Perspective

For my Jewish friends, today starts the beginning of a new year. Sort of paraphrasing what I’ve heard before, I think a great way to start any year is to remember:

Each of us, is a piece of this world, a part of the whole package, individually not very important. So it’s not about what we think we deserve, it is about what we can give and what we can share, that’s when you become significant as a piece of the whole.

Give your time, your energy and your talent (when you can and even to the point it hurts) and you will be surprised at the impact you have.. Whether it’s you personally or your company. If you do it without thought for what you will receive in return, everything you ever wanted comes to you in time.

What kind of footprints are you leaving?

Helping the Homeless Get a Job, One Outfit at a Time

Some people are impressive, and then some people are IMPRESSIVE. My client YourAutoNetwork.com and it’s owners are two of those people.

Husband and wife, Cary and Carole Lockwood are partnering with the Salvation Army to promote a month-long clothing drive for homeless families who live at the Kaiser Family Center, home to about 450 families a year. Okay, so a lot of companies give back. What’s impressive is that Carole and Cary have set up donation boxes at 50 of their member business locations. This means that they have personally driven to each location, set up a bin and are out there asking for donations…all by themselves. They have locations as far away as Surprise, north to Cave Creek, south to Queen Creek, east to Apache Junction and everything in between. That’s a lot of driving. The Kaiser Family Center is also about commitment.  Residents are required to find work within 2 weeks of residing in the shelter. To assist them the Center provides services designed to get them moving forward quickly.  In that spirit, the donation drive is designed to find clothes suitable for residents to wear on interviews and hopefully to land that job. The clothing is also needed to supply them with day to day work clothes.  Wanna help? Click here for drop off locations.

Susan Felt of the Arizona Republic did a compelling story about the Kaiser Family Center back in January.  I’d sure love to know where those families are today who Susan met.  They represent but a few of the families who are collateral damage from the “economy of greed,” which will forever be identified with the new millennium.

Back to Carole and Cary. Philanthropy seems to be a natural extension of their business philosophy .  YourAutoNetwork.com was founded as an online directory where consumers can find the best automotive related companies in the Valley, and I mean the best. Unlike other directories that let any company buy onto their listing, YourAutoNetwork hand selects only those businesses that been in the Valley for at least 10 years, carry an A rating or better from the Better Business Bureau and also pass a rigorous vetting process. Any hanky panky and you’re out, period.

By the way, the listing is free to access by consumers. So instead of seeing glowing reviews by people who could be a repair shop’s wife, cousins or friends, you’ll find very few comments from consumers.  Instead, there are straight forward facts and the reasonable assurance you’ll find a business you can trust.

Cary is a former GM Engineer who has spent his life making sure cars are safe. He also hosts a car-talk radio show on KXXT AM and KXEG AM.  He’s a one-man ‘click and clack’ with just as much energy and humor as the other, well-known pair.  Check him out, he’s very entertaining.

I have the best job in the world.  I only work with interesting people who know that my job is to tell great stories.  I don’t sell anything.  I like to think that I make the world a better place because I connect reporters with people who have great stories.  I’m just the guy in the middle.  And to anyone who’s thinking this is very Polly Anna of me, as Robert Ruskin said: “The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.” Me, I’d rather surround myself with people who are always becoming.  Don’t you?

Take the Shop Local Pledge

Click here to view and print the ticket

PLEDGE: YES! I understand that my dollars can help build a sense of place, a higher quality of life and a stronger economy!

I hereby take the pledge to buy locally during National Independents Week, June 29 through July 5, to help celebrate the diversity and vibrancy that makes me proud to call Arizona Home.

Don’t you feel better already?!

10 Tips for Shopping Local

Thank you for taking the pledge to shop 100% locally from Monday, June 29 – Sunday, July 5. With a little planning, you’ll find simple, local solutions for your every day needs.

1. Plan your week:
List all the things you do on a regular basis – lunch, groceries, etc. – and figure out a local alternative to the usual chain coffeehouse or mega-mart

2. Check out the Golden Coupon participants and download your ticket to saving 20%: Can these businesses help you hold up your end of the pledge this week?

3. Download the Small Wonders map for shopping and dining destinations in Central Phoenix.

4. Ask friends, family, colleagues for local recommendations.

5. Review the Top 10 Lists of Favorites from Arizona leaders for their recommendations.

6. Visit a Farmer’s Market to buy locally grown produce this week – or visit the Arizona Farm Bureau’s www.fillyourplate.org website to find local farmers and ranchers.

