Lead with Coffee Podcast

We made it to Episode 100! Thanks for following along the journey of Lead with Coffee as we share our story of owning a small business through a pandemic, leading out of crisis, building relationships in business, and maintaining strong family values. Listen in as we reflect back on the last few years and the exciting things that are ahead.   www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

Can we have an honest conversation together today as being owners and leaders of an organization in the season post pandemic? In today's episode we are going to share what we are learning from our journey and the reality that so many of our colleagues are feeling as well. Let's pull down the curtain and have an honest conversation about the challenges of business in 2023.   www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

We did it! We set out years ago to dream big about our future and that included one day owning a coffee farm in Hawaii. Today we can official say that we are shareholders in Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee. Follow along on the journey as we talk through how looking at our big dream differently helped us take one step forward to making it happen.   www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram   Feedspot recently voted the Lead with Coffee Podcast as one of the top podcasts for the catagory of family and business.  We are excited for the recognition.  Check it out - https://blog.feedspot.com/family_business_podcasts/

On today's episode catch back up with David & Sara as they talk about how they are chasing their big dreams while running a multi-million dollar construction company and raising their 3 boys. Follow along the journey from leadership, relationship building, and the trials of holding it all together in a season that is challenging.   www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram   Feedspot recently voted the Lead with Coffee Podcast as one of the top podcasts for the catagory of family and business.  We are excited for the recognition.  Check it out - https://blog.feedspot.com/family_business_podcasts/

On this week's episode we are guests to our friend Ed Franklin on his No Limits Podcasts.  We talk about marriage, business, culture, family and how it all mixes together in our lives.     No Limits Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edfranklin-nolimits/id1553490805 www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

Do you ever have those moments where you know God is in the story that is unfolding for you? In this weeks podcast we sit down to talk about the presence of God in our everyday moments and  the people he is using to influence you through the power of their story. We are influenced daily through social media, podcast, audio books, and the endless marketing for our time and attention. It's time to filter through and see God's vision for our life versus what the world is trying to dictate. www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

It's a new year and if you haven't already, it's time to start setting the goals you want to accomplish in 2023.  We have been talking about dreaming big since we first attended Bob Goff's Dream Big Conference in February of 2020.  What we learned at the conference was to think outside of our comfort zones and go after things that are seem impossible.  The only way to go from impossible to reachable is to take the first step.  That first step could be writing down the dream.  Or if you have it written down already then decide what is the first thing you can do to move toward that goal?  It could be as easy as watching a YouTube video on how to do something.  It could be making a phone call to someone that can help you.  Or it could be updating your resume and submitting it to that company you want to work for. Accomplishing our goals doesn't happen in a day.  It takes time to get to where we want to be.  If you take a small step toward them each day, you will be able to look back to see how far you have some.  So get out there and starting dreaming, and then step into it!

2022 was hard for a lot of us for so many different reasons.  If we are not careful, we can get stuck on all of the bad things happening around us.  Things that we can't even control like politics, cost of living, and sometimes its unexpected health issues or problems at work.  It takes a conscious determination to focus on all of the good that we experienced throughout the year.  It takes a shift in our mentality to decide how we are going to react. So instead of focusing on the bad, what if we close out last year by reflecting on all the growth that happened. If you journal, take notes, or have a To Do List, spend some time going through them to help remember all of the experiences you had.   I use the Full Focus Journal for this.  Write a list of your wins from 2022.  You can even use social media and review your posts from last year.  We usually only post the good stuff anyway!  Spend some time reflecting on those wins.  Keep the list and look at it daily as you begin to plan your goals for 2023. www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram   Full Focus Journal - https://fullfocusstore.com/  

Today we are pulling an episode from the vault.  This discussion is related to something we listened to in the middle of 2020.  Donald Miller was discussing the difference between being a hero and being a guide.  One goes for all of the glory and the other helps someone else get the glory.  As a leader, which role do you play?

