The Maker of Kings talks about the importance of having a mission in your business, reverse engineering your goals, planning, and having the agility to adapt to the market.
About the Maker of Kings:
The Maker of Kings is documenting the journey of these young entrepreneurs through the trials and tribulations of starting and running small companies and growing from small businesses into large businesses and teaching the tricks of the trade along the way.
Behind the Mic:
Jim Keener, Rick Hamada, Andrew Compean, Corey Cazares.
Transcription:
Rick Hamada: Maker of King’s radio is on the air and it is a delight, boy this is like a double triple mega bonus that on Monday followed up by Wednesday that I’m surrounded by the smartest, most intelligent individuals anywhere on this planet, are in this room right now.
Andrew Compean: Well, three out of four.
Rick: And we are delighted that the boys of MOK are with us here today. Welcome in Drew. Aloha, brother
Andrew: Thank you. For having us.
Rick: Beautiful. Brother Jim.
Jim Keener: So much inspiration over there don’t you think. Thank you very much. Thank you for having us. Nice to be here.
Rick: [unintelligible 00:00:41] with us ladies and gentleman and Brother Cory.
Cory Cazares: I’m going to use my 22nd intro to congratulate everybody on this island. We drove in today no accidents people figured out the rain is not lethal. It’s just water on the floor and we drove in clear.
Andrew: Nice, nice-
Cory: Crystal clear, congrats guys.
Jim: Beautiful.
Cory: Good job.
Rick: So, everything went well then.
Andrew: Because you guys are coming from all over.
Jim: Fantastic. Easy commute.
Andrew: Easy, easy.
Rick: Easy, easy. Well my goodness.
Jim: Well let’s see how my other house fairs.
Cory: Yes. East coast.
Jim: Praying for North Carolina.
Andrew: Pray for North Carolina. Tornadoes and hurricanes in the same location. Why would you live there?
Jim: Great place to raise a family.
Cory: Sharknado next.
Rick: So you’re literally right– because Wilmington is.
Jim: And I’m two hours– my house is two hours from Wilmington. Its right in the path, it literally goes right to my house.
Rick: Oh dude,
Andrew: It’s actually going to his house. That’s like final destination.
Cory: That’s what’s on its GPS.
Andrew: Exactly.
Rick: Hi, it’s Florence. I’m here to see Andrew. Brother, that’s tough stuff. It’s Cat 4.
Cory: Is it landfall today?
Rick: Not yet. Well, let’s see. According to this looks like about a day and a half.
Andrew: Wow.
Rick: Yes. I’m taking a look. 75 mile an hour sustained and moving Northwest 16 miles an hour. I’m just taking a look at the photos. But yeah, it’s coming up soon day and a half. It’s like Friday.
Jim: In North Carolina, you’re a hero if you have a chainsaw. Because the trees, once they go over, how are you going to get out–
Rick: How you going to do it.
Andrew: Let’s be a hero today.
Rick: I’ve only been in North Carolina ones– by the way, beautiful.
Jim: You didn’t miss anything.
Rick: You’ve got [unintelligible 00:02:32] I mean–
Jim: [inaudible 00:02:33] plenty.
Cory: Training baby.
Rick: Lot of it. We are going to be fine here at home. Prayerfully. We will monitor and keep you up to speed during this hour podcast. When we’re together on Monday. I asked if we could start with a conversation about veterans and how the numerous companies that are under the umbrella dedicated to our veterans. Jim, if you wouldn’t mind start us off. Why are veterans such a central piece of MOK?
Jim: Well, we felt when we were looking at where our goals align with our causes it became obvious that veteran appointment was going to be something that we were looking at. And in doing that we had to devise a plan to employ as many veterans as possible in something that was a replicable, duplicable model, something that we could scale internationally, and something that would provide extenuating value over a long period of time. And so we started with that in mind on developing models to employ veterans. And so with that at the forefront. We decided to identify skill sets that they already possess that we could monetize and then move forward on that. And so in doing that, we found that the Handy Handy Hawaii model, the Sunex Business Solutions model, as well as Amour Home Warranty business, and those businesses are derived solely for the purpose of employment veterans. So we look to employ veterans first and then we augment them with the other people that are available. So that’s the entire idea, was to develop a transitional employment platform that would meet the need of a veteran getting out of the service with whatever skill sets they possessed through their military career and then apply those into the civilian world.
