Three Words: 2016

Usually I have this post written in November.  Much has happened this year for me – most of it personally.  Thinking about how three words can direct the course and intention of my life in this year has not been at the top of my thinking list. Yet.. yet, those three words and the idea…

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Blab – Tour of Empty Buildings

Blab.im is a new place to have conversations online with up to 4 people who can see each other.  The listening audience can ask questions via a text option.  It’s pretty smooth running and meets a lot of needs.  Becky McCray and I ran a blab last night to answer questions submitted to us about…

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Weed Whackers and Windex

Ninjas Needed I visited Roscommon County, Michigan and toured a few empty buildings.  On one corner, a major intersection into town, there was an empty building on each corner.  We talked about building possibility, working with the county and the town and hosting a tour. Next to one of the buildings that needed to be…

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Christmas is the PERFECT Time to Shop Where You Live

If you’re a small business, you’re neck deep in Christmas. It’s only 23 days until Christmas.  We all know how fast time goes, and even faster as you get older. Do you buy gifts for your employees?  Many do.  Many give out cash.  Why not purchase Chamber bucks instead of giving out cash?  Ours can…

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Eight Thinks to Do on Small Business Saturday

Buy new furniture.  Locally.  Go visit your local furniture store and be surprised.  The value, the customer service and the attention to detail will simply blow you away.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what is now available in the better lines of furniture and how affordable the pieces are.  Don’t big box it…

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What is Showrooming?

You see something on tv, or online.  You go to your local store to actually look at the item.  Then you go online, often on your phone while you’re in the store, to find it somewhere else cheaper.  That is showrooming. We live in a small town.  Small towns need local jobs, sales tax revenue,…

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Kindness Matters – Take an Hour

Kindness really matters. Often it’s the real difference in relationships. My misfit friends are hosting 24 hours of speakers in an online free conference called GenKind24. Take a look at this speaker lineup! I’m asking you to take an hour out of your day to listen to one of these phenomenal speakers – and to…

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TEDx Brookings

Today I speak at TEDx Brookings.  This year we are exploring the origins of ideas, community and movements.  True change begins with a small number of people who care. It started several months ago when I was invited to speak about the Tour of Empty Buildings at this event.  I have 8 minutes, a slide…

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What will be important in the end?

My mom died August 11.  In the weeks before she passed, we knew it was coming and she wanted to be surrounded by those she loved. Her kids, grand kids, great grand kids – her brother, sister in law and sister – her nieces – close family friends – these were the people who brought…

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