Happy 50th Anniversary Mom & Dad

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Keith Mabe

It is an awesome thing to reminisce about a beautiful love story that began a little over fifty years ago. Many friends and family traveled from all over to make it to their anniversary party to share memories with my Mom and Dad. It was an astounding display of love and affection.

There are some important things I’d like to say. Most importantly, congratulations Mom and Dad. Fifty years of doing anything is a long time, and fifty years of happy married life is really quite remarkable.

There are some who can remember looking back to when Mom and Dad began their relationship. They were fortunate to have had the opportunity to see them as they were in the beginning . . . as they anticipated the days ahead of them, wondering what they would find in each other. This anniversary especially, is the perfect time to slowly leaf through those memories they have made together. They are the moments that brought them to where they are today, still anticipating, still writing the pages that they will remember tomorrow.

There’s an old saying “Tell me whom you love and I will tell you who you are.” Mom, because of your grace, beauty and intelligence it’s not hard to see why Dad fell in love with you. And Dad there is something captivating about your obvious affection for Mom. Your patience and kindness is something that has kept us all grounded.

Amidst all the complexities of life, love and family, there is an endearing lesson to be learned from the simplicity of your love for each other. The world has changed in so many ways since your wedding and yet, people are still choosing to get married. And I believe one reason is because they have seen people like you two demonstrate how well it can work.

And, it’s no wonder that our family’s love continues to grow. Because of a lifetime of encouragement and support from both of you, I am here today as the man you have helped me become. I am so very proud to be your son. So proud to be a result of your union…a reflection of your love for each other.

Love that is true never grows old.

Ten Commandments For Business

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Keith Mabe

Below are the Ten Commandments for Business and, as I see it, a basis for how people should conduct themselves in business. So, to offer a translation of sorts, I have also listed what they should mean in day-to-day business terms.

It is most important, especially in today’s world, that we conduct business in the most moral and ethical way possible. It is a rare thing these days and I am hopeful that this meager contribution will somehow enlighten those who read it.

I. “I am the Lord your God…you shall have no other gods before me.”	I. Show proper respect for authority.
II. “You shall not make for yourself an idol.”	II. Have a singleness of purpose.
III. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.”	III. Use effective communication in work and deed.
IV. “Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.”	IV. Provide proper rest, recreation, and reflection.
V. “Honor your gather and mother, so that you may live long…”	V. Show respect for elders.
VI. “You shall not murder.”	VI. Show respect for human life, dignity, and rights.
VII. “You shall not commit adultery.”	VII. Maintain a stability of the sexes and the family.
VIII. “You shall not steal.”	VIII. Demonstrate the proper allocation of resources.
IX. “You shall not give false testimony.”	IX. Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
X. “You shall not covet…”	X. Maintain the right of ownership.

Bootstrapping a Business via Factoring

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Keith Mabe

bootstrapping Many start-up companies that are looking for financing are finding conventional loans hard to come by. As commercial lending is still weak and small business lending remains flat, securing a lending source is as difficult as it has ever been.

In the wake of an ongoing financial crisis, banks have continued to tighten their lending practices in order to lower risk levels and comply with tougher regulations. This leaves millions of entrepreneurs without a source of financing for starting up new companies.

Many small business start-ups have resorted to what is called Bootstrapping. This is term that refers to starting and running a company with no or little capital. This approach, however, requires a large amount of creativity, ideas and a significant amount of luck to quickly generate cash flow and operate at a low cost. In the traditional sense, a bootstrap is a strap on to top of a boot for leverage to pull the boot on. In the business world it is creating leverage to start up a business with very little or nothing.

Invoice Factoring can be a valuable tool for bootstrapping companies. For example: A service company has an opportunity start up with a new client that requires adding resources (like new employees). Normally, this could be an extremely difficult situation for a start up. However, the business can receive immediate funds from a Factoring Company upon issuing the invoice and, in turn, use the funds support the resources needed (like payroll) for the new customer. There are many other examples, but the theme is the same: Cash from factoring is used to pay for labor, materials, or inventory in conjunction with completing delivery and issuing an invoice to the customer.

What’s more, the business can continue to utilize Invoice Factoring to manage cash flow and continue to grow the business – all without a cash outlay or conventional loan. It is all about control and cash flow management. More savvy business owners will work the factoring fees into the product or service provided. Others use the extra cash to take quick-pay discounts from suppliers by paying early. With the right financial strategy, factoring can also provide long term cash flow management, not just a quick fix.

As more and more start up companies discover the benefits of factoring, entrepreneurs are warming-up to the idea that there is a readily available source of cash hidden within their accounts receivable.

Dear Mom

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Keith Mabe

mom I’ve never really been a great conversationalist, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. However, I find it easier to write, as it helps me to organize my thoughts and feelings in a way that I could never achieve vocally. If I were to try to say all of this within a conversation, I feel the meaning and message would be lost.

As a boy growing up, you never really understand why your parents do or say the things that they do, especially your mom. That is, until you become a parent yourself and catch yourself saying things to your children that you heard from your mom decades ago. And say to yourself, “I can’t believe I just said that!” You soon realize the full impact of your parents’ influence on you an how you interact with your own children. As I continue my journey through parenthood, I regularly find new appreciation for the lessons you tried to teach me and the example you set for me. I can also fathom the frustration you must have felt while watching your oldest son make mistake after mistake during his procession through life.

I remember you often told me that I could be anything I wanted to be, as long as I put my mind to it. I also watched you live by what you said. I watched you put yourself through college while dealing with three rambunctious children (sorry about that), and continue to go after your goals. Goals you hardly imagined for yourself when you were growing up. You taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I have endless admiration for what you have achieved during my lifetime and how it has influenced those around you.

You also used to say that nothing I could ever do would surprise you. I never knew if was a good thing or a bad thing. I still don’t. I sit in amazement of you because, at times, you believed in me more than I believe in myself. I hope I can continue to surprise you, and I’ll do my best to make sure it’s always good.

Thank you for loving me, for believing in me, and for helping to shape who I am today. Thank you for all you have done for your children. You have always been there for each of us. I know how hard you have worked, and thank you for always putting us first. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives.

I love you Mom.

Surveys Says: Job Seekers Care More About Paycheck Than Health Care

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Keith Mabe

Need a Job Although the recent government shutdown was a minor inconvenienced to some Americans, how did it impact those looking for work? The health care debate seemed to be the main catalysts for the shutdown, with both parties claiming to be the voice of the public, but has the voice of the job seeker been drowned out as a result?

A new nation wide poll asked those very questions to find out what was more important to job seekers: a paycheck or health insurance. The result? A majority of the unemployed Americans (77%) would apparently take the job, even if it meant no health insurance.

Online career network Beyond.com surveyed over 5,000 job seekers from across the country to find out how the government shutdown and the technical frustrations with the health care roll-out impacted their employment search. The survey comprised a dozen questions to determine if healthcare was really the main concern for those seeking employment, and most respondents were just interested in a salary to support their family.

61% of those who participated in the survey said that their top priority when it comes to a job is salary, not health care.
That’s despite approximately 32% of respondents saying they currently don’t have health insurance, with nearly 50% of those people citing they haven’t had health insurance for more than a year.
89% of respondents said they’d do just about anything to find a job, including working long hours and/or weekends.

Survey respondents included job seekers from the Millennial, Gen X and Baby Boomer generations. Interestingly, a majority of the respondents from each generation reported that they’d consider job offers even if they did not include health insurance at all — despite numerous reports citing the increased need for health care across the board, especially with Baby Boomers.

If our elected leaders will listen, the people are telling you what’s most important. Jobs are a top priority, not healthcare or health insurance.