A Splash of Sustainablity

As sustainable lifestyle trends continue to gain predominance, home improvement projects are no exclusion from the movement. While we all know that paint is a great way to update and personalize your dwelling, it is also a great opportunity to begin a holistic approach to improving the air quality in your home.

One acronym that should perk up your ears when discussing air quality is “VOC,” which stands for volatile organic compound. Simply put, VOCs are present in vapors that develop as the paint is drying. Most latex paints are lower in VOCs, but some are specially-formulated, like Sherwin-Williams GreenSure designated products. These products are low in VOCs; provide exceptional durability and stain resistance; and many are low-odor too.

“Taking steps to improve indoor air quality can be as simple as using a zero-VOC product like Harmony Interior Latex,” said Steve Revnew, director of product development for Sherwin-Williams. “This paint is low in odor and offers great coverage. Using less paint and painting less frequently are also important when you’re thinking ‘green’.”

Quality can’t be overlooked when using low-VOC paint products. Duration Home Interior Latex is a low-VOC offering that provides outstanding durability and wash-ability, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, baths, hallways and children’s rooms.

Paints that are low in VOCs aren’t just meant to freshen up the indoors – such paints are also available in exterior coatings, such as Resilience Premium Exterior Latex. As an added bonus, there’s no need to worry about rain in the forecast with this product, which allows freshly painted surfaces to develop resistance to moisture in about two hours.

Remember that choosing a sustainable paint means more than just what is on the inside of the can. Sherwin-Williams offers several of its products in containers made up of 100 percent post-consumer recycled material. Additionally, the specialty paint retailer is investing in operational efficiencies, waste reduction and natural resource conservation at its facilities throughout the world.

For help with improving the air quality in your home during the painting process, or any other painting questions that you may have, call an expert at Five Star Painting 1-888-5STAR99. For more information, visit Sherwin-Williams or your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams paint store.

A Colorful New Twist

Sherwin-Williams is one of the main products Five Star Painting uses. They provide us with great quality and service. Jackie Jordan, Director of Color Marketing for Sherwin-Williams, has accommodated Five Star with impressive material regarding a few colormix collections that will bring your home to life.

As consumers continue to navigate today’s uncertain times, they are finding comfort in the memories and traditions that provide them with a sense of solid ground. Color plays a key role in triggering that nostalgia, and for that reason, the Sherwin-Williams color forecast for 2010 takes its cue from hues of the past to paint the way to the future.

Reflecting the rediscovery of the sights, sounds, smells ― and colors ― of the past, the 24 shades selected by Sherwin-Williams color experts for colormix 2010 are grouped into four collections: Rooted, Treasured, Simplified and Refreshed.

Rooted

The journey of color rediscovery begins by drawing inspiration from the world’s oldest, most enduring civilizations, including the rich, dynamic colors of aboriginal, African and Native American cultures.

As today’s economy continues to shift the consumer’s sense of stability and control, we see more and more people turning to reliable and trusted elements of life, such as family and close circles of friends. The Rooted collection represents this trend, with colors that stem from tribal influences and evoke feelings of comfort, strength and security.

Infused with inspiration from cultural artifacts such as animal print fabrics and wooden musical instruments, the Rooted palette mixes the natural with the bold and vibrant. Colors that are brought to life are the neutral tones that include the earthy colors such as, Nomadic Desert (SW 6107) , Rockwood Amber (SW 2817), Foothills (SW 7514), as well as the saturated tones of spicy Red Tomato (SW 6607) and deep-blue Oceanside (SW 6496). The palette is rounded out with Darkroom (SW 7083), a blackened purple reflecting the mystery and mystique of the cultures at the heart of this collection.

Treasured

Beyond reconnecting to their roots, today’s financial strains are leading consumers to rediscover the treasures of yesteryear.

By making more resourceful use of what they already have, many are uncovering a rich collection of historical items to surround themselves with as they update their spaces. In that rediscovery, they are often surprised and energized to find a beautiful palette of colors inspired by their heirlooms.

