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Archive for July, 2011
Vegas for Families, my trip to Orlando and money-tips for you!
Posted in: Blog by scott_manning on July 27, 2011
Well it was a close call, but I’m darn sure I took more money home with me from Orlando than what I spent with the tourism industry down there.
Of course, they got me a few times, but my work in the “Las Vegas for Families”, will bring my clients and me compounding returns for years to come… it’s such a reassuring feeling, a position of power, to know what you do today not only pays you today but builds equity. What Dan Kennedy calls ‘Future Banking’.
At this point in time, I’m all about taking money off the table, and do so every single month.
However, I don’t touch a project, customer, business, or anything else that doesn’t result in a relationship with some future value attached to it.
Life’s too short.
Anyhow, coupled around a 2-part day of consulting, 2 client seminars, and two meetings with key people/private coaching members, all in Orlando, I added in a day of vacation with the family and two bonus days for them while I was ‘working’.
There’s some profit point here for you…
So, about Orlando, some lessons to share, a whole lot of things done very well!
Which was a refreshing change in pace from trying to do business and fuel the economy amongst the ignorant who run it.
My theory after leaving Orlando is this -
100% Pure Capitalistic Survival Amongst Every Person In The City
I’ve never seen such true hospitality, and, maybe I was lucky, I tend to give off the vibe when I sit down at the restaurant, step in line to the ride, or go just about anywhere that I mean business and expect the best experience possible – but still.
Multiple restaurants, days in Universal, different hotels, cab drivers, and everything else.
No complaints. Seriously.
I believe that those people down there,
1) Go to Orlando knowing they can make, for them, a decent living in hospitality, in tourism, and have fun doing it
2) If they work hard and appreciate the opportunity they have been given
3) And always remember that there is a line of people waiting all over the city, across the border, and in the unemployment line ready and willing to take over their job
Every person I ran into hustled for the customer. Deserved the money they got. And have no fear, I rewarded them handsomely.
Quickly, the trip.
We drove, since it’s only about 6 hours (less for me) from our home in South Carolina.
I had two back to back seminars, and finally a chance for the family to come along.
Our venue was just a few miles away from Universal and when my kids go, the dogs go so we stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn, always pet friendly, and I’ve yet to be disappointed for 5 or 6 years running.
The first thing I did when we got there was hire a driver for the 3 days because I knew driving, parking, etc would take up valuable time away from visiting and playing. Plus, there’s no way I’d have turned Maddy loose with the car down there (it’s a bit confusing, the Orlando streets, and that’d be on top of her directionally challenged issues that I’ve yet to find a GPS smart enough to fix).
(don’t worry she jokes about it too)
Anyhow.
The driver picked us up Thursday morning, hoping to be the first ones at the park…boy was I surprised – it was similar to a rock concert there were lines of people rushing in 30 and 45 minutes before the park opened, at 7:15am.
We grab our VIP, Express Lane Passes (a minimum of 50% higher on the ticket price) and we took off.
As you are well aware if you have not created and are charging for some premium version in your business, you are leaving so much money on the table, ALL THE PROFIT most likely.
And to be honest…I would never have gone if they didn’t have a Fast Pass program.
30 to 60 minute waits, you’d ride a few rides and your day is done.
In my case, I had but ONE DAY, if I couldn’t get it all in, I’d have passed. Period.
So, Universal would have lost one of its best customers, and I’m no exception, believe me, if they didn’t have this VIP version.
Next and probably the most fun part for me, other than riding with the kids, was seeing the enormous detail in every ride, the true to theme for every movie. I loved the congruency and the walking from one ride to the next being transcended into another world.
I’ve not been to Disney since I was a kid (more on that later) so I’m sure they do it even better.
But this was great. Especially the Harry Potter part of the theme park.
The food was themed. Of course the merchandise was themed. It was great just to watch and look at.
Are you congruent in your business…do you make it fun, a theme, an experience?
There were a few things I would have like to see:
- More characters out and about, from the rides, taking pictures, etc. Similar to what I imagine at Disney. Now to be fair, it could have been because they would have died in costume in the heat…but it was somewhat disappointing not to see.
- I would have loved a hard plastic card, like a cruise ship so I didn’t have to keep pulling out cash and carrying a wallet on all the rides. I couldn’t (wouldn’t) go on some of the water rides…a plastic card would have helped that, plus we probably would have spent more money.
- I would do even more with the VIP Express Pass people and/or have an even higher level of membership for other things…
All in all, I was impressed, and believe me it was no cheap fare, and it was worth every penny. Probably more. Especially for the experience, the kids being kids again.
