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Building Bridges Newsletter
Supporting businesses by lending good money to good businesses!
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 We hope most of our subscribers are finally getting closer to putting the extreme winter behind them and planning for a beautiful spring season! Mazon's Sales & Marketing Department has been busy making needed website and forms changes. Although we still own the domain name "Mazon.com," we have added a new domain name to house our website, www.MazonFactoring.com, to more accurately describe what we do as a business, and enable more concise tracking of our online marketing efforts. Our internal e-mail addresses still use the same "@Mazon.com" extension. We have recently converted our standard Schedule of Accounts paper form to an online form, making it a smoother process for clients to submit invoices electronically for factoring. (Please contact your account manager for any questions you might have using this new form.) Our company has been in negotiations with TxDOT for several years on the sale of our building for the expansion plans of Airport Freeway (Hwy. 183) in Irving. We have now finalized this endeavor. Our new physical business location will be communicated in a future posting. Our mailing address will remain unchanged. Thank you for your continued subscription to our quarterly newsletter, and we welcome new clients and subscribers! Happy Spring! Lisa Hultz |
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Featured Entrepreneurs: Conrad M. Gentry and Donald F. Kenworthy
 The year was 1927. Conrad Gentry was an Indianapolis grocer who hauled farming supplies 20 miles to Monrovia, Indiana and returned with produce for his store. One day as he was lunching at the Mayflower Cafe in Dayton, Ohio, he thought that "Mayflower" was a more appropriate name for a transit company than for a diner. He pondered the possibility of a long-distance trucking company to compete with railroads for relocation of personal household belongings. Conrad proposed the idea to his friend Don Kenworthy, a truck salesman, and in July of that year they started the Mayflower Transit Company.  They opened sales offices in ten cities during their first year in business, offering customers door-to-door pick up and delivery of their home furnishings and valuables. They initially used customized padded vans which they sold to contract drivers to whom they promised moving orders. Sales were $70,479 in their first year in business.
The following year, Conrad and Don brought Indianapolis businessman Burnside Smith into the business as president to help with needed capital for business growth. Burnside renamed the company Aero Mayflower Transit Company (drawing on his passion for flying) and set the standard for the business: "To have the best company ... and the best people ... offering the best services." By 1932, Mayflower reported sales of more than $500,000. Burnside recalled the driver-owned vans and replaced them with new vans driven by employees trained in the company's own driving school, and established 19 branch offices in major cities north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River. Franchises were established with local household movers and storage warehouses aimed at increasing the company's dependability and raising its service standards. By 1935,  Mayflower had 287 such franchises. That same year, Burnside was killed in an airplane crash. Parke Cooling (Burnside's associate) succeeded him as president, and Burnside's son, John Sloan Smith, joined the management team. In 1936, sales reached $1 million and over $2 million in 1937. Parke instituted a national advertising program for Mayflower, and in 1940, the Interstate Commerce Commission authorized Mayflower to operate in all 48 states, making it the first transportation company to be granted such a certificate. During the 1940s, Mayflower moved thousands of families, particularly those involved in the military and industrial efforts of World War II. Sales were $6.5 million in 1945. Conversion from vans to semi-trailer trucks, and services were extended to Canada and Mexico in the latter half of that decade. In 1952,  Mayflower re-instituted a modified owner-driver plan that retained company employees to load and pack while allowing drivers to own the tractors that pulled their custom-built trailers. Developments were made in packaging and wrapping household goods; standard wooden barrels were replaced with cardboard boxes and barrels, saving space, effort and weight. Reported sales reached $25 million in 1953, the year before Parke turned over his presidency to Burnside's son, John Smith. Mayflower's leadership has continued under four generations of the Burnside Smith family. Today, Mayflower Group, Inc. is a holding company for Mayflower Transit, Inc. (based in Indianapolis) and Mayflower Contract Services, Inc. (based in Shawnee Mission, Kansas). Mayflower Transit operates the  fourth largest van line in the United States, providing worldwide transportation of household goods, electronics, trade show exhibits, and general commodities. Mayflower Contract Services leases school buses to more than 200 school districts throughout the United States. Mayflower Group has an employee base of 2,300 and most recent sales are reported to be $611,000,000. |
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Numbers in the News
 According to United Nations data, the seven billionth person on Earth was likely born on October 31, 2011. In 1992, the Retired Peace Corps of Madison, Wisconsin published the original world population statistics, and inspired the "100 People" project which simplified world statistics based on 100 people -- when the world population was 5.48 billion. The project was updated in 2010. Now, 22 years and 1.52 billion people later, the world portrait has changed again. Per 100 people, there are: 2 more Africans; 1 more Asian, 4 fewer children; 1 more elderly 4 more Muslims; 2 less Hindus; 3 fewer "non-religious;" 3 more literate; 6 more college-educated; 21 more who own or share a computer; 3 less homeless; 5 less undernourished; 6 more overweight; the same number starving; 4 more with access to safe drinking water.
