not gonna be air conditioned with a chair and anything. Marcus: Well, there's some foreshadowing there. Thomas: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Outdoor, rain, heat, yeah. Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. How about you? Erin: First job was senior year of high school. I worked at JC Penny at the mall, Bel Air Mall, upstairs in housewares, and about four other departments, and I learned that people can be awful, but I also learned that ... I had a really great manager. He knew everybody's name. He knew everybody's birthday, what their hobbies were, and was just amazing to work for, and I learned that that really ... It makes people want to work harder when they know that they're working for somebody who actually cares about them, and that was my greatest takeaway from that. Marcus: It's amazing to me how ... I mean, because I also worked for a bunch of jerks, but I also worked for a couple of people that really did care, and it's amazing how that can really shape that positive attitude from a manager, especially if you have worked for somebody who really just, you're like, why is this person the spawn of Satan. I mean, when you finally get to work for somebody that actually shows an interest in you as a person and wants to see you grow and all that other stuff, it's amazing how much that inspires you to kind of do good by that person instead of just kind of half-assing it. Erin: Get through the day. Marcus: Yeah, exactly. Punching the clock. Now, we talked about it just a second ago, but why don't you describe to people what Cuppa Go is? Thomas: It's very unique to the area. We're the only one for I think until ... Montgomery is the only that has a similar situation, but it's a tricycle that on the very front of it has almost like a kegerator mounted on the front. It's just a big box that houses kegs, nitrogen gas, and has taps built onto the very top. So, it serves coffee, cold brew coffee and nitro coffee on tap, and it has a little motor on the back, so I can peddle it around, or if I get too tired, I can just let the motor do all the- Marcus: Just go. Thomas: Yeah. It'll go up to 20 miles an hour, I think, which is kind of fun. Marcus: Wow. Thomas: But it's a very interesting journey with that. Marcus: I want to ask, because I think you have an interesting story in the sense that you had to have some legislation passed or something in regards to ... Thomas: Yeah, very complicated. We've been working on it for about a year-and-a-half now. The initial idea for the business came in like January of last year, 2017, and within two months we had the bike and everything at our house, ready to go. Marcus: Ready to go. Erin: Oh, yeah. Marcus: You're thinking, man, we're gonna be in business in a month or two, and then- Thomas: Yeah, yeah. Erin: Yeah, yeah. Thomas: I'd done all the research, and asked around to some of these other places and- Marcus: Yeah, pump the brakes. Thomas: ... just figured out what we needed to do, and everything seemed pretty simple, pretty straightforward, and so we spent the past year-and-a-half dealing with health departments and city licenses and all this because it's so new. No one knew what to do with this. Marcus: I can imagine the health department was kind of scratching their head like- Erin: Oh, they had no idea. Marcus: ... are your fingers clean? Thomas: Yeah. No, we talked to the Montgomery Health Department, since there was a similar setup up there, and kind of got the rundown from them, and it was pretty basic and straightforward. We passed that information on to our local health department, and we just went back and forth with them. We just couldn't get a really straight answer on anything. So, eventually, January of this year, a year, we were pretty much ready to throw in the towel and just say, “This is-” Erin: We unpacked everything. We were done. Thomas: Yeah, we unpacked everything. We were like, maybe we can put this on the back deck, and it'll be kind of a cool thing for parties, something like that. So, we wrote an email to our City Council representative, Bess Rich, and that night we got an email right back of her wanting to help, trying to get everything situated. She thought it was a cool idea, and so I think a total of like a month, month-and-a-half- Erin: Something like that. Thomas: ... working with her and Wanda Cochran, who was the attorney for the City Council, to get everything situation. We ended up not having to do the legislation- Marcus: Oh, cool. Thomas: ... which was cool, because it could've been, what was it, a franchise agreement between us and the city, and to be able to peddle up and down the street and use the sidewalks and all that, but ended up not having to do that because it's so small. It's not like