Restaurants, we did it up right as we always do, because that’s a passion of mine.
I’ll only talk about Emeril’s who has the only actual ‘high-end’ restaurant in Universal and it was great. Of course I get impatient, but I know they take so long because they want to justify the price of the meal…all part of the show.
The staff at the hotel was always helpful and let the family stay for a RECORD late checkout of 4:00pm…yes, 4:00pm without charge.
This was so I could stay at the seminar until 4:00pm to help close down and catch any last minute possible sales.
Now, I say without charge, but the extra $50 bucks I slipped the guy at the counter, managing the checkout I’m sure had something to do with it.
I gotta tell you, I’m not impressed much and go into just about every situation knowing that I’m going to have to fight for good service, which I demand.
Not this time, YEAH!
The important things for You, from this, and my trip to Orlando, how you can profit from it…
Go back to your business and really check through things, see where you might be incongruent in your sales process and/or experience and/or delivery of your goods or services.
Make sure you have nothing working against you, sabotaging your customers experience and your ability to serve them.
You want to always condition your customers in advance of what to expect, but then, make sure you leave a little room to WOW them to beat their expectations to do more and over service.
Have higher price options. Premium services.
Don’t be scared of price, you must orchestrate your business for profits and remember you do a disservice to TWO people when you cheat yourself out of appropriately high prices -
YOU AND THE CUSTOMER!!!
If you are not charging enough to give a great experience…you’re going to lose.
(a side benefit of prices that people like me will pay is that you get a better customer, it was so refreshing not to see streets full of riff raff at Universal…prices keep them out (for the most part) and that makes the experience better for everyone…shitty customers sink ships as much as shitty service)
Last thing I’ll leave you with -
GO DO SOMETHING, spend your money, experience things…
I know you probably get tired of hearing me talk about this, but it’s so important.
If you want money coming to you, if you want to stay fresh in your business, if you want to have fun and make doing business with you fun – you’ve got to go out and experience stuff!!!
Hey, I had one day of vacation and two days of work while in Orlando…but that one day goes a long way to creating a lot of momentum and money flow in my life.
Have some fun, will ya…
(just remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, but all play and no work makes Jack very very poor and pathetic)
Scott
P.S. Yes, don’t worry, we’ve already scheduled it, the day after Christmas we’re heading down to Disney for a week of magic, we’re thinking about bringing in the new year with the mice…how fun is that…I can’t wait.
*one last thing, I’m toying around with doing something crazy, not completely unique to me, but trust me, nothing like what I’m talking about here…
Since my writing about my trip to Chicago, I’ve either been asked, told, written to, or talked about, the fact that people would get a lot of value going on a trip or two with me.
No doubt, that’s an understatement. Well, I’m considering it. If you’d like to experience a “Scott Vacation” coupled with a very advanced and high powered mastermind with people from all over the country AND be entertained and truly adventure the city with me…if you’d like to get more money momentum flowing your way and have me personally make sure you turn experience into profit and get out of the boring mundane day-to-day BS in your business…let me know. You can reply back to this email.
My assistant is keeping a list of people who’ve inquired about the idea, who are seriously wanting to participate…we’re about half way to what I’d need to be willing to put this crazy thing together. It’d change your life, one city experience at a time. Let me know your thoughts and why you’d want in…maybe some things you’d like to do.
Be interesting, huh.
Maybe you should get a job…
Posted in: Blog by scott_manning on July 20, 2011
Last night I sat through a very brief graduation ceremony for a group of Nurses, in particular one of Maddy’s good friends and someone she helped mentor through the process. They call this thing a “pinning ceremony”.
I chose to go for a couple reasons.
One, to spend time with Maddy, and although I can never say I’m ahead of schedule, but I had a cushion, so I went.
Two, I wanted to show my support for her friend who has made positive decisions in her life and against many other forces taken steps-up in her ambitions. Those are the people who should be supported, wouldn’t you say. And, as you know, I’m a big “trading up” kind of guy and support anyone who strives to make that happen.
Third reason, and a little secret, because I’d only admit this to you all -
I wanted to go hang around “those kind of people” for a little while and see things from their perspective.
I’ve got a couple clients that are moving fast into the direct to consumer marketing, and one who will be directly selling to Nurses, as a matter of fact, so it was market research.
*lesson, there’s always a purpose, life’s too short to use an experience for only one thing.
