SHOW NOTES

KEY IDEAS: 

In our discussion today we get to profile a hard working entrepreneur and a business that seems so simple but that has a lot of possibilities.

Lou Mincek looked around the area of Ohio that he lives in and saw a need for a business.  Lot's of trees had been cut down due to disease and insect pressure, and tree companies just left them sitting there.  They did not bother to cut them into rounds or to split the wood for the owners.

Lou also saw that nobody was providing a log splitting service for all these people with wood sitting on their property.  He decided to fill that void, and Lumberjack Lou's Log Splitting was born.

Lou did a great job with his Craigslist ad, and he had a logo designed.  To date this is responsible for about 95% of his new business.  His reputation among tree services has grown, and he also gets referrals from businesses that are falling trees on people's property.

Lou is not sure where he will take this business in the future, but the opportunities are there.  He already has customers that ask him to do other things on their property which leads to more revenue.  Any business like this one of Lou's or the business that I had exterminating gophers are funnel fillers.  What I mean by that is if you do a great job for your customers and develop a good relationship with them, you can offer them other services and get more business.

This may take place in the form of a new business entirely that you can approach them with.  Or, it might be an additional service in your existing business.  Either way having these relationships and this customer list can help you fill that new sales funnel.

ADVICE FROM LOU:

DON'T GIVE UP: When things are getting difficult or going slow, don't give up.  You never know what is right around the corner.

CONSISTENCY: Be consistent with your work product.  Even if it is a smaller job, the customer is rude or you just don't feel like working that day.  Always provide the same, excellent level of service.

BUY USED: When you are starting out, buy used equipment if you can.  This will help you to make more profit, avoid debt and give you the freedom to make decisions that are best for your business.

PERSONAL HABIT: 

Lou says that he is a good listener.  He does't talk too much. He just keeps his head down and keeps working.  This keeps him out of trouble.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE LOU HAS RECEIVED:

"Find Your Bliss".  Lou had a customer who was a successful business owner that told him this.  Always pursue something that makes you happy, everyday.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Telephone: 440-668-6457

Craigslist: LINK

Email: [email protected]

Where Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald Can Be Heard:

 

Member Of The National Association Of Farm Broadcasters

SHOW NOTES

INTRODUCING SAMANTHA GAMBONINI!

Our guest today is the fifth generation to raise cattle on her families dairy farm in Petaluma, California.  Samantha Gambonini was gifted her first heifer at the age of 3 by her grandfather.  Since then she has retained all of the heifers born from her cows, bottle fed the calves and put her cows into the milking string after they calved.  Her herd has increased to 48 registered Holstein and Jersey cattle today.

Samantha joined the FFA during her freshman year of high school, inspired by her sisters and others.  She quickly got involved and served as her chapter's reporter her sophomore year.  She is going into her junior year now and will be serving as her chapter's vice-president as well as her region's vice-president.

Even with all of her involvement in the FFA she makes time for several dairy shows around the country every year.  She is also involved with a Holstein advocacy group and is educating people about agriculture through outreach in the group.  Samantha is eager to advocate for ag, and she said that she does it by inviting people into the group whether or not they have any knowledge of cattle or agriculture.

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Dairy Production Entrepreneurship

HIGH SCHOOL: Petaluma High School; Petaluma, California

MASCOT: Trojans

FFA ADVISOR: Jacob Dunn

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR SAMANTHA GAMBONINI:

Click on the picture below to be taken to the Petaluma High School Ag. Department's website:

Samantha's FFA Advisor's Email Address: [email protected]

Petaluma High School's Telephone Number: (707) 778-4652

FFA LINKS:

National FFA Organization

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE's)

Support FFA 

Donate to FFA - One way that FFA students are able to start small businesses is through an FFA grant of $1,000.  In 2014, 141 FFA students received these grants.  With your donations, more students can get this head start - pay it forward.

REASONS TO DONATE TO FFA:

Only 2% of Americans grow and raise most of the food and livestock consumed by the other 98% as well as the rest of the world.  FFA is providing the needed education, training and resources to Americans that will carry that torch forward and insure that America continues to have inexpensive, quality food.

Rural Communities will rely on entrepreneurship in the future for population growth and job creation.  The FFA is a major catalyst to that entrepreneurial growth.

Farmers, ranchers and those working in agriculture give the rest of America incredible amounts of freedom because the search for food is as simple as going to the grocery store:

“The future of American agriculture depends on the involvement and investment in America’s youth, In order to prepare for the population of tomorrow, we need to encourage America’s youth today, and show that careers in agriculture are profitable, rewarding, and vital.”.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue

Where Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald Can Be Heard:

 

Member Of The National Association Of Farm Broadcasters

Tuesday Episode

It is always funny to see where inspiration will come from.  The keyboard on my computer has been getting more and more worn as time goes on.  Finally, last weekend I took it in to the Apple Store to have some of the worn out keys replaced.  I had to wait about an hour for the people at the "Genius Bar" to be ready to help me.  So, I went out into the mall, got a soda, sat down and started writing.  This is what came to me:

Text Inspired By My Worn Out Keyboard:

Trying to convince your spouse that starting your own business is a good idea? Read on, and I will tell you how to get him or her to go along with your idea:

This photo means a lot to me. I bought this computer (Macbook Pro) in July of 2014, and it felt like an expensive purchase to me at the time. It was about $1400 when I could have bought other laptops for about $300.

I chose this computer for two reasons: It had a reputation of having no problems such as starting up slowly or being susceptible to viruses. And, it had Garage Band on it, which I knew I would be using to edit podcasts.

