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Maximum Value Partners Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini

How do you survive a business partnership?

How do you improve a husband and wife business team?

How do you make a family business more harmonious and productive?

These guys know close relationships in business.

Many business coaches are solo acts. Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini of Maximum Value Partners (MVP) meet and work with their clients as a team.

“Two bald guys are better than one,” they say.

A lot of business coaches will focus on larger companies. MVP works ONLY with small businesses, and it’s been that way since the pair teamed up in 2003.

Their “partnership” goes back to the days at a country club when Adam was a caddie and Jack a wannabe scratch golfer. Ironically, MVP takes a caddy-like approach when working with its clients (think more Bagger Vance than Caddyshack’s Danny Noonan). Their MVP strategy involves helping clients navigate the 7 Keys to Success, the 3 Circles and getting unstuck from endless “how” questions. This formula has elevated the games of businesses ranging from landscapers to IT consultants, body shops to marketing firms.

Listen to this episode and get a good sense of what it means to be coached not coddled. For more information on MVP, visit www.maximumvp.com.

Maximum Value Partners Adam Sonnhalter and Jack MenciniRead More

Lakefront Living Expands Franchise Business in South Carolina

ANDERSON, COLUMBIA, GREENWOOD AND OCONEE, SC… Lakefront Living International, LLC, a national real estate franchise company focused exclusively on the buying and selling of lakefront and lake community properties, is expanding their franchise business and actively seeking new franchisees to service the South Carolina vacation, retirement and “working from home” destination. 

Realtors looking to take advantage of Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell, Lake Greenwood, and Lake Murray’s evergreen markets will have a powerful new partner, as real estate franchise Lakefront Living seeks to enlist new franchisees in these areas. 

A realtor specializing in lake-adjacent properties has a particular edge in South Carolina’s lakes market, and by tapping into the resources afforded to all Lakefront Living franchisees, franchise operators in the area have a unique opportunity to dominate one of the most promising growing markets in the U.S.  Effective territory expansion is one of Lakefront Living’s key areas of focus, and one of the primary benefits offered to franchisees.

Scott Freerksen, co-founder and CEO

A Lake-filled Region with an Abundance of Options
Lake Keowee, a man-made reservoir in South Carolina’s Oconee County, located near the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and within a few hundred miles of three states and eight major cities, has seen upwards of 100 communities established since the 1970s. With more than 300 miles of shoreline, the Lakefront Living team estimates there may be up to 1,000 – 2,000 properties up for sale at any given time. And crucially, the vast majority of those properties are undeveloped, meaning realtors can expect long-term growth in the market. 

One of the jewels of the Southeast, Lake Hartwell is a man-made reservoir created by Hartwell Dam. With 56,000 acres of water and 963 miles of shoreline, it’s one of the most popular and largest recreation lakes in the region. It’s also a thriving habitat for Catfish, Striped Bass and Walleye as well as Largemouth Bass.

Lake Murray is man-made reservoir created by the Saluda Dam and fed by the Saluda River. With 50,000 acres and 650 miles of shoreline, it extends to Lexington, Saluda, Newberry and Richland counties and is renowned for its recreational activities including fishing, camping, boating and more.

Lake Greenwood, known to those who prefer a slower pace, offers 11,400 acres and 212 miles of shoreline that extends into Greenwood, Laurens and Newberry counties. This man-made recreational lake is fed by the Saluda and Reedy Rivers and not only provides drinking water but plentiful recreational opportunities as well. 

Checking All the Boxes
Scott Freerksen, co-founder and CEO of Lakefront Living International explained. “These four lake areas meet all of our criteria for successful franchise locations. Market size, location, diversity of real estate offerings, attractions, climate, accessibility — essentially, they check every single box.” 

In addition to vacation homes, Freerksen also pointed to the growing number of full-time residences popping up in the area to explain why right now is the perfect time to break into the market. Because of the region’s year-round temperate climate and increasing access to high-quality amenities, the lake has become an increasingly attractive destination for retirees as well as those working remotely. 