So what does a Nursing Graduation have to do with you…
MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER REALIZE
Let me tell you something, I would have thought these women were winning the Super Bowl. I mean tears, prayers, celebrations, shout outs, and just all kind of crazy things. I can’t imagine how happy they were when they had babies…it was just very cool, for them, and exciting to see others passionate and excited to do something with their lives.
Every one of them has fought through struggles of their own while finishing this new chapter in their life. Every one of them sees this as THE opportunity that will change everything.
And, for some, if they choose, and if they take the same responsibility they had to in order to make it out of School, this is capable of being a catalyst for bigger and better things for them.
Most, however, unfortunately, will live a life of quiet (or not so much) desperation of wondering why nursing wasn’t the magic pill, wasn’t the quick fix, wasn’t the happily ever after event in their life that they thought it would be.
In this example, I have three lessons, that I’ll try to make brief, though you know that’s not my strong suit.
First, about “your” customer.
Can you imagine how hard it would have been during the months these women were going through school to sell them something…anything!?! Simply their minds weren’t listening to your message. They couldn’t care less about anything other than making the grade and getting done.
Well, I got news for you, every one of your customers has some THING they are doing now, experiencing now, consumed with now, that they couldn’t care less about your message.
You either have to find a way to break through that barrier or align with it.
But, you simply can’t ignore it.
People aren’t waking up every day looking for ways to give you money, you’ll starve relying on that. You gotta go out there and get it.
Second, about “you”
The Magic Pill…they are all looking for it.
They believe this is THE thing…
And for some they might be right, for some, this degree, this new career, this new phase in their life will CHANGE everything.
But, don’t miss the bigger point – they all believe that it will.
And if your business isn’t selling them something of this magnitude, at least given whatever circumstances, situations, etc that you sell against, you are fighting a losing battle.
Nobody wants to invest their money, time, life, energy, etc into something that isn’t THE THING!
To these women at this time in their life the moment they shared last night, it was a turning point for them. You get rich when you sell turning points for people also.
No matter how mundane your business may be, MARKETING can make it a BIG DEAL, and you must, because that’s what people want.
Now, on the other hand, don’t make the mistake of thinking anything will change you or your life, only you can do that – only responsibility will reward these women with the success they imagine.
Finally – and the real message I wanted to get across today was this…
These girls were on top of the world. And as they should be. For them, this was huge.
Depending on how you measure success, is completely up to you.
We need nurses, more of them, good ones, well paid ones, etc.
But – if you are talking in terms of money, well then, I’m sure many of you reading this generate more money in a month than most of them will in any one year.
Personally, as you know, I have many “deals”, one-single relationship, event, or transaction that equal more profit than income a nurse would realize in multiple years of hard work.
Now, who’s worth more, we’ll the marketplace dictates that – and who am I to judge.
That’s not my point and it’s not what you should focus on either.
Instead, think about this.
These wonderful women who will save lives (my mother was one for 42 years) are excited about their career, about their accomplishment, many of them simply can’t wait to get out there and EARN their money. Far better than the alternative and what many of their classmates ended up doing…collecting a check instead of earning one. If you know what I mean.
Anyhow, they do not know the difference, they do not know the possibilities of unlimited income. It would be foreign to them. That’s why us entrepreneurs must stick together.
But – what I saw last night is what is so often missing from the business owners that are lost, frustrated, and struggling to achieve their goals…
PASSION – Excitement – dedication to MAKING potential happen instead of sitting back and thinking someone else or something else is going to make it happen.
You take someone who is thrilled to death to graduate and go into a 40-60 hour job, that probably is underpaid, and they are excited.
They are anxious to get started.
And yet, you take someone who has the ability to create their own income, live their own lifestyle, control their own destiny and they squander it.
It pains me to see business owner and entrepreneurs who fall under the entitlement philosophy who think their customers, the economy, the government or anyone else is supposed to make things easier for them, or hand them out opportunity.
Perhaps if you had to suffer through months of schooling, go to work in a hospital every day, and every decision you make could end the life of your customer -
You’d take YOUR Responsibility a bit more seriously.
Boy, it’s not like me to have to weeks in a row full of frustration.
Last night was a bit touching -
And I’ll tell you this, there are more of those nurses out there last night that I would hire than many of the business owners and entrepreneurs I know, because they are hungry for success, they are passionate about how they’ve chosen to make their money, and they take their responsibility seriously.
Rest assured, I’m not here to judge, nor does it affect me in the least if you don’t take your business seriously, I’m just saying, get you what you get based on what you put into it.
