A Great Weekend

Oh boy, this weekend was a blast! On Friday we stopped out to the Kroc Center Omaha for a free family night. It was great! My oldest daughter and I got to spend some quality time together just the two of us which doesn't happen anymore. We watched Frozen, she got to make an Olaf cookie, and she made a wand. It was a pretty great night! To top it off, as we walked out my daughter said, "This was a good Meme(her nickname)- Daddy time." That was when it occurred to me that since we are so busy we don't get our own time. It's always all of us together or her sister and the two of us, I didn't know it, but it was a much needed night.

Saturday was date night with my wonderful wife! We got to go to a The Down Under, a local bar, and be swept away by the soulful sounds of  an acoustic R&B artist by the name of Jamire Gray. Jamire is very talented and we wanted to go out and support him on this beautiful night in Omaha. This made for a very relaxing and fun evening. We stayed for a couple of hours and enjoyed some original and cover songs. So glad that we got the opportunity to do this and I hope to not only see Jamire again soon, but also work with him. He is an amazing talent and provided a perfect atmosphere for a date night.

Here's a little sample.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEu_bVfLcMc

Sunday was another awesome day! We get a lot of awesome days around my house it seems. We as a family went to see Paddington Bear at Marcus Twin Creek in Bellevue. We got to sit in the oh so comfortable recliners at this remodeled theater and kick back and laugh. This was a pretty good movie to my surprise because I was not sure what to expect. I hadn't seen any previews for the movie and did not know the storyline. I vaguely remembered the name Paddington Bear from my childhood so it was foreign to me. We sat and watched as my youngest and I dosed off for a bit during the movie. Nothing to do with the quality of the movie at all, but those dang recliners and the dimmed lights make the conditions just right to catch a couple of quick ZZZs. I would say that the movie is good and I would recommend seeing it if you want to take the kids out for some fun at the movies.

I'm always so thankful for all the fun we get to have as a family. Too often time slips through our fingertips and we fail to realize all the loss moments that we missed out on. I definitely hope that we have more weekends like this!

Thanks to #JamireGray, #KrocCenter, #PaddingtonBear, and #MarcusTwinCreek.

Until next time, have wonderful days!

Just stopped by to blog

Well, I'm stopping by to blog again! It hasn't been as long, but I need to make sure to get on here more often. Things have been going great as of late and I have no complaints. It seems like we're gaining ground and people are starting to know who Small Guy Productions is...Oh, I mean Promotions. Though my business is titled #SmallGuyPromotions people tend to say Small Guy Productions. I'm not sure why. I usually just tell them that the only thing I produce is results. Haha. Hopefully in due time people will recognize who we are.

I have a feeling that 2015 will be another great year! We already have our first #SmallBusiness Expo scheduled for March 14th at Hope Skate from 12:00-4:00PM and it seems like people enjoy them. I have been receiving a good amount of interest for this expo so we may have 30 vendors this time out. Can't wait! #Omaha, stop out and see us and find out what all these awesome businesses are about.

Until later,

Danell

Keep It Moving!

Well, I've been bad about getting on and blogging. I know I need to get on and do it more often, but the time just disappears and I don't know where it went. Alas, I am back! These last few months have been something. I can't remember ever feeling better in the past than I have in these last few months. The positivity seems to be taking control and bringing in new possibilities. I was asked to be a co-host on a web radio show called Surviving Life's Tribulations that is broadcast on 1690AM The One, then asked by a blog site to provide an article about a favor that has been done for me that made a big impact, after that I received an invite to speak to a youth group about any topic that might be near and dear to me, we recently had another small business expo, and this weekend we put on our second live music show. It's been busy to say the least.

Dona Smith, is my co-host on Surviving Life's Tribulations and she is the one that asked to be on her show. I was shocked to get this request, but happy to take on this task. I've been known to be a talker so this was right up my alley! Basically, we get to sit around and talk with new guests each week about serious topics that people have to deal with and how they overcome these situations. If you would like to tune in we are on Mondays from 6:00-7:00PM (CST). If you are unable to tune in live we podcast the show so you can watch when you have time. I've provided a link from the most emotional show that I've been a part of. I hope you can check this out as its so close to home.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/55797905

Out of the blue I was contacted via #Twitter by someone from a blog called OweYaa asking me if I would like to take part in providing an example of a a time when I did a favor for someone or someone did a favor for me. They requested that I present an article to them between 400-800 words and this. It was an awesome opportunity! If you have a few minutes I've pasted the link below.

