Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We all have something to be thankful for; good health, loving family, food on the table. It's been a tough year for some, i.e. loss of job, health issues, loss of a loved one, 401K shrinking to a 201K.
We're all familiar with the adage, "As one door closes, another opens." The corollary to that is, "If opportunity knocks, will you answer the door?" Opening the door is not enough. It just lets you know that the opportunity is there. One must pursue that opportunity with hard work, dedication and perseverance so that you can maximize the outcome.
Our story this month is about a man that did just that. He transformed the loss of a job into an opportunity to pursue his dream of business ownership. Congratulations Tom and welcome to the world of entrepreneurship!
We're all familiar with the adage, "As one door closes, another opens." The corollary to that is, "If opportunity knocks, will you answer the door?" Opening the door is not enough. It just lets you know that the opportunity is there. One must pursue that opportunity with hard work, dedication and perseverance so that you can maximize the outcome.
Our story this month is about a man that did just that. He transformed the loss of a job into an opportunity to pursue his dream of business ownership. Congratulations Tom and welcome to the world of entrepreneurship!
Tom Steepy
I was always impressed by Tom Steepy's leadership skills as the president of my Harley Owner's Group chapter. But I really didn't know much about his professional side until I ran into him at a conference for Boomers put on by the local college. There I learned that Tom had become a statistic of the downsizing epidemic and was now exploring his career options.
Tom has a Master's degree in Engineering Management and has a 25 year plus career as Director of Manufacturing and most recently, VP of Operations. But after spending several months looking for a job with little success, he was quickly coming to the conclusion that he needed to explore his entrepreneurial options. He looked at his current situation as an opportunity to pursue his life-long dream of owning his own business.
Tom and I decided to work together so I could help him explore his options and possibilities in business ownership. He had a thirst for learning and was an excellent student of our process. He supplemented his education by taking marketing and business plan courses from the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). He wanted to prepare himself with all the necessary tools so he would be successful in his new career.
Finding the right business fit is not an easy process. One has to keep an open mind and keep emotions under control. It's so very important to understand the owner's role in the business. Believe it or not, that's more important than the service or product of that business. So Tom and I started our exploration together researching business models from automotive painting to senior care, picture framing to mitigation and restoration. During this process, Tom continued to learn about the skill sets needed to be a successful small business owner. He was mentally making the transition from corporate America to small business owner.
Through our research, we came across a resale business, a sign franchise that suited Tom to a T. The present owner owned two stores and wanted to spin off one of them. There was an existing customer base, plus current management had neglected this store over the past few years. Tom saw the opportunity and the ability to utilize his manufacturing background to improve processes and grow the business. In Tom's own words, "Marty helped me discover that not only did I truly want to be a business owner, but he helped me discover the best type of business model to pursue to align with my passion, which ultimately help me find, purchase, and begin the journey of business ownership with a business that I am very proud of today, Signs Now. Marty provided me with exactly what I needed...and it turned out to be the most important life changing coaching that I have ever received".
Signs Now produces interior and exterior graphics, vehicle wraps, retail signage and marketing materials for industries including construction, medical and real estate. As a business, its mission is to help businesses grow. Tom has adapted to business ownership as if he was doing this all his life. His manufacturing and corporate leadership skills are all being utilized. He has quickly learned the art of networking, sales and customer service. Tom won the Signs Now International Sales Growth Award his first year in business. Way to go, Tom! In our current challenging economy, Tom continues to reach out to new customers, service and grow present customers, and persevere.
If you have a business that's in need of a sign, exhibit booth, vehicle wrap or have an event coming up and need a banner, call Tom at Signs Now - 262-789-8006. Or stop by his facility at 17800 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield, WI. Give him a call even if you're out of town. Tom will help you develop a concept and product to help your business or event "Stand Out in a Crowded World".
Tom has a Master's degree in Engineering Management and has a 25 year plus career as Director of Manufacturing and most recently, VP of Operations. But after spending several months looking for a job with little success, he was quickly coming to the conclusion that he needed to explore his entrepreneurial options. He looked at his current situation as an opportunity to pursue his life-long dream of owning his own business.
Tom and I decided to work together so I could help him explore his options and possibilities in business ownership. He had a thirst for learning and was an excellent student of our process. He supplemented his education by taking marketing and business plan courses from the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC). He wanted to prepare himself with all the necessary tools so he would be successful in his new career.
Finding the right business fit is not an easy process. One has to keep an open mind and keep emotions under control. It's so very important to understand the owner's role in the business. Believe it or not, that's more important than the service or product of that business. So Tom and I started our exploration together researching business models from automotive painting to senior care, picture framing to mitigation and restoration. During this process, Tom continued to learn about the skill sets needed to be a successful small business owner. He was mentally making the transition from corporate America to small business owner.
Through our research, we came across a resale business, a sign franchise that suited Tom to a T. The present owner owned two stores and wanted to spin off one of them. There was an existing customer base, plus current management had neglected this store over the past few years. Tom saw the opportunity and the ability to utilize his manufacturing background to improve processes and grow the business. In Tom's own words, "Marty helped me discover that not only did I truly want to be a business owner, but he helped me discover the best type of business model to pursue to align with my passion, which ultimately help me find, purchase, and begin the journey of business ownership with a business that I am very proud of today, Signs Now. Marty provided me with exactly what I needed...and it turned out to be the most important life changing coaching that I have ever received".
Signs Now produces interior and exterior graphics, vehicle wraps, retail signage and marketing materials for industries including construction, medical and real estate. As a business, its mission is to help businesses grow. Tom has adapted to business ownership as if he was doing this all his life. His manufacturing and corporate leadership skills are all being utilized. He has quickly learned the art of networking, sales and customer service. Tom won the Signs Now International Sales Growth Award his first year in business. Way to go, Tom! In our current challenging economy, Tom continues to reach out to new customers, service and grow present customers, and persevere.
If you have a business that's in need of a sign, exhibit booth, vehicle wrap or have an event coming up and need a banner, call Tom at Signs Now - 262-789-8006. Or stop by his facility at 17800 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield, WI. Give him a call even if you're out of town. Tom will help you develop a concept and product to help your business or event "Stand Out in a Crowded World".
Tom took the loss of a job as an opportunity to find and open a business of his own. Opportunities often don't just happen, they're made. I'm sure that this Thanksgiving Tom is grateful that he'll never need to go looking for another job again. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to help people like Tom find an exciting new career. I am also grateful that I have been able to help countless others come to clarity concerning owning their own business. Some, like Tom, go on to become business owners. Others realize through our process that business ownership isn't for them. But, now they understand why.
This Thanksgiving, take an inventory of all the things you are grateful for. Reach out to those that have less and see if you can give them a helping hand. Perhaps it's food for the food pantry or a referral for a jobless friend. Make a difference in someone's life and you will be rewarded ten-fold.
This Thanksgiving, take an inventory of all the things you are grateful for. Reach out to those that have less and see if you can give them a helping hand. Perhaps it's food for the food pantry or a referral for a jobless friend. Make a difference in someone's life and you will be rewarded ten-fold.
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