Monday, October 8, 2012

Social Media Executive of Fastest Growing Marketing Company by Day and Coach by Night

Before the 4 AM wakeup alarm blares, James Schaefer is awake reading the newest blogs and daily news of the day.  He breezes through topics of sports, politics, religion, finance, technology, marketing, and business.  By 5 AM, Mr. Schaefer is getting ready for a day of helping companies; particularly Automotive Dealerships spread their message to the world about their great services.  “DeliveryMaxx has allowed me to learn other people’s business, and share how great they are doing.  Today, consumers have more choices than ever as to where to spend their hard earned money.  My company emphasizes the great qualities of our clients in a way that nobody has figured out how to do utilizing modern innovations of social media marketing, online reputation management, search engine optimization, and our proprietary DigitalMaxx Solution.  The results combined together to create one of the strongest customer loyalty and retention programs on the market which creates more sales, repeat business, referral business, branding, positive reviews, and most importantly greater customer satisfaction” said Schaefer.

By 6 AM, Schaefer is sitting in his home office pouring over the same topics now mixed with his clients’ reviews, blogs, and press releases.  “I want to make sure we are always providing the best service for our clients.  Great ideas are all around us if we just look for them.  We don’t always have to reinvent the wheel.  We just have to brand it a little different.  I look to see successes, and make sure my clients are among those successes” says Schaefer.

By 7 AM, Schaefer is meeting with his business partner Josh Deaton at the local Starbucks.  “I bet James and I spend 12-15 hours a week drinking coffee and coming up with some of the best ideas before most people arrive at work” states Josh Deaton, DeliveryMaxx’s Founder and CEO.

Both Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Deaton met in Rockwall at a local youth sporting event in 2009.  Both of their sons played football although they were on different teams.  Mr. Deaton was very successful in the automotive industry and invested his earnings quite well.  Mr. Schaefer was a senior executive at an international marketing company, and entrepreneur.  At the time both men met, Schaefer owned two franchises and had started and sold two other small businesses before graduating from college.

During their encounter, Schaefer was surprised to find out that Mr. Deaton was one of the investors in the company that he was an executive at.

Taking advantage of an opportunity:

Both James and Josh continued to speak regularly, and one day Josh presented the idea of DeliveryMaxx to James.  “With James’ ethics, and knowledge of running companies, and my knowledge of the needs the automotive industry as well as lack of vendors being able to provide our services the way we are able to provide them, it made perfect sense to me to partner with him for DeliveryMaxx” says Deaton.  They strategically put together a team of highly skilled minds and set out to share the DeliveryMaxx Images of Success & DigitalMaxx program.  Both refused to take investors’ money, so they would have total control of the direction of the company.  “I have seen too often when someone puts money into something they expect results immediately and just because they financed a project they didn’t understand the true vision of the idea.  Before we incorporated the company, I told Josh that it was his vision and my job to make that vision happen” says Schaefer.  Therefore, Mr. Deaton assumed the title of Chief Executive Officer controlling 60% of the company’s stock and Mr. Schaefer took the title of Chief Operating Officer owning 40%.  “There should always be one person who has the final say during any disagreements.  It was Josh’s vision, his idea, and he is very clear headed and allows people to utilize their expertise."

Within three years, DeliveryMaxx has earnings surpassing $ 1,000,000 annually.  They employ an accountant, vice president of technology and social media, vice-president of information technology, director of marketing, human resource director, new business development officer, photographers, editors, graphic artist, customer service representatives, and sales people.  “None of us have our titles on our business cards because we all focus on the company as a whole, and not just our individual department.  I don’t want one person to think that because they work in one department, they don’t have a stake in what happens in another” says Schaefer.  “Actually, everyone’s earnings are based on the success of the company.  If the company wins, so does everyone who contributes to the vision and mission!” Deaton adds, “I thought this was the one of the greatest implementations James has provided to our company by sharing the rewards with everyone.  It also allowed our company to become cash flow positive, and debt free in a very short amount of time."

