- Steve & April's Story
Ever the entrepreneur, Steve was 6 years old, selling a viewing of his magic trick at his mother’s house parties. The adults loved it and Steve caught the entrepreneurial bug!!
After he quit school a week into his 10th year, he then moved out at the age of 17 because he “had it all figured out.” Steve waited until November 6, 1996, to start his own company.
Starting from scratch, Steve built up Burnett 1-800-PAINTING – once in Michigan in 1996, and once starting in Florida in 2004, after Hurricane Charlie ravaged the SW Sunshine State. Originally coming down just to volunteer, Steve looked around and, as we all do, fell in love with Florida! As a struggling, single-father of two at the time, Steve met April in 2008, and married in 2009. Now, that’s another remarkable story! (Getting engaged after two weeks and married within 6 months of meeting! When you know, you know, they say!)
Steve with Bob Burg, author of Go-giver, Endless Referrals, and more
Steve and Todd Smith, author of Little Things Matter
The biggest game changer isn’t just reading and learning at the seminars, but what are you going to do with all that information? (April is truly amazed at how great of an implementer Steve is!)
Steve with Jeffrey Gittomer
He put the knowledge straight to work and tried and tested and kept on improving the painting business.
Paint Your Wagon Awarded to Burnett 1-800-PAINTING in 2013
He and April would go on to win many awards with Burnett 1-800-PAINTING because of the implementation of all that knowledge, such as: Business of the Month in 2013, Paint Your Wagon Award in 2013, Business of the Year in 2014, etc. If knowledge is power, action is the engine that makes the power useful!
Steve and John Maxwell
Steve recalls the turning point in business in 2010, was Seth Godin’s quote, “If the marketing place isn’t talking about you, it’s because you’re boring and you’re boring on purpose, because it’s safe.” That was it! Decision made!
Business of the Year Award 2014
Building the company together after their first son was born in 2010, Steve and April quintupled their business in just three years and used tech and systems to reduce their hours from 80+ to a smooth 30 Hour Work Week, while still growing the company.
Article in Newspaper when Steve and April sold Burnett 1-800-PAINTING
Burnett Marketing Launched in August while April took over Burnett 1-800-PAINTING. While both entrepreneurs were doing very well with each company, something was missing–working WITH each other!
They sold the painting company to fellow PDCA (Painting and Decorating Contractors of America) members from Boston who were moving down to Florida to be near their daughter and her growing family. Originally meeting with Kurt and Jenn just to help them start their own business and make the transition to Florida; Steve approached Kurt regarding interest in purchasing Burnett 1-800-PAINTING. Terms were established and the sign date settled for December 19th, 2014! A win-win for all involved!
April loves to say, “Steve lived it, worked it, now shares it with you!”
So, how about you? Where do you fall in the balance of work, social, and family life? Would you like to have more of life’s most precious commodity, TIME? Steve can help you with your productivity, systems, out of the box marketing, and put you in the position of working just 30 hours a week while continuing to grow your successful company.
Sounds like a dream come true?
April says that’s exactly the point- live the dream!
Contact Steve to see how he can help you!
Steve@DYBCoach.com