CBSI is launching one of our most exciting projects to date with the release of our online learning academy. As an educational based leadership team we have been working with clients for years to help them navigate the changes in their organization. The Corporate Relocation Masterclass is the most comprehensive program available for organizational leaders, HR and Facility Management teams to successfully relocate or restack an organization.   Learn More - https://lead-with-coffee-academy.teachable.com/   Free Relocation Planning Resources - www.cbsisandiego.com   www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

Everyone has natural, God-given talents when it comes to work. As it turns out, there are six different types of talents, or geniuses, and each of them is required for accomplishing any kind of endeavor. - Patrick Lencioni In today's episode we are discussing the 6 Types of Working Genius and sharing the results from our team.  We will spend some time talking about how having an understanding of each employees working genius and working frustration can impact our team roles and recruiting. https://www.workinggenius.com/ www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

Last week we took our team to a locally hosted leadership conference and today we are breaking down some of the most important things we learned. Live2Lead is a John Maxwell conference that is held live each year in Altanta and rebroadcast all around the world.  Here is San Diego the conference was hosted by leadership expert Tom Kereszti. The line up of incredible speakers were as follows: John Maxwell, Eric Thomas, Patrick Lencioni, Dr. Tim Elmore, and Doris Kearns Goodwin. https://www.johnmaxwellacademy.com/live2lead-2022-atl www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

Today we are reaching back into the vault from an episode just over a year ago that is just as on point now as it was then.  Going through hard times are the best opportunities to learn, grow, and reset your mindset.  With the twists and turns we face every day, we have to hold on and enjoy the ride.

In this week's podcast we are pulling a very popular episode from the vault as we believe that 18 months and 50 episodes later this topic is more relevant than ever.  With real world stories of both personal and professional experience, we hope this motivates you to keep leading your teams or your families through these unpredictable times.  Go back to Episode 35 (Navigating Discomfort) for our original episode notes. www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

In today's episode we want to continue the conversation from last episode around the contradictory qualities of exceptional leaders.  In last week's episode we discussed three areas of contradiction that successful leaders carry. What is a leadership paradox? Contradictory leadership qualities that together create a synergy of undeniable leadership impact.  Join in the conversation to see which qualities you can relate to and which ones you need to work on. www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

We are often encouraged by learning and growing from other leaders. One of those influential leaders that has had tremendous impact on us is Craig Groeschel with his Leadership Podcast. In today's episode we want to dive into a topic that Craig brought up recently around how great leaders can seem enigmatic and unpredictable, but it's often because they're operating in key talents and skills that don't naturally coexist.   Check out Craig Groeschel's Podcast where we got our inspiration for this episode.  https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/lead-like-it-matters-part-1/   www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

On our last episode we shared the story of how we launched our new small business and turned it into a revenue generating operation in 6 months. On the podcast we shared key tips for launching which include the following:   Understanding the Market Setting up your business model the right way in the beginning Developing your marketing strategy Implementing a successful launch   The feedback was so strong that we decided to expand out in this episode on resources we use for setting up your business model. These will include how we secured the name of the company, purchased the domain name, setup the website and commerce channel, identified our licensing requirements, and setup the financial systems. We are including links to some resources below to help you to have a successful launch.   Fictitious Business Name (Sample for San Diego) - https://arcc.sdcounty.ca.gov/pages/fbn-info.aspx Required if you are not using your legal name as the business name Found through your Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Office website Required to be filed in San Diego within 40 days of first transacting business   Business License Requirements (Sample for San Diego) - https://www.calgold.ca.gov/ Governors Office of Business & Economic Development to search for permit information for your specific region and business type. Sales & Use Permit (businesses selling or leasing tangible property) Employment Development Department (Required once you pay wages over $100) Employer Identification Number (EIN or SSN) - US Department of Treasury Required if you have employees, business partnerships or are a corporation   Domain Name - https://www.namecheap.com/   Website Hosting - https://www.squarespace.com/   Financial Systems - https://www.freshbooks.com/ or https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

