BLUE THING #5: Featured Company of the Week

Featured Company of the Week is brought to you by The National Networker and CEO Space Northeast.

When pondering over this week’s Blue Thing Company of the Week Feature I was going to first place this in the “Deal” Blue Thing, but once I realized the significance of what was actually happening here, I had to select this as our Company Feature. This should be encouragement for all those businesses that are struggling.

Jerry Hickman, several years ago, invented a device he calls the 911 Locator. Basically, when you call 911, the invention sets off a strobing light outside your home. This is to catch the attention of the emergency team often saving minutes when they can’t seem to find the specific location. As one who has served as a member of emergency response teams, Jerry knows that this could be the difference in saving a life.

Last June, Jerry won the Delaware Entrepreneur of the year award for the best business plan and most prepared to receive funding. Immediately, he received offers of support. He had the investor’s interest. Knowing that he had the money coming in, he couldn’t wait. He began his process of expansion. He was ready to get his business launched in a big way.

You probably don’t want to read the next part because you think you already know what I’m about to tell you. Right? Yes, your right. The money didn’t come in. It’s November, and he is still getting promises but hasn’t seen a nickel yet.

Just this last month, as I communicated with him, he was so discouraged he was ready to fold it up and get a job. Nothing was looking like he was going to pull this one out of the hole.

Well, let’s now look at what has just happened in this last week:

·After posting an announcement on the CEOspace group on Facebook Jerry received a multitude of email and communications

·He is now working on increasing his dealer base for the "nationwide launch";

·He is meeting with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals this week. They will be featuring his product in a showcase and offering it in their virtual mall;

·He is planning a capital strategy meeting with team members and another meeting with allies that will be scouting;

· He has already had a couple of meetings with potential investors;

·He met with realtors looking at potential locations that will accommodate the predicted growth of his 911 locator business;

·He will be meeting in North Central NJ with a potential strategic partner;

·Finally, He is working with several web developers to revamp and repair the 911 Locator website;

Does this sound like a business that was just ready to fold up just weeks ago?

As a child, I grew up on a farm and learned a good strong work ethic. I also learned something that is deadly to growing a business. My dad always told me: “If you want to get a job done right, you might as well do it yourself. Your always going to be disappointed with others”. I must say in my conversations with Jerry in October, he was feeling he was living just that. But, I want to encourage you, if you have ever thought this, it is a “poor man’s mindset”.

The reality in growing a solid business: You must learn to rely on others. You must build a team. Learn what your strengths and weaknesses are. Don’t spend all your time working to improve your weaknesses but rather, find others to supplement where you need help.

Yes, others may disappoint you. They may downright fail you. Don’t quit. You must work to recover. In your new wisdom, find a replacement and move on. For those who can’t adjust, failure is inevitable.

If your company is genuinely special, and you have an exciting yarn to spin (or tale to tell), just write to us at info@TheNationalNetworker.com , being sure to include "FEATURED COMPANY OF THE WEEK" in the Subject line. Give us a very quick synopsis, and your communications coordinates.


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