http://blog.oweyaa.com/favor-change-in-the-world-launch-your-business-through-favors/

I had never spoke in front of a group before so this was also a big first. I wasn't worried because again, I like to talk. A local youth minister name Stacia, that I had met in the previous year while promoting for Hip Hope Fest, reached out to me to see if I had any interest in speaking to the youth group at her church. I didn't think I was the right person for the job, but after speaking with her she thought I might be a perfect fit so I agreed to do it. It was a great experience as I spoke with the group about being positive, anti bullying, and giving back. I was given 20-25 minutes and I got rolling and before I knew it my time was up. Boy do I like to talk!

I won't go into too much detail as I'm going on and on, but the 2nd edition of the Small Guy Promotions Small Business Expo was another way for people to get together and network while sparking some business. We still didn't have the desired foot traffic, but we had over 20 businesses and I know we're headed in the right direction. The next one will be in March and we will began planning soon!

Lastly, we brought Just Music, a live music show, to the Side Door Lounge. The lineup was great and filled with talent! We started the night with DJ El Ness spinning to get the audience warmed up and then Syd Matson kicked off the performance portion followed by Jamire Gray. We took a brief intermission and came back with Jay White, Nate O, and then finished the evening with The Madness Apparatus. Believe me when I tell you that people were blown away by talent that poured out from the performance area. It was like the greatest show that not many were talking about. After the show I think people will begin to take notice. #Omaha has so many talented people that it's crazy that we have not been recognized as a supreme power. Our time will arrive, I have no doubt. No matter what the plan is to stay busy and keep it moving! We'll see you soon and I promise to try to stay more up to date with the blog. Maybe I'll even blog again this week!

Stay tuned for more!

Small Guy Promotions Small Business Expo

Okay, Small Guy Promotions Small Business Expo took place on 9/28/14 at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. This event proved that I have much to learn about the promotion business. My hope was that we would get at least 100 people on the low side and 250 people on the high side. Sadly, we did not come close to the low number. That is okay though because this still was an opportunity for the businesses to meet each other and network. That made this event worth it!

We had 25  awesome small businesses showcased at this event. There was HinesGlow Airbrush Tattoo, Rich Bak of RE/MAX The Producers, Booth Babes, SilvherHammer Surveillance, Firefly Photography, Coaches Place, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, Crown Enterprises Inc, and so much more. This event had so much potential, but failed to gain steam. I don't know if it was the day, the time, other events or what. There was some small paid advertising, flyers, social media, community calendars, a press release, and word of mouth. Maybe it boils down to needing a bigger more recognized company to do some of the heavy lifting. I'm not sure, but I plan on doing research and seeing where we can improve if we plan to do this again.

                                         Photo by Jimmy Conover Photograpy

Our vendors were ready to go! Since there was not a lot of foot traffic people were able to move through the expo and talk about their business with other businesses. Life gives you lemons so you make lemonade. This was a perfect example of just that. In the above pic you can see Nitasha Shumaker giving an explanation about some of the cool items that she had to offer. My wife Mitzi, who was also a vendor for cosmetology and massage therapy, said that we will definitely be purchasing some Scentsy products from Nitasha. This is what the event ended up being and that is fine because it worked! No pun intended Joe Balanay and Kristin Hetrick. Now the next time out we will be bigger and better.

No matter what, I am happy that we were able to do this! Pictured here you have my good friend Joe Balanay, who is an It Works Consultant, and myself posing for a photo. This is what it is about! Spending time doing something you love, being able to do it with people you care about, and respect all made it special. For a lot of us it was our first event like this and we went in not knowing what to expect. Now with this behind us we are ready to take the city by storm.

I would like to give thanks to everyone that played a role in this event. Special thanks to my wonderful family and friends for rolling up their sleeves and putting in work. I honestly would not have been able to do this without them. My wife was such a rockstar and she definitely held it down! Thanks to our coordinator, Lisa Rushlau, and the Kroc Center!

Hip Hop Gumbo

Oh yeah! My first solo coordination of a live music show, Hip Hop Gumbo, was a decent success. There no doubt were a couple of hiccups, but overall it developed to be a very fun event. I have to say that I am definitely excited for the thought that I may be able to do this again in the near future. I cannot go any further without saying thank you to ALL the people who made this possible. Alaina Foster, Trac Schacht, Ben Salzinger, Nate Owen, Gene Poindexter, Eric and Noelle Konrad, Pensive Poetry with Miranda Wrights, Mike Hodge, TJ Johnson and The Side Door Lounge. There is only so much that I can do on my own accord and it is so wonderful to have people who like to work together to accomplish a common goal.