Rick: But there’s also a number associated with the number of veterans you’d like to hire.
Jim: Well we originally said we want to hire 100 and realize that that was not a very lofty goal. And so we went to 1000, and now we’re 1500, and now where we’re looking at what we can we do it nationally. So, step by step brick by brick will figure out that process, but the goal is to employ as many veterans as possible. And I think putting a number on it kind of kept us in our thinking and now we have a better understanding of what the actual market is and how we can penetrate that market effectively and acquire those individuals. So, just like we talked about the acquisition of a client and lifetime value of a client. We did the same calculation on a veteran if we acquire a veteran and what’s the lifetime value of a veteran and what’s our contribution to them. And what’s their contribution to us.
Rick: Tremendous. Love that. You mentioned three specific companies just now, we’re going to learn a little bit more about each company as the morning goes on. But with Corey and Andrew as veterans, of course. What component is this dedication to your fellow veterans? How important is it to the business that you are doing Cory.
Cory: I love this question, because my answer, people say, what, but really in all truth is national security for me. It’s been that way since we got started and the other industries and worked in, it was always national security for me. If a veteran 20 years from now, is somebody that the community looks up to and idolizes and goes, wow look at that life these people can build for themselves. It’s going to attract the nation’s best and brightest it’s going to make us the most effective fighting force in the world and it’s going to make us a better country and total. My part of this is to be able to employ veterans that build a life for themselves. So their kids go look at this life I have. My dad was in the service, from his service, stemmed from his work, and from this work stemmed his own business and all these other things. In 20 years down the road, our veterans aren’t killing themselves 22 times a day. You know what I mean, people who look up to sports stars and rap stars and musicians and all that stuff. That’s what I want people to look up to the military like and that’s going to attract the nation’s best and brightest and again it’s going to affect our national security. So being able to be a small part in that picture through real estate and now with adventures that we’re working on. It’s just an awesome feeling for me and I see those dots connected. It’s just a matter of connecting them now.
Rick: Drew how about you?
Andrew: So, a year and a half ago I did a presentation for Corey at his office, his real estate office, this is when we first met. And I didn’t really know necessarily where to find all the veterans getting out. I mean, I had a tentative idea where to find them. But I was leaning on him and he definitely gave me tons of points of contact, to be able to start that transition. Avenues in where I can find guys. [Unintelligible 00:06:43] Because he’d done it before we did. How many guys did you have?
Cory: Twelve, small time. But with that same mission set. So the number of people doesn’t matter as long as your goals are aligned and that’s something I learned being in the company of these gentlemen, it’s just alignment, and we’re there, and we’re moving and it’s just like people can’t see the dots connected for [unintelligible 00:07:03] to colonize Mars. I see the dots connected in our future. It’s a matter of bringing in the rest of the world in the country to see those as well.
Jim: Right now, we’re still in the awareness phase. I mean, [unintelligible 00:07:17] trying to recruit people. You see that it’s opening eyes of others, and we want to bring an awareness so that we can have those numbers.
Cory: I think we’ve as a nation we’ve been looking for a place to park our veterans for a long time. What do we do with these guys, as these older people start to phase out in the service industries? What a great opportunity to bring this to the fourth front.
Jim: That’s where the size and the value if the market was. I mean, we found that the average age of a plumber was 52 years old. And we looked at the exit strategies in the trades and nobody had built these companies for an exit strategy. The entire industry of the small-cap construction business, nobody has an exit strategy. So we felt that we can create an exit strategy for those older tradesmen looking to get out in and transition our young tradesmen into those positions through acquisitions. So that became the model that we started working towards. So we started to vertically integrate the construction trades and then understanding that once we did that, we had cross-promotion opportunity throughout the entire industry. So one thing led to another and now here we are, our fastest growing construction company in the state.
Rick: Right. Drew do us a favor and again form the veteran standpoint and that outreach, what has been some of the responses that you’ve received when indicating the commitment to veterans, and I’ve been with you in a couple of these conversations. But share from your perspective as a veteran what the impact is for you.
