Archive for the “Columbus GA” Category

I am happy to announce that my friend and real estate business partner, Wes Weaver, got engaged to Brandy Sheffield.  I am very happy for the couple.  I think they will make a great couple.  I was honored and privileged to have been invited and attended the private family and close friends event at his parents house in Midland, GA.

I look forward to their wedding whenever they decide it should be.

Last Thursday, I attended the 2nd Annual Poverty Symposium organized by Enrichment Services Program Inc., a Georgia non-profit organization.

It was interesting that I had received an invitation to this free event. It turns out that I received an invitation because of my prior attendance of last year’s Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum. In that event, it attracted many people from both the private and public sectors who had an interest in leadership and the future of business.

I was impressed that someone would create an event and assemble an interesting roster of attendees to discuss the issue local poverty.  Local politicians, representatives, public agencies, and non-profit organizations appeared to be the target audience.  Whereas I, representing small business in the private sector, seemed to be in the small minority.

Although the Poverty issue is certainly not the most exciting or inspiring subject to learn and think about, I am not oblivious of its impact locally, regionally, nationally, and even globally.  Poverty affects everyone even the affluent, wealthy, and the rich.

Unlike presidential candidate John Edwards, who made it a major issue in his campaign, I do not think that government and non-profit organizations can themselves solve this problem.  They can provide some funding and services to assist in the effort and deal with the symptoms but fundamentally, businesses and private sector must ultimately get involved to make a huge difference.

Danny Bivins of The Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia in Athens was the opening moderator of a Panel Discussion that included representatives from the Housing Authority of Columbus GA, United Way, Columbus Public Library, and Open Door Community House.

It was interesting because I have interacted with each of these agencies to various degrees through my normal course of business.  I listened as to what their opinions were regarding the local poverty issue.

A big part of the Panel discussion was finding and acknowledging the “root causes” of poverty, not simply the symptoms.  Issues such as high school education, affordable housing, diversity, home ownership, teen pregnancy, and marriage were all touched upon as “so-called” root causes.

In my mind, I agreed with much of what they said but I also disagreed with a good portion of it.  Most of the issues were politically-correct discussions that avoided the central and politically-charged issue:  the Culture of Poverty.

In the audience, were a few people that were beneficiaries of government programs and non-profit organization services.  So much of the day’s discussion focused on what the government, non-profit organizations, legistlation, and social programs could do help.  There was almost NO discussion on what the private sector and businesses could do to help.  There was also almost NO discussion of personal responsibility of what people in poverty needed to do to pull themselves out of poverty.

In the Poverty Symposium attendee folder, the Shriver Center included a packet that supposedly graded politicians and their performance in fighting poverty.  Not surprisingly, Republicans got failing grades and Democrats got excellent grades.  It was based on voting records on what the Shriver Center perceives as important bills to combat poverty.  From what I could see, there was little regard to the costs of each social program.  I have no doubt each bill have merit but I thought to myself, who pays for every single program that is going to be proposed?

In any case, it quickly appeared to me that the packet by the Shriver Center was clearly Democrat-leaning.  For the record, I classify myself as an Independent.  I cannot classify myself as a traditional Republican or a traditional Democrat.  I disagree enough with both parties to keep myself Independent.

Although Congressmen and Senators were invited, none attended in person.  Young representatives of each politician’s office were there to make their presence known.

Deborah Weinstein of the Coalition on Human Needs, concluded the day with her perspective on the national level. Admittedly, she said each community must do their part to deal with the poverty issue.  Not everything could be handled on the national level.  I agreed with her. But in her presentation, there appeared to be a “hole” in her presentation.

Like her non-profit peers, the focus seems to provide more services and more government programs.  Being patient for most of the day, I finally tried to ask a question regarding why there was no discussion about how businesses and the private sector could be involved in a way that didn’t always require donating money.  It seems that all businesses and private sector are good for are money donations which somewhat offended my sensibilities.

I also desperately wanted to know why no one wanted to tackle the Culture of Poverty and the Poverty Mindset which is ultimately what keeps many people poor, not necessarily the lack of services or opportunity.

