Forging a New Career in Social Media

Folks, I think I have "stumbled upon" a new career here... no pun intended!

Way back in the old days, I had a computer business for 10 years. I was known as "the computer man" in Jefferson City, Missouri. My phone used to ring off the hook day and night. I'd get customers bringing me computers that the big shot consultants in town couldn't fix or figure out. I custom-built machines for home use and business use. I stayed on top of computer hardware and knew everything there was to know about troubleshooting. But then Dell entered the market and sapped all of the profit margins right out of the game, so I quit.

My next foray was retail, and service. I started an auto repair shop. Within a year, I expanded and built an auto body shop. Later that year, I bought a retail tool store. At one point, I had 14 full and part-time employees and was working around the clock trying to manage everything. However, in February of 2007, at the exact time that the first mortgage crisis hit, my businesses started losing ground. Each and every month, sales dropped. This carried on until I had to close the auto business in December of 2007, and by August 2008 I had to let go of the tool store. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. But hindsight being 20/20, I should have cut them all loose long before I did. I held on so long and dumped so much money (that I didn't have) to keep them going, while praying and hoping that the economic downtrend was only temporary. Well, it wasn't.

But out of hardship comes many blessings. After closing the businesses, I returned to my engineering career with the State of Missouri. I thought I would never return to a traditional job. But during these tough economic times, I am so happy to be employed once again. I thought I would miss my freedom, but I am actually more free now that I am back in a job. I don't have to worry day and night about what employees are stealing, which ones aren't showing up for work, or which customers are complaining about the craziest things. I never realized how much I was in total captivity while I was "free" from a job.

After settling down in my new job and enjoying much needed rest and play time with my wife and 4 kids, I have returned to my original love for technology. I have also melded another previous area of expertise with my new endeavor.

I have been involved in training, personal development, keynote speaking, and organizational consulting for over 15 years. The experience in this area has provided the perfect foundation for my newest venture, which is social media training and consulting. I am currently writing training modules, articles, guides, and information for social media marketing, and will soon start providing consulting for businesses and governmental agencies. I will also be providing coaching and consulting for business professionals individually.

My own term that I have coined for my service is "Web 2.0 Social Media Optimization". You can read about it on my blog home page. This is an exploding field, and it is changing the way we relate as a society, and also in the business world. Each and every day I learn something new that could be beneficial for businesses and organizations. I am very anxious about getting started in this field, but I want to make sure that I have a firm footing before I roll out my business. I've already got a waiting list at this point, so I won't be able to spend much time perfecting everything! I guess at some point, you just have to get off the drafting stool and start on construction!

Well folks, that's my story... the short version anyway! I'll be rambling more and reporting on all of my other projects, including my newsletters and information products. Until then, God bless, and seize the day!