So as you can imagine, Mr. Schaefer does not stop working at 5 PM.  However, he does put on his coaching attire and heads out to a football field, basketball court, or softball field to share his knowledge with Rockwall and surrounding area’s youth.  In the evening, Coach Schaefer currently can be seen working as the Offensive Line Coach for the Nations number one ranked 10 and under youth select football team by National League Certification Management (NLCM), the Rockwall Youth Sports Association Jackets.  His son, Joseph, has been in the organization since he was five and Coach Schaefer has been a part of the coaching staff for four of those years winning the championship each year.  “The RYSA organization actually showed me that kids are never too young to learn and will absorb just about anything they see and hear” states Schaefer.  When his son who plays select football and select baseball year around, wanted to play basketball, Coach Schaefer’s wife signed him up to coach the team.  “Nobody was able to coach the team.  Since that was the sport that James played in high school and college, I thought he would be the best one to coach our son” says Victoria, James’ wife of 16 years in November.  James modestly adds, “Actually, I didn’t ever suit up in college as my attitude got in the way of my ability.  I should have played, but I learned out the hard way that your attitude is just as important as your ability.  Hopefully, I can pass that lesson to the kids I am entrusted to coach.”  “I will always remember my son looking up to me when we were signing him up to play (basket)ball and saying that he didn’t know if he would be a good basketball player for me.  I told him that I didn’t know if I would be a good coach either, but would do my best if he would too, and no matter what always love him.”

National_championship_rockwall_jackets_james_schaefer_deliverymaxx

James Schaefer (3rd coach from left) & son Joseph (#40) with National Champions RYSA Jackets

Both Coach Schaefer and his son have done their best winning the local league as well as a more competitive league in the same season.  However, it was only a matter of time that Elizabeth, Coach Schaefer’s 8 year old daughter started playing sports a couple of years ago.  As it turns out, she is the athlete in the family.  She is already taller than her two year older brother and quicker too.  “He won’t admit that!” says both of his parents.  His daughter plays softball, basketball, and just recently picked up volleyball.  Coach Schaefer has been a coach for her softball and basketball teams, but he leaves the volleyball instruction to his younger sister Jennifer Minor who was an Academic All-American 4-year volleyball player at Houston Baptist University.

Every day is eventful in the Schaefer household.  They have three businesses, two kids, four sporting events at all times, school (both of their kids are straight A students), PTA (Victoria formally served as the president and currently serves as the treasurer), and still make time to spend with nieces, nephews, cousins, and grandparents who live in the metroplex.
Most practices end around 8 PM on school nights.  After Schaefer takes the whistle off, he sits back down in his home office and gets back to work.  He finishes up most nights working with DeliveryMaxx clients about 11 PM, and then starts the routine all over again tomorrow.

Balancing the kid’s activities, and work can be a bit stressful at times, Schaefer explains in a few words, but “I love it, and I think athletics is a lot like business.  There are winners and losers on the scoreboard, but how you carry yourself during victories and defeats is the true definition of your character.”

Social Media Executive of Fastest Growing Marketing Company by Day and Coach by Night


"Athletics is a lot like business. There are winners and losers on the scoreboard, but how you carry yourself during victories and defeats is the true definition of your character.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Champions RYSA Jackets (Coach Schaefer 2nd from right & son #40)National Champions RYSA Jackets (Coach Schaefer 2nd from right & son #40)
PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 08, 2012 -
Before the 4 AM wakeup alarm blares, James Schaefer is awake reading the newest blogs and news of the day. He breezes through topics of sports, politics, religion, finance, technology, and business. By 5 AM, Mr. Schaefer is getting ready for a day of helping companies; particularly Auto Dealers spread their message to the world about their great services. “DeliveryMaxx has allowed me to learn other people’s business, and share how great they are doing. Today, consumers have more choices than ever as to where to spend their hard earned money. My company emphasizes the qualities of our clients in a way that nobody has figured out how to do utilizing modern innovations of social media marketing, online reputation management, search engine optimization, and our proprietary DigitalMaxx Solution. The results combined together to create one of the strongest customer loyalty and retention programs on the market which creates more sales, repeat business, referral business, branding, positive reviews, and greater customer satisfaction” said Schaefer.

By 6 AM, Schaefer is sitting in his home office pouring over the same topics now mixed with his clients’ reviews, blogs, and press releases. “I want to make sure we are always providing the best service for our clients. Great ideas are all around us if we just look for them. We don’t always have to reinvent the wheel. We just have to brand it a little different. I look to see successes, and make sure my clients are among those successes” says Schaefer.

By 7 AM, Schaefer is meeting with his business partner Josh Deaton at the local Starbucks. “I bet James and I spend15 hours a week drinking coffee and coming up with some of the best ideas before most people arrive at work” states Josh Deaton, DeliveryMaxx’s Founder and CEO.

Both Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Deaton met in Rockwall at a local youth sporting event in 2009. Both of their sons played football although on different teams. Mr. Deaton achieved success in the automotive industry and invested his earnings quite well. Mr. Schaefer was a senior executive with a marketing company, and entrepreneur. At the time both men met, Schaefer owned two franchises and had started and sold two other small businesses before graduating from college.

