ActionCOACH
Hot Tip of the Week
Identifying your top 5 lifetime values is a shortcut to identifying your top goals in life.
What values are important to you?
Integrity, accountability, diligence, perseverance, discipline, spirituality, companionship...
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Next week is the last issue of Local Businesses Share, which features clients only!
We have something new we are bringing to the greater Spokane marketplace that we know you'll love.
Thank you to the 80 businesses that shared their story with us over the past months, we appreciate you!
The new edition, coming September 21, will help you to own/operate/run your business better.
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Interview #1
Owners: Jana Oliveri and Cathy Peroff
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What the business does: The name is Hue Color and Décor and the business started in April 2019 with Jana Oliveri and Cathy Peroff as partners.
Cathy has been in the paint industry for many years and is a home products expert. Jana enjoys design work.
They decided that they wanted to align their passions of décor and design with running a business. They offer, not just high-end design, but basics such as color recommendations. These are good, easy and inexpensive changes.
They make suggestions for exterior colors, to full-blown renovations. They can refer contractors for the projects. They ensure quality with services.
Target audiences: Homeowners; ages 25-75 years old; anyone with discretionary income; builders who are looking for color consulting.
How has COVID-19 impacted your business? "People are sitting at home realizing they want to make their spaces nicer and more comfortable because they are spending time in their homes. The audiences we serve haven't been financially impacted."
What has she learned? Oliveri said, "I have been more present and that can relay back to our clients; we are more present and sensitive to people and what they are going through; listening and having more patience; demonstrating empathy. I feel like taking time to come up with a business plan is important; the organizational component of the business has gone by the wayside. We should spend more time on organization, efficiency and prioritizing."
She is inspired by: Oliveri said, "In meeting the clients, the positivity of people, in light of everything going on. Everyone that we have met is very happy, and positive, and we are seeing the positives in what has happened during COVID. There are days where you are feeling sheltered and then you meet with your clients; it leaves you feeling that you can help people. It's a community and getting to know people in our own neighborhoods is great."
Special offer: Current special is that the interior/exterior color consultation is normally $225, and is now just $195.
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Interview #2
Owners: Amanda Hepper and Joe Gellatly
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What the business does: Medcurity is a software as a service (SaaS) company that offers a HIPPA compliance (medical privacy and security) platform to a variety of groups.
Target audiences: Practices and hospitals of all sizes nationwide, Hepper said, "We have customers all over the U.S. and we also have partnerships with consulting firms, self-care management, IT groups, and associations." They have 12 employees.
How has COVID-19 impacted your business? We saw a decrease in second quarter; we had conversations with lots of hospitals and everyone took step back; we used that time to develop relationships with several groups like physician's insurance. They worked with GSI to offer a business continuity planning class. Hepper said that overall business slowed down, but they promoted the partnerships and continued relationship development.
What has she learned? One way to help the community was to provide business continuity planning. Hepper said, "Conferences were a big source of leads for us, but they were all cancelled." They held and facilitated virtual roundtables with target audiences with health care CIOs and compliance managers.
One of our key values is trailblazing, we are doing this every single day. We are learning and implementing as fast as we can. Hepper said, "I have learned how to embrace being in a start-up as opposed to working for another organization. Fundraising has been an experience." She added, "If I would provide a suggestion for young entrepreneurs, find someone a couple of steps ahead of you. We were fortunate we had Start-Up Spokane at that time. We had a built in network."
She is inspired by: "When I think of our business and what’s been going on, I am very inspired by health care providers on the front line and health care leaders that are wearing so many hats and keep things going at this time. They are focusing on patient care."
Special offer: 20% off our products through the end of October, purchase online through website, promo code ACTION.
Contact: Amanda Hepper, president and co-founder, Medcurity, Inc., O: 509-867-3641| C: 509-842-8115, https://medcurity.com/
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Interview #3
Owner, Greg Johnson
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What the business does: Aquipor has developed a hardscape technology, a permeable pavement that has a very small pore size. They are based in Spokane, but intend to scale the company globally. "In Spokane we have one of the cleanest, and more extensive aquifers in the country. This material technology will help aquifers like ours to replenish as storm water runs through landscape/paving materials back into the aquifer," said Johnson.
Target audiences: Johnson said, "Initially we will targeted larger, private developers, large homebuilders; that is the lowest hanging fruit. We proof of concept with municipalities who will be our biggest customers."
How has COVID-19 impacted your business? Johnson said, "The face-to-face interactions, trade shows, in person meet-and-greets has had an impact; it has slowed down how quickly we could get into production; we had a pilot production scheduled a few months ago, but with COVID, they had to delay our product production. But, it may have benefitted us, with the change in time frames. It impacted a decision we made with a recent financing."
