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The Chickfila at Hamilton Mill is remarkable on any given day of the week I can walk in and at least one person will know me by name. And these aren’t people I knew and hung out with before I started eating there, they’re simply the best front line employees I’ve come across in a restaurant. Be it Dimitri, Mark, Seth, Victoria (aka Vic), or Brittni, they all know me by name. They ask how Skye’s doing (and why I might be there without her) and they ask how Alexander is doing, as well.

Overall, because of the AWESOME people they have working there, Skye and I eat there at least once a week, and have done so for pushing three years now. Many times we’ve eaten there more than once a week. And frequently it’s just so we can see our friends.

~Ivan

OK. I get a little worked up in there. Got loud enough to make the speakers pop on the laptop! I don’t think anyone could say I’m not showing you what’s in my heart here!

Here’s a link to Mona Simpson’s eulogy of her brother, Steve Jobs.

This story showed me something. It showed me that Steve Jobs, while having and possessing a remarkable ability to see things in a unique way, was a “normal” man. Not so much different from you or I. Other than he saw the value in living a life of passion, going after his dreams, and writing a story with his actions.

What is holding you back from writing the life story you’ve always dreamed of? Why do you allow the world to dictate your story to you?!

A Better Way of Business will be written into my life’s story. I intend for this to be an integral part. I want my work life and personal life to be so intertwined and mixed that the only way to tell whether I’m “working” or “playing” is whether or not I’m getting paid for the action at that point in time.

That is the story I want to write here.

What about you? Does your business play into your story? Is it dominating your story? Is it something you hope to be edited out later???

If it’s not chapter full of hopes, dreams, and excitement, let’s talk. I’d love to help make it so for you!

~Ivan

You can contact me through email at ivan@abetterwayofbusiness.com

Check out this video:

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Kevin Gainey and I both cyber stalked each other. When I say that, I don’t mean we were two weirdos who hunted each other down in creepy fashion. What I mean is we kept both popping up in the same places on line. Leaving comments on the same blogs. Responding to discussions in the same community. And eventually interacting directly with each other.

But in the initial stages, when were both just commenting in the same places, we both took the initiative, unbeknown to the other, to find out all we could about each other. We visited each others’ websites. We found profile information online. We basically did all we could to find out about the other person.

And what this said is we should introduce ourselves. Get to know each other.

And we did just that at Kent Julian’s Speak it Forward Boot Camp held this past October 2011.

We hit it off like long lost brothers in a matter of seconds. Since then we’ve started a podcast together and are figuring out how we can create a variety of both free and premium product offerings to help small businesses out.

So this is me, encouraging you, to cyber stalk the folks you want to interact (but in a non-creepy kind of way).

~Ivan

If you enjoyed this video I would love for you to subscribe to my channel!

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In the past I would frequently think, “I have nothing to offer anyone else.” or “Everyone knows what I know.” or similar thoughts. What I’ve come to learn is that is completely wrong. I understand that not everyone is an accountant or wants to be. However, I’ve made the false assumption that all business owners understand the basics of accounting, and that just isn’t true. Many know only very little. Some know nothing at all and don’t even understand why they should know the basics.

Fortunately I can help with that. But that’s not the point.

The point is I have been taking for granted the knowledge that is in my head. I’ve assumed everyone knows what I know to an extent. And they don’t.

And that got me wondering. Do you take for granted the knowledge you have in your head? Do you assume that everyone knows what you know? Can do what you do?

Because I’m hear to tell you they can’t. Yes, some can. But many can not.

I would love for you to share with us, me and the other members of this community, what knowledge you have that you’re taking for granted. Maybe there’s people right here, right now that can really use what you know.

~Ivan

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Day 28: Video 1

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I’m going to volunteer at a local community organization that serves the working poor. I’ll be helping to sort food for the upcoming holiday seasons. Not sure what this afternoon holds.

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Day 28: Video 2

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Spent the morning working at the North Gwinnett Co-op! Maureen Kornowa runs one well orgainzed operation there! For 3.5 hours I didn’t slow down! I think we helped 40+ families this morning! I’m BEAT! Going to rest now.

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I like talking to people. I like interacting with them. Lately, this isn’t happening as much as I’d like. Up to this point the majority of my efforts in building A Better Way of Business have been online, so face to face people interactions have been limited.

This is about to change though. Starting next week I’m going to start being involved with some local small business alliances and associations in an effort to get my face to face time with people.

In an attempt to grow more relationships online I’m going to start devoting a specific block of time to talking to more people online. Being helpful. Addressing questions and problems. Building relationships and community.

What’s your biggest challenge being self employed? I would love for you to post it in the comments below. If I can help I will. If not, I hope to know someone who can.

~Ivan

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Day 24: Video 1

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This morning I’m going to make a couple posts for the blog then at 10AM Kevin Gainey and I will be putting on our first podcast! So excited. At lunch I have a bunch of running around to do and after that I’ll be back with more work!

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Day 24: Video 2:

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So far today I completed one post, read through a bunch (4) of guest posts, and recorded a podcast with my friend Kevin Gainey (so excited about it!). Then I had lunch with Skye, got my allergy shots, bought a pair of jeans, and went to two stores looking for a sports coat (which I refuse to pay the prices for the one I saw). Great day. Now to more content, FAA assingment, and later tonight a group call! This is it until tomorrow. Have a great afternoon and evening.

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Remember, the proper order for action is “Ready! Aim! Fire!” While you can produce action with “Ready! Fire! Aim!”, it is directionless until you figure out what you’re aiming for. With “Ready! Aim! Aim!” you NEVER act. You must get out of that stuck position if you want to change your life, your business, or your future. “Ready! Aim! Fire!” is the proper order for action.

~Ivan

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Italy’s Pizza and Pasta is not only remarkable because they serve the best pizza I’ve ever had (either purchased or home made, they’re the best), but because Oliver and Luigi have created the best atmosphere I’ve experienced in a restaurant. From the first time you visit, to each successive visit, Luigi and Oliver make you feel like you’re a part of their family. They take care of you. The staff sees to your needs. And you can TELL they want you to be there.

Everyone with a store front or a location where clients can come in can and should learn from Luigi and Oliver, especially when it comes to creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.

~Ivan