we've got a fleet of these things out there. It's just one, and- Erin: We're not using any power or water or anything. Thomas: Right. Yeah. Yeah, and so Bess Rich was really instrumental in making this happen. Marcus: Well, and I think the reason why, it's important to kind of talk about that, is because there's oftentimes this idea ... Well, first of all, there's often an idea that starting a business is easy, and it's not. I mean, it took a year for you just to find the person that you needed to talk to as an advocate, but then the second this is when you do run into a situation like that, having an advocate. Right? So, it's important to kind of put your feelers out there and figure out who is that person if you do find yourself ... As a business owner, I'm kind of talking to the audience now, of if you're a business owner and you've run into that wall, find that person that can be your advocate, because otherwise you probably won't break through. Thomas: Right. I agree. Erin: Yeah, we wouldn't have. Marcus: Yeah. Thomas: No. Marcus: There's a number of folks that are put into position for that. I would also just say, if you're dealing with the city of Mobile, then the I-Team, as I always call them ... I don't know. They like to be called the virus for the city of Mobile, but I oftentimes think of them as the vaccine because they're actually fixing the things that are wrong with the city, so they're coming in and talking to people about their experiences, and if the gay guys, if you're listening to this podcast, then here's another example, I mean getting something like this passed. I'm sure it could've been fast-tracked a little bit, but ... So, this isn't a franchise then? It was just an idea that you had? Thomas: No, no. This is just an idea. Marcus: Did you have to have the bike custom made, or was there a provider, or- Thomas: Actually, yeah. So, the whole thing started, it was, like I said, January of 2017, and sometimes I'm the worst about this. I was just like, Saturday mornings while I'm waiting for Erin to get ready, for the hair and makeup, all of that. Erin: To finally come out of the bathroom so we can leave. Thomas: Yeah, just trying to be nice about it. Erin: I admit it. Thomas: Yeah. We'll just sit around and I'll just throw out some of the stupidest idea I've ever had, just to entertain myself or her, whatever, and so I just said, “You know, it would be great if there was this company that would drive around and deliver coffee, and call it Cuppa Go, kind of like cup of Joe.” Erin: Yeah, and I absolutely agreed, because I need the coffee. If they could bring it to me, that would be great. Thomas: Yeah, and so for some reason it stuck, and I'm not even a coffee drinker. She's the one that has the coffee background and the coffee interest, so I'm not even a coffee drinker. So, then I started doing some research online one day, because I was just kind of curious. It was extensively bugging me. I couldn't quite explain it. It just kind of stuck, and so this was before Yellowhammer was in town, so we didn't have the coffee truck in the area. So, I looked at that, and it was really expensive to even start with a coffee truck, but then in that search I found this company. There's two of them. There's one called Bike-In-A-Box, and then one, Icicle Tricycles, that make these, and they're popular out West, places like Portland, of course, and they make them for beer. Marcus: I can see you trying to get that through. Thomas: Yeah, good luck. Marcus: Yeah, good luck. Thomas: Beer, donuts, popsicles, and some of them are also set up to be like little boutique dress shops, which is strange. Marcus: What? Thomas: Yeah, they have these racks that kind of pop out- Erin: A little popup. Thomas: ... and I guess you can't try anything on, but they hang there, and they make them for everything. It's crazy. Marcus: That's interesting. Thomas: So, the entry level for these is pretty inexpensive, and it just looks cool, and there was nothing else like it here. I don't even think New Orleans had anything like this, so that's- Marcus: So, who are you getting ... Or is there a source for the coffee? Erin: Yes. Thomas: Yes. It's a smaller company called Nightbird Coffee out of Jackson, Mississippi, and they've been really great. Marcus: Okay, so someone real local. Thomas: Yeah, yeah. It's regional. Erin: We were trying to keep it as local as- Thomas: Yeah, as local as we could. Erin: Yeah, as we possibly could. Thomas: And they've been really great and very helpful. Craig, I think he's also supplied some other companies down here as well, but he's been really supportive of the whole endeavor. Marcus: I mean, it is also cool because I'm assuming that you're intending on keeping your daytime job and that this is just kind