Andrew: But also, everybody was blown away and they didn’t know something like this existed. Because they’ve been searching for programs, and oh, you’re exactly what we’ve been looking for. Like all the transition programs that we’ve met with, done lunches with. They’re like, wow. I didn’t know anything like this existed. But it’s opened the door for us to be able to spread awareness and then present what we do. And so guys getting out, know exactly what’s up, you know, offered to them when they get out.
Rick: Well, I’ll tell you what this dedication to veterans. It is something we’ve known for years and it’s a passion for me. I love our veterans. I love them into women and families who serve and as the program continues our friends who are dialed in Facebook Live, whatever the vehicle, you’re going to find that gentleman in this room, are dedicated and will meet their objectives.
Jim: One hundred percent.
Rick: There is no doubt in my mind and the lives that will be impacted with multiplier associated with each life that will be affected. Game changer, just tremendous. Remarkable. How do we learn more about Maker of Kings? How do we keep up? Drew, how do we do that brother?
Andrew: You can reach us at makerofkings.com. From there you can call to action phone number and you can reach us from all the links there. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Rick: Excellent. Now when we come back, we’re going to talk a little bit about businesses. That’s all right, fellas?
Jim: Perfect.
Rick: And when we do that, we invite you to join us at 5218383 or come on Facebook Live, we’re up and running for you here and we’ll be back in a moment MOK continues right after this.
Rick Hamada: MOK radio is back and we’re delighted you’re a part of it here. News Radio a 30 KHVH. We wish you. Aloha. And if you want to be a part of the program, come on over to Facebook Live. We would love to be a part of it with you there too. I’m going to come up to, he has to put a statement in, on Fb live. I’ll get to that in a moment. Amanda is online with us.
Cory: We are accompanied.
Rick: Love that. We’re talking about businesses and challenges concerns, etc., and how it applies to you and you can be interested to find out what Top of Mind is. But before we start I wanted to learn more about businesses under the MOK umbrella and Jim mentioned Armour Home Warranty one earlier. Cory fill us in.
Cory: So Armour Home Warranty is just like it sounds. It’s a home warranty program. But what we’re finding a lot in how it’s translated in the community is it’s it’s a financial buffer for a lot of new homeowners. If you’re not aware of what a home warranty is, you got an insurance policy to cover the majority of your home. But the things inside your home often are just your responsibility. Well, your fridge breaks down. That’s a $2,000 replacement. Most families don’t just have a $2,000 refrigerator budget hanging out, right, so we protect ourselves in so many ways financially and a home warranty as a way to protect yourself financially from anything that can happen in your home, especially for new homeowners who are getting used to a new budget. They’re getting used to a new maintenance fee. They’re getting used a new mortgage, they’re not paying rent anymore. That alone in itself is intimidating. So we’re finding that Armor in the community is really a way of making people feel comfortable with a great decision and helping and maintaining a great decision status by keeping you away from all these unavoidable accidents. Things are going to break. That’s the problem. But, you know, it’s not largely in the budget of most new homeowners to be able to afford you know, replacing things on a whim. So Armour home warranty protects all of the things in your home that your insurance policy does not. Like your appliances and certain electrical things, and garage door openers and whatever you name it, it’s there, it’s not a new concept, but the way that we’re approaching it. And the way that we’re handling it is much different. We’re a locally owned and operated veteran owned and operated company here in Hawaii. So our call center is in Mapunapuna if you’re calling, you’re not calling the mainland, you’re going to call the same person. And we’re servicing our warranty claims. So, as opposed to these other warranty companies who do a third party contractor lowest bidder. Let’s say your air conditioner breaks and you call the home warranty, you know they do a low contract bid with three different contractors and one of them will take it no come out, so you never know who’s going to show up at your house or, more importantly, if you’re in the industry of real estate. You don’t know who’s going to show up at your client’s home. Right. So with us. It’s always going to be us servicing our own claims, it’s going to be Armour sending one of our companies out service the claim. So there’s continuity there, nobody can drop the ball. The buck stops with us.
Rick: Website and phone number?
Cory: Armour Home Warranty. You go to armourhomewarranty.com and I’ve got the phone number, but I’m on Facebook live up there, Drew can sub in for me.
Andrew: Phone number is 855-690-2022.
Rick: Excellente.
Cory: Awesome.
Rick: I love that. Love all of that and more. You know, when we talk about businesses or those in a business like yourselves. When their surveyed and there asked what’s top of mind with you. What is it that you have as a challenge there are some things that might come right to the top of mind and I had a list over here. I need more sales. And I could use more customers. Is this a valid concern? And if this truly is at the top of the list of your concern as a business person.
