Clint Powell
In honor of Father’s Day I thought I would share a few important lessons I have learned by some influential men along my journey. Most of these lessons have business and personal applications.
Coach Lester Walls – Carson Newman
I tried to walk on in college for football – I realized after a few months that I was a much better fan than I was a player. Coach Lester Walls was running back coach at Carson-Newman and the day I quit he called me up and encouraged me to stay – I can still hear him say: "Quitting never goes away son." I would have never started…ever, but maybe I could have been part of a team. He didn’t need me. He didn’t want me to live with quitting. If you quit….take time to learn the lessons tucked away in the disappointment.
Joe Smith – YMCA/YCAP
Know your story. As a business owner this is a must. Not just that you make widgets, but know why you make them – what need you fill – why people should do business with you – and be passionate about it. If you add passion to your story you will achieve more. Joe is the regional director for the YMCA/YCAP program and he is the definition of a passionate story-teller. He knows that stories motivate and influence people. If you are a business owner – know your story.
Kennard Yamada – EPB Fiber Optics
Kennard was my sales manager at a local radio station in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. He was a relatively new manager at the time and I was a new rep. We helped each other get through our learning curves. He was never shy of hiring people better than him at certain things (not referring to me….calm down). He never hesitated in hiring people that may have had different strengths….he never was intimated by other strong personalities. He knows that a team is a mixer of strengths. Do not be scared to hire folks better, smarter, and different than you.
Matt Kubic – The Pointe
Kubic has been one of my best friends for over 30-years. We have been in trouble together, celebrated life’s ups, been by each other’s side during the downs - we were best men in each other’s weddings. He is very loyal. Which taught me the importance of being loyal myself to my friends, partners, and customers. Being loyal in a relationship does not mean that the relationships stays the same….but it simply means that you are willing to take the journey together as you grow and change. Loyalty is crucial.
Tom Francis – My Papa
He was my papa…my grandfather. He taught me to see the value in what could be. He was an antique dealer. He had an incredible eye to see what a piece of furniture may look like when cleaned up and given a little TLC. That is a great skill when dealing with antiques…but also with people and your business. Being able to see the potential underneath the struggle is a must. Spend time on your business - not just in it. There is time to sand and stain, but you also have to set aside time to ‘see it’ first.
Mark Williams – Ram Tool and Supply
Hang out with those who you want to be like. Mark is very successful and a good friend. By talking with Mark…by associating and doing business with Mark, I have learned more about business than I would have left to my own devices. Find those folks you can trust - learn from them – ask questions – put your ego aside and watch them – soak it up. Associate with those who you want to immolate. If you are the most successful person in the room – find another room.
Charlie Hunt – International Man of Mystery
It’s not who you know – and it’s not even who they know. It is introducing who you know to others who you know. Making connections is the key. He is the very best business match-maker I have ever known. I have watched him help me and countless others simply by saying you two folks need to know each other and work together. Why? Because he gets the value of relationships.
Dr. Ronnie Mitchell - Pastor
Dr. Mitchell has been my pastor for over 18 years. The main thing he has taught me is to ask this one question when things are not going well ‘How are you and God doing?’ No matter what problem, concern, or issue I have ever brought to him…that is always his first question. In other words - are you keeping the main thing – the main thing. As a business person you may not feel the need to ask yourself the question about you and God, but the question about priorities - about knowing what is most important and letting that guide your plans and thoughts - that is very important. So – are you keeping your main thing – the main thing?
Dan Minninger – Roadtec
Dan is one of the funniest guys I know. We have laughed in situations where it probably wasn’t very appropriate or appreciated. Keeping a good sense of humor is very important in life and business. Very. If you are going to navigate management, sales, business ownership, or leadership – you better be able to laugh at yourself and the world. Laughing doesn’t mean you do not care…it means you have perspective. So when things get tough….try to find the happy stuff around you…the stuff that makes you laugh or just hang out with Dan.
Shawn Whitfield – Whitfield Media Group
Shawn is very successful and has taught me a lot of important things. One of the biggest things is this – always – always – always help lift those around you. He is very good and listening to what you need….hearing it…and then helping find ways to make it happen. Your success is important to him. He lives by the Zig Ziglar quote – you can have what you want in life if you help others get what they want.
Bruce Dodd – Peoples Home Equity
Act. Don’t wait till the market or the competition does something and then follow…lead. Bruce is another one of those folks who has taught me a lot - one thing that stands out is this: Know when to act and when to do nothing. Pay attention to your industry, to your employees, and to the world around you. He gets it - a leader has one responsibility….to lead.
Joe Powell - Dad
Joe Powell or Papa Joe as a lot of folks know him…is my dad. He is the hardest working man I know and at the same time one of the most loving guys you will ever meet. He has taught me the value of a hand shake…looking people in the eye…not letting others take advantage of you. Of all the lessons he has taught me there is one that will change your life: Work hard. I know working smart is important, but working hard is a vital part of the success equation. My dad works. He has taught me how to love a family, how to stare life in the eye and fear not, and yes….that working hard is the one thing all successful folks…and dads…have in common.
Happy Fathers Day!
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Clint Powell is owner of Connect Marketing, an advertising agency in Chattanooga. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman College. He has spent years in radio advertising sales and management, built and sold a billboard company and works on a contract basis with other ad agencies writing ad copy and helping formulate strategies. Clint has worked with hundreds of local and regional companies over the years and helped them develop advertising campaigns. He believes that life is all about connections and spends his time connecting businesses and business owners to solutions. He sits on the board of Y-Cap (YMCA Community Action Program) and helps with several other non-profits. Clint currently resides in East Ridge with his wife and three children. He also host a weekly radio show focused on business and marketing – Marketing Mix Radio on US 101 The Legend @ 96.1.