(written 1-11)

One of my goals in 2010 is to expand the mentorship program I started last year.

I am constantly on the look out for business owners or high level employees that are willing to "talk shop" with someone younger.

All age groups are different, but I think there is real knowledge that is easy to tap into with people who have been there before.

I score with SCORE. My first visit to Score (on Waller, on your left before you get to the RR tracks) was probably a year ago. Maybe less then that.  I’ve found I can get a lot further in business by asking someone who’s been there before.

My favorite counselor at Score is Kurt Hulliger. He’s probably in his late 60’s (not sure) I’ve been meeting with him about every month since the start.  Last Friday was a real treat though.

I called Score on Friday the 8th of Jan at 10am and asked if Kurt was there. Shocker he was. Second shocker, everyone had canceled there appointment that day because of the snow. (people in KY freak out about a little snow. I’m from Ohio and was raised in an igloo apparently…)   This has become one of my favorite things to do on Friday mornings. I go and gab about my business issues before I wrap up the week.

This Friday was a big deal because I was finalizing giving up a slice of my baby Green Thumb to Les. (Old man sold me!)  I think I can do everything and needed someone to tell me that my decision was best for the growth of my business.

Making small talk, I asked Kurt how is X-mas break was. He replies, "It was difficult not having a schedule." Ok, this guy is "retired" but keeps active in Score and gardening. He’s a do-er.  I’d bet he doesn’t sit on the couch and veg out, he’s working, always working.

Kurt goes over my concerns and helps me like he always does.  At the end I share with him the good new,  "Kurt, Green Thumb hit it’s goal in 2009 and wants to buy a new sign from Adcolor."  He instantly smiled and gave me his son Stephan’s cell and direct extension.  Kurt then tells me that we should go some time and check out Adcolor.  I said, "how about now?"

What happened over the next two hours has been blowing my mind for the past three days…

We headed to Adcolor which I imagined to be a decent sized operation. I had no idea.  Now keep in mind. Kurt always is helps ME with MY business. Now I was getting to see the core of the company he created.

If companies are trees, my business is a sapling, his a red-wood.

We walk in and are instantly greeted by friendly staff members.  He introduces me to his son Stephan who warmly greats me. They are speaking in german and I am only able to catch 1/3 of it…..but they love that I am "Wunderlich or Vunderlish" as you would pronounce it there. (they are swiss however)

I am introduced to Bob and several others up front. All of which are happy to see Kurt and treat me well because, I’m with Kurt.

He shows me the back where the work gets done.  The back is enormous. He shows me a machine he bought early on when he got started from a place a half mile from where he was born in Switzerland. This machine is $50,000  He explains to me that this machine is "the best" It was made by german engineers. I shrug my shoulder and say, "Natulich" German for "Of coarse"  He smiles.

We go on and he explains how when he first started researching the business that he saw that UV technology was changing the print industry. He tells me about how you can use less ink and it dries faster ect.  This insight was a catalyst for him wanting to learn the business, a need in the market place.

We walk to the back and are continually greeted by people who hug him and greet us with warm smiles and hellos.  He introduces me a lady who has been working for him for 13 years. I ask her why she stays around and she tells me that she likes what she does and the people she works for. Kurt tells me, "If you want loyal customers you have to have loyal employees first" (something like that)

All over the place are ads for bread sticks and pizza. It’s 12ish and I am getting hungry. The ads are for Little Caesar’s pizza. They are the printer for Little Caesar’s Pizza.  This is a company who’s cheapo pizza I used to eat in Findlay. I can only fathom what this account is worth. How’d they land it, I ask.  A referral from a client who was already working with them at another job…a loyal customer.

We continue our tour where he shows me the back bay where they do vehicle wraps. He opens the door and goes, "room for more."

He takes up to the design section after showing me several 30,000 to 50,000 printers. While down there he tells me how during a down economy you need to increase market share. (i’ve been preaching/living this, but it’s great to hear it confirmed)  He tells me to buy while the manufacturers are hurting and discounting. (great tip)

We go up stairs and are again created by people loving seeing him around.  It’s obvious he is loved by his employees. They are all the designers. NOTE: Designers are Far from the sales team.   One girl Bethany particularly sticks out. She had a killer drawing of a warrior chick on her desk. She was a designer who hugged Kurt and really lit up when he came by. You could tell that this girl came to work everyday and liked what she was doing and who she was doing it for.  Everyone is like this.

(Full Disclosure, I am now doing some minor SEO for Adcolor)

We walk towards the front and finally link up with Dave, who Kurt has been looking for the whole time. I’m pretty sure Dave runs the place more or less now.  Kurt has me tell him what I do. I tell him and he’s thrilled. We set up a meeting which went on today.

As I am waiting on Kurt to wrap up with a guy, Dave asks me if there is anything else I need.  I wanted to say, "yeah, the secret to getting my business to this!"

When you own your own business you put more then just work into it. You business is you .

I have always admired Kurt for his advice.  But to see what he and his staff has built was icing on the cake…that and the fact they have been in INC magazine for fastest growing companies makes me Green with envy. (a goal of mine)

Thanks Kurt-for all  of your solid advice all the time and the great tour of your company.