Cory: Is anybody even saying that, though, does anybody-
Rick: I’m just saying, does anybody say that here.
Jim: I think yes and no. I mean, first thing, I think is, and you have to the ability to service your clients properly. So if you’re short up on the operation side and you’re taking care of your people properly. That’s number one. Number two is sales, sales solves a lot of problems, and we all know that. But it’s the acquiring of a client. It’s the lifetime value of a client and it’s acquiring the right clients. I think one thing that small businesses need to learn to do is to say no. I think they say yes to a lot of deals that they should say no to. And in doing that they compromise themselves, they spend too much time for these little deals and they neglect some of the larger deals that are a system to process based rather than just transactional based.
Rick: Yes. We also have others that would say something along the lines of, you know what’s killing me, my competition, my competition geez, what am I going to– I’ve got to figure this out. And this is the biggest I got– If a business is asking, you know, identifying that as a major problem. What do we tell them?
Jim: Well, we all have the same client base, right, so their customers are your customers and where do they congregate at, what did they do, where do they go, what do they eat, where do they spend their time and money and what they focus on. So if we’re looking for a client that’s into home maintenance, it’s really easy, park your van at Home Depot and everyone walking in theirs is your potential customer. So if you just look to where your clients are congregating find a way to access that congregation and to get your message in front of those clients. That’s step one and then to make sure you’re you’re developing a proper value proposition to encourage them to do business with you. And if there is a tipping point or a sticking point that you understand that you have to overcome that. And so when you develop your marketing you want to make sure that you keep that top of mind.
Rick: When we’re talking about, you mentioned before about Handy Handy being the fastest growing handyman construction in the state right now. Drew I’m going to come over to you and ask you based on just what Jim is shared with us. How is it that Handy Handy has become this successful and this fast and maybe share some more information about Handy Handy?
Andrew: Well, so everything is scaling from [unintelligible 00:15:22] right, our ability to get more people and our workforce development their hand in hand. And so as long as both are in sync, then you could grow and put a big effort towards getting people. But if you go all sales, sales, sales and you’re not backing the service, then you’re going to create more problems. So I think when companies are trying to scale they just have to do a good job and making sure that their workforce development and their sales strategy works hand in hand.
Rick: Sounds like you’re just putting into practice exactly just how Jim described because in a relatively short amount of time your competition has been left by the wayside while you’re emerging in front of everyone else.
Andrew: And, so like from the Sunex piece and we’re going down and doing a proposal with the company. We are like hey, we can get you, people, that actually scares people off. Oh my God, more customers. I got to train more people, they didn’t think about it, they know they need more revenues and more sales. But they really have a workforce development issue that they need to solve first before go out and try to pump money into their company.
Rick: So it’s an identification of what hails me before of how can I –
Andrew: We call that a needs analysis. We do a needs analysis to identify their wants, needs, and desires and then we reverse engineer that back to an actionable game plan.
Rick: This is what MOK can do for you and I am prayerful that those [ unintelligible 00:16:28] right now, who have a vested interest in the world of business, whatever it might be that you embrace follow and connect with Maker of Kings, makerofkings.com a perfect place to go to start things off.
Rick: Maker of King’s radio back with you here on News Radio 13 KHVH. Thank you very much for taking the time to be with us and we appreciate you greatly. We have Drew, Jim, Corey, I’m Rick, we’re talking about business and about businesses that you may be a part of, that you may be responsible for, the challenges that are expressed, when businesses [ unintelligible 00:17:03] hey, listen, what are you confronting. What do you need help with? What do you need to do, but you also have to understand that MOK under the umbrella. There are companies that are up running succeeding. So this isn’t just a scholarly conversation. This is a real-life experience that has been shared with you and Handy Handy, we refer to, right before at the bottom of the hour. I’m going to turn over to Drew to let people know more about Handy Andy, about how we can become connected with you.
Andrew: Right. First of all Handy Handy and he is a transitional employment platform for veterans exiting the service and we operate in home maintenance. So it’s broken down into divisions. We have a construction division and a handyman division. So we do appliance repair, we could fix light bulbs, install ceiling fans, all the way up to new construction so everything in between that we can do. You can reach us at 808-285-3443.