It's official! The Barn San Diego has officially launched into a revenue generating business in less than 6 months. God plants a seed in all of us to sow to impact the lives of others. The BIG dream for The Barn is to create a place for people to gather with food and fellowship while surrounded by the beauty of nature. We believe a dream is just a dream until it is spoken out loud. We remember the day so clearly sitting at a Dream Big Conference in San Diego when God spoke so clearly that The Barn was a space we were meant to create and share with others. We didn't have the full vision, but a calling on our life that was so strong it could not be avoided.   On today's episode we will talk about the steps we took to take The Barn from a dream to a revenue generating business in less than 6 months.   Key Tips for Launching a New Venture:   Understanding the Market The flower and garden industry exploded during COVID as we all learned to find peace in the chaos of the world. Setup your business model the right way in the beginning Business License/Reseller Certificate Independent Banking Financial system Develop your marketing strategy Utilizing social media to help build your brand while you build your business What is your specific niche Don't get caught in the comparison trap Launching Don't wait until it is perfect to launch. Start small and gain momentum Trusting nature to do its part, rather than over engineering what we think the plants need to be successful. FIRST EVENT - Mimosa's & Mixed Bouquets www.thebarnsandiego.com Facebook Instagram

Years ago as we started our adventures to Hawaii our friend Kevin recommended his favorite travel guide which shows you all the best locations and hidden places to visit on the island. Since our first trip together back in 2011 to Kauai, we have since bought a book for Maui & Big Island to capture our adventures. The books are called The Ultimate Guide to Kauai, Maui Revealed & The Big Island Revealed. The books travel with us all of the island taking us to the most beautiful of places. As part of the fun, we share the book with friends as family as they set out to adventure and tell them to mark it up. It's fun to see what each of us loves and if there is something new to discover on the next adventure. Sharing our adventures is fun and it's a great way to discover the road less traveled.  Share some of your own! www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram  

Do you have those days, weeks or even years in your business when it feels like everything that could go wrong is? What do you do to stay resilient and to try to break the cycle? In today's episode we want to talk about how we take on big challenges and then learn from the lessons that each one brings us. Some challenges help us refine our systems, tweak our teams, or look outside of our box to serve the client better the next time.   Tips Going through hard things takes resilience and part of that is knowing that you are growing through the process - good or bad Take time to reflect and discuss Don't repeat failures Do the hard work to become better www.leadwithcoffee.com Email us @ info@leadwithcoffee.com Follow us: Facebook  Instagram

There is a prestige in working for a large company with all the perks and benefits. For those of us in small business we know what it is like to compete against "the big dogs" and sometimes feel like it would be great to just glean some of their knowledge and implement it in our systems. But the reality is the lure of the big business can leave us wondering what is going on in there as you quickly realize they have challenges and dysfunctional processes like all other businesses.   In this episode we discuss our experience working with big businesses and how the security of a large company can lure away some of your small business team members.

In today's episode David discusses what hiring a coach has done to help with his leadership journey this year and how it has changed his vision and outlook on leadership. www.leadwithcoffee.com

On today's podcast we have some fun discussing the difference between living life with a plan or just winging it.  For some of us, just winging it gives us anxiety.  The thought of starting a project or traveling without some basic plan in place seems unheard of.  We strategically plan how our business is run, create detailed schedules for our projects, and even make a plan for our personal goals.  But for some, detailed planning is not how they are wired.  We recently saw a sign that said, 'I wake up, have coffee, and hope for the best'!  There are certainly days we wake up and wish we felt that way!  As leaders we always need to have a plan.  Our team, our spouse, families, or whoever you are leading are looking to us to show them the next step.  They are looking to understand the big picture and how they play a part in it.  It is our responsibility and honor to have a plan in place for them.  It is time to stop letting no plan be the plan.

Today we are diving into another recap from the Entreleadership Summit and a talk that was given by Dave Ramsey.  The basis of the conversation was about client relationships and how we have traded connections for convenience.  We have spent that last few decades using technology to become more efficient but at the same time have lost that human connection.  As business owners and leaders, it is up to us to continue to seek those relationships with our clients and find ways to connect through common interests and personal service. 