He is inspired by: "The resilience of the American people, what we are seeing, if you get off social media and mainstream news media, the inbound questions and comments we are getting are optimistic with fresh, new ways of thinking. The amount of questions, supports and comments from engineers, young people, scientists, it is inspiring; these kids are hungry to make change. The American spirt and people are resilient."
Offer: Crowd fund offering is open, link to it, www.startengine.com/aquipor
Contact: Greg G. Johnson, 509.435.5111, Founder | CEO, www.aquipor.com
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Interview #4
Owner: Elaine Damschen
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What the business does: Mainstream Electric, has been in business for 20 years and offers residential services for heating, cooling, and plumbing. My husband and I are into following Tony Robbins. We have attended his seminars and read his books; if Elaine and her husband are lifelong learners and are working to build a strong team with their 45 employees.
Target audiences: Safety is their number one priority for residential heating, cooling and plumping services.
How has COVID-19 impacted your business? They were deemed essential, and decided early on to operate within the best interest of serving their customers.
She is inspired by: "What is highlighted to me is heart and human connection this year; this is a part of my core values and Mainstream’s core values. Now more than ever it is important. Remember not just the business side, but the personal side as well," she reflected when talking about employees, customers and the greater community.
Special offer: It’s important to have both your heating and air conditioning systems checked annually. Do them both at once and save money - detailed report included. Only $79 if you contact them before September 25, 2020.
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Interview #5
Owner: Roberto Rodriguez
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What the business does: Rodriguez said, "Our company is called Speak Studios, we are a new podcast and recording studio in the heart of downtown Spokane. Our purpose is to provide a space for businesses individuals, and personalities, a platform for people to come and speak. We are starting speak podcasts; we are interviewing local businesses and entrepreneurs, especially in the start-up world right now. Interviews are meant to be one-to-one conversations. Also, people can rent the space by the hour or pay for a membership to use Speak Studios, to create a podcast, audio, or video." They opened in August 2020.
Target audiences: Mom and pop shops, start up and small businesses are key audiences. They are developing partnerships with local agencies, personalities and brands. Rodriguez said, "A lot of people are starting to develop personal brands due to COVID, moms and parents, single parents, lifestyle choices, these are the types of people who may be interested in sharing information through this format. Speak Studios would be the best place to do it. With traditional media you have to know someone to get on TV and it can be expensive."
How has COVID 19 affected your business? "For us, strategizing and learning how to deliver the value and message of what people want to create when they can’t come into the studio. Relaying messages to our audience and customers properly is very important right now during COVID. Delivering a clear message is important – to customers, listeners and viewers. Have the ability to partner with other agencies. Creating a platform that allows a podcast to come to life; great computers, special rooms, and recording devices."
What is inspiring to him? "Most inspiring to me today is personal and social responsibility; people should be accountable for their actions. We need to be accountable to the planet as well. I am also trying to work on my mental health and lifestyle."
Special offer: Currently offering free interviews for all local businesses, entrepreneurs, startups, to use the equipment and be interviewed.
Contact: Roberto Rodriguez Flores, Speak Solutions, www.speakpodcasting.com, 509-219-0366, hello@speakpodcasting.com
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Interview # 6
Owner: Melissa Murphy
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What the business does: Prime Real Estate Group is a brokerage with 30 agents and property managers. "We provide great communication, market analysis and trends, inventory, and support staff to assist clients. The business was started in 2012."
Target audiences: Real estate buyers, sellers, and investors in the greater Spokane metro area and northern Idaho investing in real estate; primarily residential, multi-family, and some commercial.
How has COVID 19 affected your business: Some pieces have been missing with regard to having limited contact with people; have been adapting with more virtual meetings when serving clients.
What is most inspiring to you? Seeing those who are able to overcome mindset challenges.
Special offer: If you are interested in becoming a realtor or are interested in the investment market, give her a call.
Contact: Melissa Murphy, Prime Real Estate Group, 417 W 1st St, Spokane, WA 99201, Phone: 509-218-4663
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ActionCLUB Totally Revamped and Offered this Fall |
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Session 1 was held on Sept. 2 - but you can still join in on the fun and learning.
If you register, we will send you a recording of the first session, and you can start on Sept. 9
At the conclusion of ActionCLUB (mid-November), leave with the following things completed:
- Goals, plans and a solid direction for the future of the business
- Marketing Plan
- An understanding of systems development for more efficiency and to leverage your time
- Core values, mission and vision for the business
- Understanding of business financials and the numbers that matter
- Knowledge on selling, communication, and working with customers
- Organizational chart and information on better hiring
- 5 Ways to increase revenue and profits
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