Janis and Dolly - Same birthday - Same emphasis on Purpose!

I was pleased to discover this morning that Janis Joplin and Dolly Parton, icons of American music, each expressed strong thoughts on living a life of purpose.

"Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got."
- Janis Joplin, born January 19, 1943

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose."
- Dolly Parton, born January 19, 1946

Happy birthday, ladies, and thanks for your music and for your words on purpose.

Business Networking Events Aren't One Night Stands

I was reminded late in the year that while many people who can and do benefit from building their business by adding business networking events to their relationship marketing mix, there are many who just don't get it. They just show up, see some people they know, say "Hi", maybe have some appetizers and a beer or glass of wine and then leave. Later, they say, "Nah, business networking events don't work."

Sorry, but you've got the wrong idea.



If you'd like information on how to really make the most of business networking events, well, I do have a book about it, 31 Days to Networking Events Mastery.

It's available on Amazon.com in both print and Kindle versions and, if you live in southeastern North Carolina, Clif Bridgers also carries it at RBR Books in Leland, NC.

Bruce and Marge at the Edge Newsletter - What's In a Name?

We've changed our coaching newsletter name to Bruce and Marge at the Edge. As we continue to find the best way to present our ideas and to share resources, tools, and strategies for personal and business development, some decisions are tough to make and others are easy - this one was a slam dunk.

If you don't already get our  weekly newletter, we invite you to subscribe by clicking this link. When you go there not only will you sign up for  Bruce and Marge at the Edge but you'll also be sent a link to download Marge's recent book 31 Days to Create Abundance Through Giving as a gift.

Previously our coaching newsletter was titled Passions Lead to Profit, which remains the major theme of many of our coaching programs and services. That name will continue to appear in some places while we move around the web and our various blogs, web sites, and social media sites to change it to Bruce and Marge at the Edge.

Why does a name matter so much? Why not stick with one name? Originally we called the newsletter Bruce Brown at the Edge but changed in favor of our major program theme. Now we've switched back to the people and included both Marge and I, which feels very right to both of us.

While the e-newsletter name has changed, a couple of times now, who we are hasn't  changed and our respective purposes and passions remain the same. We, as individuals, as a couple, and as a company are driven to help other people live extraordinary lives. We focus on both personal and business development coaching because we know that the most successful and happiest people never stop learning and growing in their own development as well as developing their business.

So please join us At the Edge.

Fun with Marge and Bruce by the Pool

Marge and I had a lot of fun shooting videos today by the pool. We were making short clips for our upcoming Bruce and Marge Live! teleseminar series.

We're really pumped about our August teleseminar series and while we only have 96 slots open with our current conference call system, we easily can add more if needed.

While we were making the videos each of us appeared in the background of the other's shot. It wasn't planned that way, but it turned out to be pretty funny - for us anyway.






For more info on our August Teleseminar Series, please go to:
Bruce and Marge Live!

Jay Vics Scores! Wilmington Entrepreneur Finds a Need and Fills It!

In the tradition of entrepreneurs everywhere, Wilmington local Cellular Sales rep Jay Vics rose to the occasion when he saw a need. Jay saw lots of people coming in to phone stores complaining about common concerns with smart phones, many of which had simple solutions.

Jay's simple answer (which means other people will say, "Dang, why didn't I think of that?") was to set up a Meetup Group that would directly address the concerns common to smart phone users. Called the Wilmington Smart Phones, Smart Users Group, the group had its first Meetup tonight at Mike and Julie Czyl's Old Chicago Pizza in Wilmington, NC. Mike agreed to host the meeting for Jay to help kick off the group (thanks, Mike, the pizza rocked!).

Early arrivals were Judy Budd, Devin Vics (Jay's wife), Stuart Ward, and Ann and Ezell Willard.

Tina, Marge Brown, and Justin filled another table.



Here's the group in action - with Justin answering questions from the group after going over some common problems on Blackberrys and Droids.



Our waitstaff person was Kelly Landen, who was friendly and helpful.



During his introduction Jay made an offer: if anyone asked a question he couldn't answer he give them a gift certificate to Old Chicago Pizza AND later find the right answer. I just happened to have my camera running at the time, so here's the evidence of his rash offer.



Actually, I don't think anyone had a question Jay couldn't answer.

Next meeting is next month, same place. Check the groups web page for more info:
www.Meetup.com/I-am-a-smart-user

Monday's Are Special!