During their encounter, Schaefer was surprised to find out that Mr. Deaton was one of the investors in the company where he was an executive.

Turning a chance meeting into an opportunity. Both James and Josh continued to speak regularly, and one day Josh presented the idea of DeliveryMaxx to James. “With James’ success with running companies, and my knowledge of the needs the auto industry and lack of vendors being able to provide our services the way we are able to provide them, it made perfect sense for me to partner with him for DeliveryMaxx” says Deaton. They strategically put together a team of highly skilled minds and set out to create the DeliveryMaxx program. Both refused to take investors’ money, so they would have total control of the direction of the company. “I have seen too often when someone puts money into something they expect results immediately and just because they financed a project they didn’t understand the true vision of the idea. Before we incorporated the company, I told Josh that it was his vision and my job to make that vision happen” says Schaefer. Therefore, Mr. Deaton assumed the title of CEO controlling 60% of the company’s stock and Mr. Schaefer took the title of COO owning 40%. “There should always be one person who has the final say during any disagreements. It was Josh’s idea and he is very level headed allowing people to utilize their talents.”

Within three years, DeliveryMaxx has earnings surpassing $1,000,000 annually. They employ an accountant, VP of technology & social media, VP of IT, director of marketing, HR director, new business development officer, photographers, graphic artist, customer service representatives, and sales people. “None of us have our titles on our business cards because we all focus on the company as a whole, and not just our individual department. I don’t a person to think that because they work in one department or wherever, they don’t have a stake in what happens in another department” says Schaefer. “Actually, everyone’s earnings are based on the success of the company. If the company wins, so does everyone who contributes to the mission!” Deaton adds, “I thought this was one of the greatest implementations James has provided to our company by sharing the rewards with everyone. It also allowed our company to become cash flow positive, and debt free in a very short amount of time.”

So as you can imagine, Mr. Schaefer does not stop working at 5 PM. However, he does put on his coaching hat and heads out to a field or court to share his knowledge with Rockwall and surrounding area’s youth. In the evening, Coach Schaefer currently can be seen working as the Offensive Line Coach for the Nations number one ranked 10-U youth select football team by National League Certification Management (NLCM), the RYSA Jackets. His son, Joseph, has been in the organization since he was five and Coach Schaefer has been a part of the coaching staff for four of those years winning the championship each year. “The RYSA organization actually showed me that kids are never too young to learn and will absorb just about anything they see and hear” states Schaefer. When his son who plays both select football and baseball year around, wanted to play basketball, Coach Schaefer’s wife signed him up to coach the team. “Nobody was able to coach. Since that was the sport that James played in high school and college, I thought he would be the best to coach our son” says Victoria, James’ wife of 16 years in November. James adds, “Actually, I didn’t ever suit up in college as my attitude got in the way of my ability. I should have played, but I learned out the hard way that your attitude is just as important as your ability. Hopefully, I can pass that lesson to the kids I am entrusted to coach.” “I will always remember my son looking up to me when we were signing him up to play and saying that he didn’t know if he would be a good player for me. I told him that I didn’t know if I would be a good coach either, but would do my best if he would too, and no matter what always love him.”

Both Schaefer and his son have done their best winning the local league as well as a more competitive league in the same season. However, it was only a matter of time that Elizabeth, Coach Schaefer’s 8 year old daughter started playing sports a couple of years ago. As it turns out, she is the athlete in the family. She is already taller than her two year older brother and quicker too. “He won’t admit that!” says both parents. His daughter plays softball, basketball, and just recently picked up volleyball. Schaefer has been a coach for her softball and basketball teams, but he leaves the volleyball instruction to his younger sister Jennifer Minor who was an Academic All-American volleyball player at Houston Baptist University.

Every day is eventful in the Schaefer household. They have 3 businesses, 2 kids, sporting events at all times, school (both of their kids are straight A students), PTA (Victoria formally served as the president and currently serves as the treasurer), and still make time to spend with family members who live nearby.

Most practices end around 8 PM on school nights. After Schaefer takes the whistle off, he sits back down in his office and gets back to work. He finishes up most nights about 11 PM, and then starts the routine all over again.

Balancing the kid’s activities, and work can be a bit stressful at times, Schaefer explains, but “I love it, and I think athletics is a lot like business. There are winners and losers on the scoreboard, but how you carry yourself during victories and defeats is the true definition of your character.”

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Which Presidential Candidate is Right for Automotive Dealerships

The social media sites were hot last night during the presidential debate between Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and current President Barrack Obama.  Since the election of former President Bill Clinton, our nation has been evenly divided over which man is the best person for the job of leading our nation amongst the world.

