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 My first consulting contract was for $25/hour working for the Good Shepherd Montessori School in McKinney, Texas helping them assess their team effectiveness and teaching them how to work better together. I remember the pride I felt as I pulled into the parking lot of their business. "This could work"... I remember saying to myself, and thinking just how cool it would be to have a business dedicated to improving the world of work.
Three years later, I look back with gratitude and humility as I think of the many people who have helped me along the way - those who offered contracts or who needed consulting help just as my check book was getting low. There have also been several people who have not only helped me significantly, but who have also embodied the iLead philosophy every step of the way. My list could go on forever, but here's my short list of people I need to thank for getting me this far along the path.
My Wife - Missie who has been supportive and realistic as the iLead plane lifted itself slowly off the ground. She is the yin to my yang and a perfect voice of reason when I am off in the broccoli planning some other crazy non-leveraging activity. Thanks for allowing me to live out my dream!
My Brothers: Lee, Ron and Jim - Whom have all started their own business and have felt the sting of low times and the joy of good times. Thanks for reading articles, helping with accounting and tax tips, and for supporting me over the past three years!
My Reunion Group - Over the past three years, Jim Zadrow, Dean May, Stan Morrow, Gary Krabil, and Rusty Jones have been bored to tears with my weekly stories about building a business. We meet each Wednesday night at Starbucks in the spirit of Christian fellowship. These guys have encouraged me through thick and thin - they have laughed with me in the good times and then laughed at me in the bad times. What more could you ask of friends?
Pastor Don Smith - The words "new business start up" and "prayer" belong in the same sentence. Don has met me for lunch every quarter for the past three years to support, encourage, pray and listen. In a moment of weakness, he even agreed to let me come in and work with the staff of Stonebridge United Methodist Church - what a blessing Don and his staff all are in my life today.
Janet Trowbridge - Fellow nut case and the first administrator for iLead. Janet has shown me how to laugh and cry at the same time. Her excellent work ethic and her ability to put people at ease in any situation make her one of a kind. With three kids, unlimited energy, and a heart as big as Ohio, it is no wonder that she has friends everywhere she goes.
Crystal Garcia - Crystal picked up where Janet left off and has overseen the revamping of the web site, the full development of the database, and the best and worst of iLead. Another tireless worker who puts her personal needs behind the needs of the enterprise. She's an incredibly upbeat person who could write volumes about working for a difficult boss. Crystal, thanks for all you do!
Lea Wethington - Spiritual soul mate, fellow basketball coach and fan. Lea has learned how to gently persuade her boss into making good business decisions. She has matured from being a recent college grad to become the Editor-in-Chief of "News You Can Use," the talent coordinator for "Our American Workplace," and the Program Coordinator for all of iLead's public programs, including ExecuNet. Thanks Lea for your incredible contribution!
My Clients - Without you, I would surely be living in a cardboard box and frying squirrel under a bridge. You know who you are because I have sent you invoices and you have graciously paid them. How kind you have been to allow me to come into your workplace and do my thing. I can only say thank you and please consider me again if you are in need of Leadership Development, Teambuilding, Change Management, or International HR help!
Lessons Learned From Starting My Own Business will be the topic of another article down the road. But for now, let me say thanks again to those who have helped iLead Consulting and Training build a presence here in the Dallas area over the past three years. We have been truly blessed.
Sincerely,
Tom Pearce
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