of a side hustle for now. Thomas: Yeah. I mean, I just thought it would be really cool for Downtown Mobile, something like this just peddling around, for the people coming home on the cruise ships, the people hanging out at the fort, tours, just something unique for the city. Marcus: Well, and we love Serda's, and also, we had [Shallure 00:18:44] on. They're getting ready to open up a coffee shop downtown in the Innovation PortAL, but I think that may be a little bit further away, and downtown needs other options for coffee, because it may seem crazy, but to walk from end of Dauphin down to the other end of Dauphin, you're not gonna drive down there because there's no parking, so you're gonna walk or take the electric skateboard or something down there, and it takes time, so it'd be nice if there were other options on this end of Dauphin Street, but ... So, we're actually hopeful that even though Shallure is opening up, they're over on St. Louis Street, so that doesn't help things much, we're hoping that the [PV's 00:19:28] or somebody will open up a coffee shop closer to Moe's BBQ instead, but if you guys are in the area, then that'd be great, too. I don't know when this is gonna be released, but we had an art walk this past weekend, and you all were at that. How was the reception? Thomas: It was pretty good. It was like a soft opening for us. We were at the back lot, and it let us work out some kinks and figure out some issues that- Erin: That you'd never know until you actually get out there and get started with it. Thomas: ... we never would've thought about, what worked, what didn't work, because when we first turned it on, we unloaded the bike from the cart and plugged everything in, it was all set to go, and then this coffee started spewing out of the spigot. We had a tarp over it. When we uncovered the tarp, the handle was just slightly- Marcus: Just slightly ... Yeah. Thomas: ... bent down enough to start pouring, but it smelled great when coming out. Marcus: Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah. Thomas: But stuff like that, so maybe we should watch that, but it was pretty good, and people seemed to really enjoy the coffee and liked the taste, and cold brew's kind of everywhere now, but nitro coffee is still rare. I think there's only one other place in town that might have that right now- Erin: Yeah, I think so. Thomas: ... and so that it's new for the area, and it looks cool. Marcus: I am a fan. It's so good. Thomas: It's like Guinness. That's what- Marcus: Yeah, it is very much ... It has that same velvety texture that a good Guinness has, but without the alcohol. Thomas: Yeah. Erin: Which we decided to go with that, and the flavors that we offer are mostly cocktail-inspired- Marcus: Interesting. Erin: ... so we had a lot of people asking if they had alcohol in them. When they took a sip, they were like, “Oh, my god. Does this have alcohol in it?” Marcus: Yeah. No. Erin: No, it doesn't. It's just really tastes like it. Marcus: No, but if you're drinking it at night, you might find yourself organizing your closet at 2:00 a.m. Thomas: Yes. Erin: Oh, when we were testing flavors, I had four cups in front of me because we had to make a full cup in order to figure out ratios and things like that, so I had four cups of coffee in front of me. I did not sleep at all for days. Thomas: Yeah. So, someone came. It was about 6:30 when we set up. They got a cup, and then they came back the next day when we were set up again and got another cup, and said that they were up till whatever the night before, binge-watching Lost in Space on Netflix. Erin: They watched a couple episodes of Lost in Space before they could make it to bed. Marcus: Yeah. I have to watch myself because I will oftentimes go down to Serda's and get an iced coffee with the coffee ice cubes, so that's the kicker, is iced coffee is brewed at double or triple the strength in order to account for the ice that you put into it, but if you get the coffee ice cubes, then it kind of negates that, and so you're drinking three or four cups at the same time. Thomas: Yeah. Erin: And cold brew, really, it has about 30% more caffeine than- Marcus: Caffeine. Thomas: Yeah. Marcus: Yeah. Erin: Yeah. So, yeah, you could get real wired real fast. Marcus: Yeah. You only get a small when you do that. Thomas: Yeah. Marcus: Now, do you remember the first ... Was this the first evening that you were selling at art walk? Thomas: Mm-hmm (affirmative), yes. Marcus: It was. So, my questions is normally, do you remember the first time that you made a sale that you think there might be something to this, but if that was just five days ago, then is there something to this? Thomas: I think so. It took Saturday, I think, because that night, I think we were