As a small business owner who helps companies, specifically automotive dealerships, build their business and "Win Customers for Life"; I have some very strong opinions about who I feel should become the next elected President of the United States of America.  However, I will let the reader research and decide who I am for, and who I am against.  (James Schaefer) This blog is meant to encourage voter participation and look at one philosophical point of view of each candidate and who is the best person for business.

I will try to take a simple common sense approach and put forth the facts as if I were hiring for an executive position within my own company.  This essentially is what Americans will be doing in November when they go to the polls.  However, just like in the real world; some people would not make good business owners or managers, and some people need to reevaluate whether they are making the right decisions when they vote.  Now remember, I am writing this blog about one of the many issues that is very important to me and my company.  I am not writing this issue concerning healthcare, defense, or government sponsored programs.  Therefore, a truly informed voter should look at all of the issues individually and way them to how their interest would be affected by the outcome of this year's election.

The following point and position is described referencing Small Business and each candidate's position.  Hopefully, by laying this out in this format the reader will be able to ask questions of their own and vote for the best candidate that will help them and their interest.  This is why the United States is so great.  We all have a voice in who will govern us for the next four years.

Small Business:

The fundamental question is what is a small business? 

My definition is a business that was started from an individual or a group of individuals that developed their company because there was a need for their services or products.  It is a business that is not financed by government or publically traded on the stock market.  A small business is a private company, and how much money the company makes is NOT a factor.  The reason that I feel the amount of revenue a company makes should not be a factor whether the business is considered a Small Business or not is because the risk completely falls on the individual or group of individuals who have created the company.  They could fail if the business fails, but if it succeed they should benefit as well.  In addition, I believe that the higher the revenue the company receives, the more opportunities they are able to provide for future employees and other companies that provides goods or services to that company.

Now the government has a different definition of Small Business.  The Small Business Association (SBA) defines a small business as one that is independently owned and operated.  It is organized for profit, and is not dominant in its field.  Depending on the industry size standard eligibility is based on the average number of employees for the preceding twelve months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period.

Most Automotive Dealerships should fall under this definition of a Small Business.  However, until recently most dealerships were not classified as a small business.  The Recovery Act of 2009 reclassified 89% of automotive dealerships under the SBA; however, the gross revenue receipts were put at $8.5 million.  My contention is that this is not fair to the Automotive Industry.  There should not be a cap placed on any private business in terms of revenue received nor should a cap be placed on these automotive dealerships for profits gained.

The simple reasoning is that if an automotive dealership is successful; they employ sales people, service technicians, administrative personnel, accountants, parts specialist, and vendors (like my company: To read more about DeliveryMaxx select here).  Their staff brings in more income which they will spend stimulating the economy.  The vendors they employ are able to hire more employees and the cycle of economic growth will continue in a positive direction.

Presidential_debate_automotive_jobs_deliverymaxx_james_schaefer

The candidates' positions:

President Obama believes that a Small Business is classified by how much revenue a company brings in.  He believes that a company making $250,000 or more should be taxed at a higher rate according to CNNMoney.com.  Under this premise, the government would be able to collect more taxes and thus be able to provide more programs for Americans.

Governor Romney believes that taxes are necessary, but tax breaks for Small Businesses would create more jobs.  He has stated that the 3% of the highest grossing revenue companies are responsible for 80% of the jobs that Small Businesses provide.  In short his method for creating more jobs is to give a break to these businesses and hope those companies will hire more people to help the business continue to experience growth.

I understand each candidates philosophical position on the issue and respect their and others opinion.  The president believes that a company which makes more money should pay more taxes to help the country and its government backed programs.  The governor believes that leaders of successful business will practice good ethics, and thus provide a piece of the pie for more individuals.

A new study by Ernst and Young projects that a tax rate hike will kill 710,000 small business jobs. Depending on who is elected will determine if this result comes to fruition.

I can tell you this.  The larger my company becomes, the more people we will be able to hire.  The more profit my company earns, the more benefits we will be able to provide individuals.  The more benefits we are able to provide to employees, the better our retention of employees become.  If we are taxed at a higher rate, our company will not be able to provide as many jobs otherwise.  It is true, I will put more dollars into my account if my company continues to be successful.  Contrary to the president's speach about small business "you didn't build that business" in July, I used my own money to start this company.  My family and our employees depend on the success or failures of this company.  I am sure many automotive dealerships will face the same concerns.

Hope to see you at the polls in November.