The time-tested shades of the Treasured collection evoke the warm, comforting memories of times past. Many of the colors are muted shades of brighter tones. Caribbean Coral (SW 2854), for example, is a softer, retro alternative to the vibrant hue that maintains its popularity in design. Interactive Cream (SW 6113) provides a neutral without too much flash, and yellowed Sequin (SW 6394) adds a serene glow to the mix.

The darker side of this palette begins with Smoky Blue (SW 7604), layered with shades of gray and indigo that mirror the deep stories of our past. Sturdy Brown (SW 6097) brings in the beauty of old, handmade artisan crafts, and the faded verdigris of Gallery Green (SW 0015) adds a touch of antiquity with its emerald tone.

Simplified

This collection stays true to its name with colors that, when combined, create a sophisticated style that embodies a “less is the new more” spirit.

The colors in this collection appear simple on the surface, but are complex when given a closer look. The palette reflects the current trend to pare down the extravagancies in our lives, but the hues still allow for intricate and elegant designs.

Translucency connects the colors in this collection, providing versatility to any space with shades that change and shift in the light. Paired with transparent fabrics and finishes, clarity, subtlety and serenity are apparent in every hue.

The Simplified collection offers a palette for a discerning eye with just a small dash of color. The neutral tones of Whitetail (SW 7103), Butter Up (SW 6681) and Moderate White (SW 6140) make up the foundation, and gray also plays an important role, with the mid-tone Magnetic Gray (SW 7058) and darker Serious Gray (SW 6256). The muted lilac shade of Enigma (SW 6018) offers an intriguing accent well-suited for this sophisticated palette.

Refreshed

The Refreshed collection features vibrant and forward colors to evoke a sense of optimism for the future.

The exuberant shades of Refreshed enliven the spirit and turn the focus to more carefree days. While not as saturated as some accent colors of collections past, these hues still reflect the optimism that can always be found within us, even as we navigate challenging times.

Fresh florals, sunny days and tropical blooms are the inspiration behind this collection. Get lost in the botanical garden of Sapphire (SW 6963) and Verve Violet (SW 6979), and indulge in the sunshine of Fun Yellow (SW 6908). Pickle (SW 6725), along with the grapefruit and tangerine tones of Animated Coral (SW 6878) and Summer Day (SW 6662), also add fun flavor to this palette.

Together, the vivid hues of the Refreshed collection create a lively, harmonious palette to offset the darker realities of today’s uncertain times. What’s more, when added individually to another collection, these colors can offer a bright reminder of better days to come.

Are You Afraid of Risk or Just Smart?

Most of the people I know think that I am a heavy risk taker. My friends who don’t really know exactly what it is that I do for a living think I am a HUGE risk taker. My business associates and fellow entrepreneurs have a better understanding of what I do, so the risk associated with my work is not as foreign to them. With that being said, I think that generally speaking I am not a big risk taker. The vast majority of the decisions I make that have a reasonable to large downside have some serious thought and homework put into them. I also rely heavily on my “gut instinct” which has been right more than it has been wrong during my career. Having said that, at the end of the day, how do you know if you are afraid of risk or if you are just smart and good at avoiding bad risks? The answer is simple and doesn’t require a long post. If you haven’t taken a reasonable to serious financial risk on behalf of a business or investment idea before the age of 40 years old, then you probably don’t have what it takes to be an entrepreneur as your full-time career.

Yeah, that’s right – I just called out any of you that are older than 40 that read this. Prove me wrong and post it! I am not saying you have to be some wildly successful entrepreneur before your 40th birthday. I am not even saying you have to invest your life savings in a start-up prior to the big four-oh. I am saying that if you haven’t bought a rental property or put $20K into a Subway sandwich shop by now (or better yet, bought a Five Star franchise) that you probably won’t ever do anything terribly entrepreneurial. There are always exceptions to the rule of course. But as I love to say, if you are reading this blog, you are probably Joe or Jane Normal like me and that means you are likely not the exception I am referring to.

So am I right or wrong? I would love to hear your impressions of my stance on risk. Let me know what you have experienced and seen in others. I want to know if my view of the world is the same as yours – what have you noticed, read or been through that would agree or disagree with my assertion?