just exhausted, and South Sounds was going on too, so it was just kind of crazy, so it's kind of a blur, and the mayor stopped by, so it was just super crazy, but then Saturday, we actually got out of the back lot and peddled it around Dauphin Street and took it around the block, and that's when we kind of noticed people going, “Hey, what's that?” We were stopped at a red light, and someone said, “What's this? What's that?” Carol Hunter at Downtown Alliance stopped us, and she had a cup, and then it was just this swarm of people. Erin: We ended up with a line. Marcus: That's so cool. Thomas: Yeah. So, it was like after that, we're like, this is kind of cool. People were- Erin: Yeah, and we've been doing quite a bit on social media, and we found that a couple people came looking for us. They saw where we were gonna be out, and they came looking for us and got a couple of cups to take back to people, so ... Marcus: Yeah. One of the things that Yellowhammer does a good job of is getting word out of where they're gonna be, because you do start to build a following, but if you're just gonna be pretty much downtown, then it'd also be kind of interesting to figure out if there's some way for people to beckon you to their location, like, “Hey, could you stop by 412? We're all kind of dragging.” Thomas: Yeah. That's one of those things that we want to eventually kind of look into. Right now, since it's just the two of us, we're just kind of focusing on some weekends and special events, that sort of thing, but then as we can kind of maybe build onto it, have some folks peddling around downtown in the mornings, maybe, or midday, something like that- Erin: That's the expansion plan. Thomas: Yeah, that's the expansion plan. Marcus: Yeah, it's the 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. kind of thing, because- Erin: Yeah, that 3:00 p.m. slump. Marcus: Yeah, that 2:00 or 3:00 when most people are having another cup, so ... Thomas: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: Now, if you were talking to someone that wanted to get started in running their own business, even though you are new at this, obviously you've learned some lessons already, so what's the one bit of wisdom that you would impart to them? Thomas: Research, because we found that when we're going to the health department and all these places, they may not know 100% what's needed, but if you can just say, “I've done all the work. Here it is. This is what-” Marcus: Here it is. Make it easy for them. Thomas: Yeah, that makes it a lot easier for them to say yes or no, and also, it's gonna be a lot less stressful on you, too, so just know what you need to do, research, go in prepared. Marcus: Nice. Thomas: Yeah. Marcus: You want to add anything to that, or ... Erin: He took the words right out of my mouth. I guess if I were gonna add anything to it, I would say don't make any large purchases of anything until you know when you're going to start. Have the start date. Otherwise, especially if you're going into something that's food service-related, you may end up having to toss some stuff, and that kind of sucks. Marcus: Yeah. So, in hindsight, wait to buy the bike until approval? Erin: Well, less that, and more like wait to buy creamer and sugar and stuff like that. Yeah. Thomas: Yeah. Yeah, because we had a couple of false starts when we thought we were ready to go, and we just had to end up throwing out a box of creamer. Erin: I mean, I've had really great coffee in the mornings for a while now because we had to get rid of some stuff. Marcus: Eating the product, yeah. Erin: Yeah. Marcus: So, you guys have been through some trials and tribulations over the last year-and-a-half. Are there any books or podcasts people or organizations that have been helpful in moving you forward? Erin: The City Council. Thomas: City Council. Erin: City Council. Thomas: I'm trying to think of any books or websites. Marcus: Obviously, you mentioned the Montgomery Health Department. Thomas: Yeah, the Montgomery Health Department. Erin: Yeah, they were great. Marcus: But outside of that, obviously, when you start the process of running or forming a business, you're obviously looking to other sources. You mentioned Carol Hunter in Downtown Mobile Alliance. Anything along those lines that ... Thomas: Yeah. Locally, people like Carol Hunter, Bess Rich, and Wand Cochran, and then as far as all of the ... We just hit the internet like crazy on doing all the research, so it was everything we could get our hands on, any kind of website, any kind of information, YouTube, just to kind of inform everything that we needed to know. Marcus: You're simplifying that, because you don't think of that as a resource, but the truth is YouTube is an incredible wealth of