Professional Experience
I've had several careers and owned several successful businesses working in and around many different industries.
Business and Personal Coaching/Consulting (2002- ): In 2002, I decided to package my expertise and experience into coaching and consulting to pass the wisdom I continue to gain to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Technical and Marketing Communications & Consulting (1996- ): To date, I have written over 200 books, articles, and marketing pieces for over 50 clients in many industries, including:
- Online marketing
- Healthcare
- Solar power
- Electrical power trading
- Power tools
- Vehicles (scooters, dirt bikes, etc.)
- Purchasing
- Computer chip design and programming
- 3D modeling, design, animation, and rendering software.
- Web portals
- Marine Navigation
- Business education and training
Payphone Management Services (1992-1996): This company of mine provided outsourced monitoring, field maintenance, and management services to several private pay telephone companies.
Aviation Pioneer Flight Services (1989-1992): I started this flight school to provide an innovative approach to pilot training.
Retail management and customer service (1986 - 1993): I worked as a customer service associate, buyer, and manager at several hardware stores where I learned about running businesses from the front lines.
United States Coast Guard Reserve (1986 - 1994): I served as a marine engineer on a rescue boat crew back when Reserve duty really did mean one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
Education
I currently hold the following degrees/certifications:
BS in Psychology: I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (with an emphasis in evolutionary psychology) from the Western Institute for Social Research in Berkeley, California. I am continuing my studies in the areas of psychology, physics, and spirituality.
Guerrilla Marketing Association Business Coach: I received personal training and mentoring from Jay Conrad Levinson, the Father of Guerrilla Marketing and worldwide bestselling author of the Guerrilla Marketing series that has sold over 16 million copies and been translated into more than 40 languages. Jay personally awarded me this certification in recognition of my business and marketing expertise. I am one of a very few coaches to ever earn this certification.
AS in commercial Aviation: I hold an Associate's Degree in Commercial Aviation with a focus on ground and flight instruction from the College of San Mateo in California.
Advanced Toastmaster (Gold): I am an active member of Toastmasters where I earned the ACG certification and have won and placed in numerous competitions. I have served two clubs in various officer capacities (including President). During each of my terms of service, my clubs have earned "Perfect 10" scores in the Toastmasters International Distinguished Club Program.
Private Pilot: Flying is one of my greatest passions. It is also a wonderful source of personal and business inspiration.
Advanced Ground Instructor: This certification allows me to offer ground school lessons for a variety of pilot ratings.
Some of my past certifications include:
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Red Cross CPR Instructor
- US Coast Guard 41'UTB Marine Engineer
Nonfiction Books
I have written, ghostwritten, or edited numerous nonfiction books, including:
Small Business Success Secrets: 52 Weeks of Marketing and Management Wisdom: This book contains a collection of 52 of my small business columns and to provide a full year of practical marketing and management advice for small business owners. You'll learn simple techniques for controlling costs, growing your profits, and finding time to enjoy your growing success. This book was originally released as "Guerrilla Marketing Success Secrets."
More Small Business Success Secrets: Another 52 Weeks of Marketing and Management Wisdom: This book continues where the previous book left off with another 52 columns for another full year of practical marketing and management advice for small business owners. This book also includes 12 bonus chapters for entrepreneurs seeking to start up (or relaunch) their businesses."
The Enlightened Savage: Using Primal Instincts for Personal and Business Success: This book describes how the human brain operates, details our built-in abilities and limitations, and reveals how we can use those abilities and limitations to achieve the kind of success we want in life.
The Natural Savage: Discovering the Human Animal: This book uncovers the science behind The Enlightened Savage and shows us how all of life's seeming complexity boils down to six core functions: predator avoidance, group status, food, shelter, reproduction, and death.
The Invention Marketing Handbook: Coauthored with inventor Steven Kays, this book provides a simple, cost-effective method for inventors to license and promote their inventions.
Become A 3D Art Professional: Edited with Bryan Brandenburg, this book spells out to start and run a profitable business creating and selling 3D computerized art.
The Places I've Lived
I grew up in San Francisco, California and spent some time in Colombia, South America. In 1993, I lived in San Jose, California for about 4 years at the start of the dot-com boom. I then moved to La Honda, California, a small town of 500 people in the redwoods. I moved to Ashland, Oregon in October of 2000 and returned to San Francisco in 2009 where I live with my partner Jennifer.