As you journey through life it's easy to look back and see the failures, but what if we change our perspective to look back and see the detours that led us to who we are today. Life is a journey and all our previous experiences are shaping us for who we are meant to be. Doors closing today may mean that you are stepping into your future calling.   "Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you don't mean to take."   Our journey has been full of twist and turns neither of us could have imagined, but today we look back for perspective and areas where we knew God was molding us. We aren't meant to have a perfect life with no pain, failure or loss. We are meant to grow through each of those moments so we can help others walk through them later in life. As servant leaders, we understand that we have a heart for helping others grow and sharing our experience can build trust and relationships.   "The past is like using your rear-view mirror in the car, it's good to glance back and see how far you've come, but if you stay too long you miss what's right in front of you."

50 is a number that most people dread when it comes to age but in todays episode we are going to flip the script as Sara interviews David on the lessons learned and opportunities gained over the last 10 years.  Join in as David reflects on the last 10 years of leadership; family and life.

As we head back to the Big Island this week to celebrate David's 50th Birthday, we thought it would be a great time to replay this conversation with Lee and Karen from Hula Daddy Coffee.  It was a visit to their coffee farm in 2019 that inspired us to create Lead with Coffee and start the short video clips called "Coffee Talk Tuesday". This is a great story about a couple that had a big dream to move out of California in 2002 and buy a plot of land to start a coffee farm out of a cow pasture.  A few years later, their coffee was one of Forbes Top 10. Enjoy this recap and we will give you an update on how they are doing as we plan to visit them while we are there. Check out www.huladaddy.com

Today we reach into the vault and pull out a popular podcast from 2020 about giving and receiving feedback.  As we all know, we typically don't want to hear it.  However it is important to not only receive feedback, but to also know how to given feedback in a professional and loving manner. Feedback needs to be immediate for it to be effective Don't let time pass before you address the situation Feedback should be from the heart and given with the intention of growth, not of selfishness. Consider the intent of the person giving the feedback Are they invested in your personal growth or is there a hidden agenda Feedback is an opinion When giving feedback, make sure you know where you stand in the relationship.  Is trust already established? How should we process feedback? Give it 24 hours to let it process Use wisdom to discern especially if this is the first time you have heard it You typically know deep down if the feedback is spot on.  What are you going to do about it? Your not perfect so don't let the feedback bring you down, grow from it. If you truly learned something from the feedback, make the effort to thank the one giving it.

We spent the last week of May in Orlando, Florida at the Entreleadership Summit with 3000 small business owners and leaders.  This was an amazing experience that we will never forget and we can't wait until next years Summit. Today we talk about our conference experience and some of the highlights from the speakers that we really enjoyed.  That list includes Dave Ramsey of course, but also Ken Coleman, Jamie Kern-Lima, Dr. john Delony, Patrick Lencioni, Jocko Willink and more.   Over the next few episodes we will take a deeper dive into some of the content that these amazing leaders shared with this small business community.   Tune in and enjoy.

We have been fascinated by what it takes to create a high performance team where everyone is hitting on all cylinders and the business is running like a fine-tuned machine.  However it seems that the reality is, this is typically the exception and not the rule.  Our  experience over the last couple of years is that even the companies that strive to be high performance still struggle with consistency at times.  It is a good reminder that we are all human and even under the best working conditions and companies with great culture, there are still going to be mistakes and bad days.  The key is to keep moving forward. There is a difference between trying to create perfection and high performance.  Perfection is never going to be achieved but high performance is a goal that can be continually strived for.  Our company tag line is Navigating Change, Delivering Excellence.  What we tell our team is to strive for excellence.  Always have the mindset of excellence when serving a client or each other. One of the most important aspects of creating high performance teams is allowing failure.  We learn more from failures than we do from wins.  The important part is to use those failure as learning  experiences and move forward with the wisdom learned from the past.  One thing that will happen when setting a goal for a high achieving, high performance team is that not everyone is going to be on board.  You may discover team members that just don't have the momentum in them to perform at a high level.  Some of those members may even end up leaving your organization.  You may even have to ask them to go. 

