Building Moxie and Your Role in Sustainability

Note from the host:
When Mike and I started emailing back and forth, a couple of things came pretty clear pretty quickly. You can tell almost immediately that Mike is a guy who has not only put a ton of thought into what he is doing, but that he is also more than willing to, well, talk about it.

In a lot in a ways, we are a lot alike. So then, it hit me; and I say to him, "Mike, would you want to do a guest post on the blog?" He said, "OK." And without further ado, here are Mike's thoughts on moxie's role in our movement toward sustainability:

A Guest Post by Mike Hines

Recently I’ve come to understand more deeply that what brought our country to greatness revolves around innovation, risk-taking, motivation, and the freedom to make things happen. But nothing, however, happens without force-of-character, determination, and nerve. In short, it takes “moxie,” and it seems that this characteristic is sometimes a rarity.

Moxie is difficult to define, though, in a philosophic sense. It holds different meanings for everyone, and its importance and utility will vary by individual. To this, defining sustainability is equally evasive.

Sustainability, like moxie, is a broad topic, for sure. It is subject to interpretation dependent upon frame of reference. Its meaning to an architect differs from that of a wetlands expert, which varies from the product designer, which is dissimilar to the viewpoint of a homeowner, etc.

So why connect moxie and sustainability for this discussion?

The connection, I believe, is that moxie and sustainability are both lifelong journeys, and I find no downside to pursuing either or both. These are odysseys in which everyone has the chance to both participate and contribute in additive ways. In aggregate, then, enormous positive change becomes possible.

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It seems, too, that jb (your host) is building a repertoire of skills . . . much like our parents and grandparents did. These are tips and tricks most homeowners shy away from today, largely as a result of "throw away" societal habits. But I believe a growing portion of our population is primed to change this; and "building moxie" may be just the catalyst to ignite such a movement.

We have all heard, read about, or even participated in this “throw away” society. Now, however, we are beginning to see the leading edge of change on a grand scale. It’s encouraging to see many companies shifting to a reduce, reuse, and recycle model where their products and services provide opportunity for us, the users, to participate, too, in sustainability.

This shift may seem inconsequential on paper. In reality, though, this idea must permeate organizations to the level of each person, continually encouraging them to thoughtfully consider the choices they make. Yes, it comes back to individuals making deliberate decisions, learning about sustainability, and assuming greater responsibility for their affect on our environment.

It’s refreshing to witness the intellectual energy being applied to developing these better processes and practices, and it is gratifying to see these efforts affecting positive change for all.

jb’s tips and techniques are not new, but his approach to restoring individual confidence very definitely is. Through his blog, he’s reawakening the idea of moxie while fanning the flames of sustainability.

He prompts the basic questions we all should ask. Why discard and replace that widget rather than repair it? With ingenuity and elbow grease, we can avoid growing the landfill and the ensuing environmental problems. Why not think longer term, build for lasting value, and consume only for immediate needs?

jb practices reduce, reuse, and recycle. He’s applying what he learns, vetting what works and what doesn’t . . . and then edifying his readership through knowledge sharing and connection. He builds the confidence required to continually try new things . . . the moxie necessary to use and then share knowledge for the greater good.

Practice building your own moxie, find your own role in sustainability, see where it takes you, and encourage others to follow suit. Collectively, huge improvements will happen for all. ~

-- Mike Hines is co-founder and CEO of HomePath Products. He and his Connecticut-based team have developed the eXapath system. Building for the foreseeable future, this smart product is integrated into traditional building systems, and allows for the efficient upgrade of buildings' communications systems.

-- Here is a link to Mike's latest post discussing the implications of Intel's Light Peak technology: http://www.homepathproducts.com/blog1/?page_id=44

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More Moxie:
For more information on HomePath and the eXapath system, visit Mike's website here: http://www.homepathproducts.com/homepath/introducing.php

Old House Web's Blogger Contest! I entered

In a highly unorthodox move, I submitted my Tom & Jerry piece for Old House Web's Blog Contest:

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/blog/Announcing-Old-House-Blogger-Contest/

Please vote for me. Thank You & BMoxie BMore!

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More Moxie:

A leader in community-based (old-house) home improvement information for more than a decade (I think this is a relatively new look) -- The Old House Web: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/

What is Building Moxie (by jb bartkowiak)

click here to see the last in this series

So . . . Why Write? Part 2 (aka “If it rains, the ground gets wet.”)

While writing is a great thinking tool and has, especially over the last 10 months, been very therapeutic for me, I put this series of posts down more in a way to define "what it is" as I begin introducing it, well, to the world.

In this series of posts (though sometimes between the lines), you’ll find:

1. I have a day job, and I like to write about myself.


2. I have a family with related responsibilities.


3. I am seeking a stronger connection between what I do for a living and what I love.


4. I have a business plan that, to some, is intriguing.


5. I have taken inspiration for that business plan from many aspects of my life.


6. I think a lot about duality, i.e. trying/doing, success/failure, etc., and the space that exists in between.


7. I am not a home improvement expert, and I do not have it all figured out.


8. I do not want a web-only business. &


9. I have had my share of stress and doubts during the development of this plan.

So . . . as much as I've heard that it makes good practical sense, to write a business plan, it was actually written more for me. While I always intended to present it to others, it served initially as a place to collect and elucidate ideas.

