Joseph Warren, CEO You And Me Enterprises and Publisher/Editor of The Business Optimization Solutions & Services - "The BOSS"
- e-Newsletter
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About Me, Joseph L. Warren, CEO of You And Me Enterprises & Editor/Publisher of The BOSS e-Newsletter.
Currently, I am 39 yrs old. I am a "Jack of Many Trades" and Master of
few.
I graduated high school in 1984. Before graduating I enlisted into the United
States Navy.Two months after graduation, I shipped out to "Boot camp"
in Great Lakes, Michigan. (My intentions were to become an underwater Welder.)
After boot-camp, I went to Sub-Marine school. Not being where I needed to be to
become what I intended, I was shortly deployed to "Surface-Fleet"
duty. My duty station? The U.S.S. McCloy - a fast freight ship in the Atlantic
Fleet – was based in Norfolk, VA.
While at this duty station I had the opportunity to travel to several, exotic
and foreign lands. Even floated by the Virgin Islands and had Shore Leave in
Jamaica, Puerto-Rico, Martinique and Grenada. (Now, the U.S.S. McCloy is
decommissioned -bless its soul and crew.)
Not long after becoming a permanent "Crew" member came the beginning
of my realization of life. Nobody is going to just hand you anything on a
silver platter or for Free!
Unfortunately I was not able to obtain my desired career field because of
upper management and other peoples’ "Rules" governing me.
So, after almost 3 years and enough "Mischief", I was released
from my duty station. In other words I was discharged from the U.S. Naval
Service - although, under "OTH" status. For those, that are not,
familiar with the term, OTH means "Other Than Honorable Discharge"!
Luckily, my "Mischief" was not severe enough that, 6 months after
my discharge, I was eligible to file papers for an "Honorable Discharge"!
Beginning of the Trades:
Not having a "TRADE", being discharged in Virginia and not
knowing much about that area – I’m from South Carolina -
I began my civilian life as a "Bouncer", or Doorman,
at my local watering hole.
During the day, I would search the newspapers for handy-man jobs - jobs
like Carpentry, and Masonry! Not being necessarily what I wanted, or
what I thought I would enjoy, they paid the bills. Although,
Carpentry has become my Secondary career - my "fallback" in times
of low funds.
Wrong Place, Wrong Company!
After getting my self into trouble with "Socially undesirable"
folks and the law, I thought it best to make my way back to my home State of S.C.!
The Long Way Home!
You could say I took the scenic route home! I teamed up with a few people and
went on a road trip to California – San Bernardino, actually!
While we were there, in order to support ourselves, we stayed at
the local Missions and did day labor work. Through one of the church’s
day labor programs, we heard about a Carnival coming. We applied for the
job(s) and actually got them.
After a while I, myself, became "First-Man" on the ride –
"Sky-Diver"! This actually was a pretty intense position.
It involved having to acquire laborers from the day labor companies,
tote them to the Fairground and instruct them in assembling the
amusement ride itself.
This was NOT an easy task! These laborers, or men, had no knowledge of
assembling such a mechanical piece of equipment!
The "Sky-Diver", which happened to be one of the biggest
Ferris Wheels on the planet, took 14 to 16 grown men and at least 8 hours
or more, to put it together. It took another 2 to 3 hours of testing for
safety purposes. And Sound equipment – Yes! I had the Tunes Crankin’ too!
For several Months this was a way of life. Ah, the Life of a Carney! Better
than being a Clown in a Circus!
Then came Christmas. Up until then, I had never missed a Christmas with
my family in S.C. And this year was going to be no different. With the
elements that were so readily available to anyone in California, it was
"Not" a good idea for me, or anyone that was in my party, to
stay any longer then we had to.
So it was time to head back to the East Coast. Churches and Missions were
our means of lodging and most of our meals. This was not really what one
would call a Vacation trip!
Once I was back, I spent some time regrouping with family. Utilizing my
youthful manual labor abilities, I fell back on the experience – or
knowledge – I had obtained and got a job as a carpenter’s helper.
From there I worked my way up to Apprentice.
Funny thing – carpentry! "Weather" has a way of controlling
your income at times. So, I felt it time to learn something that weather
had nearly no influence over – Factory work.
I became a machine operator at a local plant, operating a machine that
cuts slats or grooves in Polymer panels for, none other than, "Block-Buster
Video" stores. (The grooves hold the shelves.)
Again, because of management or other individuals and their "human nature",
I couldn’t see a way to climb any "ladder" and not have to deal
with politics. So, again I went to the newspaper.
I got somewhat lucky. I found a position open for a "Pipe-fitter’s Helper!
Close enough to Welding but, with no water, my initial reason for joining the
Navy. I finally felt I was on the right track. Work went well and I learned
a good bit. Not to mention, I also made some good money and some good friends.
But then, it happened again. The ole’ "Last Man on the Totem-Pole"
effect. Or, as it became, "Last man Hired, First Man Fired!" The work
slowed down and the company had to liquidate some of its over-head. That meant
"Me" and a few other guys had to go! And, believe it or not, a woman or
two were let go as well.
Back to the Paper’s Classified-Ads section. I started becoming pretty good at
reading the "Ads". By now, I was able to pretty much read an Ad
and filter through it to determine whether or not it was a long lasting job!
Or, if it was a position of authority, or if one would need a certificate or
degree, etc.
Before long I figured it out! I wasn’t going to get the ideal position I wanted
without having to go back to school or spend a lot of time in a training
position - which can take years before the "big money" starts to show.