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How long must I be in business to become a Mazon client?
 Mazon Associates specializes in helping growing businesses as well as start-up companies with accounts receivable financing. We do not require that you be in business for any specific length of time to participate in our factoring services. If you would like to find out more about our services for your business and/or apply for an account with Mazon Associates, please phone us at 972-554-6967 (toll-free 800-442-2740 or visit our website at www.MazonFactoring.com. |
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Can the Spam Texts and Robocalls
 Recently, the FTC moved to shut down a network of scammerswho sent spam texts that promised "free" gifts, prizes, electronics, or gift cards. The catch? Clicking on the links in the texts sent recipients on a wild goose chase -- a confusing and elaborate process that required them to pay for subscription services, apply for credit, or enter sensitive personal information, including their phone numbers. There were no free gifts or gift cards, but there were plenty of follow-up illegal robocalls! If you get a spam text: - Delete any texts asking you to confirm or provide personal information.
- Don't reply, and don't click on links provided in the message.
- Don't give out any personal information in response to a text.
- Report spam texts to your Carrier.
- Review your cell phone bill for unauthorized charges.
And what if you get an illegal robocall?
- Hang up, without pressing any numbers.
- Contact your phone provider and ask them to block the number.
- Put your cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry.
- Report the robocall to www.FTC.gov/complaint
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Product Recalls
The following recent recalls were issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. More details can be found at www.cpsc.gov. T o report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at 800-638-2772. (It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.)
#14-095, Dehumidifiers (Imp: GE Appliances, Louisville, KY); #14-085, Trident Pool Gate Latches (Imp: Nationwide Industries, Tampa FL); #14-082, Bathroom Medicine Cabinets (Mfg: RSI Home Products, Anaheim, CA); #14-080, Kenmore Oscillating Fan Heaters (Imp/Dist: Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, IL); #14-076 #14-77 #14-35, Gas-fired Boilers (Mfg: U.S. Boiler Co., Lancaster, PA; New Yorker Boiler Co., Hatfield PA; Crown Boiler, Philadelphia, PA); #14-066, Steel Toe Work Boots (Mfg: Red Wing Shoe Co., Red Wing, MN); #14-061, HP Chromebook 11 Power Supply/Charger (Dist: Hewlett-Packard Co., Palo Alto, CA); #14-053, Aristocrat II Carpet (sold exclusively at Lowe's) (Mfg: Shaw Industries, Dalton, GA); #14-054, Coby 32-inch Flat Screen Televisions (Imp/Dist: Coby USA, out of business); #14-045, Commercial Walk-Behind Mowers (Dist: Exmark Mfg. Co., Beatrice NE); #14-046, TimeMaster and TurfMaster Lawn Mowers (Dist: The Toro Co., Bloomington, MN); #14-047, Gas Trimmers (Mfg: Emak USA, Wooster, OH); #14-048, Bed Bug Heating Units (PackTite, Ft. Collins, CO); #14-023, Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator Freezers with In-Door Dispensers (Mfg: Viking Range, Greenwood, MS); #14-022, Clay Bowl Outdoor Fireplaces (Imp: Nantucket Distributing, Middleboro, MA); #14-009, Motion-Activated Outdoor Lights (Imp: HeathCo, Bowling Green, KY); #14-004, Hanging Pendant Lamps (Imp: Crate and Barrel, Northbrook, IL); #14-005, Tommy Bahama Outdoor Ceiling Fans (Imp: Air Comfort Products, St. Louis, MO). |
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Spring 2014 Holidays and Events
 Mar. 4: Mardi Gras Carnival (New Orleans); Mar. 9: Daylight Savings Time Begins; Mar. 17: St. Patrick's Day; April 1: April Fool's Day; April 18: Good Friday; April 20: Easter; April 22: Earth Day; May 5: Cinco de Mayo; May 11: Mother's Day; May 17: Armed Forces Day; May 26: Memorial Day.