Ultimately, a woman who came from poverty and a beneficiary of non-profit services got more “air-time” than others who had resources and fresh ideas to offer.

After the program ended, I had the opportunity to speak to Junie Christian who was a Host of the Poverty Symposium and Belva Dorsey, Executive Director of Enrichment Services Program.  I asked about why there was almost no discussion of the Culture of Poverty issue.

I brought up the well-known saying “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”  Quite simply, I wondered why there are not more educational programs that deal with this.

I also shared the well-known tales of lottery winners who come into a lot of money through their winnings but ultimately run their lives into the ground.  They do so not because they never had the chance to get money, they do so because they fundamentally are poverty-cultured.

They were surprisingly pleasant and engaged my discussion.  I told them I was also concerned about the poverty issue but my “small business” and entrepreneurial perspective vastly differed from the non-profit sector’s approach. Nevertheless, I told them I was willing to keep an open mind to any information they might have since I cannot claim to be an expert on the poverty issue.

All in all, I did not regret my time at the Poverty Symposium.  It did give me a different perspective on the poverty issue and it gave me time to reflect on how I might do my part to help.  But I did know that I wasn’t going to simply throw money on the problem.

It should be interesting to see what happens now going forward

Today was a crazy day. Since I moved to Georgia in 1997, I have never seen this much snow. The snowfall and snow flurries I saw today were scenes I only saw when I visited places like Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, and Colorado.

It was just crazy seeing my car buried in the snow. I know my Northern friends thinks this is funny since they get this type of snow almost everyday during the winter. But for us down here in the South, it is unusual.

It was so unusual, I decided to become a CNN iReporter and submitted my videos and photos to CNN’s iReport. Surprisingly, it has received many views.

Last week, I had the great pleasure to attend the 3rd annual Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum here in Columbus, GA.  It isn’t often there is a collection of high-profile speakers and authors that come into the local area.  When I found out about it the Friday before the Monday-Tuesday event, I jumped on it.

The speakers were:  Dr. & Congressman Newt Gingrich, General Russel Honore, Daniel Pink, Thomas Friedman, John Maxwell, and GA Chief Justice Leah Sears.

I have to say each person made an impact on me in their own special way.  On Day One, I was impressed by how knowledgeable Newt Gingrich was in his presentation.  He went past political arguments to present his case on improving the health care system.

General Russel Honore of Hurricane Katrina fame gave a funny, entertaining but also very serious speech on preparedness.  I felt that more government officials should have heard his speech.  He gave me a perspective of public service that was inspiring.

On Day Two, GA Chief Justice Leah Sears gave a short speech on familes and education.  Her speech was much shorter than anticipated which led to an extended break.

Daniel Pink of “A Whole New Mind” was dynamic and brought a youthful energy into the presentations.  I loved his book which continues to resonate and impact me as I do business.

John Maxwell who has written many titles on Leadership (of which I have several in my bookshelf) gave his view of the 5-levels of leadership.  Those 5-levels made me reflect where I stood in my leadership abilities.

Finally, Thomas Friedman of “The World is Flat” and “The Lexus & Olive Tree” fame presented material from his new book “Hot, Flat, and Crowded”.  His talk was sweepingly huge and had global proportions.  He talked about “global weirding”, a flat world, that is growing in population exponentially.  I enjoyed his thoughtful and low-key approach.

The event was a success with around 800 people in attendance.  They provided two hot lunches and a hot breakfast as part of the event.  The part I did not like was that neither day were full days.  They were only partial days.  However, the 2-day event was only $299 which was a bargain for me especially since I did not have to travel as I normally do.

As the Leadership Forum ended, an announcement was made that Colin Powell would head next year’s line-up.  Colin Powell is an amazing role model, a tremendous thinker, and diplomat.  I will definitely be there for next year’s event.

Since my announcement of my upcoming, new 3-day TurnKey Investor seminar, I have since formalized the name. It is now called, “The TurnKey Investor’s 2008 Real Estate Portfolio Building Workshop“. If you click on that link, you will see that a new information page specifically for that seminar has been created.