According to Christine Mosier, Lakefront Living International’s Chief Operations Officer, “We’re looking for agents and brokers who have a true passion for lakefront properties. We’re all about letting our systems run the business and having the right people run the systems. We can teach those systems to anybody, but we can’t teach passion. As our franchisees become dominant in their market, that passion is going to be essential to growing their team and benefiting from our larger community of brokers across the country.” 

Changing Lives One Lake House at a Time
Lakefront Living International franchisees, known as “partners”, are the local, on-the-ground experts who provide critical community details for prospective buyers that includes specific shoreline conditions, neighborhood characteristics, zoning regulations, lake management operations, Lakefront events, and even offer boat tours of properties.

“What differentiates Lakefront Living is our comprehensive database of thousands of lakes analyzed to date along with our one-stop-shop website, LakefrontLiving.com, with the lake buyer in mind. After all, the buyer is essentially buying the lake first and the home second,” explained Mosier.

Lakefront Living has an extensive database of details for 2,809 lakes. In addition to its recent expansion into South Carolina, the company has established franchise territories in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

Freerksen continued, “We’ve taken a different approach than other real estate franchises—they deal with market saturation, while we want franchisees to be able to expand their market as much as they’d like. When we enter into a new state, a franchisee’s territory is based on market size, but they have first right of refusal for the rest of the state, meaning franchisees at Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell, Lake Greenwood, and Lake Murray have the chance to grow their business throughout South Carolina.”

What Sets Lakefront Living Apart 
Lakefront Living International is the only national franchise with exclusive protected territories. Lakefront Living provides an easy path to move from Agent to Owner in 90 days, and their proprietary marketing strategy generates lakefront specific leads exclusively handed to the franchisee. These are just a few aspects of what sets them apart from other real estate franchises.

Real estate agents and brokers may learn more about Lakefront Living International franchise opportunities by visiting www.lakefrontfranchise.com or email info@lakefrontliving.com or call (833) 4MyLake / (833) 469-5253.

About Lakefront Living International, LLC
Founded in 2014, Lakefront Living International, LLC is a national real estate franchise company focused exclusively on the buying and selling of lakefront properties. As the only lake-focused real estate franchise in the United States, the company is dedicated to providing their unique business model to agents who share their passion for the lakefront lifestyle. Lakefront Living International, LLC’s proven systems use the power of niche marketing and client lifecycle principles to provide a true competitive advantage. One thing that sets the brand apart from other big-box real estate franchises and independent brokers alike is the freedom it grants franchisees in relation to territory size. The company has an ambitious expansion plan and is focused on attracting future partners.  

The LakefrontLiving.com brand is a frequent Partner of HGTV Lakefront Bargain Hunt. They have also sourced locations for a hit movie and were featured on WCVB-TV (ABC) Channel 5 Boston Chronicle.

Real estate agents may learn more about Lakefront Living International franchise opportunities by visiting www.lakefrontfranchise.com. Buyers and sellers of lakefront and lake community properties may learn more about Lakefront Living by visiting www.lakefrontliving.com.

Lakefront Living Expands Franchise Business in South CarolinaRead More

National Day of Prayer event to be held at National Monument to the Forefathers, Plymouth on Thursday, May 5. Two National Speakers to participate.

Two nationally known speakers will participate in the observance of the National Day of Prayer event to be held at National Monument to the Forefathers on Thursday, May 5, 4 – 7 p.m. 

The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by congress and encourages Americans to turn to God.  Many Americans assemble in prayer in front of courthouses, as well as in houses of worship, such as churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples.

Among the speakers will be Mark Meckler, President of Convention of States Foundation & Convention of States Action (COSA) with over 5 million supporters and activists, representing every state legislative district in the nation. Mark appears regularly on television, radio and online discussing the conservative grassroots perspective on political issues. Before COSA, Mark was the Co-Founder of Tea Party Patriots.

