Browsing all articles from August, 2008

Aug
8

“Olympic Inspiration!”

Back in 1996, I watched a movie called “Big Night”.

As a mater of fact I watched it twice because I went back to the theater the next day and saw it again.

I’ve never done that before…….. or after.

I even ended up buying my own copy so now I own a huge library of two movies, “Big Night” and “Blazing Saddles”.

So what’s with my fascination with “Big Night?” you ask.

Here’s why I was captured by it……..

“Big Night” is about a failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers who gamble on one special night to try to save their business.

They are uncompromising when it comes to their quality, recipes, wines, service…..

They are committed to delivering a true and authentic Italian dining experience to every customer who graces their restaurant.

They are Passionate, with a capital P and Committed with a capital C, about their business.

So they pour their heart, soul and very last dollars into this one final effort to rescue their American dream…..their very own authentic Italian restaurant.

That’s what the movie is about and I won’t spoil it for you.

I love it.

Now to be clear, there’s really TWO things I love about this movie.

Number one, I love the restaurant business so I was fascinated by the creative food they served….so much so that now I even have my own “timpano” bowl……

That’s how goofy I am.

But number two; I loved their passion for their business.

These boys had a dream and against all odds they were going for it. The restaurant biz is one of the toughest and most competitive of all but that didn’t stop these guys.

They had a dream and they weren’t to be denied.

“OK Ron, what’s with the movie revue?”

Well here’s my point.

Tonight’s the “Big Night” for many of our kids and at least one Mom too.

It’s the eighth day of the eighth month of the year 2008.

It’s the grand opening night of the 2008 Chinese Summer Olympics.

A “Big Night” indeed.

I’ll be front and center at 8 PM. Turn on that widescreen and them fancy speakers.

I love the opening ceremony.

You see, the Olympics are a huge inspiration to me and hopefully to you too. We get to watch athletes who are at the very, very peak of their development……..
physically, mentally and emotionally.

They have trained for years and years, sacrificed everything and poured every ounce of energy they could muster into their training for this short one, two, three minute performance.

They have nothing left to sacrifice for their dream.

It’s all on the line boys and girls.

And most have over come unbelievable hurdles and obstacles to get there.

Some will finish first and some will finish last…..and some will not finish….

But everyone of them, no matter where they finish, will have my unbridled admiration.

The eighth place steeple chase runner from Zimbabwe is a hero.

I am immensely proud of anyone who has the courage to make that kind of commitment. The courage to put their heart on the line and let the world view the results……

Like my Italian buddies in “Big Night”

For you see, becoming an entrepreneur is much like becoming a world class athlete.

It takes enormous courage to attempt something as different and bold as owning your own business. Your friends and family will think you are crazy. You may risk all your hard earned dollars. You have every opportunity to fail. Sometimes you may even doubt yourself……..no, no….it’s certain you will doubt yourself.

But you are different……you have your dream…..you are the athlete.

So for those of you who have chosen the fork in the road that is less traveled……

For those of you who have decided to forego the 8 to 5 of most of your brothers and sisters….

For those of you who are battling today with your dreams vs. reality……

For those of you with just your tippy-toe in the water but have not yet jumped……….

I salute you!

You are the “athletes” of my world and my fellow brothers and sisters!

I have the utmost admiration and respect for each and every one of you.

So take some time tonight and this weekend to watch our courageous and inspirational warriors perform.

Imagine yourself carrying the American flag in your opening ceremony and performing for all your world to watch.

We each have our own stage and our very own and personal performance within us.

When you are ready, let me know…..and I WILL show up with Louis Prima.

Have an inspirational weekend and pass the wings!

I’m in it for the long haul.

Be Inspired!

Ron Mead, The Probate Guy
www.BuyProbateProperty.com
www.MakeAFlippinFortune.com
www.LegalCreditScoreTips.com

August 8, 2008 // Uncategorized // Comments Off //

Aug
8

“Bentley’s and Corn”

Here’s a couple of tips that can assist you in your Probate business.

While there are many online resources to assist you in locating the PR’s address and phone number if it’s not in the Petition for Probate, the one I might recommend is www.superpages.com.

Also, if you cannot get the PR’s address, just mail to the PR at the deceased’s address. They’ll generally be the one picking up the mail or having it forwarded to them so they will end up getting your letter.

Many times you will be inspecting the house by yourself. If you are and you are doing your walk-around, you may arouse the interest of the neighbors. This is a good thing….they can be a wealth of knowledge.

Many times a neighbor is the one who has the key to the house you need to inspect.

Be friendly. Take some time to meet and chat with them. When I meet a neighbor, I can often find out facts about the house as well as the family.

They’ll also often offer information about the neighborhood as well as houses that have recently sold.

Also, when I go out to do inspections, I never wear a coat and tie……and I never carry a brief case.

My inspection wardrobe consists of jeans, polo shirts and running shoes. Nice jeans, polo shirts and running shoes. My goal is to look like the guy next door, not the corporate executive. People are much more trusting if you don’t look super successful.

If I really want to get dressed up, I throw on my baseball cap.

I also bring a spiral note book for taking notes and if they need my phone number, I tear out a piece a paper and write it down for them. If you do decide you want to use business cards, make them very plain and just in black and white.

It has been my experience the more professional you look, the more suspicious the PR will be.

I even used to go so far as to drive my 14 year old SUV for all Probate work but as repair costs mounted, I finally had to bury her so I’ve got a newer SUV now.

Works just fine.

I suggest you leave the Bentley at home.

And finally, remember Jacob I told you about last week? He’s the gentleman I mentioned who has been working on several deals for the last six months and was about to close on one.

Well, he got a hold of me two days ago and all went well, everything closed as scheduled and he received his first check.

It actually turned out to be more than the $5000 he expected.

He’s a happy, happy young fellow……he’s actually 70 but you would never know it from the way he acts.

He, like me, is one of God’s ripening children.

I love to pass on stores of successes to you, especially when they involve relatively small amounts of mo*ney.

It seems to me that every success story you hear nowdays has to involve at least a five, six are even a seven figure sum or it isn’t worth mentioning.

Let me tell you those are the exceptions, not the rule.

Do you realize that if you just picked up one little deal each month and made what Jacob did, you have an extra 100 grand in your pocket at the end of the year?

Heck, that’ll get you almost ½ a Bentley.

Anyway, congratulations Jacob!

You ‘da Man!

I can’t wait to hear more stories from you!

If you would like to pick up the same personal blueprint of “31 Days to Profits in Probate Real Estate” that Jacob got, here’s where you can get more information;

http://BuyProbateProperty.com

Hope you’re all are enjoying your summer. We are about to harvest our first crop of tomatoes here in the Pacific Northwest and my all time favorite summer vegetable, fresh corn, is just a couple of weeks away.

My neighborhood buddy, David, (I have anointed him BBQ champ of the WORLD…..I am a Certified BBQ judge, you know!) has his Traeger smoker all fired up and ready to go so as soon as the corn is ready, we be havin’ smoked ribs and fresh corn.

Life is good!

Who needs Bentleys when you’ve got ribs and corn?

Be Happy!

Ron Mead, The Probate Guy

www.BuyProbateProperty.com
www.MakeAFlippinFortune.com
www.LegalCreditScoreTips.com