The venue still has not been decided as well as the specific dates. That won’t happen until I visit a few of the nicer hotels in Columbus, GA and speak to the hotel sales staff. I would like to do it at the end of September 2008 but it may get pushed back to October 2008 depending on scheduling.

After I get back from Colorado Springs, I have to assemble the team members I want to help manage and staff the event.  In the coming days and weeks, you will see many updates to the “The TurnKey Investor’s 2008 Real Estate Portfolio Building Workshop” information page.  Check back often for the latest updates.

For the very first time, I will be hosting and teaching a 3-day TurnKey Investor intensive seminar workshop in Columbus, GA. I will be inviting students from across the U.S. to attend this very special event in September 2008.

It has been suggested and even recommended by many people that I hold my own seminar event. Although I have done smaller events and short seminars, I have been resistant to doing a bigger event.

My thought has always been that there are plenty of “other” instructors teaching similar subjects. I have also frequently said I didn’t want to get into the seminar business. However, as I look around, I have discovered that Wes Weaver and I have our own distinctions and techniques which differ from many other investors and instructors. Not only that, there appear to be very few who are “teaching from street experience”.

While I have released several book and audio titles on lease-options, “subject to” mortgage financing, portfolio building, and property management, it is never quite the same as being taught in person. Essentially, I believe there is a need and I am launching this 3-day event in September 2008. Students will have the opportunity to come to our home turf and learn what we do first hand.

I have asked some of my prior students here in Columbus, GA to assist me in putting on this professional event. At this time, we plan on doing 3-day sessions that will include 2-evening sessions. Basically, my students will be immersed in the subject matter. It is my intention to fill up the students brain until it hurts them.

The agenda and other specifics are being planned and outlined. There will be more announcements before we officially accept registrations for this exciting seminar event in September 2008. Updates will be added to the TurnKeyInvesting.com website.

I have a congratulatory announcement to make regarding my real estate business partner, Wes Weaver. Last week, Wes passed his exam and attained his license as a Full-fledged Real Estate Broker. For the three years prior, he was a real estate agent. For two years prior, he was both a real estate investor and property manager.

Becoming a real estate broker, Wes elevates his professional status, knowledge, and experience to a higher level. I am happy to say that we remain good business partners to this day and I am excited to see what he will do as takes his business career and business to a new level with a real estate brokerage company.

Wes and I have had private meetings and brainstorm sessions regarding which direction he should go. I am his advisor but ultimately he will be running this new ship his way.

Wes has chosen to maintain his relationship with me on “The TurnKey Investor” educational series but I suspect he will one day launch his own “Real Estate Agent” educational series on the publishing side.

Again, congratulations to my friend and business partner, Wes Weaver, on his new found achievement and status.

Following my November announcement that The Investors Roundtable of Columbus, GA would be discontinued, my friend and student Tony Calloway took the initiative to “informally” continue what I had left behind with The Investors Roundtable meetings.

Several weeks passed and I have observed from afar how the group has progressed. I am pleased to say that even without my or Wes Weaver’s guidance or direction, they have maintained the energy and enthusiasm to move forward together.

Clearly the structure and format has changed under Tony’s leadership. He has brought a new tone and energy to the group. Whereas I led with a “strong hand” and singular mandate, Tony brings a consensus-building, democratic sensibility to the group. It allows the members to participate more in the leadership of the group.

Having seen positive results under Tony’s leadership, I agreed to support Tony from afar. I have no desire to actively manage or lead the group but I am interested in seeing the group flourish and grow. To that end, I have formally supported Tony’s efforts to continue and grow the group.

I will assist in bringing awareness and publicity to the group through my websites. I will also assist in bringing credibility and education to the group by making my published materials to the membership at a discounted price.

I firmly believe that the strength of a group comes from the strength of the leadership. There is another group that regularly meets in Columbus, GA. I do not believe in its leadership nor do I believe in its effectiveness. And so, while I respect the membership and their efforts, I cannot endorse them.

I am a person who believes you should be discriminating who you accept as a member into a group. You are judged by your achievements and performance, not simply having money and being interested.

As long as Tony and I continue to be aligned in the mission, I will continue to support the ongoing efforts of The Investors Roundtable of Columbus-GA.