From Zero to CEO: Big Results Out of Little City

I’ll say this, I barely graduated high school. Nobody’s gonna remember my success. They’re gonna remember significance. I’d rather be significant. And I’ve always found seeking the better way always leads to success. You can satisfy your customers, you can delight your customers, but when you can empower them, that’s when you’re really winning.

And we have amazing artists, horticulture specialists, Olympians, special Olympic champions who won gold medals, and donors and supporters help provide them the tools to be successful. It’s amazing to get people to do things that they didn’t even think were possible or within them. And we wanna learn and grow.

’cause if we’re not learning and growing, then are we just dying? These people need my talents. Shame on me if I don’t apply them. There’s one thing that all champions have in common. They get shit done. So welcome to the Get Shit Done Experience. Well, well, well, we’re back at it again. This is the Get Shit Done experience, also known as the GSDX podcast.

And I am very, very happy today because we’ve got an amazing gentleman on, we keep bringing these amazing guests on. I hope you’re enjoying this. I’m certainly enjoying it. I feel like in the time since we started this podcast, I have progressed as a human being. ’cause I get a chance to sit in this room with all these CEOs and executives and, and, uh, athletes that have achieved these amazing things.

It’s making me better. Is that selfish? I feel like it might be a little bit selfish, but guess what? Somebody’s got a host a show, so I’m taking in all the information and you’re gonna get some fantastic information today and, uh, some great stories. From our amazing guest, the CEO, do we call you CEO or executive director?

Let’s go. CEO. Yeah. That voice you’re hearing is the one and only Rich Bobby, welcome to the show. Thank you, John. Appreciate it. It’s an absolute pleasure. Now we’re gonna get into what you do, but I think we do need to throw you a little bit of applause here. You just won an election. I mean, this is pretty amazing.

I, I did. Okay. Like a very, very small, very small election, but nonetheless, I’ve never won any election, so it’s one better cheer to share. Sure, sure. So I was just elected to my kids’ school board, uh, with Huntley District 1 58. Let’s go. Yeah, it was very exciting. Yeah, very exciting experience. Um, was just sworn in last week and something I would never thought I would say I would do.

There’s a swear in there, is I had to take an oath. An oath, an an oath and a swear in, yes. Wow. So. No, it, it was a, an amazing experience. I’m excited to give back to our community and that’s really what it was about. That’s where my interest wa was, is how can we, uh, how can I give back to our community my knowledge and experience?

Yeah. So we have an incredible school district. That’s awesome. Yeah. Yeah. And one of your employees apparently voted for me upstairs. Yes. Amy upfront walked in and was like, push me over that. Exactly. You won by one vote and we’re thankful that it was eight. But yeah, she held me. It was three vote counts.

Was it the hanging Chad, do you think it was, was that it? It’s like the old election. So, so, um, rich, I, I always like to, to kind of start off, and our viewers know this, we kind of do like an origin story type of a thing. So like, there’s a reason why you’ve gotten to the point where you’re at in life. It always starts with a foundation.

There’s roots that were established and, uh, you know, who, who you are today, uh, is a product of that upbringing and all of those decisions and, and that influence and that mentorship that you received. So, kind of take us in the way back machine. Sure. Where do we grow up? What was mom and dad like? Like give us, yeah.

Tell us a little bit. Well, I was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Get outta here. Airy. Uh, tropical, no. Yeah. Uh, yeah. And, uh, but raised in Carpentersville. Okay. Uh, so Carpentersville, Illinois. Uh, I’ll, I’ll say this upfront. Uh, I love my family. Love my family dearly and I, in the scheme of things, had it.

Okay. Uh, and I, and I can’t, uh, you know, complain when I hear so many other folks’ origin stories. Yeah. At the same time, it was not perfect. It was not sunshine and rainbows. Mm-hmm. Uh, so I had, uh, you know, my mom and dad and I have two younger brothers. I was the oldest, uh, was in, uh, you know, our first home was probably about 900 square feet, five of us living in there.

One bathroom, you know, no basement, no upstairs, and, uh, on top of each other all the time. And then had an uncle move in with us as well. So there’s like six of us. Yeah. All in this tiny little home. Uh, which I share this with my son, who’s now 11, one of my boys. Uh, because he doesn’t seem to understand and appreciate what he has in life today.

Mm-hmm. Uh, so I, I’ve actually driven him past our, my childhood home. Like, look bud. Yeah. Like that, that’s where your dad lived. Uh, but yeah. Yeah, we are middle class for the most part. And I’ll say that, uh, my, my family struggle a lot with mental health. There’s always savings, but it’s about way more than savings alone.

