I began my consulting career in 1986 providing business application software
customization and training. In 1993, I also received a Certificate in Paralegal
and received a Certificate in Accounting in 1995.
I have always been interested in the precise science of business, and in 1994
I began my study in copywriting and marketing. In early 1997, I was lucky enough
to partner with a local advertising and publishing company in Castro Valley, CA
which allowed me to put my new-found copywriting and marketing skills to work
for many small business owners. Over a year-and-a-half period, I was able to
sharpen my copywriting and public relation skills while helping these
entrepreneurs increase their business. Some of my old clients still call upon me
to prepare advertising and public relations campaigns for them. Even though I
don't actively pursue this type of work, I really enjoy it, and I am always more
than happy to at least review any type of marketing plan or publicity piece for
my clients.
In 1998, I moved from the East Bay to the California Central Valley to focus
on the business advisory and financial services sectors. I was fortunate enough
to align myself with a group of financial planning and insurance professionals.
From there, it did not take long to start building the network of professionals
that I now have at my available.
Half of my business was focused on the personal financial services sector,
where I specialized in providing estate planning and financial services for
small-to-medium size business owners seeking to optimize their business and
personal affairs. While in this capacity, I earned the Registered Financial
Consultant (RFC) and the Certified Estate Planner (CEP) designations.
Primarily, I worked with attorneys, CPA's and financial advisors to offer
their clients the highest quality business, estate, and trust services. My goal
was to ensure our client's business and estate were optimally organized,
operated, preserved and protected to achieve the goals set by the client.
The other half of my business was focused on providing professional
consulting services to a wide variety of small-to-medium sized businesses (up to
$120 Million in annual sales). In early 1999, I became active in the investment banking
industry while providing independent contract services for an international
financial services company. During this phase of my career, I honed my business
plan and securities writing skills.
Subsequently, I become astute in other forms of traditional and alternative
financing including: line-of-credits, invoice/purchase-order factoring,
sale-leasebacks and other assorted secured asset transactions. In 2004, I was
awarded the Certified Cash Flow Consultant (CCFC) designation and later that
year I qualified for the Certified Professional Consultant designation.
Over this entire period, I had the pleasure of working with and aligning
myself with some of the finest business management consultants, sales &
management training companies, marketing masters and operational/manufacturing
management & systems experts in the entire world.
I also served as a Managing Director for Commonwealth Capital Advisors, LLC,
an investment banking advisory service company dedicated to helping start-up and
early stage companies with the capital-raising process.
My personal network now includes: attorneys, accountants, bankers, business
consultants, car dealers, chiropractors, computer consultants, construction
contractors, dentist, doctors, financial planners, insurance agents, Internet
providers, mail-houses, mortgage bankers, notary publics, pension/retirement
planners, printers, real estate brokers, securities services, technology providers and venture capitalists (just to name a few). I have literally built a network of specialist in over 400 industry