Rick: One of the great things. And the website address is?
Andrew: handhandy.com, handyhandyhawaii.com.
Rick: handyhandyhawaii.com. One thing that is amazing. You have a 24-hour emergency service. So if anything happens while you’re at your home or wherever it might be you need help right away. Call you.
Andrew: We have a 24/7 call center.
Rick: That’s tremendous. But that’s the heart of a successful have a successful business. It’s the service.
Andrew: Hundred percent.
Rick: The service that you folks provide. Some of the other things that come up when we talk about businesses and what they might respond to. We left with competition and sales and all of this. But if you’re if you’re a brick and mortar online, online retail is killing me online. I can’t compete with these guys. How do you counsel somebody who might be in a situation or at least expresses that concern?
Andrew: For my perspective is differentiation. I mean, there are some advantages that you have been offline and being brick and mortar and there are some disadvantages. So one of the disadvantages is the global reach, but if you took your brick and mortar company and you developed an online strategy and you operated from that perspective, then you can effectively drop ship from your location. You could do the same thing that they’re doing in the marketplace and just use what’s available. The tools that are available. We have a business onyx business solutions that that’s exactly what we do we go to them and explain to them. Some of the competitive advantages that you do have from brick and mortar. We do a needs analysis we break down the strengths and weaknesses and offer action plans and strategies to move forward.
Cory: Yes, I heard it once, maybe this is a pessimistic view but love your mission don’t love your plan if your if your mission was to do something great and the plan was to have a brick and mortar shop in the community and the world is leaning towards online. Maybe that plan needs be adjusted. Just know what your mission is in that case.
Andrew: Or a blended approach you know blended approach tends to work very well as well where you blend those up where you focus on. Okay, well, how would I build an online business that would stand alone and then reverse that into brick and mortar? So, build an online mail order, online opportunity and then also back into a brick and mortar.
Rick: Interesting because it just sounds like there needs to be an awareness of understanding of flexibility. So instead of looking at outside influences that might, you might just say it’s negative. It’s terrible. It’s horrible. I can’t all of that. It’s kind of like we’re going through with a ridesharing and a cab. The Taxicab industry now embracing a lot of what they protested so vehemently against because it’s a recognition that this is now how the business landscape has changed and you need to have that nimbleness if you will. Agility, there you go. To do exactly that. I think nimbleness because it has more syllabus. It’s a longer word.
Andrew: I believe people fear what they can’t control and what they don’t understand. And so fear is your driver and fear is motivated, then, then that’s what you’re going to lean on. Fear comes from, false evidence appearing real, that’s things you don’t know, things you don’t understand and encourages when you understand and fear and you overcome fear.
Rick: But how does one literally do that because I am of a mind that there are so many– they’re in their tunnel. They’re myopic. This is what they know. This is the comfort zone. This is what I’ve always done. My dad didn’t his business. I’m doing it my business. Change is one of the most difficult things to affect. So how does one go through that process of literally changing what they’re doing that may not be working right, Cory.
Cory: That’s what we’re all seeking, right, that’s what we are all looking for. It’s one of the reasons I’m here. It’s one of the reasons that people are listening. I’m going to deflect the Jim because I’m here to learn too.
Rick: I will send it back to Jim. I want to get the boys-
Cory: Put it this way, I met a lady yesterday, having [unintelligible 00:21:24] before a meeting. She’d been in the building for 15 years making [unintelligible 00:21:46] and they’re ripping that building down and they’re a new building. She put a sign-out and she was telling everybody. She was serving. I’ve been here for 15 years, I’ve got to find a new place. It’s the only constant, change is you’re only constant. And like you said agility would be my only answer there.
Andrew: So I think the biggest blocker is ego. So a lot of times and pride. Right. So you’re running a company you’re doing the best you can and you might be marginally successful but they’re going to be people who can help you optimize what you currently have, but you’re afraid to ask for help because you feel like, something’s wrong with me. I’m not good enough to do this, you know, so you’ll fight change, and people know more than you all because you’re afraid to lose what you have or just, you know,
Cory: Jim said that a while ago. He told me it’s not all about your resources. It’s about your resourcefulness in this big wall and between those two is exactly what Drew said.
