My 1-1's This Week

This week I had several 1-1 meetings, including a Power Team meeting. I will blog about the Power Team later.

Right now, I just want to spend a few minutes telling you about my meetings with Nelson Prieto from All PC Related Onsite Services and Robert Driml of Next Level Imaging.

First, my meeting with Nelson was fascinating before we ever even got to talk about his business. The guy has been all over the place, he plays music, and - like me - he knows what it means to really bond with a dog...like family.

His business, like his background, is pretty diverse. Networking, sofware ugrades & downloads, network set-up, virus scans, hard drive repair, and about a dozen other things I didn't understand. I was surprised to learn that there really is no job too small for Nelson. He will come to my house and do a check-up on just one computer. Seriously, he is coming to my house to improve the very computer I am using now.

However, it is not the small jobs that get him going. He is looking for the larger small businesses that have five or more computers. He can network them, he can streamline how they work together, and he can make the entire operation more efficient, which will save the business owner money! Hello? In this economy, saving money is as good as making money.

I deal with a lot of people from day to day. You probably do, too. Now, I'm going to look more closely at how those people are working and if I think Nelson can help them, I am going to let them know.

Next, I met with Robert Driml of Next Level Imaging. Once again, a intriguing character.

Robert has done what most small business owners only dream of: he has combined his passion with a hobby to create something truly great. And, not for nothing, but he has the coolest (and biggest) printer I have ever seen.

If I understood correctly, it started for Robert with his passion for Mixed-Martial-Arts (MMA), which he has studied and practiced for years. From those roots, Robert began training and sponsoring fighters. From that grew his own clothing line, "No Wimps."

Eventually, like the guy who invented the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Robert combined all of it with a keen eye, a sense of style, and that kick-ass printer I was telling you about, to create Next Level Imaging.

While I was there, I watched as an 18' banner was passing through the printer. With better than surgical precision, the image was laid on the front side of this sticky-back material that will eventually be lit from behind. It was pretty cool. Then again, I'm kind of a geek.

He showed me a variety of samples and prototypes, each as great looking as the next. He showed me a couple concept items that, when they hit the market, are going to blow consumers away.

The one thing that stuck with me the most was the degree of attention to detail he paid to each project; the personal touch. Just for laughs, I asked how his prices compared with the discount online printer I have been using. Let's just say...I have a few printing projects coming up and, for both quality and price, Robert will be getting that business.