The second nationally recognized speaker is Rick Green, a former Texas State Representative, national speaker, author, and radio host.  Rick & his family travel the nation speaking on America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage. Rick and David Barton co-host the national daily radio program, WallBuilders Live!  Rick & his wife, Kara, founded Patriot Academy, an elite leadership training program specializing in applied civics with a Biblical, historical, & Constitutional Foundation.

Local religious leaders, color guard and church worship bands will also contribute to the Day of Prayer event.

The Day of Prayer, Plymouth is a free event, but attendees are asked to RVSP so that updated information about public parking and weather considerations can be shared on a timely basis.  The reservation page is https://www.patriotacademy.com/prayer/

The Jenney Interpretive Centre, located on Summer Street in Plymouth, is the local coordinator and sponsor of the program. Leo and Nancy Martin, co-founders, host the event in Plymouth at the Monument each year. Volunteers to help with parking, event set up and greeting are encouraged to email a note to Info@TheJenney.org.

National Day of Prayer event to be held at National Monument to the Forefathers, Plymouth on Thursday, May 5. Two National Speakers to participate.Read More

Jenney Interpretive Centre in Plymouth Opens for Tours Beginning April 5th. Reservations Now Being Accepted

PLYMOUTH, MA… Book a spring guided tour with the Jenney Interpretive Centre and learn more about local Pilgrim life and America’s Hometown of Plymouth, MA. 

Jenney Interpretive Centre, otherwise known as “The Jenney”, will open for the season on April 5, 2022 by appointment only. The Jenney teaches about the Pilgrims and the impact they had on the founding and ongoing development of our country, and to the importance of passing the history of our country from generation to generation. Every year, The Jenney attracts visitors from near and far, including parents with young children, students, teachers, seniors, Christian groups, history buffs and others. 

The Jenney offers Walking tours and National Monument to the Forefathers tours, as well as exhibits. 

Walking tours are designed to give an overview of what transpired when the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth. Participants learn about the people, places, and events of the beginning of our country as they walk along Town Brook through the historic district where our Forefathers lived and walked hundreds of years ago. The Jenney’s educational tours and programs offered include:

•    Discover Plymouth’s History Walking Tour – A 90-minute interpretive tour led by a guide in period clothing.

•    National Monument to the Forefathers Tour – A 45-minute interpretive tour led by a guide in period clothing which highlights the five principles the Pilgrims brought with them that formed the country we have today; one monument, five statues.

•    Pilgrim Economics. Business Not as Usual – Discover why the Pilgrims transitioned from communal living to land-ownership and how this change led to the beginning of free trade, industry, and capitalism in our country.

•    Stories of the American Covenant – Learn more about how The Mayflower Compact was a covenant the Pilgrims made with God.

Non-walking tours of the historic district and the National Monument to the Forefathers are also offered. These tours are situated in one of The Jenney’s exhibit rooms and taken via a one-hour Power Point presentation given by guides in period clothing.

Reservations are required for all tours, programs and special events. Reduced rates are available for group tours of 20 or more. Book for the 2022 season online at https://thejenney.org.

About Jenney Interpretive Centre
Built in 1749, what is now known as the Jenney Interpretive Centre is located in the heart of the historic district of Plymouth, MA. In 2022, Jenney Interpretive Centre will begin their 21st year of educating locals and visitors to the area on the founding of our country. 

Led by co-founders Leo and Nancy Martin, the Jenney Interpretive Centre teaches about the Pilgrims and the impact they had on the founding and ongoing development of our country, and to the importance of passing the history of our country from generation to generation.

The Jenney Interpretive Centre is a not for profit 501(C)(3) educational charity and their mission is supported through donations, which are tax-deductible, as well as admissions, sales, and grants. The Jenney Interpretive Centre is located at 48 Summer Street in Plymouth, MA. For more information, visit thejenney.org.

Jenney Interpretive Centre in Plymouth Opens for Tours Beginning April 5th. Reservations Now Being AcceptedRead More

Is your business heading South? Free webinar outlines the signs of business trouble and what to do about it.  Virtual event is set for Thursday, April 28, 9 a.m.