The marketplace is ruthless and unemotional.
It delivers what you deserve, in every case.
Sorry. Truths painful if you fight against it, just like those darn shots they taught those nurses to do.
I hope whatever you are choosing to do with your life, you are making the most of it.
And, above all else, accepting that You’re the only one that can.
Scott
July Marketer of the Month Interview
Posted in: Blog by admin on July 18, 2011
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Sharing my Frustrations… and, Will YOU Pass THIS Test!
Posted in: Blog by scott_manning on July 13, 2011
Last week at our Chapter Event I got a little frustrated.
Oh we had an incredible group, we always do.
And they worked hard and everyone took home significant value, as you’ll see by the videos over the next few weeks -
But.
I was frustrated because people were putting up too many roadblocks between themselves and the goal of getting customers and providing exceptional value and experiences.
The exercise was to establish all 5 of their value based selling propositions (you’d have to read Dan’s new book on Price Strategy to understand) none the less, what I told them was -
“THERE ARE NO LIMITS! You should build this thing so that it’s exactly like what you want, exactly like what the customer wants, exactly like the way it will maximize your financial gain and give you the advantage.”
Bill Glazer used to talk about the “Sales-Prevention” Department and as you know I’m a free spender and travel a lot and just about never miss a week with a fine dining experience, I’m ‘out there’ and I’ve got to tell you something -
It’s hard to spend money.
Rather, it’s hard to find people who really want to take it, in exchange for exceptional value.
Your business CANNOT be this way!
If you want a test of this I can give it to you three things that’ll show your true colors, if you think you can handle it…
1. Your customers engage you, ask you questions, communicate in some way or another.
As example, every week we get responses to these emails I write, nearly all positive, of course some small minded pretenders find their way into my communication path from time to time, but not often…BUT, bad feedback is FEEDBACK and really, that’s a sign of a pulse in your business.
I often go out of my way to find a manager or tell someone about how wonderful someone is doing or about a great experience I’ve had. I tip like a king (do kings tip? They should) to give people feedback – your customers ought to be telling you things with their interaction.
2. People see it as victory and sign of accomplishment to being paying, investing, giving you MORE money. People want more of what they like, and they want things they like to know their affection.
Example, I buy everything Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer put out. Everything. I order something from every course at every high-end restaurant (sometimes two or three, just ask Ryan) sometimes just to take a bite or try something…I want the experience.
Could just about say people fight over getting into my private coaching program, now, to be fair, they don’t fight each other (but they might if I offered that as an option) they do fight the system, fight the process, fight the qualifications to get in. In this case, a 6 (sometimes 12) month waiting list that nearly never goes away because no one leaves, some get booted off the island for lack of performance, some trade up to Private Clients when appropriate.
Point, it’s an achievement.
3. People tell stories about ya. Plain and simple, if you are doing things right their talking about you to others. They are sharing you and willing to help you if you ask. In fact, they want to help, if sometimes, you just would ask. Heck, it’s a great illustration of what I’m talking about, ask ‘em for something and see for yourself…take your own temperature through them.
For example, we put more people in a room for a local event for Dan Kennedy than anyone I know of, period, for some time. This in large part due to my asking people to help – they did.
Now – let me give you three things that will make all of these other three possible.
Chances are, you are simply not going to get as great of response as you might think from our three little tests.
You must remember -
- Your business must ‘be’ about You, it must have personality. You’re not coca cola and event they use different forms of personality in their marketing and relationship. But, you need real connection with your customers and you get that through having personality and sharing yourself. THIS IS THE ONE THING NO ONE ELSE CAN REPLICATE or COPY! It makes you unique, if nothing else.
- You need to provide ‘surprises’ and ‘what’s next’ for your customers. They get bored WITH EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. You need to do nice things that they don’t expect. One of my good friends and clients who writes weekly (who I’ll be introducing you to in the future) recently talked about a Yoga Studio that gave out fresh, healthy popsicles after workouts…little extras like that.
I could go on but not time to elaborate or give further examples. I want to get to number 3, and THE BIG things I got frustrated with last week in terms of our members thinking…
And if you pay attention to what I’m about to say it will change your business forever and dramatically change how much money you make, the prices you can charge, and how much your customers enjoy giving you money…
At our chapter event we were talking about selling and price strategies and primarily making it irrelevant and not the deciding factor when people buy from you.
You do that by creating these propositions. Today, I’ve talked with you about after you get the customer how to tell if you’re doing it right.