We all have a voice inside of us that is continually either building us up with confidence or breaking us down with doubt and the feeling of inadequacy.  I would say that most of the time it is the voice of doubt that dominates our thoughts.  Whether it is trying something new, preparing for a presentation, writing a blog, reaching out to a potential client….. the list goes on and on. Why is it that we default to doubt?  Is it that 10 year old inside of us that remembers trying to fit in because if we were different we would get teased or made fun of?  And even if we were teased as a kid, why does that still dominate our thoughts?  I think it does have a lot to do with how we were raised and if our parents taught us how to be confident and try new things.  However I also think that kids that had very supportive parents still have that voice of doubt in their heads. That inner voice most likely started from one of four experiences in life.  Those are trauma, drama, daddy, or momma.  Can you name yours?  Makes you think for a second, doesn't it?  Spend some time on your own digging into that and there may be some freedom in there. So now that we are accepting that we all have voices in our heads, what are we going to do about it?  How about we name it and call it out when it starts to get loud?  What if we used it for motivation to move forward?  What if we could take the power of those doubts and turn it into the fuel to try bold things?  I think that when we are afraid but move forward anyway, there is a huge pay off and boost of confidence in the end. 

Today Sara and Sandy sit down for a quick conversation about a situation they experienced recently that is all to common for women in leadership positions, especially in the construction industry.   What one person meant to be demining actually brought a group of high level leaders closer together. 

How do we dare greatly? How do we have courage to step into new adventures, opportunities or careers? How do we handle the critic who wants to remind us that failure is likely so don't take the risk? Today we will talk about these questions brought about by Brene Brown in her book 'Daring Greatly' and break down how we can have courage and dare greatly to get the life we want.   Teddy Roosevelt: The Man in the Arena “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”   Brene Brown - Daring Greatly TED Talk

3 Key Elements Open communication Servant Leadership Model - If you need something, ask for it.  If you have something, share it. Don't hold your cards too close for the false sense of having control over the situation Be transparent, don't wait to share critical information as it can blow up in your face in the end Give up your need to control Delegate tasks - everyone that has a seat at the table has the ability to produce results, allow them the opportunity Empower others - Allow team members to own a piece of the project and help them succeed in their responsibilities The only way to build up other leaders is by giving them the chance to lead No blame game We win as a team and we fail as a team.  Don't lay the blame on a single individual, especially if you are the leader.  They failure may have come because you didn't set them up well enough to succeed.  You need to own it. People don't remember how you started a project, they remember how you finished.  The last 5% matters. Ask for a seat at the table when you see a gap that you can fill.  Offer a seat at the table to others that may fill gaps that you have. Be open, truthful and clear.

Have you found yourself staying up late, joylessly bingeing TV shows and doomscrolling through the news, or simply navigating your day uninspired and aimless? Chances are you're languishing, says organizational psychologist Adam Grant -- a practice that has become all too common after many months of the pandemic. He breaks down the key indicators of languishing and presents three ways to escape that "meh" feeling and start finding your flow.   We need to rethink the way we work. The global pandemic has made it strikingly clear that working longer hours does not lead to greater impact. In fact, it leads to burned out, unhappy, and unproductive employees.   According to the Anatomy of Work Index, 76% of workers are struggling to disconnect from work. And, in the last year, 7 in 10 workers experienced burnout.   Adam is an organizational psychologist, bestselling author, and professor at Wharton focusing on how we can find motivation and meaning, and live more generous and creative lives.  Here's what Adam had to say about that blah feeling we've all experienced during the pandemic and how we can shift into a state of flourishing. These insights can help us achieve greater focus and flow in our personal and professional lives.    Adam Grant TED Talk