Sales are way off.  Costs are way up.  Taxes are due.  Employees are grumbling.

These are just some of the signs that your business is heading South. A lifeline is available. Click on and RSVP for this free webinar that outlines the signs of business trouble and what to do about it.  

The free webinar features Leo Charpentier of Dynamic Business Solutions, a seasoned Business Turnaround consultant, is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 9 a.m.To RSVP, please visit http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=8qgmbkcab&oeidk=a07ej40gz5715602cde

Charpentier helps financially struggling, small, privately-owned companies regain control of their business finances, relieve immediate pressures and carve a lasting path to improved operations, positive cash flow and a return to profitability. His typical engagement involves business owners who are open to change, accountable and willing to share authority for 6-18 months as Charpentier becomes their part-time COO/CFO. Geographic focus is Rhode Island and South of Boston for companies with annual sales between $ 750K and $ 10M.

The business community is encouraged to attend. The event is sponsored by three leading organizations including My Pinnacle Network which hosts monthly meetings for business-to-business professionals at five locations throughout Massachusetts including Braintree, Mansfield, Needham, Pembroke, and Westborough; South Shore Networking Professionals which connects business people monthly at locations throughout the South Shore; and Rockland Trust, offering a wide range of banking, investment, and insurance services to businesses and individuals through retail branches, commercial lending offices, investment management offices, and residential lending centers located in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as through online, mobile and phone banking.

Please RSVP for the event at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=8qgmbkcab&oeidk=a07ej40gz5715602cde.

Or call My Pinnacle Network at 781-582-1061.

Is your business heading South? Free webinar outlines the signs of business trouble and what to do about it.  Virtual event is set for Thursday, April 28, 9 a.m.Read More

Can you grow your cannabis business?  The Great North Canna Network can do.

As an industry, cannabis is still in its infancy.  Many dispensaries, cultivators, kitchens and delivery operations are just emerging. The cannabis “Green Rush” is flourishing!

As of March 2022, 18 states plus Washington, DC have legalized full “adult use” (aka “recreational”) cannabis for adults over the age of 21, with 38 states plus DC having legalized medicinal use — meaning that a majority of Americans have access to cannabis, whether medically or recreationally.

Where do emerging cannabis professionals turn to for advice, support, resources and advocacy?  One new resource is the Great North Canna Networking group, a Zoom-based virtual networking organization that’s helping many young cannabis companies to bloom.

The new business-to-business cannabis networking group is attracting cannabis operators and service providers from the northern mid-west states of MN, MI, and IL, where the cannabis industry is starting to sprout. Current participants include cannabis professionals from retail dispensaries, cultivation operations, payment processing, payroll and human resources, energy conservation, on-site security, online security, legal, accounting, compliance, social media, publishing and more.

There is no cost to participate in the group.  The only requirement is consistent attendance.  Each cannabis seat/specialty is held exclusively.  This provides a safe haven and better communication within group, and eliminates conflicts of interest.

The group was developed by Eric Robichaud, founder of Green Goddess Supply, a “cultivation to consumption” cannabis lifestyle brand offering a line of high-quality products to grow, store, prep and consume hemp flower and cannabis products. Robichaud had previously founded and developed the Metrowest CannaNetwork in 2019. The original group continues to primarily serve as a weekly forum for more than 75 cannabis professionals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The original network began prior to the pandemic in a Greater Boston area restaurant as an in-person lunch meeting, all throughout 2019.  The pandemic did not snuff out the group, however. The nimble bunch moved to a weekly Zoom meeting and began attracting more distant colleagues that may not physically reside in Massachusetts, but who’s business territory included the area.

“Our Canna Networks have really become a strong business support point for many cannabis business and service providers,” noted Robichaud. “Participants tend to really go out of their way to introduce each other to resources and solutions.  It is so much more productive to have a strong, personal referral and introduction than resort to a blind search on the internet.”

