One Moment to the Next

This past Monday I had decided what I was going to write about for Thanksgiving. My thoughts were in order and I had put together a few notes to make sure that no details were lost. The plan was for me to write the blog and post it on Tuesday night.

Things changed dramatically for me when the phone rang on Tuesday afternoon. My brother called to let me know that plans were being made at that moment for my father to go into emergency quadruple bypass surgery on Wednesday.

It turns out that when my father went to the hospital on Tuesday for a somewhat routine test and it was discovered that all of four of his heart valves were substantially blocked. He was transported by ambulance to Crawford Long Hospital late Tuesday by ambulance and prepped for surgery.

How things can change from one moment to the next. We simply never know when a similar situation can happen to any of the people we love, or in fact to ourselves.

The point of this blog post is to reiterate what all of us knows, but are prone to forget as we get tied up in our daily routines. Our life is limited on this earth and we may not know when our time may be shortened.

The time to make a difference in the lives of others and get in the game is RIGHT NOW! We may not have the time tomorrow to do some of the important things we’re putting off.

We simply never know what may happen from one moment to the next.

One of the things we must never forget is to let our friends know how vitally important they are to our lives. I’ve always said that my friends are the part of my family that I get to pick. The last few days have certainly reiterated that for me – I’ve been touched by the outpouring of prayers lifted up on behalf of my father’s recovery by my friends and their concern.

I’m happy to report that my father made it through surgery successfully and has begun the recovery process. He is still in the ICU unit as I write this post and we’re confident that with each day he will make additional progress on his recovery.

One of these days I will put together the post I was planning on writing this past Tuesday. In the meantime I have some very important friends that I would like to touch base with – for words left unsaid and moments left unacted upon may never see the light of day if I don’t act on them today.

Here’s Hoping for a Few More Traffic Jams

My son, daughter and I were on our way to a Cub Scout field trip and running a little late, as is prone to happen on the weekend. We were almost to our meeting place when all of a sudden we had to come to a complete stop and wait for a few moments. It seems that there was some paving taking place on an adjacent street and the construction crew was working to get an asphalt distributor on to the street and on its way.

Is this noteworthy? Well, yes it is during these times.

As always, the construction equipment industry sits typically at the tipping point, as our economy enters into economic recessions. And thankfully, the industry is typically the first to experience recovery.

I’ve spent the past two years watching friends in this industry experience furloughs, pay cuts and job loss. It has been a particularly tough year, as I have traveled with our territory managers across the southeast and have spoken with our customers.

While the national unemployment rate is stands at around 10.2%, Engineering News Record reports the construction unemployment rate climbed to 18.7% in October – up from 17.1% in September.

D.Ann Shiffler, editor of American Cranes & Specialized Transport reported in the November issue that when construction equipment manufacturers and distributors are placed in the mix, the sector’s unemployment rate approaches 35%.

So, what is my point? We need a stimulus plan that stimulates more than just conversation. We need targeted spending that puts the construction industry back to work again on roads and bridges.

I don’t know if my next venture will keep me in the construction equipment industry. In any event, I will keep a close eye on the industry in hopes that some very talented people who are sitting on the sidelines can get back into the game.

As I’ve told many of our customers, the one thing that I know for certain is that we’re one day closer to economic recovery today than we were yesterday.

Here’s to hoping that we’re one day closer to a few more traffic jams.

Honoring Those Who Served

This morning in Atlanta has started out cold and drizzly. A definite improvement however, from the weather we experienced yesterday.

As I drove to the office this morning, I was reminded that the veterans who have served our country over the many years have fought in this weather and in much worse. They have experienced the blistering heat and bitter cold. Swamps, deserts and city streets have been crossed by their footsteps – all in the pursuit of freedom.

We are truly blessed to live in a nation that stirs the hearts of the very best people our nation has to offer, to service.

We are also blessed to be able to use this day and everyday to thank our precious veterans. I’ve used this day to make phone calls and send messages in order to show my appreciation and I know you’re doing the same.

How tragic it is that we lost thirteen of the very best our nation has to offer, in last week’s Fort Hood massacre. They were good soldiers, as well as good fathers, sons, mothers and daughters.

We’ve been deprived as a nation to be able to look into their eyes, shake their hands and thank them for their service.

So today, as I remember and thank the veterans that are with us today, I will surely remember the thirteen who we may no longer thank.

Instead, I will lift their families up in prayer and remember our fallen.