Andrew: [unintelligible 00:22:37] can be objective, this person could know more, and you could learn a lot from them. And become better yourself.
Cory: If it’s not your resource be resourceful.
Andrew: It’s never a matter of resources. It’s a matter of resourcefulness, hundred percent. People always think I don’t have enough money. Well, if you had the money. What would you do with it? I don’t have a plan. Okay, so you lack a plan. Well, okay, what are you trying to accomplish? Well, I don’t know, what’s the plan going to achieve? Well, I don’t know, what’s the end of the movie? I don’t know, what’s the goal? I don’t know. Well, if you don’t know those, you got to begin with the end in mind. You got to write the end of the movie and work backward to where you are today and then build every step towards the end of that movie and people don’t understand the reverse engineering aspect. So if you don’t know where you’re going. It’s really hard to get there. So, you know, it’s one of those scenarios where they say embrace the journey. But if it’s the journey to nowhere. Then you’re going nowhere.
Rick: Yes, but there’s a there’s a level of expectation by people. I put in the talent. I put in the time. I put in my money. I got the investment. I got the business plan, this and the other. I’m doing everything the way I’m supposed to do it. Why isn’t it working?
Andrew: Bad targeting. You didn’t target effectively. The size and value of the market weren’t large enough to accept another person participating in the market and therefore someone’s going to have to lose in order for you to win. And then how do you feel about that.
Jim: So Hawaii is very unique, right, because it’s isolated. Right. We talked to business owners, all the time. That’s what we do, right, and just because they’re seeing marginal success at this rate that they are. It doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily exceptional businessmen. That means we might be the only person in that industry. So the only one here, so they don’t really have to be optimized, they don’t have to be good, but as soon as there is some competition, who has some real structures and real systems and processes come in, they’re going to push them to the wayside.
Cory: And also going back to the question originally asked, what can businesses do to overcome those problems they’re going through. And I actually watched a YouTube video about a couple living in a van in Mexico and they had a chalkboard in their van and every day they would write down the things that they bumped into that they weren’t expecting, ran out of gas. They wouldn’t let us into this place, this place didn’t let dogs in, and so we had to sleep in the Walmart parking lot. All these things and they recognize these issues and they waited for them every day. So rather than expecting the shiny outcome to be ready for the work, be ready for the things that are going to cause you to turn left, turn right. Go over bumps go under a bridge. Whatever it is, be ready for those things celebrate those things and learn from them.
Rick: When you sit down by the river. I live in a van down by the river.
Cory: We are going to have goals.
Rick: That’s it, that’s exactly it. I’m using this a bit of preface because these are concerns that articulated, but they’re not amongst the top concerns. According to Forbes amongst the top 10 concerns facing businesses today. Nine of them are government related and that’s the expression by businesses and there is only one out of all of them, out of the top 10. That’s had nothing to do with business. We had issues like cash flow and you would think that these are the more practical things– that people– no. Number one, the cost of healthcare. Businesses are saying, how in God’s name, look at the amount of money. I got to spend mandatory health care. This, that and the other. Especially here in the state of Hawaii. As we know, that you all contend with are your businesses. Is it a surprise to any of you that the top concerns by businesses and America today are government related.
Andrew: I think that’s political. I think they’re going to use those as the reason to drive the conversation in a specific direction. I mean, if you want. If you think healthcare is too expensive. Right. And then the alternative to expensive healthcare is free health care for everybody. Now, how expensive. Do you think that’s going to be and then what is your expectation of free healthcare? What is your expectation of something that you’re given? And if it’s a right, and it’s determined to be a right, then so be it. But the end of the day is, I don’t control what happens in the government. Right. I have one voice. I have one vote. I make account and then I go with whatever the results are so I could sit there and say, Well, the reason I’m not successful is ABZ, whatever I want to use, but the end of the day, it’s up to me to find a way to adapt, to overcome, whatever obstacles place before me end of story. And like I said before when I was a young man. I was a firefighter and when you get called you are the last line of defense. There is nobody else to call you. You are being called because they’ve tried everything else, don’t think they haven’t, and it’s your job to find a solution to the problem. It’s not your job to complain about the problem or to say, oh, this is the reason if I had these proper resources. It would be much easier. That’s not the case. You have to find a way to adapt and overcome and either you’re making excuses or you’re finding solutions.