But, I’m getting to the same place by telling you this 3rd strategy.
3. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR BUSINESS AN EXPERIENCE
More specifically, you must WANT TO BE YOUR OWN CUSTOMER.
I ask you, challenge you, dare you, plead with you to CREATE and CONSTRUCT a business that YOU would want to patronize, to give money to, to do all three of the ‘tests’ I’ve told you about today.
If you aren’t excited about your business, what you do and how you do it, then my gosh – how on earth do you suppose and expect your customers to be excited about you or anything else…
This is big. Please read it again, listen to what I’m saying…
You’ve got to build the business so that you would want to be a customer.
You’ve got to create an experience so you would be impressed and want more.
You’ve got to deliver something so incredible so unique that you are excited about it.
Truly, what you ‘do’ for your customers should be exciting to you too -
If not, then you’ve got big problems, because if the chef doesn’t like his own food, not to many customers going to either…
Live it, Be it, Profit from it!
After all, we’re in the marketing business, so the famous saying
“Build it and they will come” doesn’t work.
But, you’ve got to at least build something so they WANT TO come, pay, stay, and refer, and it begins with you. So what do you say, make it fun for you and them, everybody’s happy.
Stories from Chicago and what Bono said to me…
Posted in: Blog by scott_manning on July 6, 2011
Here’s my 4th of July weekend report, not quite as long as the Declaration, but well worth the read, lessons throughout – and the perhaps the most important line ever spoken!
*************
For those of you paying attention, you know I LOVE Chicago. And that’s where I spent the last few days. Since Thursday actually, flying in for a triple header of meetings with a few National Clients, a Full Day Consulting on Friday and a couple quarterly Client Work Sessions over the next 12 hours.
All this leading into an amazing time doing everything imaginable in the City, including feeding the economy and letting the money flow… WHAT FUN!
My trip included 2 6-month planning sessions for both the Manning Household and the Manning Empire on the personal and business fronts, a ‘semi-annual’ tradition… that keeps the train running on the right track and goals being achieved on-time.
Here’s a quick rundown, then some powerful stories about this great country summed up in one sentence by the Irishman himself… BONO
Two fine dining experiences at Nick’s Fish Market which I highly recommend near the O’hare airport on Thursday and Friday nights.
Saturday a leisurely stroll through the Tastes of Chicago which is always interesting to say the least. We ended up at the Navy Pier for a wonderful Architectural tour up the Chicago River through the city.
Maddy and I enjoyed some midnight sushi as we always like to do in any City, it’s how you see what it’s really all about, doing what the locals do.
Not to mention we walked miles around Chicago up and down the waterfront.
Sunday, working most of the morning, then going to The Beauty and The Beast Broadway in Chicago performance, one of my favorite things to do, that we do every time we come to town.
This followed by Ryan and I running through projections, list of decisions, and planning for the next 6 months while the girls went down the Magnificent Mile for some shopping.
We then went on another one of my favorites, which I’ve talked about here before, the Gangster Tour called The Untouchables where you get to see all sides of the city and hear about all the famous gangsters of Chicago and their stories, including where John Dillenger was gunned down (a guaranteed set-up I’m certain of it). He’s out there somewhere and they know it, maybe one of the best cover ups of all time.
Next, to round off the evening, dinner at the original and wonderful Chicago Chop House – WOW!!! You’ve got to go.
The best part about Saturday and Sunday was having Ryan and Meghan along and experiencing the city Manning Style all together.
Monday a rapid fire working day including some more shopping and dinner at the oldest Italian restaurant in the city, The Italian Village. We wound up watching fireworks from our highest up room with a view that we stayed in the for the entire trip at The Blackstone Hotel, right on Michigan Avenue, it was superb and the oldest, if I remember right, Hotels, where Al Capone had many parties and used to hang out at.
Tuesday, a Copy/Client Work Day for me, including some necessary conference calls, followed by the Famous Chicago Pizza at a joint close by (name escapes me) then off to Soldier Field for my first ever (believe it or not) live concert… playing, the Band U2.
And aside from having to be there with 64,000-65,000 other people, it was incredible, of course our seats were perfect, eye level, row 16, section 152, smack in the middle, but on the edge, so easy escape was possible when the time called for it and truly, no question, best seats in the house given all the considerations that are important to me…
More on this next week, if I remember, it’s certainly worthy of its own little ezine newsletter article.
Oh and by the way, if you haven’t caught on, which I remind you of every time I go anywhere, every place we went, packed, waiting, people everywhere.