You Are Never Standing Still…

I enjoyed a lunch a few weeks ago with some successful entrepreneur and business owner friends of mine. These guys are all “movers and shakers”. The grass doesn’t grow under their feet and they have the track record to prove it. One is a serial entrepreneur with successes in multiple areas, the other has a vast financial background in NY and is now a real estate developer, and the third is a very highly educated individual who is also a real estate developer.

The luncheon made me ponder the subject of what makes these different types of entrepreneurs successful. I think part of the reason they are successful is because they share a common trait. They don’t sit still well, they make educated decisions quickly and they embrace the theory of risk = reward. I rarely hear people who will admit they hope that things stay the same for them forever. People always seem to aspire to be and do more. When was the last time your co-worker or partner said “hey, this is good right now – let’s just ride it out and stay where we are at”? Probably not too often. Most people talk about growing, achieving and building. Very few talk about settling, average and rigidity. Although few talk about it, many are secretly hoping that things stay as-is since their salary, sales, and/or profit margins seem to be enough for them to manage the life they like. I believe that most people have an inner goal that differs from their outward one. Most people are content and happy with a certain level of performance and if they achieve it, would be more than happy to stay at that level forever.

Unfortunately, the exact opposite happens to those that simply stand still and watch the world go by. You are either moving forward or backward. It may be inches, feet or miles, but you are moving in one direction or the other. The scariest movement is the smallest one. If we only move an inch backwards, it may be months or years before we realize just how far behind we have gotten. By then it may be too late. While I don’t suggest leaping off a cliff or running blindly through a dark forest, I do think that it is critical to react quickly and jump on good opportunities. Those that I know that have done this have found varying degrees of success – meaning they all are generally successful entrepreneurs. Some are better at assessing opportunity then others, thus the higher degree of success, but generally speaking those that act quickly, keep in motion, make educated decisions and are willing to take calculated risk are going to be in motion enough to keep ahead of the game.

Are you stuck in the mud doing the same-old, same-old? Is your salary and benefits enough? Or do you want more, do you keep moving – sometimes backward, but then further forward – so that you end up getting somewhere? You are never standing still – other entrepreneurs and businesses are going past you slowly, and in time, they will move across the horizon and out of sight. Choose to be the one who is moving away in the distance, not the one watching it. Trust me, the view is better out front.

Bill Gates Is Sending Me A Check

I realize this is completely off topic, but please bare with me as I have to get it off my chest.

I have a pet peeve. I wonder if I am the only one with this pet peeve, as it is somewhat unique. I understand that what bothers me probably bothers others. However, to truly qualify as a “pet peeve” it has to be something that really drives you mad. Care to join the bandwagon? Then tell me, when someone emails you anything, and I mean anything, that is an obvious email forwarding hoax, what do you do? I hit “reply all” and commence with the linkage to the various websites that explain email hoaxes. I know, I am a jerk, but I just cannot help myself. I don’t want to embarrass anyone. I am certainly not trying to take an elitist stance; I simply cannot stand by and watch the IQ of my friends and family drop before my very eyes.

This is what prompted this post. Within the last week, two of my very best friends (if you read this, I am not sorry because you should have known better then to send me those emails) sent me two of the oldest email chain letter hoaxes in the world. The first one was about how “Touched By An Angel” was kicked off TV for being too spiritual and how they were now trying to remove the word “God” from TV altogether. “If you are a Christian or of any faith, save us from the madness that TV execs are trying to rain down on society!”. Seriously folks, do you really think a chain email would get God back on TV anyway?

The second email I received just tonight is an oldy but a goody. “Bill Gates is giving away his money! Just forward this email and you will get $240 for every email you send out. He and Intel and AOL have joined forces as Kings of the Internet to bring large checks to you and your family.” The first clue that this email is a hoax is the fact that they still include AOL as a big player in the payoff. At least update your hoax with Google, Yahoo or something more believable. An additional clue the email is a hoax is the somewhat obligatory “my cousin is a lawyer and she showed me her check stamped PAID IN FULL”. Who stamps checks that say “paid in full”? I can’t remember seeing one in awhile (or ever). I have seen bills with that stamp on them, but not checks.

