Feature Article: Release the Power of the Real You
Five Steps to Know Thyself

Business Owner in the Spotlight
Stith Keiser
MyVeterinaryCareer

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Next Tuesday, Victoria is scheduled to get a brand new hip (then another later this summer)! So we won’t be in the office much that week. She’s been working out at the pool to strengthen those muscles. The whole thing feels a little scary, but she ‘s looking forward to playing tennis again (without pain!).

This month is Make-it-Fly®’s birthday. We plan to celebrate at the Make-it-Fly® Café on April 24—five years to the day since we launched our first Advisory Board 101 on April 24, 2003. Mark your calendar now to come and help us celebrate!

Dave has been reading a book a week and loves getting recommendations on good books. Since we don’t have a TV, reading is a favorite way to relax. Keep those book ideas coming!

Our very best regards,

Dave and Victoria

P.S. Watch for more useful tips from Board members in Make-it-Fly®’s Quick Biz Tips next week!

Stith Keiser
MyVeterinaryCareer

What do you get when you cross a headhunter with a matchmaker? Stith Keiser. Stith owns MyVeterinaryCareer, which he describes as a “veterinary matchmaking and career management firm” assisting high-end practices in their search for veterinary professionals.

“The idea of MyVeterinaryCareer began late in the summer of 2007,” Stith says, “but it was not until January of 2008 that we finally had the foundation laid and were able to begin serving our clients.”

MyVeterinaryCareer works directly with veterinary schools, veterinary technical schools and high-end veterinary practices of all sizes and specialties to provide full-service recruiting and career management. “Our team includes a veterinarian who owns four AAHA-accredited practices, a former hospital administrator and a number of individuals with HR experience,” Stith says.

Q: What do you find most fulfilling about running your business?
SK: The appreciation expressed by both practices and professionals when we make a successful placement. In the past, many of our clients have had to settle for the first position or first professional that came along. It’s exciting to see and hear their excitement when a great match is made! Second to making placements is the thrill derived from striving to be the best in the industry.

Q: What motivated you to start this business? What is your background experience in this area?
SK: What motivated me to start this business relates directly to what I love most about it. I wanted to make a difference in an underserved industry by shattering the traditional negative stereotype associated with ‘headhunters.’ We saw an opportunity to better serve both practices and professionals by taking a matchmaking approach to the recruiting process. The opportunity to become the number-one matchmaker for the industry also lured us to tackle this endeavor.

My background experience is two-fold: my dad was a mixed animal veterinarian, and I was able to watch and learn as he grew his practice for nearly 25 years. I also served as a hospital administrator at one small and one large animal practice in Broomfield, which gave me additional insight into the industry and many of the pains associated with the hiring process clinics go through.

Q: What book has been most helpful to you in your business?
SK: I have to list two books here. The Bible has played an invaluable role in guiding me through my personal life and keeping our business on track as we interact with one another and our clients. Books by world-renowned western author Louis L’Amour rank as number two on the list because they tend to focus on young men and women heading west in the 1800s and making a life for themselves. The environment our business faces is much more conducive to success than those faced by early pioneers, but it is the independence, drive and determination embodied by early explorers that I draw inspiration from.

Q: Who has influenced you most in your life?
SK: My family has had the biggest influence in my life. They encouraged me to be independent and taught me the value of hard work beginning on my twelfth birthday when I started a cattle herd of my own. Working hard and working smart are traits my father passed on to me. They’ve also helped me to understand that anything is achievable if I’m willing to work for it and be humble enough to surround myself with people who are smarter than me!

Q: What has proved to be your most successful marketing strategy?
SK: Personal relationships/connections. Websites are great, print material is nice looking, but nothing beats getting in front of people.

Q: What have been the greatest challenges you have had to overcome, or are currently facing, in your business?
SK: Our greatest challenge has been to build a name for ourselves in an industry where one firm has ruled for several years. We are also faced with overcoming the negative connotations associated with ‘headhunters.’ We work hard to explain our matchmaking approach, but we are still initially labeled as headhunters, and clients assume we will do a poor job of communication and will try to force fit professionals instead of working to understand the unique needs of each client.

Q: How did you benefit/are you benefiting from participating in a Make-it-Fly® board?
SK: Make-it-Fly® has enabled me to surround myself with individuals who are smarter and more experienced than I am. Being on an Advisory Board with successful individuals from all walks of life is very conducive to the exchange of unique, creative ideas and viewpoints.

Q: What would you say to other business owners who are contemplating getting involved in a Make-it-Fly® board?
SK: Like anything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Make-it-Fly® is a great opportunity to brainstorm with others and learn specific steps/processes for building your business!

Stith Keiser can be reached by phone at: 303-233-1006. Or visit his website: www.MyVeterinaryCareer.com.