7. Look for the round, black and red Local First stickers in store windows to be sure!

8. Check the labels on the products you buy at local stores – and see if these items are made or grown in Arizona to double your impact.

9. Always use the serach directory at www.localfirstaz.com to look for products and services in a variety of categories and search by keyword, city or ZIP code.

10. Tell your friends and family that You’re Going 100% Local and ask them to join you!

Happy Birthday to Us!

Happy Birthday Tony Felice PR & Marketing

This month marks the first anniversary of Tony Felice PR & Marketing (though I’ve been around the block for more than 25). This first year I have learned a lot about myself and what it means to be an entrepreneur. So I’d like to share this short list with you.

1. Security & Comfort are Overrated. Getting out there and doing what you love takes risk. Without it, freedom, choices and being able to shape your own destiny may always be out of reach.

2. Get out there. The world is owned by those who show up right? This means you have to show up and be present. Go to events, meet people and share–don’t pitch you or your business, just be fun to be around and enjoy the company of others.

3. Give back. Volunteer and find the things that you feel passionately about. You get what you put out there, I honestly believe that.

4. Be generous. Share ideas and resources with the people you want to do business with or media you want to cover your stories. It’s not always about self-serving choices, it’s about being a resource to those from whom you may need something in the future.

5. You cannot care too much. I’ve often been criticized by past employers that I care too much and go way beyond what is expected. I couldn’t disagree more. In fact it violates my own personal principles. Late nights, early mornings, dropping everything for an interview, making oneself uncomfortable and stretching your limits…that’s what breeds success.

6. Be a leader. Take responsibility for everything and be accountable. Motivate by example, make the tough decisions, work hard and be impeccable with your word.

7. Celebrate others. By celebrating the successes of your clients and friends you draw that positive energy into your life and your business.

8. Don’t dwell on the negative. Get rid of all energy suckers–whether clients or friends and stick to your ethics. This year I fired my highest paying client for being unethical. I never looked back.

9. Be grateful. Appreciate the greatest achievement of all, the desire to be better as a person and as an entrepreneur.  It’s the power of positive intention followed by action and measured as results.  Thank yourself for it.

10. Have Faith. You did this because you believe in yourself right? Have faith that others will be inspired by the confidence you have in yourself and your commitment to others.

This year has been frightening, exhilarating, frustrating, overwhelming, and enriching. My breath catches when I think of tomorrow, my heart beats in my chest with the rhythm of uncertainty’s staccato and I dream of possibility, what is, and what will be.

Social pressures don’t dampen Holiday Hearts

I have to tell you that I am proud to live in Phoenix.  I’ve lived in some pretty big places: Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.  But in Phoenix you can be anything you want to be … and be successful.  This has been the most welcoming and warm city I have ever lived in.  Earlier in the year I decided to be more active (helps when growing a business) but I decided it was not about that.  It was about making friends.  Through my involvement with the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Human Rights Campaign and Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic I have encountered some of the most brilliant, loving and accepting people ever.

Case in point. In one month, the Phoenix Gay Chamber collected more than 2,000 toys and art supplies, estimated at around $25,000, for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Child Life Center.

Too often the media is allowed to define a group.  The gay community has been defined this year by Props 102 and 8 as well as call in gay day yesterday.  But in reality that community is a thriving contributing part of Arizona’s Economy (and the US).  More than just a buying power statistic of $600 billion, these people have faces and they care about their community.

Chamber businesses have a significant impact on local revenues generated and re-distributed into the local economy. And those one-of-a-kind businesses help articulate a city’s brand image more than any mall or string of retail chains ever will.

The point is, despite social pressures and downright hating out there, you can’t dampen the spirits of truly generous people. Holiday Season or not.

Ok, enough of my soapbox, but you get the picture right? If not, than below are pictures taken from the Holiday Mixer at g:studio where all the toys were delivered last night and at the Hospital where we delivered the toys today.  To see more pictures, visit my facebook page.

Personally, I like knowing that a child who is going through hell may have their day brightened or be distracted from their pain, if only for a little while.

It doesn’t matter if the child knows where the toy came from or who found time in their lives to seek it out and give.  There’s great power in sharing and that act moves forward and ultimately changes lives.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

One of two giant piles with hundreds more toys on the way

Joseph Gesullo, Paul Holtzman, Carolyn Lane and Me

Growing Number of Toys and its snowing

Santa Arrives

Toy's being received by Phoenix Children's Hospital Staff

The PR guy has to take his own picture!