February 3 / 2011

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A Tribute to the Survivors

By Anthony Totta, Grow My Profits, Member of FreshXpertsAnthony Head Shot

My hat goes off to those entrepreneurs who are finding a way in these lean mean competitive times to survive. As I look back at those hard working, small to medium size business owners, whom I have met throughout my life, I am amazed at their drive, tenacity, creativity, persistence, and motivation to keep on despite the odds and despite the opposition.

Totta Sausage

These entrepreneurial risk takers who start businesses delivering products or services with passion and pride, fight endlessly to be more efficient as their margins are squeezed from competition. The North American landscape has always been "the land of the free and the home of the brave" abounding in opportunity for those who are willing to chase a dream with hard work and strong wills. Barber

Growing up a third generation American of Italian decent, I did not fully realize the character and sacrifice of my father and grandfathers. Once, I was critical of the harshness in business owners, even in my own family. Then at 39, having worked for family businesses all of my life, I launched out and started my own. Did someone say "trial by fire"?  It was easy to be critical and ungrateful, until I did it myself. It is amazing to me what you can learn at the "school of hard knocks". It was then; I realized what an awesome heritage I had. Dad in His Store

My aunt and uncle had an Italian restaurant.  Another aunt and uncle owned a chili parlor. My Dad had a grocery store and my grandfather (mothers Dad) started the grocery store along with a wholesale tobacco and candy business. The other grandfather (my father's Dad) was an ice man delivering ice home by home for the "ice-a-box-i-za"  (refrigerators).

 Totta Sausage2

These folks poured their entire beings into their businesses recruiting their wives and children into the process. Those wives in particular played a key role in their husband's success. They became women of tremendous character and in the process gained the respect of everyone around them especially their children.

 Totta Family

Many of you can relate to these stories as you probably are a descendant of an immigrant. Some of you like me have entrepreneurial blood flowing through your veins. You have become survivors.

I recently had the privilege of attending a clients company Christmas party. Their party not only included the family farm-shareholders, but those shareholders brought their parents, children, spouses, and grandchildren. To my pleasant surprise, many of them had first generation immigrant entrepreneur parents at the party. They displayed the pride and presence that is the fruit of their accomplishments. Looking squarely into my eyes as they greeted me they would say "Merry-Chris-si-missa" with a bright smile and warm handshake. At that moment, I had flashbacks of my grandfathers with found warm feelings.

 Fruit Stand

What a blessing it is for me to have the privilege of working with growers.  It is these kinds of experiences that lead us to start our consultancy, Grow My Profits.  Our motto is "maximizing producer's returns" because it is our passion to assist these family businesses as they continue to be survivors.

Thinking of Self Employment? 

By Anthony Totta, Grow My Profits, Member of FreshXperts

 

Anthony Totta in Market

 I thought some of our readers would enjoy checking out some of the businesses that have been started by our family. My Sicilian grandparents probably never dreamed what might develop from their very humble beginnings. The American dream is still alive and even in this era of tax and spend we should not give up. Without a vision the people perish. Let's dream on and do it! 

 

Thinking of Self Employment? Questions to ask yourself:

1.  What is your motivation?

2.  What is the VISION?

3.  What motivates you to do your work, or go to work?

4.  Is this your calling?

5.  What will it do for your family, life goals, priorities -good or bad?

6.  Is your spouse behind it?

7.  Will it help or hurt your priority to keep "the main thing the MAIN thing" consistently?

 

Steps to Take:

1. Develop a business plan (One consideration may be Business Plan Pro Software)

2.  Where will the start-up capital come from; savings, loans, investors? Remember the rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.

3.  Are you prepared to go into debt? It takes money to make money. History shows that average time to turn a profit for a start-up company is 2-5 years.

4. Share your vision with other successful business owners and see what they think of your ideas.  Also, ask counsel of those who will be honest with you and ask what they see your strengths and weaknesses to be. 

 

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In This Issue
A Tribute to the Survivors
Thinking of Self Employment
Join Our Mailing List

 

Totta Family Businesses

 

http://tottahardwoods.com/

totta hardwoods

 

 http://www.tottasausage.com/

 

Totta Sausage Logo

 

http://www.vsrestaurant.com/

 

V's Italian

 

http://www.campobellofoods.com/ 

  

Campobello Foods

 

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dixons-Famous-Chili

 

Dixons Chili

 

http://www.growmyprofits.com/

 

Grow My Profits LLC

 

www.habanerosrestaurantonline.com

Habanaros 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Retail, foodservice, wholesale...no matter what sector of fresh produce you're in, we have the experience and expertise to help:

 
1. Identify and eliminate areas of waste

2.  Put strong business practices into effect

3.  Develop long-range marketing plans

 
4.  Optimize existing operations

5.  Implement short and long term goals
 

For a fresh take on every aspect of your produce business, click on the link below to meet the FreshXperts and then contact FreshXperts today!

  The Experts:
 
Anthony Totta - Business Development and Marketing Expert, Lee's Summit, MO

Jelger de Vriend -
Retail Expert,
The Netherlands

John Shelford - Organizational Governance and Berry Expert,
Naples, FL  

Mike Nicometo -
Cool Chain Expert,
Iron Mountain, MI

Ron Pelger -
Retail Merchandising Expert, Reno, NV
 

Tim Vaux -
New Venture and Product Launch Expert,
Fresno, CA

Mike Chirveno -
Social Media Expert,
Kansas City, MO

 
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