Side Hustle became a buzz word over the last couple of years as people were stuck at home learning how to work in this new digital world.  Whether it started as just a hobby or maybe even a second business that you launched, having a side hustle is so much more common in 2021 than it was just a few years prior. A report in 2017 stated that 44 million Americans had one.  A new report from 2021 estimates it has close to doubled to 70 million. It appears that most of the change came from the millennials not wanting to jump into the typical 9-5 job and at the same time realizing this powerful electronic device glued to their hands 24/7 was the key to unlocking the money stream potential. Personally I think it is great and love the fact that people are thinking outside of the box when it comes to building wealth and creating more freedom in their lives. Why Hustle? Why not!!  Most of us have some sort of hobby that we have a passion for and are actually really good at.  Millions have figured out how to turn that passion into a stream of steady income.  Many have been so successful that they quit their 9-5 and took up the new endeavor full time.  Some have even figured out how to run multiple side hustles.  The opportunities are limitless.   

We have seen a significant shift in how companies and individuals work over the last 2 years.  We have seen companies that demanded that all employees be in their buildings 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week.  Over the last decades the demand for office space has risen continually because of this mindset. Did you know that the 40 hour work week was developed by Henry Ford around 1926 to cut down the actual amount of hours that employees were working at factories?  Prior to this change, it was normal to work 10 - 16 hour days.  With all of that time working, no one would have time to spend with their family or feel that they needed the cars they were building. Now almost 100 years later, a new shift is occurring.  People are working less hours and focusing more on work completed and less on actual hours worked.  Technology has skyrocketed this shift in efficiency.  People can now produce the same or better results working from home or from Starbucks in less time than it would take to drive to an office, greet coworkers on the way in, get their coffee and finally settle into their desks. In our own company we have seen the efficiencies in online meetings compared to all of the driving time it once took to get to physical meetings.  The saved travel time allows more actual work to be accomplished. Implementing a Shorter Workweek - How we did it! Shift to 36 hour work with w/ 4 hours on Fridays Trial for 3 months Focus on work completed vs. hours worked Being more efficient - 45 minute meetings or less Time does not equal efficiency 2 Month Mark - What's Working & What's Not WORKING Flexibility it has provided the team Team engagement is up Less time off for staff for personal appointments   NOT WORKING Not all staff onboard for less hours Generational Clients demanding more attention on Friday afternoons Realizing not all staff can flex the same day   POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Consider 36 hours where the 1/2 day varies by employee on what works best for them to meet client needs Mentoring for those that are working at the 40 hour pace to streamline their business practices (less time on email and more time on direct client services)

With so much going on in our daily lives we thought we would just go off script for this Podcast and talk about what's on our mind. From business, side hustles, politics, and personal we will take a look into how it is impacting us today.

We discuss 3 points of why it is important to be driven to be successful. It's more important to be first than to be perfect You have to have a passion for something in order to be driven to be the best at it. Be so good at what you do, that you can't be ignored

This week we are replaying one of our most popular episodes from 2020.  We discuss how good leaders take responsibility for their actions, are able to have difficult conversations with being defensive, and take the blame if their team made a mistake. Answer these questions for yourself: Can you be humble and apologize? Can you admit your mistakes in front of your clients without being dismissive? Do your actions match your words? Do you always start with excuses and blame everyone around you? Find more from us at www.leadwithcoffee.com 

A year ago we bought a new house; which was our first major purchase together after 10 years of marriage as a blended family. This has been one of our most listened to podcasts so we thought we would rebroadcast it for those that missed it. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!   The story of David and Sara's journey to buying and selling their home in 30 days. Join in to listen to their 10 year journey of dreaming about this season of life for their family.   Our Big Dreams   The process Trusting in God's timing and having faith in the process   Taking back the microphone Turning down the volume on the doubters and haters   What the future holds for the Suter's in our new home

Retaining employees in a small business is a unique challenge that not all leaders are ready for. It's harder to attract and retain staff in a small business unless you differentiate yourself from the larger corporations, and that differentiation is not just tied to a salary. You have to think out of the box and create a culture that is employee centered which includes a strong focus on Health & Wellness. We run a company that has sustained 35 years in business with employees going back 20+ years due to the continual focus on how we create an environment that draws our team members to feel like this place is different and I don't want to leave for big business. As leaders and business owners, we have to ask ourselves what can we do this year to be different and offer to our teams more than just a reasonable salary and health benefits?  What if we gave them something more tangible that could be used for something they decide will be good for their mind, body and souls?  What if doing this helped to keep your team healthy and mentally present while working? 