And if you don’t know Chicago, my list includes about as expensive and high-end experiences as you can find…packed everywhere – money flowing, people going, things happening, fun stuff, which brings me to the topic of Independence.
On the stage Bono said this:
“America is more than a country, it’s an IDEA. An idea that must be protected, cherished, fought for, argued over, celebrated!”
Point – to reemphasize – he said, AMERICA IS AN IDEA!!!
I first heard it in a movie recommended to me by Ryan that I keep front and center in my office, I actually have a commemorative mask to remind me of this philosophy -
The Movie “V for Vendetta” and you must absolutely own it and watch it and feel it.
No time for explanation, but he said in that movie when the main star had accomplished his mission at the end, “IDEAS never die”, and this, referring to Independence!!!
So, I point out to you, and pass along the message that was worth every hundred dollar bill I handed out over the weekend, every experience and every memory, all wonderful, but to get this one line from this man to pass along to you, worth the 5 days -
I hope you make it worth something to you.
America is an Idea, Independence is an Idea, Entrepreneurship, Business Ownership an Idea!
3 quick stories…
First, two of my clients, one an amazing doctor from New York who I spent the day with on Friday and is in the initial stages of transitioning her life into something new, different, evolutionary in her industry, and quite frankly crazy, that is if you didn’t believe in IDEAS!
If you didn’t appreciate independence and what it allows for, what it stands for, what is possible – to create and build the business exactly as you choose, to enjoy and experience life as you see fit. All possible when you have ideas.
Of course I can’t give you the specific details, but she is taking an income any person would sit on, be satisfied over, and live out as long as possible and basically turning off the faucet to move into a nearly 180 degree opposite opposing direction – no net beneath her.
Just an idea.
And in her case, not only because she came to me to make it happen (I always say my clients are buying speed AND certainty) she is going to be phenomenally successful and have all the independence that she deserves. I’m excited for her and happy to be working together.
Another client and good friend where we ‘finalized’ his plans to exit an enviable millionaires income type corporate position to construct his own life of independence and realize an idea that’s been sitting with him for a long time. Doing what he’s now doing for one, for many, entrepreneurial creating his own ultra high-end boutique version of this.
His story is incredible and let’s just say, EVERY idea he’s had, he’s made happen, and he’s actually wrote a book about it – someone I’ll introduce you to at some point in the future. Let’s just say it’s a REAL book with REAL ‘secrets’ as in actionable strategies, philosophies, and his process for making great things happen.
Both of my now friends and clients are following their ideas, creating their independence.
Next story,
A cab driver we met on Saturday evening who took us to Navy Pier, and as I do with every one of them, I asked about his story, time in the US, thoughts, ambitions, etc. He quickly handed me a menu for his Popcorn shop and ‘gourmet’ elephant ears made to order boutique candy store next to Wrigley’s Field and went on to tell us the story about his business and that he works in the morning, preps the staff, and hits the streets in the cab.
As his business picks up and he can transition into multiple locations he’ll quick driving the cab. Ambition, a business owner cab driver, someone who understands and appreciates what it takes to MAKE IDEAS come to Life.
Someone who appreciates the PRICE of Independence.
I took his menu, asked if he shipped stuff and told him I’d be ordering sometime in the future for my top 100 clients, handed him a $100 tip to put towards his 2nd store, better known as his IDEA FUND – and off we all went.
That my friends, is America.
Final story, of course, I could go on, because all over Chicago there are family restaurants that have been built up into multi-neighborhood empires, people who have followed dreams and turned ideas into realities and into Independence.
But, I’ll mention last a story that I’d like to learn more about – Bono and U2. Some 20+ years together, married for the same time, same woman, and following an Idea the entire way. His concert about more than music, about more than their ego and story and fans, about something more. Their messages represent ideas they believe in, causes, countries, and more.
They represent proudly and throughout the concert kept coming back to this -
IDEAS and Independence!
You know, it’s why I love what I do, why I’m actually looking forward to hoping on the plane flying into Indy and hitting the ground running for 48+ hours of nearly back to back coaching, chapter events, and other things…
It’s why Ryan and I are in the business we are in – because, in a different way than Bono, we do the same, we help others create, build, realize, and profit from their Ideas.
We are in the “making ideas come to life” business, the delivery of Independence.
And we love it.
Hope you’re celebrating your independence on more than just one day each year, creating it, living it, profiting from it, sharing it. Ideas – Independence – Life – what else is there…
Scott Manning