Monday's are wonderful for many reasons. For many of us Monday is the start of a new work week, and beginnings are always exciting. The opportunity to make a fresh start is always present, of course, but on Mondays it's even more apparent than usual. I wish you a marvelous Monday and a wonderful week!

Sterling Cabinetry - Client Appreciation Celebration

Our friends Pam and Mike Caldwell, owners of Sterling Cabinetry, held a wonderful client appreciation event today at their showroom in Supply, North Carolina.

Pam Caldwell and Marge Brown



Since they primarily design kitchens, the showroom was a perfect setting for serving a bounteous selection of took-me-to-my knees appetizers. Turns out Pam spent the week preparing the food herself. (Wow!)

I really like their mix of cabinet styles.

Nice surround for a fireplace.



And bookcases.

This tile backsplash was gorgeous (the apricots were amazing).



A moment with Mike Caldwell.


In the nine years Pam and Mike have been in business they've built a loyal clientele. Because they work so closely to design the cabinetry in their clients' homes, most become friends as well.

Thanks for including us in your celebration.

New Teeth Docs in town - DentalWorks in Leland!

Went  to a grand opening wine and cheese event at the new DentalWorks office in Leland yesterday. This is right at the site of our huge Leland Under the Lights car show last September, in front of Waterford. It was a warmish (!) day, so we didn't hang outside much, but do note the balloons - when you see them again this blog post is over.

Inside North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Justin Williams, Frank Williams, and Mike Leggett.



Hygenist Ashley  Metz (back to my camera) was showing Connie Reeves the technology they use to demonstrate what they can do with someone's smile. Connie of course already has a great smile.



NBCC board members Drew Roper (l) and Jeff Harvell (r) with DentalWorks partner, Dr. James Smith in the middle. Dr. Smith doesn't currently practice at this location but will be joining this office in a year or so.



Lots of large photos of young, happy-looking, beautiful women with great teeth on the walls.  If Oscar Wilde were writing this blog he'd  guess that somewhere in a closet they have a stack of small photos of old, grumpy-looking, ugly men with no teeth, but since he's not writing it (he passed on a while ago), I'm happy to say I'd rather see the photos that are on display anyway. They work for me!



Managing the crucial wine-dispensing station were Rhonda Wilson and Norma Davis.



We assembled outside on the side lawn (in the shade) for a line up. From left to right: Bruce Brown, NBCC President-Elect; Dr. James Smith, DentalWorks partner; Rachel Metz, Hygenist; Ashley Long, Dental Assistant; Rhonda Wilson, Patient Relations (I don't think they dispense wine during normal business hours); Tamara Hutchins-Clark, Dental Assistant; Virginia Fulghum, Office Manager; Dr. Joseph Curley, Dentist; and Dana Fisher, NBCC Executive Director. Dr. Curley is the only dentist currently practicing the new Leland location, along with oral surgeon Dr Simoncic, not in this photo.



Mike Leggett wears several hats including photographer for the Local News Review.



NBCC board member Brenda Bozeman and East Carolina Bank's Brian Hartzell.



DentalWorks Office Manager Virginia Fulghum and Sandra Love with First Uniform.




ECB's Susan Cruse, BB&T's Drew Roper, Dana Fisher (back to camera), and Nancy Hall Publications Jeff Harvell.



That would be me with North Brunswick Magazine photographer Wendy Hunt.



A shot from the back of the facility. I never did get a count of the rooms with dental chairs (nor did I ask), but I'd guess there must be at least a dozen room set up and ready to go with half a dozen more available, not to mention labs and work rooms and so forth. This is a big operation.



After a while part of the crew settled around the appetizer table. Here you can see (not counting the two women in the foreground) from left to right: Jeff Harvell, photographer Bob Baer, Sandra Love, Nationwide Insurance and NBCC board member Tony Vlach, Brenda Bozeman, and Connie and Scott Reeves.



This is the last shot. Scott Reeves said, "Why don't you go out and take one of your artistic shots of the balloons?" So I did. I always wanted to be in a balloon, how about you?



Welcome to Leland, all y'all at DentalWorks, we're glad to have you here! (And it's fine to keep those photo of grumpy old men in a stack in the closet, if you have them.)

Good morning June 1st - It's UP to You!

It's the first day of a new month. There are many exciting things going on and great opportunities everywhere. What about you? What are you doing to improve your life and the lives of others? There's only one time you can do anything, and that's RIGHT NOW. And when it comes to fulfilling your personal destiny, IT'S UP TO YOU!