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Release the Power of the Real You
Five Steps to Know Thyself
By Victoria Munro

To enjoy true success, we need to discover—really know—who we are at our core. Having a clear understanding of who we are, what matters most to us, and what we want to accomplish in life releases tremendous energy. It inspires confidence and ignites within us a sense of purpose. It gives meaning to even trivial tasks.

Yet, in our demanding lives as business owners, we seldom take time to step back and reflect on such things. Because I believe that it will result in a much more joyful and productive you, I suggest you plan now—mark it on your calendar—to take a little time away to look at your big picture. Think about what success means to you and where you ultimately want to take your life. The following steps will help.

Step One - Acknowledge Your Strengths, Natural Talents and Special Skills

Be aware of what you do really well. Continually develop and draw on your strengths. Working out of your strengths stirs up creativity and innovation, better equipping you to solve problems and avoid pitfalls.

	Ask Yourself:
	What comes easily and naturally to me? What do I do really well?
	What do I look forward to each day?
	How do I stand out from others in my field? Make a list.
	What do I do that makes the business successful?
	Looking back over my life to date, what are my five or six most significant achievements?

Get another point of view. Ask those who know you well to tell you how they would answer these questions for you. Find out what they most admire about you.

Step Two - Admit Your Weaknesses

Be aware of your limitations but, instead of trying to fix them, major on your strengths. Build a team around you that will complement your weak areas and allow you to focus on what you do best.

	Ask Yourself:
	What do I find distasteful and/or difficult? Make a list.
	What do I tend to procrastinate about?
	What weaknesses have others commented on that I feel were accurate?

Step Three - Know What You Stand For

Identify your core values—those non-negotiables that are truly important to you. Commit to live your life in alignment with these and do what you believe to be right, even when others may misunderstand or disagree. Knowing what we value provides us with clear guidelines for choices and actions.

	Ask Yourself:
	What actions can I take to better honor what I claim to value?

Step Four - Pursue Your Purpose with Passion

Before you can pursue it, you need to find your purpose. It’s likely linked to your strengths and your values. At some level, we all want to do something meaningful that will make a difference in the world. Think about what you do or have done in the past that you were passionate about. What stirs, excites or motivates you?

Talk about your purpose. Stir up your passion. Share it with friends, family, colleagues and anyone who’ll listen. Passion is contagious. It inspires confidence in others and rallies them to your cause.

	Ask Yourself:
	What is it that I just have to do?
	What did I enjoy doing as a child?
	What have I done in the past or do now that I’m passionate about? What stirs, excites or motivates me?
	If money weren’t an issue, how would I spend my time?
	Looking back at the end of my life, what will I regret not having done?

Step Five - Write Your Personal Vision Statement

A personal vision statement brings clarity to everyday life. It acts as a compass to guide you through the seas of life. It helps you make decisions in line with where you want to go in life and set goals and take actions to get there.

What do you want your vision of the future to look like? Write out or record your description. Use your imagination. Employ all your senses. Bring in emotion—describe how you will feel. When complete, distill it into one or two sentences. Post it where you’ll see it often.

Review your personal vision statement often. Since circumstances can change, you may want to adjust it. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision.

Knowing yourself, being true to the real you and pursuing your purpose—your mission in life—will release renewed energy and set you on an exhilarating and fulfilling journey to achieve your dream.

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The Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101

Each Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 program consists of 12 non-competing business owners who meet once a month for three consecutive months. In the spirit of giving, they offer each other solutions, ideas, resources and encouragement. Dave and Victoria facilitate each group and share powerful tools to assist business owners in reaching their goals and living more balanced lives.

If you have experienced a Make-it-Fly® program, please share the following openings with other business owners who need support. Call Dave for more information at 720-962-8888.

Programs are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Current program openings in Denver:

• Fridays - May 2, June 6, July 11, 2008 (still seats available.)
• Thursdays - July 31, August 28, September 25, 2008
• Fridays - September 9, October 5, November 2, 2008

Click here to sign up for Advisory Boards.
Or call Dave at 720-962-8888.

Alumni Boards are groups of 12-14 small business owners who have participated in at least one Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 and wish to continue the support and accountability with a group of like-minded, giving business associates. Members meet once a month for a three-hour meeting. If you completed the initial Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 and are interested in more information on Alumni Boards, call Dave at 720-962-8888.

Make-it-Fly® Café - Special Birthday Celebration!
High altitude networking, where exceptional people help each other.

Next Café is scheduled for

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008

Time: 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Location: Maloney's Tavern, 1432 Market Street, Denver.
Click here for details and special parking arrangements.

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Contact Make-it-Fly® - Dave and Victoria:

email: info@make-it-fly.com
voice: 720-962-8888
web: www.Make-it-Fly.com

Reprint Permission:
Please email or call Victoria if you'd like to reprint any information contained in this newsletter. Thanks! © Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

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Make-it-Fly® LLC
720-962-8888
355 South Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80235, USA
http://www.make-it-fly.com