Leading up to the event I was not really nervous about it, but I didn't know what to expect. It seemed like the last few hours before the show zipped by at a crazy pace. Before I knew it, it was show time. A few heads were in the building and I was thinking that people might not make an appearance, but it was almost like I blinked one time and the venue was filling up. What a site to see! Not only was there people in attendance, but they were engaged. More engaged than almost any other show that I have been to. So, let me take a minute to thank those in attendance also. You guys seriously rock! I know all the performers and I especially am thankful to you for the energy you brought. I would put a show together for you any day. I would like to do something like this again soon. I guess I better get to some more shows and scout some other talent.

The performances were sweet. Nate O has a very smooth laid back sound that is different from most styles I have heard in my time out on the scene. I am partial to my guy TKO and his performance was one to remember. He really had good interaction with the audience. Simian Simpleton with Noelle always impress! Simian has this dope flow that takes you by surprise and paired with his wife Noelle's singing it really stands apart. What can I say about Pensive? Super multi-talented expialidocious! This guy is not only laying down hot lyrics, but he is painting live at the show before his set. He was so kind to offer me his are piece at the end of the show. All around this show was special to me!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Stay tuned for more work coming through the pipeline.

Small Guy Promotions Small Business Expo

Man, I understand how people chase their dreams so ferociously! This business was never a dream for me, but it somehow came about through my urge to try to help others. Well now, look what I am doing. Who would have ever thought that I, Danell Taylor, would not only own my own business, but also put on a great event to give other business owners a chance to shine. All it takes is a vision! I did not care for school even though I did well enough to get out a semester early, I did not go to college, and I have never excelled at anything. So what, who cares? I don't and you shouldn't either. All it takes is a small spark of creativity and before you know it...Success!

I am not saying that Small Guy Promotions is successful, but what I am saying is that I am successful at following what I want to do. I am also successful at helping others and the joy and sense of accomplishment I get from that is unparalleled! Because of this fact, September 28th Small Guy Promotions will be hosting a Small Business Expo at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in South Omaha. The theme is family. The businesses are focused on wants, needs, and entertainment. The event starts at 2 pm and will conclude at 5 pm. All the businesses and organizations so far have been people that I know who happen to own businesses. They are really the reason I started my business so I guess I owe them a big thank you. So, thank you all! Lets grow together.

Please follow this Facebook link to follow updates to the event:
www.facebook.com/events/1466803376912596/

Here is a list of current business/organizational vendors:
402 BBQ
Turner Business Group- George D Turner IV
Coaches Place
Crown Enterprises Electrical Contracting
Firefly Photography by Cassie Tate
Fred's Build a Better You- Fred Humpal
The Glory Tabernacle, Inc.
HinesGLOW Airbrush Tattoos
It Works-Joe Balanay and Kristin M Hetrick
Jimmy Conover Photography
Cosmetology/Massage Therapy- Mitzi Taylor
Paparazzi Jewelry- Danielle Beach
10th Planet - Omaha
Massage Therapy- Erin Silver
Real Deal Entertainment Omaha
Re/max Realty- Rich Bak
RockBottom Floors- Roger Washington
Scentsy- Nitasha Shumaker
Self Made Industries
SilverHammer Surveillance
Small Guy Promotions

Hard work pays off!

So, I've been grinding a bit this past year. It's been a lot of fun and a great learning experience. I know I love it though because it's never "Work." There are things that get a bit hard, but it's always different than my full-time job. I appreciate being able to do this. I'll be the first to say that I have a lot to learn and I am in no way shape or form the most knowledgeable person when it comes to promotion. However, I really enjoy doing this and recently I've been feeling really good.

At a recent show I received some great feedback on things to incorporate to be better at promoter. This was what I feel like will be a great help and a connection for the future. I hope to somehow return the favor in some way. Last week I was able to get one of the artist I work with a paying gig at BaconFest on September 7th which is huge! It shows that the work and time I'm putting is worth it. On September 28th I will be putting on my first business expo! I am grateful for every opportunity I have been given. All the friends and acquaintances that I have met has been a tremendous positive. Here's looking forward to a busy and beautiful horizon.

Thank you,

Small Guy