Here are the names of those who perished at Fort Hood, as reported by The Associated Press:

Michael Grant Cahill, 65, of Cameron, Texas
Maj. Libardo Eduardo Caraveo, 52, of Woodbridge, Virginia
Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow, 32, of Evans, Georgia.
Capt. John Gaffaney, 56, of San Diego, California
Spc. Frederick Greene, 29, of Mountain City, Tennessee.
Spc. Jason Dean Hunt, 22, of Tipton, Oklahoma.
Sgt. Amy Krueger, 29, of Kiel, Wisconsin
Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, 19, of West Jordan, Utah
Spc. Michael Pearson , 21, of Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Capt. Russell Seager, 51, of Racine, Wisconsin
Francheska Velez, 21, of Chicago, Illinois
Juanita Warman, 55, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Army Spc. Kham Xiong, 23, of St. Paul, Minnesota

May their families receive comfort, may God continue to bless the United States and may we continue to remember those who serve.

Saluting the Entrepreneurs

I was getting ready to find a place to sit for the Atlanta Bloggers Meetup this week, when Kimberly Kelly approached me. I had noticed Kimberly entering the room a few moments earlier carrying two large bags. It turns out that each of the bags contained several square boxes – each was decorated with a ribbon and had a business card attached to it. I was intrigued by Kimberly’s personality, as well as what might be contained in the box.

It turns out that Kimberly Kelly is the proud owner of Devine Kakes and she wanted to share some of her signature Praline RumKake with each of the Meetup attendees.

I have to admit -- it was a challenge for me to bring the box home unopened! My wife enjoys rum cake as much as I do, so I wanted her to share some of it with me. In fact, for the last several years everyone in the office has looked to me to bring in the traditional rum cake for the company Christmas parties. Actually, they have looked to my wife, since my passion and talent lies in enjoying great food and sharing it – not creating it!

Once I tasted the cake, I understood immediately why Kimberly’s customers as far away as New Orleans and Las Vegas order her Kakes for very special occasions. It was delicious!

Ok, so by now you’re asking “why are you writing a blog post about cake?”

The ingredients of this cake go much deeper than flour, butter, pralines and rum – the added ingredient entrepreneurial spirit!

Kimberly left her position as a practicing Doctor of Pharmacy to follow her dream last December and has not looked back since. Her customers in Atlanta will tell you that now she provides exactly what “the doctor has ordered” as her “Atlanta's Best 2009 for Minority-Owned Businesses” award will attest.

Many people will remember 2008 and 2009 as especially difficult years, due to the economic reasons. I will look back on these same two years as difficult years as well – but the overriding theme for me during the past couple of years is entrepreneurship.

I will remember these years as a time when I met so many interesting people that followed their dreams and made things happen.

The same type of inspired entrepreneurship has caused those before us to set sail across oceans, take wagons across the prairies and cross areas of unmapped terrain in search of opportunities filled with promise. It is the same type of spirit that motivates people to harness ingenuity, take risks and inspire those around them.

I’ve met far too many inspiring entrepreneurs during the last couple of years to mention all by name. There are many whom I see as true pioneers.

Take Chris Jordan, “Host” of Atlanta Insurance Live!, for example. Working behind the desk for a single insurance company was not fulfilling enough for Chris. So, he has branched out and harnessed the power of social media (including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube) to get his message out. Chris Jordan, your “Host” of Atlanta Insurance Live!, is able to provide a variety of insurance solutions, including personal and commercial auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance and complete business insurance packages to his customers in Georgia. His approach is both entertaining and informative!

Be sure to check out Atlanta Insurance Live!, and you’ll soon see why Intuit and CBS Atlanta have made mention of the convenience and availability that Chris brings to the table. You can learn more about Chris Jordan’s innovative approach by visiting http://www.atlantainsurancelive.com

I’ve been struck not only by the innovation that entrepreneurs are bringing to the table, but also by their passion. Take Diana Baldwin Martinez, for example. Diana brought more than twenty years of Marketing, Business Development, and Product Management experience with her as she left Corporate America to start her own business in 2009. Once Diana’s previous experiences are combined with her passion for Social Media, a winning combination is virtually assured for her customers.

One thing that really struck me about Diana during a recent conversation was the genuine concern for well being she has for her customers. I could see it in her eyes as she discussed her undying commitment to providing value to each and every customer. Customers of Diana’s company, Social Techs Marketing, LLC are truly in very capable hands! Check out the blog for Social Techs Marketing by visiting http://socialtechs.com and you’ll surely feel the same way that I do.

These are but a few examples of the type of entrepreneurial spirit, ingenuity and passion that will make 2008 and 2009 very special years for me.

I’m planning to include a very special Praline RumKake as part of my celebration this New Year’s Eve, as I look back during the past year with a sense of excitement for those who have followed their dreams and those who will follow in their footsteps in 2010.

Perhaps you have considered following your dreams, but are holding off for a variety of reasons.

I would suggest that the best time to step away from the sidelines and get into the game is right now!

Should you decide to include a RumKake in your New Year’s Eve celebration, you can check out the Devine Kakes site by visiting http://www.devinekakes.com. You will be happy that you did!

So, with this lengthy blog post, I salute the entrepreneurs – past, present and future!