SBDC & Fix-A-Fence LLC The Certificate of Completion

            After 16 weeks of SBDC training of Greenhouse I have received a certificate of completion.

This class has helped me to think logically, strategically, and has let me dream a little bit more. I have gained more insight on time management, production systems, the 80/20 rule, how to leverage my strengths, and a question, what can I do better?

The class has also developed the people sense part, networking and it has raised my vibration up to help find what I am looking for. 

One thing for sure is that the class has been really valuable. The class has brought value to Fix-A-Fence LLC with just a couple of techniques implemented. Such as, adding Portland, OR to the Fix-A-Fence LLC tag line, also by adding the contact information widget, and the uploading of the videos to the Fix-A-Fence LLC web site.

Since adding the contact widget Fix-A-Fence LLC has received four requests for estimates. Also have landed two out of the four as a result.

Just thought I would touch base with a bit of fresh content and relevant information to blog on here.

So until the next time remember to keep smiling, and seek random acts of kindness.

On The Top For Business

The heat sure feels good during these cold winter months of Portland, OR. Yep we got all of about a dusting today with an overcast shadow of another five minutes of white rain. It sure looked cool coming at the front windshield for those five minutes on my way out to another estimate this morning.

It sure is nice to be able to get estimates scheduled during the off season of fencing. I believe it has a lot to do with the business class that I have been taking with the SBDC. It's kind of cool to have other people brag about you. Last Tuesday class I was one elevated human in the class. I have impressed the instructor so much that he put me up at the top of the list on one of his slides for his power point presentation.

Speaking of getting to the top,...I joined this web site Buy Veteran and is seemed like just a few days later but actually a few months later a representative calls me up and says that he saw the Fix-A-Fence LLC web site and has even been to my Facebook profile and was interested in doing an article on the fence company and me. So in the up coming February issue, so I have been told, Fix-A-Fence LLC will have an article written in the "Vetrepreneur" magazine.

Thanks to a fellow class mate for the tip on signing up!

Then here is a plug for the guest speaker that was very impressed as well with all the SEO and web work I have accomplished so far. I don't think Michael Stearns would mind me mentioning his company to anyone who reads this. Hero Web has some amazing things to say about planning your online marketing business. There is other articles on the Hero Web site too. Check it out!

Just thought I would touch base here on the Fix-A-Fence LLC blog and update you with what's going on.

So until the next update,...my wife has added "Stay Warm" to my "Keep Smiling"

Be safe and do be kind to others,...random acts of kindness are really cool and puts a smile on someones face.

Wood Fences Warms A Cold Winter Day

Being a fencer may be hard work at times but it sure has it's rewards. Like today for instance, it may be cold outside but it sure is nice and warm in the house from all the wood fences I have cut down and stored away throughout last year.

I have been told that wood heat is the best kind of heat for the bones. So as long as I have strength in this body to build and repair wood fences I feel that I should keep burning wood to stay warm on these cold winter days with no work orders.

Oh, yeah 

Now for the phone to ring from all the fallen fences that the wind has taken down.

I certainly am thankful for Fix-A-Fence LLC and the living it provides extracted from this earth.

There are more goals to set and attain.

Until the next blog update

Keep Smiling

A Free Fence Estimate Creates A Client For Construction

Recently I was contracted out for a fence installation in the back yard of an investors real estate flip.

This is a shot of the 6' high solid wood fence that I was contracted out for. During the process of installation the owner asked if I knew how to build a deck. I was completely honest with him and told him that I have done one before, if he were to purchase the material I would be happy to install a deck for him. 

We negotiated on a price and scheduled a day to get started.

Here is a picture of the deck that was built for a previous fence client.

The owner didn't purchase enough 2 x 2's to finish up with the railing and I was only scheduled for two days of labor. The owner will take it upon himself or one of his other regular laborers to finish things up. The owner has already spoke with me for the next project on another piece of property of his. 

It was a beautiful day to be out in the field working today. It felt like it was more than 55* and the 40% chance of rain turned into 60% chance of sunshine in the N.E. part of good ole Portland, OR today.

Here is a thought to ponder,...why do forecasters elaborate on the rain instead of the sunshine. Most forecasters always say there will be a percentage of rain and leave the sun completely out of the forecast all together. Hmmm,...

My late brother in law pointed that out to me before he passed on. He said that the media use's negativity even in the weather, working that much harder at making the viewers feel miserable. 

I would like to take this time to wish all of my customers and to all the people that are reading this post a very Merry Christmas 

Fix-A-Fence LLC Adds Videos To Web Site

So I have been taking a class with the SBDC and it has occurred to me to putting videos up on the web site will help with the ranking. With the purchase of the domain name I was given a GoDaddy Insta-Page and only allowed one page with some text.

