Remember when you were a little kid and you wanted a "do over" when something didn't go right? Did you ever get to a point in your life when you wished you could have a career "do over", but somehow you were stuck with little hope in sight?
This month's story is about a friend of mine that through fate, the love of a good woman, and the unfortunate illness and death of a good friend, was able to make his entrepreneurial dream come true.
Congratulations Neal, and welcome to the world of Entrepreneurship!
This month's story is about a friend of mine that through fate, the love of a good woman, and the unfortunate illness and death of a good friend, was able to make his entrepreneurial dream come true.
Congratulations Neal, and welcome to the world of Entrepreneurship!
Neal and Ann Russo
I met Neal Russo about five years ago when we both joined the local chapter of our Harley Owner's Group. Neal often engaged me in conversation about wanting to have his own business. He was currently working in a relative's business after his job as a foundry engineer had been eliminated with an unexpected plant closing.
A couple of years prior, Neal met his wife Ann when he had some muscle pain and needed to see a massage therapist. This is where the "fate" part comes in. Ann and Neal hit it off, dated and eventually married. Throughout the courtship, Ann often talked about this guy named John who was her close friend. Neal thought this relationship was a little unusual until he finally met John.
In Ann's younger years, she had rented a flat from John and they became good friends. He looked after her as a kind of father figure. When Neal and John finally met, they hit if off right from the start. Neal mentioned to me, "It was kind of like meeting her parents for the first time". Besides both caring about the welfare of Ann, Neal and John were both mechanically minded and they enjoyed tinkering together. John became part of their new family along with Neal's son Michael. John was included in all the holidays and special events.
About a year after Neal and Ann bought a new home together, John was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Both Ann and Neal were devastated. Ann spent the next year or so taking care of John while continuing to run her business. Eventually, John moved into their home until he had to be admitted into the hospital and later passed.
During that last year, Neal, Ann and John had many long conversations about life, ambitions and dreams. He told them that since they were his only family, he wanted to leave his estate to them so they could have a "do over in life". They could sell his house after his death and use the proceeds to further their education, start a business or whatever they saw fit.
Ann is a very kind, gregarious and compassionate lady. She already had a business and knew that Neal dreamed of being his own boss as well. Here comes the "love of a good woman" part. They decided that they would buy or start a business together and that Neal would run it and she would assist.
Neal, an ex-Marine, thrives on detail and structure. Ann's outgoing personality would be a real asset and complement Neal's skills. Neal and I started to work together, assessing his strengths, skills, goals and needs.
Initially Neal wanted to do something by himself like a mobile oil change business. But after discussing his life goals and daily routine, it became apparent that the oil change business wouldn't meet his needs. He and Ann wanted a business where they could make a difference in the lives of others.
We explored a variety of businesses, comparing one against the other and benchmarking them to his goals and needs. When he validated DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals, he knew he had found his new career. Neal was attracted to DUCTZ because of its simplicity, scalability, low overhead and technical nature. He and Ann would be providing a service that will help people breathe clean air and live healthier lives. "Marty was really instrumental in helping us choose DUCTZ. We explored several business models, but in the end, DUCTZ best fit our needs and skill sets."
Neal has recently hired a technician to assist him so that he can spend more time working on and growing his business. His son Michael also helps out and is being groomed for the future. Neal meets all the challenges of his business head on. Ann helps him market the business and is a networking guru. Neal is finally his own boss. He continues to build his business. Neal works hard and smart, and is now in charge of his future and is rewarded for his efforts.
Because DUCTZ franchise owners are the preferred provider of several large restoration companies, Neal has had the opportunity to work on national projects including restoring the air handling units after the fires at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Arizona State University and Southern California projects after the wild fires in 2007. He also helped restore the ventilation system at the historic Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids following the floods of 2008. DUCTZ franchisees have also participated in clean-up projects following Hurricane Katrina, projects on international cruise ships, schools and hospitals across the country.
When is the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? Ever wonder what might be growing in them, where that unusual house odor is coming from, or why the family keeps getting colds? For a job done right the first time, call Neal Russo of DUCTZ Southeast Wisconsin, 262-242-2205. Neal will be happy to provide a free analysis and inspection for a cleaning that meets the requirements of the National Air Duct Cleaner Association. Don't you deserve to breathe clean air and live a healthier life?
