This is my first posting…pretty exciting. This whole ‘blog, social media’ thing is new to me although I’d like to think of myself as a ‘progressive, techy’ kind of guy, (I pre-order every new Apple product, if that counts!), but I’m jumping in feet first since my marketing genius, Lisa Lindsay, an ex-Y&R superstar, told me, “a blog will help you to bond with your current and future customer base, create online buzz, be transparent, and help to communicate to your readers what our corporate culture is through your voice.” Sounded pretty good to me…she reads a lot.

I’m excited to connect with my readers. I plan to use this blog as a forum to speak to, and hear from, my customers, my team, and my fellow small business owners – and those industry ‘gurus’ who may have something to share. It’s an open forum- a page to express our thoughts, visions and wisdom, and even times when we were not so wise. Let’s be advocates for each other by sharing and empowering with the knowledge we have gained to help stimulate conversation. A good joke is always welcome, too.

As I write this, I look back and wonder how I ever got to this point? Writing a blog, a business owner whose business is slowly growing in spite of two tough years, with a team that really seems to enjoy coming to work. Truth is, I’m a guy from Brooklyn, a ‘mixed breed’ of sorts, who started in sales over 20 years ago, (and still love to ‘pound the pavement’ today), an honest guy who truly takes an interest in my customers businesses. You are probably wondering how I can associate ‘sales’ and ‘honesty’ in one thought…but it’s true! And now I’m writing a ‘blog’? I realize, as small business owners we often lose track of time – carried by the momentum of our business. Many of us had no formal training but we did have a passion – and guts, and worked tirelessly to make our dream come true. We had no preconceived notions or claims to fame. We embraced what we loved and inspiration followed. We overcame the challenges and the naysayers, and proved to those difficult customers, by working late nights, that we could deliver on our promise…and did. Over time, we built a team who also embraces our passion. They are risk takers as well, and I admire my team for taking a chance on me. They did, and I will be forever grateful because without them, I could not be sitting back, taking the time to write this blog.

Many articles, businesses, books and people have inspired me over time, and I have been mentored by one of the best in the sales industry. I plan to share it all, or ‘blog’ it all, I’m not sure but be patient, I’m a work-in-progress.