That was 5 years ago this month.  At the time the only reason I had to offer my wife for the purchase was that I wanted to start a podcast, and this computer was so much better for that than a pc.  That was my entire justification for the expense.

Obviously, she said yes, but I know that a podcast sounded like a crazy idea and she was not able to see my vision the way that I did.

I am a big believer in credibility and commitment. So, I knew that I could make all of the arguments about why I needed this computer that I wanted, but the only way that I was ever really going to convince her that this expense was warranted was through proof.

Today I have ventured to the mall in Boise because that is where our only Apple Store is located - the same one where I purchased this computer. I am here to request the first repair on this computer ever. This is not a repair that I desperately need. It is just one that would be nice.

Since the purchase of this computer in 2014 I have produced over 650 episodes of this podcast, over 150 episodes of the D&B Supply Show Podcast, become a radio broadcaster, become a podcast consultant and producer and been hired to host a podcast for one of the largest agricultural companies in the world.

As I look at this picture I see the "proof" that I knew I wanted for my wife. I have worn the paint off of the "e", "a", "s" and "o" keys from all of the show notes, blog posts, work books, emails and social medial posts that have accompanied this business.

I have probably written the equivalent of several novels on this keyboard and never had a problem with this computer. I was right on both fronts when I made the purchase, and I am confident that my wife is now convinced.

How To Convince Your Spouse That Your Business Idea Is Worthwhile:

If you are trying to convince your spouse that starting your own business is a good idea be prepared to do the metaphorical equivalent of writing several novels of your own, in whatever way your business demands.

Be careful and cautious at the beginning about buying equipment. Only buy what you need to get started, and don't get caught up in the excitement of having a reason to buy a bunch of new stuff. Hold yourself back and show him or her that you don't take spending this money lightly.

Be willing to work on your new business after you are done with your full-time job. Be up working on your new business before he or she wakes up. Stay up working on your new business after they go to sleep. Sacrifice your own sleep so that you can still be a part of your family while creating your side hustle.

Your commitment, actions and focus (only spending what is absolutely necessary) is what will convince her or him ...

SHOW NOTES

INTRODUCING MADILYNN MAGRUDER!

Our guest today has the most creative way of naming livestock that I have heard of yet.  Madilynn Magruder's parents introduced her to the television show, The Dukes Of Hazzard, when she was younger, and she started watching.  She became a fan, and that fandom has stuck.

Now, when Madilynn names one of her animals she thinks of the Duke boys first.  She has a lamb named Daisy, had an animal named Roscoe and has one named Cooter.  That was a lot of fun for me to recount Dukes Of Hazzard names with her.

Madilynn is not all about livestock names though.  She was inspired by her cousin to join the FFA and take advantage of the opportunities that were there for her.  Today he is getting ready to start her junior year of high school and serve on her chapter's officer team for the first time.  She has also been awarded star farmer and a proficiency at her chapter level so far.

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Sheep Production

HIGH SCHOOL: Northern Garrett High School; Accident, Maryland

MASCOT: Huskies

FFA ADVISOR: Becky Yost

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MADILYNN MAGRUDER:

Click on the picture below to be taken to the Northern Garrett High School Ag. Department's website:

Madilynn's FFA Advisor's Email Address: [email protected]

Northern Garrett High School's Telephone Number: 301.746.8668

FFA LINKS:

National FFA Organization

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE's)

Support FFA 

Donate to FFA - One way that FFA students are able to start small businesses is through an FFA grant of $1,000.  In 2014, 141 FFA students received these grants.  With your donations, more students can get this head start - pay it forward.

REASONS TO DONATE TO FFA:

Only 2% of Americans grow and raise most of the food and livestock consumed by the other 98% as well as the rest of the world.  FFA is providing the needed education, training and resources to Americans that will carry that torch forward and insure that America continues to have inexpensive, quality food.

Rural Communities will rely on entrepreneurship in the future for population growth and job creation.  The FFA is a major catalyst to that entrepreneurial growth.

Farmers, ranchers and those working in agriculture give the rest of America incredible amounts of freedom because the search for food is as simple as going to the grocery store:

“The future of American agriculture depends on the involvement and investment in America’s youth, In order to prepare for the population of tomorrow, we need to encourage America’s youth today, and show that careers in agriculture are profitable, rewarding, and vital.”.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue

Where Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald Can Be Heard:

 

Member Of The National Association Of Farm Broadcasters

 SHOW NOTES

KEY IDEAS: 

On last Tuesday's episode I was talking about how I needed to come up with a logo for my farm website.  I had a listener, August Mizia, email me and let me know that he had just developed a logo for his farm.  He offered to refer me to the individual who created his.  This led to a discussion about his farm, his journey and I was inspired to have him on the show.

It was a thrill to speak with August because he is a listener to the show, and as we spoke he mentioned things that I talk about all the time.  When you put out 650 episodes of a show hoping to help somebody, it is an unbelievable rush to hear somebody repeat your words back to you.  To hear somebody who had an idea, but had no support from their peer group who found you as a mentor is awesome.  This is the same way I did things when I was starting out, and now I get to be a mentor for somebody else!

With all of that said, August is moving way faster than I ever did.  He is only 26, and he has already purchased 20 acres of land to develop his horse farm and business on.  He and his wife, Allison, have a 10 month old son, Morgan, and another one on the way at Christmas.

August knows that he wants to be involved with horses.  In my discussions with him it is apparent that training horses is where his heart seems to be.  However, for the time being he has thought of several potential revenue streams from horses that he could use until his training business allows him to be self-sufficient. Among these are horse boarding and horse therapy.

It was my pleasure to be able to profile August and tell his story on the show.

Where Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald Can Be Heard:

 

Member Of The National Association Of Farm Broadcasters