Do you ever had that resounding feeling that there is a calling on your life that you are meant to step into but don't know how? How do you know if it's you truly being "called out" vs. "running from" something that you have lost passion in or is challenging.   We believe this is something that we all struggle with in our lives, especially if you are a dreamer. Having those goals, desires, and vision for you future is exciting, but knowing when to take the leap of faith and pursue it can paralyze individuals.   Are you called or running from something?   Is there a resounding voice in your head or urging in your heart that keeps pulling you towards something new?   Is there peace about it when you envision this new journey?   Is God waiting for you to step into something he has for you while fear of failure holds you back?   Is there a narrative that keeps showing you that you are being called?

We recently heard that if you complain about the same thing to 3 people in one day that you are not looking to change, you are looking for sympathy or attention.  You want the illusion that you want to change but you don't want to do what it takes to make the change. Ask yourself if you really want to become better or are you just too bitter to make those necessary changes. It all starts with losing the victim mentality and not being driven by the drama.  Or even thriving when there is drama. Have you been a victim or did you make yourself a victim? Are you asking for other to help you more than you are willing to help yourself?

It's January which most likely means that you have either started a new diet, joined the gym, or made resolutions to be better than you were last year. But odds are that you most likely haven't really seen the huge transformation your hoping for in the last 30 days! And how could you? With the mass marketing of diet plans, personal health coaches, products and services that offer the quick fix to a new you it's impossible to ever feel like you have succeeded if you are modeling "their" version of success. Our challenge to you this year is to not try to become someone else but to take the approach of "New Year, same you, just elevated". Elevated to a healthier version, a happier version, or even a more mindful version of who you were last year. These are goals that don't have a measurement set by anyone other than you! And those are the goals we believe you can achieve. So stop trying transformation and just try elevation and see if you find small victories that build momentum to the larger ones.  Set smaller goals that are achievable. Social media should not set the marker for "your" personal success Your journey is unique to you and will never look the same as someone else's. God made you unique, thrive with that mindset.

Join us as we look back on big life changes, kids back in school, leadership growth, and finding our voices.  We also discuss new big opportunities that happened in 2021 and big audacious goals for 2022.  

We headed to Hawaii for a family vacation and to find the perfect cup of coffee.  The good news is that there is a lot of 100% grown coffee on the islands. Although this was a shorter trip than we usually take, we did get to spend time with the 18 family members that traveled with us and also with the few that live in Maui. Join us on this podcast to hear about our adventures not only to get there but what we experienced while on island.  Aloha!

It's pretty common to hear people say that we need to plan out every detail in order for a project to go smoothly.  We don't disagree with that statement.  However, most of the time our plans don't work out exactly how we would like them to.  What if we shifted our focus a bit and instead of just focusing on the plan, we actually spend some time focusing on how to adapt if things don't go as planned?  This shift in thinking will change us from being so rigid in our planning and allow us to work out the problems when they present themselves.

Do you ever have those defining moments in your career where you thought this is it, I'm done! That's often how it feels when we fail at something whether in business or in your personal life. But what if that failure was setting you up to launch into something new. It's the old saying when one door closes another door opens.   Listen in as we talk about how failures can actually be the launching point into new opportunities.  

Our business tagline is Navigating Change, Delivering Excellence but what does that really mean and how can everyone apply it? Our business is to lead customers through construction and relocation projects. In both cases we are navigating the changes their organizations are going through. Delivering excellence is not perfection but a mindset to always do the best you can and to go above and beyond what's expected. Join us as we discuss how we strive for excellence in real world situations.