I was not a "high marks" student, before I graduated! So going to
school seemed like a waste of money. I was young then. And I kicked myself for
a long time thereafter!
After a few bad relationships and lack of work, I sat and tried to figure out
what to do. Ever since I could remember, I liked to drive! It just so happens
that I found an Ad that offered free training for a Trucking Company.
Short investment of time AND a Career!
I jumped at it full force!! Then I learned that relationships, other
people, and the hours you have to keep can put a strain on one’s work habit.
Truck Drivers come a dime a dozen. I was also going through a personally
stressful time.
And then mandatory driving class license format, or DCL, came in to play.
This meant I would have to go back to school in order to be able to drive
trucks – at my own expense! If you’re not on top of the game, someone else
will surely take your place!
Better Days!
After some time, I met someone, and began to change my way of doing things.
We even started a small business, a "Lawn Care Service", pulling
from my after-school job of cutting lawns and raking leaves and
cleaning yards for the neighbors in my neighborhood. We acquired all
the tools we needed to operate this business. We worked hard to acquire
clients, making sure that their satisfaction was our main goal.
Problem was I didn’t have two very major important things:
a "Business Plan" or the "Experience"
to run a business.
This is when I realized, even with all the work experience I had -
being part of the working force and all - without these two things,
"You" or "I" can be the hardest working person on
the planet and still not become successful.
Back to the Wanted Ads! Still wanting to pursuit a career in Landscaping,
I found a company looking for labors. So I applied, got the job and
through this job, was able to broaden my work experience. I was trained
to operate Heavy Equipment - Backhoes, Dozers and Track hoes! And, I
was actually good at it - Driving and Tools together! I was even able
to get a taste of a management position while working for this company.
Then the difficulties of a relationship started to interfere with my work habit.
So I had to find something quick. A friend of mine told me about a sub-contracting
position. Great thing about this position was that they trained you!
I figured this would be great. I would get some knowledge of how to run
my own business and, at the same time, get a paycheck!
1994 – My Introduction to the Communications Industry!
My intro into communications started with cable television. I was now trained as
a Subcontractor for Comcast Cable Television Company. My job title?
Professional Cable Installer. In short, I was a "Cable Guy"!
I installed cable for private residences and a few commercial companies.
Nothing major. Mostly I installed multiple lines for receiving cable in
several offices or rooms.
Working everyday with a new customer, I had to refine and expand my "People
Skills". Unfortunately not every Customer or Client is the same.
Even though you’re there because they requested the service, not everybody
is polite, or thankful that you are at their place of business or their
personal living space.
Handling such diversified clientele takes finesse! Especially if you want to
keep your references in good standing as a "Sub–Contractor!".
1995 – I was introduced to the Personal Computer and the Internet!
While attempting to install cable to a client’s home, I meet someone that
worked from his home, a "Draftsman", Web-Developer, and Site Host.
His tools? Computers! Today he’s a dear friend of mine and business associate.
(You never know when an opportunity will knock on your door!)
I knew from the first second I sat in front of one of his computers,
"This" is what I wanted to do.
The Internet was extremely fascinating to me! In my present field as a Cable
Guy, "Satellite", "Dish", "Networks" and "Fiber
Optics" were evolving.
From 1995 until 1999, I started teaching myself how to operate a Computer.
But, because of the high costs, I didn’t own my own computer until 2000.
Learning how to operate a computer was a good thing, too, since cable
sub-contracting was being phased out due
to most companies’ "In-House Promotion Policies".
Year 2000. Opening Shop!
After cable sub-contracting phased out, I relied on my professional driving
skills once again. My occupation? A "Cab-Driver"! I was one of
5 drivers that aided in the establishment of a new cab company in
the Charleston, SC area. With our business plan and
persistence, "Flag –A-Cab" was born.
While I was a full time "Cabby", my fiancé, Janet, and I
started our own small business offline. We started a Wholesale Merchandise
Distribution Company out of our "Rented" 2-bedroom Mobile Home!
Our company then was the same type of business that you see "Online"
today! Only we started door to door! (Lots of Walking and Lots of "No’s"!).
With lots of very hard work, we managed to supplement our income. But selling
door-to-door is very difficult! One day, after striking out many times over
and in desperation to survive, I walked in to a store that had the type of
product line we carried.
I went inside and talked to the owner for a little while. I explained my
company, my product line and the "Customer Service" I was willing
to "Guarantee"! I think now, in retrospect, it was because of
that – our Customer Service - I was fortunate enough to walk away with a
fairly large sale.
This fairly large sale caused us to "Change Gears"! We began
targeting local Stores. And we received what we were looking for - Higher
increase in Sales and Revenue with Less Footwork, Less Time Spent!
Janet, having commendable computer skills, built a Website to present our
"Products" in a more, Professional manner. This was Another Gear
Changer!
While showing our products to Storeowners, they became more interested
in the website "Aspect" then the Products that were displayed.
We then started receiving requests for Websites from the Stores owners.
Following the pattern of "Supply of Demand", we started developing
Websites for Small business Owners.
While Marketing and Promoting our new business product(s), talking to
Merchants and listening to their "needs and wants," our company
started seriously researching other Services and Products that businesses
need – i.e.: Business Management Services, Business Tools/Equipment,
Product and Service Sourcing, Advertising and Marketing Knowledge, etc.
You And Me Enterprises has for the past 4 years, worked hard to become a
company that Small and Large businesses can contact for the services they
need to optimize their business(s).
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