A couple of years prior, Neal met his wife Ann when he had some muscle pain and needed to see a massage therapist. This is where the "fate" part comes in. Ann and Neal hit it off, dated and eventually married. Throughout the courtship, Ann often talked about this guy named John who was her close friend. Neal thought this relationship was a little unusual until he finally met John.
In Ann's younger years, she had rented a flat from John and they became good friends. He looked after her as a kind of father figure. When Neal and John finally met, they hit if off right from the start. Neal mentioned to me, "It was kind of like meeting her parents for the first time". Besides both caring about the welfare of Ann, Neal and John were both mechanically minded and they enjoyed tinkering together. John became part of their new family along with Neal's son Michael. John was included in all the holidays and special events.
About a year after Neal and Ann bought a new home together, John was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Both Ann and Neal were devastated. Ann spent the next year or so taking care of John while continuing to run her business. Eventually, John moved into their home until he had to be admitted into the hospital and later passed.
During that last year, Neal, Ann and John had many long conversations about life, ambitions and dreams. He told them that since they were his only family, he wanted to leave his estate to them so they could have a "do over in life". They could sell his house after his death and use the proceeds to further their education, start a business or whatever they saw fit.
Ann is a very kind, gregarious and compassionate lady. She already had a business and knew that Neal dreamed of being his own boss as well. Here comes the "love of a good woman" part. They decided that they would buy or start a business together and that Neal would run it and she would assist.
Neal, an ex-Marine, thrives on detail and structure. Ann's outgoing personality would be a real asset and complement Neal's skills. Neal and I started to work together, assessing his strengths, skills, goals and needs.
Initially Neal wanted to do something by himself like a mobile oil change business. But after discussing his life goals and daily routine, it became apparent that the oil change business wouldn't meet his needs. He and Ann wanted a business where they could make a difference in the lives of others.
We explored a variety of businesses, comparing one against the other and benchmarking them to his goals and needs. When he validated DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals, he knew he had found his new career. Neal was attracted to DUCTZ because of its simplicity, scalability, low overhead and technical nature. He and Ann would be providing a service that will help people breathe clean air and live healthier lives. "Marty was really instrumental in helping us choose DUCTZ. We explored several business models, but in the end, DUCTZ best fit our needs and skill sets."
Neal has recently hired a technician to assist him so that he can spend more time working on and growing his business. His son Michael also helps out and is being groomed for the future. Neal meets all the challenges of his business head on. Ann helps him market the business and is a networking guru. Neal is finally his own boss. He continues to build his business. Neal works hard and smart, and is now in charge of his future and is rewarded for his efforts.
Because DUCTZ franchise owners are the preferred provider of several large restoration companies, Neal has had the opportunity to work on national projects including restoring the air handling units after the fires at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Arizona State University and Southern California projects after the wild fires in 2007. He also helped restore the ventilation system at the historic Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids following the floods of 2008. DUCTZ franchisees have also participated in clean-up projects following Hurricane Katrina, projects on international cruise ships, schools and hospitals across the country.
When is the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? Ever wonder what might be growing in them, where that unusual house odor is coming from, or why the family keeps getting colds? For a job done right the first time, call Neal Russo of DUCTZ Southeast Wisconsin, 262-242-2205. Neal will be happy to provide a free analysis and inspection for a cleaning that meets the requirements of the National Air Duct Cleaner Association. Don't you deserve to breathe clean air and live a healthier life?
Some people think that entrepreneurs are born. Others think it takes years of education, trial and error or just dumb luck. The truth is entrepreneurship is often a journey or an itch that needs to be scratched. Sometimes it takes the love and support of a loving spouse, or perhaps a friend that offers you a "do over in life" to make it happen.
If you are interested in a "do over" of your career, I can help you understand and explore your options and possibilities. It only takes a phone call to get started.
If you are interested in a "do over" of your career, I can help you understand and explore your options and possibilities. It only takes a phone call to get started.
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