Rick: Let me just very quickly. I want to jump in with you fellas here, let me just say, its government regulations, uncertain economics, tax complicity, federal income tax, and then the others are also government related as well entering the top of those lists. So if I’m hearing you correctly. These are not things that you can directly have any type of influence over. One voice, one vote, etc. But, regardless if it’s government or private or something you put on yourself. You don’t personally overcome this, bada boom bada bing, end of the day.
Andrew: It is what it is.
Rick: And there you have it is what it is. Drew I didn’t mean to interrupt you.
Cory: Why don’t you tell us the rules and we will adapt overcome like you said have agility.
Andrew: You don’t control it and people think somehow you know you’re going to scream and in our business. We say, they will tell you, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. And in our business, the squeaky wheel gets replaced. We don’t give it too much grace because you’re looking for solution providers. We’re looking for people to solve problems. We’re not looking– it takes zero talent to point out problems. So when people say, well this is wrong. This isn’t right. Easy. I mean, anybody could have told you that. What’s the solution? And then our business. We talked about critical thinking. We talked about three options alternatives are solutions to every problem. So before anybody in our company from the bottom to the top brings a problem or some situation to us. They have to first think of an option, alternative or solution and we want, not just one, but three because if they’re going to spend the time to vet that and to spend some of their interest in time in finding solutions to the problems, then you can get a seat at the table. Then we’ll take you seriously, but if you’re just going to complain and whine and think that we’re going to give you the due course. It’s not going to happen. You have to invest in your own solution. And so those critical thinking and problem-solving skill sets are developed at the lowest level to make.
Rick: By the way, [unintelligible 00:28:59] record that and put that on a bumper sticker. That is so absolutely right. I have this thing about personal, individual responsibility and all this and that many times we project on others as to the reasons why. I do it myself, I catch myself doing it. But when it comes down to running and operating the business to which up support yourself, your family and others, depend on an income. Revenue career path, etc. Man, that complete transparency honesty is absolutely it.
Jim: It does sound very political to me because out of all these businesses consults that we’ve done together. The government has never come up, not one. It’s always cash flow workforce development and optimization
Andrew: It’s just the usual suspects, saying the usual things, complaining about the usual–and this goes on everywhere in the world. This isn’t just here. It’s every place. Same problems. Everyone has someone to blame. And the thing is, go, look in the mirror, you’re going to find the source of all your frustration all your problems staring right back at you, do it. I challenge anybody to do that.
Rick: Well, if they do, they’re going to have a long day.
Andrew: Once you rule yourself out as the problem. Then you really have look for the source.
Rick: And that is it. So all of this discussion and conversation, everybody protest signs, and all this business this and business that. Its Republicans will give you the best, it’s the democrats against you, and it’s the democrats going to help you–all of that is just.
Andrew: BS
Jim: Distraction.
Rick: Who is going to reach over the [unintelligible 00:30:18] I can’t reach it.
Andrew: No it’s true. I think that the more opportunity you give people to complain and whine and look outward instead of inward. You’re going to keep finding the same problem.
Rick: We are on Maker of Kings radio and we are going to return in a moment because this conversation has yet to be completed. Maker of Kings It’s right here, and listen we’ve been talking about businesses and I love talking about the umbrella under which we find businesses that you are responsible for and a part of, and one that you had mentioned earlier before was Sunex, and when you started talking about that. It was about support and assistance and help, but in a specialized way. What’s the essence of Sunex?
Jim: So we identify that all of the things that we do in all of our businesses needed to be consolidated into one location and so Sunex solutions, suntechsolutions.com is where you can find the information on that. It’s our business consultancy and what we do there is we solve problems for small businesses and some large businesses. We provide all the services that we provide all of our company, our advertising marketing promotions, SEO everything graphic design, ad placement, ad design, everything that we do goes through that one location and that one location provides that opportunity to not just us and our family of companies, but to other companies on island.
Rick: Telephone number, website, how can folks connect?
Jim: 808-853-142. Yes, or you can reach us at sunexbusinesssolutions.com.
Rick: I love it. All parts of it with lead generation, website development.
Andrew/ Jim: Sales. Everything you’re looking for.
Rick: Everything.
Jim: Business optimization and workforce development.