Which way do I go; Which way do I go

To date, I have presented portions of it, the ideas contained in the plan, to approximately 20 individuals. Feedback has varied. And while I have frequently heard, “I like it; I really like it,” I will admit – some feedback has been far less positive.

Here is a sampling of some of things I have heard:

“I really don’t understand what you are trying to do.”
“Your margin is too small; you need to minimize your labor commitment.”
“Why re-invent the wheel? There will always be a need for qualified and reliable remodelers.”
“Why are you bothering with this nickel and dime stuff?”
“I don’t understand how you are going to make money.” AND . . .

My favorites -- “Why are you bothering with a website?” or worse “How is your website coming along?” (That last one – drives me particularly crazy.) The website and this blog, for that matter, serve a true practical purpose.

The internet circles the globe, but probably has its biggest reach close to home

Sure, I tossed around big ideas of an interactive application that manages projects and project resources; yes, I toyed with the idea of building a how-to content aggregator; and, hey, I even had late night visions of hosting the next Facebook.

But after being talked off the ledge frequently, I figured that all of these things might end up being only bells and whistles -- flash (and truthfully, they were probably financially beyond my reach).

For now, my web presence, at its best, is a portal to my real world local business. More directly, though, it is a safe “testing ground.” With low entry and overhead costs, I hope to use it to fully gauge this "middle ground" market of which I speak, and I hope to quantify more completely their needs.

But the remoteness of the internet, for me, is both a benefit and hindrance here. I can do it, this, on the side with minimal promotion (in a way, the website promotes itself), but in another way -- it pigeonholes me. It is an asset (well, at least, after I build traffic), and it makes me more nibble/affluent.

Writing a biz plan is also about minimizing risk (aka there is always risk and hurdles)

Come March, 2010, and maybe you’ll put me on your calendar, I hope to have the solid basis for a viable business. Will I be quitting my day job on March 1? Probably not.

And before I get there, I know, there are a few hurdles I must still jump. Here is my short list, the action plan:

Step 1:
I need to be able to cover, with a professional/specialist, every common request I could possibly get. In other words, I must fill my Pros We Know page, and there are luckily handfuls of pros I know. With this, I must remind myself that this isn't about a short term sale; it is about a longer term relationship -- and my messaging must reflect that.

This task has been more difficult than I would have hoped. In some ways, the directory-orientated, and further, the lead generation websites -- appear to have created a stigma within the small to mid-sized contractor community. Even with guys I know well -- they hear "website" and their answer is "no".

Here's my plan, though, push through with perseverance.

Step 2:
Once step 1 is complete, I need to gain more buy-in, "emotionally" (both from myself as well as from others). I need to quell fears, and promote, promote, promote. Starting with a Facebook page, a blast to all my friends, and maybe a small PR effort, I need to begin systematically hitting every social networking site that I can find.

During this period, I will work to lock down my blog design, and link it in with the rest of the social world. The big question here: Is it better, as I have it now, to have an expanded footprint, or . . . should I consolidate? Currently, I have four loosely linked blogs on Blogger; should I combine these into one (with four or more tabs) on Wordpress?

Step 3:
I need to find another me – it’s that simple: A field technician, if you will, someone that has similar values and views. With licensure (which I hope to test for in the fall), there should be no reason why I couldn’t implement the “onsite” portion of my plan.

Action item – I plan on using Steps 1 & 2 above to help flush out this candidate.

If it rains, the ground gets wet (aka pick one thing and do it well)

I have published only a small portion of the services that I can see eventually offering. And truth is -- I probably would do it all for free, i.e. Help people with something I like; it is a no-brainer. But that is the challenge, and has been from the beginning: Do something you like, and make a steady income doing it.

I mean, to me, it is just intuitive. Who doesn't need another set of eyes or hands, pair of legs, or another head, sometimes? I know I do. And while I am no expert, per se -- I have been on at least three sides of a home improvement project.

And . . . in some ways, I offer myself up as a living, breathing, and walking case study. The website, and my presence here part one of this experiment.

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I am a "Smaltimorian." They say Baltimore is like a small town, everyone knows everyone -- and we are just slightly more than spitting distance from the larger markets of DC and Northern Virginia.

But . . . I am also a intelligent, supportive person, in general. I offer personalized advice and "professional" selections, allowing clients to find their own answers, and helping them with breaking down one barrier that often remains -- confidence.

That's right -- confidence . . . to "do-it-for-yourself" -- the tools, avenues, and info are there. And yes -- I am Building Moxie.

Thank you for reading, feel free to comment or email. Now, I will get back to writing about something that might appeal to a larger base.

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More Moxie:
The Agents of Moxie :: At Home -- http://agentsofmoxie-home.blogspot.com/
The Agents of Moxie :: On the Job -- http://agentsofmoxie-jobs.blogspot.com/
The Agents of Moxie :: Around the Hood -- http://agentsofmoxie-hood.blogspot.com/

While I still question my skill as a writer, and as a blog editor -- I do it.