After learning this advice I decided to update and upgrade the Fix-A-Fence LLC web site. The web page went from one to five. Now there are videos on the home page and I have integrated a estimate contact page that will deliver a e-mail with the filled in info such as name and phone number to try and get with the time of technology.

  Click here on Fix-A-Fence LLC and check it out.

I gave a business presentation in class and the reaction over the videos were great. I wasn't expecting as much laughter in their response but I seem to have had the audience captivated. I hit the audience with a live internet demonstration with Google first showing the results of over 6 million for - free fence estimates Portland, OR. Front page stats makes all the difference when doing something like this, then on to YouTube with the same results.

The question was raised at how I made this happen and over how long of a period of time. A couple of years of shear straight hustle of daily craigslist posting's, videos, blog, and adwords. The class was amazed that Google had sent me a check for over one hundred dollars because of the adsense linked to my videos and blog. I have a Phd in fencing not internet marketing, so this is cool to be able to have under my belt.

This has been the busiest year for Fix-A-Fence LLC since established in June of 2009. Starting with nothing but a pair of diggers, rock bar and a Ford F-150 with over 250,000 miles Fix-A-Fence LLC is still in business with another pair of diggers, a couple more rock bars, and the same truck with now over 350,000 miles. This could be another Ford story if a representative from the company reads this blog.

Anyway just thought I would give an update. Until the next time keep smiling no matter how hard it is these days it still only takes four muscles to smile and 27 to frown, so why should we work so hard?  

Business Class - How To Expand A Business

It has been a while since the last time I checked in here,...that is no excuse and neither is getting busier with the fence company, or the fact that because of the Youtube campaign I have had phone calls from across the country asking for a little bit of help, or that I am taking a business class learning how to expand the business.

There is no excuse not to write.

I would like to thank Google for the Adsense program. Last month I received a check in the mail for over $115.07 because of the ads I have connected to the videos I have on Youtube. I am visioning a video that will go viral so I can watch the digits rise in the bank account.

I have learned about giving a business presentation to investors or an audience seeking to buy the product I have to offer. This class has given me inspiration to move forward and expand a bit. Like having another fence truck with a fence crew keeping me out of the field and answering the phone filling the funnel with bids, getting a piece of property to store material and have a small office to run things out from, maybe even a radio commercial for some advertising purposes. Of course it is as always, one step at a time.

The latest book I have been reading is titled, "Art of the Start" written by Guy Kawasaki. Guy is the founder of Garage and is a venture capitalist seeking businesses that are passionate about making meaning. There are plenty of good information shared in this book such as the 10/20/30 rule for giving a presentation to investors. Ten slides - Twenty minutes - Thirty font. This will be fun, I have never given a presentation before and I have a great opportunity to give one in front of all that attend the class. To be honest I am kind of excited about this. I may just get a couple fence estimates or find someone that wants to invest for that truck.

One thing for sure is that I will be taking a Turf Byrd with me to sport off my business cards at the presentation. Who knows that may be a whole new meaning.

Fence Competition Can Be A Good Thing.

So,...after going through all the paper work for this government bid, I realized that my company isn't financially situated enough to handle this amount of work. The company would have to front time and material, something Fix-A-Fence LLC would be willing to consider at a later date.

It certainly was a change of pace and getting reacquainted with some of the competition doesn't hurt. Especially when you can get some info or even some leads. Why would my competition give me leads? I believe it is the way I conduct my attitude with them. Not only that a lot of the competition likes to go after the huge projects and so they pass down scraps, sort a speak, or leads that they know they don't have a chance landing because of their P&O.

The other day a wood supplier / fence company slide me three leads and I have landed one and have a bite on one of the two left. Even scraps put food on the table.

A good attitude and craftsmanship creates a stream of, "word of mouth", referrals.

Just the other day I received an e-mail from a previous customer that has asked for a quote on a couple of different options of fence for another piece of property of his. This one happens to be about 200'+ of 6' high either field fence or solid wood. He has had recent vandalism from the deer population in the area and wants to cut their path off at the road.

Here are a couple of links to some recent videos if you're interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74-GeS-Pjo4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmB5_n-G3Eo

There are several more that I use to advertise Fix-A-Fence LLC with. Enjoy!

A buddy of mine told me of a double gate that blew down with the recent storm activity and I was able to land that project too. This is a metal frame wood gate system. Approx. 12' wide by 6' high. I told my buddy that I would hire him to cut wood in my backyard because I landed the job he referred me to. It worked out well for the both of us. I got my wood cut and stacked and he got paid.

Until the next post - keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart and it should never rain on your parade.