Small Business Today Magazine OCT 2014 THE EFFORT COMPANIES | Page 5

SBT Houston Staff October 2014 PUBLISHER SCOLUMN Chairman John Cruise President/Executive Publisher Steve Levine Vice President /Associate Publisher/ Creative Director/Editor Barbara Davis-Levine From the Publisher Steve Levine Business Development Manager Deborah A. Powell Business Development/PR Robin Dahm Bill Huff Aaron Kaplan Lisa Lopez Intern Jesus Gonzalez Graphic Designer Lavinia Menchaca Photographers Gwen Juarez Contributing Writers Helen Callier Barbara Davis Laquitta DeMerchant Mila Golovine Ruben Gonzalez Bruce Hurta Jennifer Jacobson Aaron Kaplan Craig Klein Hank Moore Mayor Annise Parker Howard Partridge Christi Ruiz Rita Santamaria Gail Stolzenburg Heather Warner Aimee Woodall Chief Advisor Hank Moore Publisher’s Advisory Board Shah Ardalan Helen Callier Sonia Clayton Donna Cole John Cruise Dirk Cummins April Day Dr. John Demartini Maya Durnovo Kathie Edwards Mila Golovine Dory Gordon David Holt Richard Huebner Jeffrey Jones Darryl King Craig Klein Wea Lee Hank Moore Lisa M. Morton Mike Muhney Leisa Holland Nelson Tony Noun Mayor Annise Parker Page Parkes Howard Partridge Susan Repka Maria Rios Grant Sadler Rita Santamaria William Sherrill Pam Terry Linda Toyota Jack Warkenthien Carlecia D. Wright Aaron Young Phone: [phone] E-Mail: [email protected] Or Write: Small Business Today 5380 West 34th Street, Ste 230 Houston,TX 77092 See us on the web at www.SBTMagazine.net Free APP for Android & iPhone go to your APP Store and type in Small Business Today Magazine SMALL BUSINESS Today MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY LEGACY PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC. 5380 WEST 34TH ST., STE. 230 HOUSTON, TX 77092 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER - STEVE LEVINE: 832-419-2814 CHAIRMAN - JOHN CRUISE: 832-460-2020 www.SBTMagazine.net ADVERTISING RATES ON REQUEST. BULK THIRD CLASS MAIL PAID IN TUCSON, AZ. POSTMASTER: PLEASE SEND NOTICES ON FORM 3579 TO 5380 WEST 34TH ST., STE. 230 HOUSTON, TX 77092. ALTHOUGH EVERY PRECAUTION IS TAKEN TO ENSURE ACCURACY OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS, SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR OPINIONS EXPRESSED OR FACTS SUPPLIED BY ITS AUTHORS. COPYRIGHT 2012, LEGACY PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. Have You Checked Your “BP” Lately? H October Greetings Everyone! ave you checked your “BP” lately? No, I am not talking about checking your blood pressure (but good for you); I am referencing checking your Business Plan. If you have not visited your business plan in the last year, it might be time to do so. Business Plans are not just for the initial financing of your business. More importantly, they are to chart your course for the days, weeks, and months to follow. I have often heard that, “The only thing permanent is change” which is extremely applicable when it comes to your clients’ wants, needs, and preferences. Are you keeping up with those changes? If not, they may be searching for a company who is already “on top” of their needs. Remember that your clients are your competitor’s prospects and vice versa. Here are some suggestions of things you might start with: • Talk to your customers and get an update on how their business and their consumers have changed. • Talk to your staff (if any) and ask for their feedback and suggestions on the business (you may be surprised with what they know and think). • Visit your competitor’s websites and social media to discover how they have changed in meeting their consumer’s needs. Remember “why” you created your business and understand that everything is subject to change without any notice. Keep your focus on your dreams, be ready to make changes that need to be changed, and never give up. Our cover honoree for our October 2014 issue, Emile “Chuck”Toups of the Effort Companies is a true visionary and dreamer whose business plans are always in motion, much like the race cars he has that are always winning. Barbara and I were introduced to Emile and his companies by Sonia Clayton of Virtual Intelligence Providers. Not only is Sonia on our Publisher’s Advisory Board, she is also a past cover honoree. We have spent many hours getting to know Emile and listen to his dreams about his future plans, all of which incorporate what he values most - his GOD and his family, first and foremost. It really was fun getting a chance to shoot the cover on the race track at MSR Houston with Emile’s two Porsche Race Cars of EFFORT RACING. I know you will enjoy Emile’s story and understand his message, “We Come to Win!” Good Reading, Good Sales, and Great Success to You All! Steve Levine President/Executive Publisher, Small Business Today Magazine [ OCTOBER 2014 ] www.SBTMagazine.net 3