I am sorry I sound like a know-it-all. I realize that there are a lot of great email chain letter hoaxes that probably save lives and more. In spite of those, a word to the wise about any email you get that asks you to forward it to anyone you know:

1. Go to Google, type in the main subject of your email that you received and add “hoax” to it and see what comes up.
2. If it is about saving something so sad (like someone’s life, or a basic religious right), then don’t waste your time on #1. It is a fake.
3. Don’t forward it to anyone. In fact, join the club and hit “reply all” and type away as the elitist jerk who just has to speak up. It is kind of fun.
4. If it involves making money by any means of mass communication, it is a fake.

Join me in stomping out email hoaxes, embarrass others and hit “reply all” when you see the chance!

***UPDATE*** Since I started typing this blog I received a mass email from a friend listing the companies that buy and sell oil that isn’t from the Middle East and to PLEASE forward it on so that we all could buy gas from the companies that didn’t support the Middle Eastern oil Monopoly. AHHHHHH!!!!!

10 Signs of a Great Franchise

I saw this short list on a franchise rating website and I thought it was right on the money in terms of the 10 things to look for in a potential franchise. I personally think some of the things on the list are in the wrong order, but all ten items are great ones. The only other I can think of that is missing is the use/availability of technology since I believe that all franchise businesses should be leveraging the advantages technology provides. Without further adieu, here are their top 10 things to look for in a potential franchise:

1. Responsiveness during the investigation process
2. Direct operational training
3. Other training
4. Marketing programs
5. Real estate and construction assistance (if applicable)
6. Financing assistance
7. Litigation history
8. Financial strength of the franchise company
9. Financial strength of the unit operations
10. The attitude of the existing franchisees

If You Want The $$ Don’t Take It, If You Don’t Need The $$ Take It

I doubt this is good advice for all of you, but for some of you it certainly is.

When is the best time to look for money to grow your business? It is likely when you don’t need it. Why? Because that is when you are in the best position to use the money for what the venture capitalist/bank/Uncle intended it for. Growth. Sales. Profit.

I am sure there are some banks and VC’s out there who would be willing to provide capital for a turnaround, or an idea you just came up with but they are few and far between, and it will cost you a lot more.

So why would you take money when you don’t need it from a VC? The value should be well beyond the capital invested. If you are bringing in money and are in it just for the money, than you are off base and should rethink your approach.

A good VC acts as a mentor, business coach, sounding board, network resource, and helps you keep your focus. We brought a venture capitalist early on in our company, not because we needed the money, but because we wanted the accountability. I won’t lie to you, having the money definitely helped. Our franchise sales nearly tripled just after the injection of capital. We put that money to work quickly and it allowed us to strengthen our management team, and offer more to our franchisees while we were still a young company.

In my humble opinion, if you are just starting a business the first place to look to fund operations are friends, family, and fools. Please make sure that one of those fools is yourself. I have heard that Visa/MasterCard finance the majority of start-ups and I don’t doubt it. After an idea begins to take shape, and you have your first customer you really have a few options to raising money but the one I recommend is organic growth. The way you put money into your bank account is from your customers writing a check not an investor. The more checks that get written from customers the more likely VC’s and Angels will be interested your business. If your business is one that could grow a lot faster and if it had marketing and sales behind it, than I would definitely advise you to start looking at an equity investment as an option to accelerate growth. Most of my experience with VC’s and Angels come from this category.

This being said, I recognize that there are some great business that start with a wicked idea, pitch investors, fund research, develop a product and then take it to market. There is no question that this is a path taken, but usually less traveled.

Crucial Conversations - Life is a Conversation

Lets start this blog out with a riddle.

Water is to fish, as air is to birds, as _____ are to people.