Robichaud continued, “Our Metrowest group proved the concept over the last three years, so we took that concept to the northern mid-west where the same need for connection and vetting was needed.”  The group functions as a business referral group, where members help each other with qualified sales leads/referrals.

To determine seat/category availability in either the new Great North (mid-west) Canna Network or the MetroWest (Massachusetts) CannaNetwork, contact Eric Robichaud at eric@greengoddesssupply.com 

Can you grow your cannabis business?  The Great North Canna Network can do.Read More

Hear me, see me, and retain me.  Better communication equals better retention in the workplace. Free webinar April 6, 1 p.m.

What do employees value most?  Top salary, generous benefits, flexibility schedules, career advancement?

All of these things are critical, but the most important is “communication”!  Does my voice get heard? Am I encouraged to contribute? Do my suggestions matter? Am I kept in the loop, and do I remain part of the conversation?

Communication skills can be taught, learned, and celebrated. Human Resources and C-level executives are encouraged to attend the free Zoom-based webinar entitled “Hear me, see me and retain me” set for April6, 1 – 1:30 p.m. 

Janet Parnes, trained at the prestigious Protocol School of Washington, is a social conversation and etiquette consultant . She is a nationally sought after keynote speaker and will offer insights and actionable tips. Parnes spent more than 20 years in sales and marketing. She has worked with companies that include chip manufacturer Analog Devices and Panasonic. She has appeared in media outlets that include NBC, NPR, and the Boston Globe.

Moderator of the presentation is Dave Sawyer, Founder and CEO of Safer Places, a full service screening, testing, and consulting organization whose mission is to provide companies with the specific tests that best fit their needs for background screening, drug testing, and security consulting.

Parnes will share practical techniques that make you and others feel valued, understood, &  heard.

Topics will include –

  • Strategy that makes conversation more direct, strategic and comfortable
  • Words that create an instant connection
  • Tips for relationship building —bridging the distance
  • Broaching difficult subjects
  • Words and phrases that encourage participation
  • How to build cooperative, supportive teams
  • Body language that makes others feel valued and heard

The webinar is part of an on-going series entitled SafeUpdates that consist of monthly Zoom-based podcasts led by Safer Places, Inc. Client education is an important part of the service provided at Safer Places, Inc. The firm focuses on helping clients navigate the myriad of different types of background screening and drug testing options available so executives can focus on the core tasks of running their business. 

To participate in the webinar, RSVP at https://saferplacesinc.com/podcast

Hear me, see me, and retain me.  Better communication equals better retention in the workplace. Free webinar April 6, 1 p.m.Read More

Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield Appoints New Program Director

Keagan Marcella
Keagan Marcella

The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield has named Keagan Marcella, a resident of Marshfield, MA, as Program Director. 
 
In his new role at the Club, Marcella teaches art classes, oversees youth programming and is responsible for a variety of administrative tasks. 
 
A former “Club kid”, Marcella attended the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s after school program and summer camps at the Club’s former Library Plaza location during his elementary and middle school years. He graduated from Marshfield High School in 2016, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio for Interrelated Media from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2020. 
 
In 2021, Marcella become a volunteer teaching art at the Boys & Girls Club. Not long after, he was hired as Boys & Girls Club staff three days a week, as well as for the summer program and other special programs which included art, science, Lego robotics and multimedia. This current school year, he served as the Boys & Girls Club’s lead STEM staff prior to becoming a Title I tutor of math and writing for four different classrooms during the school day at South River Elementary School in Marshfield.  
 
“I grew up as a Club kid, which has led me down the path of helping people. Now, everything has come full circle and I’m happy to have this incredible opportunity to help others and the community,” said Marcella. 
                                                                                                   
About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield 
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness.  The Club serves families with children ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old, and provides critical services the community needs to support children and families over the short- and long-term. For more information, visit their website www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582. 

Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield Appoints New Program DirectorRead More

Welcoming new lakefront living lifestyle experts. Lakefront Living International Expands Franchise Business in North Carolina 

Lakefront Living International, LLC, a national real estate franchise company focused exclusively on the buying and selling of lakefront and lake community properties, is expanding their franchise business and actively seeking franchisees in North Carolina. 

Dedicated to providing their unique business model to real estate agents who share their passion for the lakefront lifestyle, Lakefront Living International has announced partnerships are available in the Lake Norman region and beyond. With 520 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman is the largest man-made, freshwater lake in North Carolina that touches four counties – Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg. It’s located close to Charlotte airport and is easily accessible via highway.

Scott “The Lake Guy” Freerksen, co-founder and CEO.
Scott “The Lake Guy” Freerksen, co-founder and CEO

In addition to Lake Norman, the most popular lakes in North Carolina include Lake Wylie, Lake James, Lake Hickory, Lake Lure, Lake Toxaway, Lake Rhodhiss, High Rock Lake, Badin Lake, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Adger, and Jordan Lake – and all available lakefront properties may be browsed in LakefrontLiving.com’s extensive database of North Carolina lakefront homes.
    
Changing Lives One Lake House at a Time
Lakefront Living International franchisees, known as “partners”, are the local, on-the-ground experts who provide critical community details for prospective buyers that includes specific shoreline conditions, neighborhood characteristics, zoning regulations, lake management operations, Lakefront events, and even offer boat tours of properties.

“What differentiates Lakefront Living is our comprehensive database of thousands of lakes analyzed to date along with our one-stop-shop website, LakefrontLiving.com, with the lake buyer in mind. After all, the buyer is essentially buying the lake first and the home second,” explained Scott “The Lake Guy” Freerksen, co-founder and CEO.

Lakefront Living has an extensive database of details for 2,809 lakes. In addition to its recent expansion into North Carolina, the company has established franchise territories in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

Freerksen continued, “We’ve taken a different approach than other real estate franchises—they deal with market saturation, while we want franchisees to be able to expand their market as much as they’d like. When we enter into a new state, a franchisee’s territory is based on market size, but they have first right of refusal for the rest of the state, meaning a franchisee at Lake Norman has the chance to grow their business throughout North Carolina.”

What Sets Lakefront Living Apart 
Lakefront Living International is the only national franchise with exclusive protected territories. Lakefront Living provides an easy path to move from Agent to Owner in 90 days, and their proprietary marketing strategy generates lakefront specific leads exclusively handed to the franchisee. These are just a few aspects of what sets them apart from other real estate franchises.

Real estate agents interested in learning more about franchise opportunities in North Carolina’s lake regions are encouraged to contact Scott Freerksen, (508) 377-7167, scott@lakefrontliving.com. and visit www.lakefrontfranchise.com.

About Lakefront Living International, LLC
Founded in 2014, Lakefront Living International, LLC is a national real estate franchise company focused exclusively on the buying and selling of lakefront properties. As the only lake-focused real estate franchise in the United States, the company is dedicated to providing their unique business model to agents who share their passion for the lakefront lifestyle. Lakefront Living International, LLC’s proven systems use the power of niche marketing and client lifecycle principles to provide a true competitive advantage. One thing that sets the brand apart from other big-box real estate franchises and independent brokers alike is the freedom it grants franchisees in relation to territory size. The company has an ambitious expansion plan and is focused on attracting future partners.  

The LakefrontLiving.com brand is a frequent Partner of HGTV Lakefront Bargain Hunt, and has sourced locations for the hit movie Shutter Island, as well as been featured on WCVB-TV (ABC) Channel 5 Boston Chronicle.

Real estate agents may learn more about Lakefront Living International franchise opportunities by visiting www.lakefrontfranchise.com. Buyers and sellers of lakefront and lake community properties may learn more about Lakefront Living by visiting www.lakefrontliving.com.

Welcoming new lakefront living lifestyle experts. Lakefront Living International Expands Franchise Business in North Carolina Read More