Mazon Office Holiday: We will be closed Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 27th (8:30am to 5:00pm). You may submit your invoices during our closed hours via fax, e-mail or drop-slot to be processed on Tuesday.
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April 24-20, World Immunization Week
 Immunization prevents between 2 and 3 million deaths every year. Without vaccines, global eradication of smallpox and elimination of poliomyelitis and measles from large parts of the world would have been impossible. New, improved vaccines are now available to protect not just children, but also adolescents and adults. Yet, 1 in 5 children, and many adults, are missing out. A lack of knowledge about vaccination is a key reason why some adults consciously choose not to get vaccinated themselves or to vaccinate their children.
For this year's World Immunization Week campaign, we encourage people around the world to find out what vaccines are available, check their vaccination status, and get the vaccines they need. By making sure that you and your family are up-to-date with the vaccines you need, you give yourselves the best chance of a healthy future.
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Focus Small to Win Big
 According to Pareto's rule, or the 80/20 principle, 80% of your business comes from 20% of your customers. Engage this powerful contingent by segmenting your most active customers into a special email list. Invite them to be part of a customer focus group, acknowledge them with special content, or give them unique offers.
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Spring Business Book Pick
 The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary by Mark Sanborn, published by Currency, April 20, 2004 (1st edition). Hardcover, 112 pages. ISBN-10: 0385513518; ISBN-13: 978-0385513517.
In his powerful book, The Fred Factor, motivational speaker Mark Sanborn recounts the true story of Fred, the mail carrier who passionately loves his job and who genuinely cares about the people he serves. Because of that, he is constantly going the extra mile handling the mail -- and sometimes watching over the houses -- of the people on his route, treating everyone he meets as a friend. Where others might see delivering mail as monotonous drudgery, Fred sees an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those he serves. We've all encountered people like Fred in our lives. In The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn illuminates the simple steps each of us can take to transform our own lives from the ordinary into the extraordinary. Sanborn, through stories about Fred and others like him, reveals the four basic principles that will help us bring fresh energy and creativity to our life and work: how to make a real difference every day, how to become more successful by building strong relationships, how to create real value for others without spending a penny, and how to constantly reinvent yourself.
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Thoughtful Thoughts
 An old cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth."
The boy thought about it and asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"
The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed."
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Did You Know?
 Most people don't know that, back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call of the great ship after its stop in New York. This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th, and is still know, of course as: "Sinko De Mayo."
What??? You expected something educational from me?
(Contributed by Cathy Huster)
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If you enjoyed this issue of our Building Bridges Newsletter, please forward it to others.
Sincerely,
Lisa Hultz
Mazon Associates, Inc. |
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$$ Refer & Earn $$
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Business contacts, friends, family and acquaintances -- you just never know when someone you know might need Mazon's accounts receivable factoring services! Visit our
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About Our Clients
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Our clients are traditionally businesses that are manufacturers, distributors and service companies in the following areas: advertising / marketing / apparel / design / courier & delivery services / equipment repair & maintenance / environmental services / graphic design / signage & printing / staffing & employment services / security services / catering & food services / legal services / light construction / telecommunications / transportation services.
Our clients may include start-up, early-stage growth and high-growth businesses; under-capitalized businesses with historical operating losses; businesses with cash flow problems having a cash flow need; businesses with tax liens or turnaround situations; businesses who may have been turned down for bank loans and/or do not currently meet a bank's credit criteria.
Our clients have delivered services or products to other businesses and have business-to-business invoices that can be independently verified.
Most of our clients have come to us through referrals from current and former clients. We rely heavily on word-of-mouth marketing to bring in new clients -- and we offer a lucrative referral program.
Our clients are located in any of the 50 states in the U.S.A.
We do not accept as clients businesses which have a majority of consumer receivables such as retail businesses, progress billings, third party pay medical receivables and certain construction-related businesses.
For more information about becoming a client, please contact us by telephone 972-554-6967 or toll-free 1-800-442-2740, or visit our website:
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