Which Presidential Candidate is Right for Automotive Dealerships

The social media sites were hot last night during the presidential debate between Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and current President Barrack Obama.  Since the election of former President Bill Clinton, our nation has been evenly divided over which man is the best person for the job of leading our nation amongst the world.

As a small business owner who helps companies, specifically automotive dealerships, build their business and "Win Customers for Life"; I have some very strong opinions about who I feel should become the next elected President of the United States of America.  However, I will let the reader research and decide who I am for, and who I am against.  (James Schaefer) This blog is meant to encourage voter participation and look at one philosophical point of view of each candidate and who is the best person for business.

I will try to take a simple common sense approach and put forth the facts as if I were hiring for an executive position within my own company.  This essentially is what Americans will be doing in November when they go to the polls.  However, just like in the real world; some people would not make good business owners or managers, and some people need to reevaluate whether they are making the right decisions when they vote.  Now remember, I am writing this blog about one of the many issues that is very important to me and my company.  I am not writing this issue concerning healthcare, defense, or government sponsored programs.  Therefore, a truly informed voter should look at all of the issues individually and way them to how their interest would be affected by the outcome of this year's election.

The following point and position is described referencing Small Business and each candidate's position.  Hopefully, by laying this out in this format the reader will be able to ask questions of their own and vote for the best candidate that will help them and their interest.  This is why the United States is so great.  We all have a voice in who will govern us for the next four years.

Small Business:

The fundamental question is what is a small business? 

My definition is a business that was started from an individual or a group of individuals that developed their company because there was a need for their services or products.  It is a business that is not financed by government or publically traded on the stock market.  A small business is a private company, and how much money the company makes is NOT a factor.  The reason that I feel the amount of revenue a company makes should not be a factor whether the business is considered a Small Business or not is because the risk completely falls on the individual or group of individuals who have created the company.  They could fail if the business fails, but if it succeed they should benefit as well.  In addition, I believe that the higher the revenue the company receives, the more opportunities they are able to provide for future employees and other companies that provides goods or services to that company.

Now the government has a different definition of Small Business.  The Small Business Association (SBA) defines a small business as one that is independently owned and operated.  It is organized for profit, and is not dominant in its field.  Depending on the industry size standard eligibility is based on the average number of employees for the preceding twelve months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period.

Most Automotive Dealerships should fall under this definition of a Small Business.  However, until recently most dealerships were not classified as a small business.  The Recovery Act of 2009 reclassified 89% of automotive dealerships under the SBA; however, the gross revenue receipts were put at $8.5 million.  My contention is that this is not fair to the Automotive Industry.  There should not be a cap placed on any private business in terms of revenue received nor should a cap be placed on these automotive dealerships for profits gained.

The simple reasoning is that if an automotive dealership is successful; they employ sales people, service technicians, administrative personnel, accountants, parts specialist, and vendors (like my company: To read more about DeliveryMaxx select here).  Their staff brings in more income which they will spend stimulating the economy.  The vendors they employ are able to hire more employees and the cycle of economic growth will continue in a positive direction.

Presidential_debate_automotive_jobs_deliverymaxx_james_schaefer

The candidates' positions:

President Obama believes that a Small Business is classified by how much revenue a company brings in.  He believes that a company making $250,000 or more should be taxed at a higher rate according to CNNMoney.com.  Under this premise, the government would be able to collect more taxes and thus be able to provide more programs for Americans.

Governor Romney believes that taxes are necessary, but tax breaks for Small Businesses would create more jobs.  He has stated that the 3% of the highest grossing revenue companies are responsible for 80% of the jobs that Small Businesses provide.  In short his method for creating more jobs is to give a break to these businesses and hope those companies will hire more people to help the business continue to experience growth.

I understand each candidates philosophical position on the issue and respect their and others opinion.  The president believes that a company which makes more money should pay more taxes to help the country and its government backed programs.  The governor believes that leaders of successful business will practice good ethics, and thus provide a piece of the pie for more individuals.

A new study by Ernst and Young projects that a tax rate hike will kill 710,000 small business jobs. Depending on who is elected will determine if this result comes to fruition.

I can tell you this.  The larger my company becomes, the more people we will be able to hire.  The more profit my company earns, the more benefits we will be able to provide individuals.  The more benefits we are able to provide to employees, the better our retention of employees become.  If we are taxed at a higher rate, our company will not be able to provide as many jobs otherwise.  It is true, I will put more dollars into my account if my company continues to be successful.  Contrary to the president's speach about small business "you didn't build that business" in July, I used my own money to start this company.  My family and our employees depend on the success or failures of this company.  I am sure many automotive dealerships will face the same concerns.

Hope to see you at the polls in November.