information. There's not a day that goes by that I'm not watching something on YouTube. Thomas: Well, I think when we got in we just had to put some of the stuff on the bike together, and it didn't quite make 100% sense, so I just went on YouTube found little instructional- Marcus: Yeah, and you would go ahead and figure it out. Thomas: Yeah. It was like, how do you do this, and so yeah, that has been very helpful. Erin: Yeah, and I worked in coffee shops for several years. I've made cold brew. This is not, I guess, my first rodeo, but still, making sure that we had ratios correct, and making sure that we hadn't forgotten anything. I'm still looking at YouTube, how to make cold brew, how to ... Marcus: I mean, Tad, who's my lead developer, Tad and I often say that if it wasn't for Google, we wouldn't have careers, because most everything- Erin: It's true. Marcus: ... that we've learned has been through Googling and finding somebody else that has done something at least similar, so you mentioned you came up with the idea, and then got online and started Googling, and found that there were these companies on the West Coast that make these bikes and stuff like that. I mean, I would just encourage whomever's listening that if you have an idea, spend the time doing that research, and Google and YouTube are gonna be your friend. Thomas: Yeah. I don't know how anyone functioned before Google and YouTube. I don't remember. Erin: I know. Marcus: Yeah. We walk around with ... It's interesting. We could spend another 30 minutes talking about the education system, but there's been a number of talks where it's like, why are we still teaching people to remember rote dates when we walk around with basically a supercomputer in our pocket. So, it's like let's focus on thinking creatively, but again, a podcast for a different time. So, what do you like to do to unwind? Thomas: Something I haven't done lately. Usually, binging Netflix. That's what it's been lately. It's like after this past week of getting everything ready and being out on the street, we just came home and snuggled up with our puppies and watched Netflix. Erin: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marcus: Documentaries, shows? Thomas: We binged a few episodes of Series of Unfortunate Events, the second season, and- Erin: Just finished Santa Clarita diet. Thomas: Yeah, and then special features on some DVDs. We picked up The Last Jedi and The Greatest Showman- Erin: The Greatest Showman. Thomas: ... and stuff like that. Marcus: Yeah. Thomas: So, yeah, just try to relax, but then even when I'm doing that, my brain is still going on 12 other things, so ... Erin: One of my- Marcus: No, I'm often the same way. So, when I am looking to just kind of relax, it's Netflix or YouTube, and I'm oftentimes watching comedians, just because I like to laugh, like to end the day on a funny notes. So, tell people where they can find you, and I don't mean physically, like in a virtual sense. Where can they find out? Thomas: Yeah. You can go to , and that will take you over to our Facebook page. We've got , Cuppa Go Mobile, and then a page, and you can find them all right there. They're all linked up, and when we're out and about, we'll post on our social media where we are, so just kind of stay tuned. I think we're gonna try to be back out on the 28th of April- Erin: Mm-hmm (affirmative), for Market in the Park. Thomas: ... for Market in the Park, so kind of keep an eye out for that. Marcus: Nice, and you may want to give Heather [Feffercorn 00:30:49] at The Pillars a call about the market that she does- Thomas: Market at the Pillars, yeah. Marcus: Yeah, she does, because I know a lot of people are gravitating towards that, so ... Well, I want to thank you again for coming on the podcast. Any final thoughts or comments you'd like to share? Thomas: Thank you for having us, and we're honored to be here. Erin: Yeah, really. Thank you so much. Marcus: Yeah, absolutely. Erin: It was too far. Marcus: Well, it's a very interesting business idea, and I'm curious to see in another year where it is, so definitely keep us posted. Thomas: Hope maybe one day we'll have a fleet of these things. Marcus: A fleet, yeah. Fairhope, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores. Erin: Well, this one is- Marcus: Have you thought about Hangout Festival and talking about them as- Thomas: Oh, gosh. I don't even know. I don't even know how we would even deal with that crowd. Huge, huge crowd. Erin: But this bike is named Cuppa 1. Hopefully, there will be a Cuppa 2 at some point. Marcus: Maybe they'll ... Yeah. Well, I appreciate your willingness to sit with me and share your journey as business owners and entrepreneurs. It's been great talking with you. Thomas: Thank you. Erin: Thank you.