Rick: Love all of that. Listen, it looks like we may advert. The severity of a storm here, where our hearts are going out to you brother, because I know you’re like the middle of this back east, but its service. We started the program about service, share a little bit about the service that you can provide if folks, unfortunately, find themselves in a tough situation. How can Handy Handy and others within the umbrella? How can we help others?
Andrew: Well, our Handy Handy Company is a service and maintenance division, which is our handyman side and our construction division. We have rescue one restoration, which does water, fire, mold remediation restoration. We have the Sunex Business solution which is all of our businesses. It handles all of the business services and Armour Home Warranty which handles our home warranty program. So in the event that anyone needs anything, we are a service related business. We’re one call does it all. Call Handy Handy and we will point you in the right direction. If we can’t help you.
Rick: How does Home Warranty have a role in assisting to prevent or recover from let’s say tremendous storms?
Andrew: I mean your washing machine isn’t, you know, on pedestals, it’s on the ground. And that’s where the water comes in and does its thing. And I’ve had personal experiences with that. So it all ties in. Absolutely.
Rick: Yes. Listen, we have just a couple of minutes before the top of the hour. I want to thank you both. Because to have twice in one week has been a blessing but talk to those who are entrepreneurs, those who are in business. What can we leave them with today non-storm related that they should be contemplating about their business to how they can achieve what their goals may be even though they may not have a process that is down. Cory I’m going to back to you.
Cory: Yes, So Jim just mentioned Sunex and how we can help, and painted a real clear picture of what Sunex is there to do, it’s to help small businesses on our island. If you’re hearing these and you’re hearing things that you’re like, oh I could put that into practice and you’re not ready to spend the money and costs to get those private consultations. You know where you need to be on Wednesdays between nine and 10am. This is your free opportunity to see inside of a company. It’s important to know who you’re dealing with and making sure they’re actually those people. When you meet them the second time, use this as your usher in.
Rick: We talked to one of the themes, transparency, honesty, lack of ego that you brought Drew. Your thoughts to those dialed in right now about their business and what they should employ for themselves.
Andrew: You don’t have all the answers. If you did, you would have been the predicament that you’re in. Now there are others out there that are better suited to help you, and just let the ego go, let the pride go, and try to be the best and optimize your current situation by trusting others who know how to do it.
Rick: Yes, we may have businesses that are saying we’re broke. I got receivables that are coming in. I got expenses. I got to meet payroll. I’ve got my quarterly GT. I got to get that done. Holy smokes. And that’s what clouds all of the thought process, all the consciousness of some business. How do we talk to them? What advice would you give to those who are finding those challenges, Jim?
Jim: I have that, make a list, prioritize, right, reach out and finding solutions to those problems. Everything that you just brought up is even easily surmounted. Every single thing that you just brought up is something, that’s a symptom to an underlining cause, then we focus on first treating symptoms, making sure that those are solid and then we focus on the underlining cause. But it’s a solution based program. So what we do is look for critical path action plans in order to achieve outcomes. So we measure our outcomes we improve them. And then we continue down that path.
Rick: We began the program as well. Talking about our veterans. Places of employment opportunities through the MOK banner. Who would like to invite those veterans to please reach out if you are looking for, interested, if you’re transitioning, have a family member who might be looking for opportunity Drew, what’s the best way?
Andrew: So, you can go to our handyhandy.com and we have a recruitment tab. You can submit a resume there and also there is a phone number. I’ll give you two here 808-285-3443.
Rick: And that he is. You may still be active duty, you may be coming out in a year, or six months or whatever. Start that process now. Right, Cory? Because-
Cory: Military’s got their own service that they do for our soldiers getting out. They do a great job of it. But this is a whole different level. This is you taking care of you.
Rick: Excellent. Drew. I want to thank you, brother.
Andrew: Thank You.
Rick: As always.
Andrew: Appreciated. It’s good to see you again.
Rick: Brother Cory loving brother. Thanks so much.
Cory: Thanks, brother.
Rick: For everything as always. Brother Jim, man you just apart so much for us. It’s deeply appreciated and I wish you all the best. I know you can be on your on the water and hope things go well at the house.
Jim: Will be fine.
Rick: And all that, so everything is fine.
Jim: Thank you so much.
Rick: All right brother, thank so you much. MOK right here and it is for you. Go to makerofkings.com and believe me, there’ll be more in the future for you and MOK.
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