If you hadn't guessed it the ____ is words. My father would share this riddle and meaning with me several times as he mentored me in my first business. The explanation is that fish use water to manipulate their direction, a bird uses air to soar and people use words to determine and make their success in life. Life as it were is a conversation. He would then follow up with in business, 15% of sales is product knowledge, 85% is people knowledge.

Given how critical conversation is to our success I thought I would touch on something that has been termed crucial conversations.

When was the last time you had a crucial conversation? You know, the kind of conversation where you feel a knot in your stomach before the conversation starts. Conflict for many people is very difficult to deal with, and I have seen all kinds of reactions to a crucial conversation. Some people shut down, stop talking and just want it to end. They let this build up, and at some point just disengage from the relationship. Other people overreact, counting on the best defense in an offense strategy and hope to win the battle by attacking early.

If you have ever found yourself in a position where you know you need to have that important conversation with a business associate, friend of family member I highly recommend you consider reading a book called Crucial Conversations by a company called Vital Smarts. This book was recommended to me by a good friend from business school and it has provided some great advice on one of the most important aspects of our life, conversation.


While the book is a must read for any executive, I would like to point out that one of the most important things the book goes into is the art of listening. Covey does a great job of defining this as seeking first to understand then be understood. Listening is certainly more than just hearing what someone is saying. It is interpreting body language, posture, stance, tone to let you know what someone is saying before they even say it. I have heard it said that 80% of your conversation should be listening. If you would like to see how not to have a conversation at a dinner party, check out Brian Regan here in one of the funniest skits I have ever seen.

If any of you have some good material to help us improve our ability to communicate please feel to provide them as resources in the form of a comment.

Tired of Outsourcing? I Want To Do it All Myself

I was just watching a video about the 4-hour Workweek. You may have seen it. You know, the one where you outsource yourself. Find people in China, India, who knows, maybe even in Canada (eh!) to do your work for you.

Maybe I can start outsourcing all my responsibilities so I can sit at home and watch movies while my wife and kids are out camping with outsource ME? I could be way off base, but I actually enjoy working, interacting, and being a part of our franchisees success as well as the trials. I even enjoy writing the odd blog or two, so for now you can all rest assured that this blog was not outsourced.

What are you going to do about it?

How to help your business turn lemons into lemonade to survive & thrive through the bad economy:

I can’t help it; I have to say it. Plug your ears if you don’t want to hear: recession. *Sigh* the “R” word. Sure, this has always been one of those words that we’ve tried to dance around, fiddle and twist, but now there’s no denying it; we are in a recession. So what are you going to do about it? Try this tried and true optimistic mantra: “I refuse to participate in the recession.” Okay, well just saying it isn’t going to make it happen, but here’s some advice to move past the “R” word and back into the black.

1. Network. It’s not enough anymore to simply be passionate about your business. You need to make sure other people are excited about your business too! Networking is a natural way to grow your business. I have seen amazing things come from something as simple as a business breakfast. Utilize your Myspace, Friendster, Facebook, and Twitter accounts (don’t be afraid!). Whether it is making a reservation at a local restaurant, logging into the social networking sites, or participating in trade shows, you need to make personal connections with potential clients and you need to get your name out there.
2. Differentiate. If you look like every other business then the recession is going to hit you the same way it hits them (and that’s a hard hit). Know how and why your business is better than your competitors and be able to offer substantial and compelling proof. Don’t fall into the swing of the “best price” battle that happens with similarly operating companies—stand out and entice the customer by offering new stakes.
3. Broaden. Develop new channels of opportunities. Eventually, every stream of prospects is going to trickle down and run dry. If you are not developing new channels to obtain opportunities then you are setting yourself up for a rather disappointing surprise. Increase your business and protect yourself from any future financial blows by turning on more clientele-flowing faucets.
4. Walk. Shoe Leather Marketing becomes (for whatever reason) a very efficient way to promote your business during a recession. Whether this is due to summer break-ridden college students willing to work hard for commission or because you are reaching a great number of people with little effort, it doesn’t matter. The fact is that in the recession, door-to-door businesses thrive. So set up your summer sales program!

• Scott Abbott
• Five Star Painting CEO

Feel free to check out Five Star's website.