Total Technology Solutions Group, redefines managed print services. Excellence is the minimum standard. TTSG is a true managed print service provider. Deeply understanding your technology and business goals. Your business is unique. Our solutions are tailored to your current and future business goals. Our customer first approach empowers and delights.

TTSG can ensure your technology environment will scale as your business does. So as you navigate business and constant change. Partner with TTSG for premium advisement and seamless implementation of your technology goals. We set the bar high. Your people deserve it. Peace of mind, powerful innovation. TTS g.com.

My dad in particular, uh, had severe depression. He is passed on. He passed away literally, uh, three years ago on, on May 4th. And, uh, I’ll tell you that it was, uh, something you didn’t know when you were growing up. You just kind of live life and you think this is life, how life is. Mm-hmm. And you know, it, it was very much, uh, we’re a closed knit family.

Didn’t have a lot of people over growing up. Um, you know, we never really had a lot of friends coming in and out of the home. And, you know, reflecting back on it, like now I noticed that, but at the time, we just lived the life with the five of us. And we, you know, when we would travel, we’d go travel to Ohio, which is where my parents were born.

They moved here, so they didn’t have a lot of family out this way. So, you know, growing up, I, uh, will say that, uh, you know, there was a lot of struggles. And when I say this, uh, I’ll say this. I barely graduated high school, so I was not this straight A student. Mm-hmm. Coming through school, uh, did not, uh, find an interest in school and any kind of, uh, education in general.

I. And, uh, you know, some on my team would probably say, rich, don’t share this information. Oh my God, you’re giving, you’re giving so many hope by sharing that. By the way, I got like a, I got like a little, I I want you to finish, but I, I have some commentary to this because Yeah, it is, uh, the month of May.

It’s mental health, health awareness month. And, uh, that what you just said hits pretty close to me. Yeah. Um, and it makes me think about. My kids because I’ve battled with mental health. And so, um, I’m really thankful that you, that you went there and were vulnerable. And I think it’s important there’s so many people, um, that feel like you gotta tuck it and bury it.

Mm-hmm. And remember you we’re about the same age. I think so. Grew up in the, in the late seventies, early eighties, you know, kind of coming up and, um, you know, I think my dad was depressed too, and he, he, they just drank more and they just buried it and they didn’t do anything about it and they couldn’t talk about it.

Um, it’s kind of a shame. Yeah. Well, and my dad actually was not a drinker, but, uh, but even that, but still, still beer. Yes, it was. Uh, it was. And thankfully later in his life he did get help. Yeah. Which was, which was huge. Which was huge. Yes. Uh, so, you know. I struggled as well. I mean, just living in this family union, how could you not?

And my, my brothers did as well. Uh, and my, you know, my mom is just, uh, absolutely amazing. And, and I don’t know how she dealt with us because it was, you know, the three boys and her husband living with her. And yeah. So I, I barely graduated high school, didn’t know what I wanna do with life. And there was one class in high school that I had an interest in, in an interest in, and that was psychology.

Okay. And I don’t know if I looked deep down, if I were just psych, like analyze myself. Maybe you were, it’s all coming full circle. But it was like, oh, this is interesting. And, uh, so I ended up going, did not know where I wanted to do what I wanted to do. So the natural, uh, inclination of the least where I lived was go to community college.

So I did, I went to Elgin Community College, sorry. And, uh, graduated. I did graduate from Dundee Crown High School in Carpentersville. And when I went to Allergen Community College. I remember at the time the joke was it was Dundee crown with an ashtray, uh, because you were able to smoke at that time on, on Elgin Community College’s property, which I’m sure it’s not the case anymore.

But, uh, so I didn’t know what to do and it was a great school and I, I tout the ECC uh, did wonders for me. And, you know, really through there just kind of navigating life. And what I discovered and what I was interested in was I wanted to go into some sort of helping profession. And, you know, as I was going to school, I actually worked at a bank as a bank teller, which is where I met my wife.

Uh, she was a bank teller, so that worked out. What? It worked out well. Yeah. Here we are, 25 years later. Congrats. Yes, thank you. Thank you. And, uh, went to a comm from community college. Went to Northern Illinois University. Okay. And that’s when I majored in psychology. And I think at that point is when I actually really applied myself.

Mm-hmm. And said, you know what? I wanna, I wanna be able to help in some way or fashion. I didn’t know how or which way I would do that. So, you know, in, at NIU, you know, in, in the psychology program in, you know, you’re with professors who are all clinical psychologists or psychologists at some point, and there was very much this movement of when you graduate here, you must become a psychologist.

In my mind, at least, that’s why I heard from the profess that was what you were Yeah, that was the self speak. So I’m like, okay, I guess I should be a psychologist because they say, you know, what are you gonna do with this degree in psychology? You gotta be a psychologist. So I applied, uh, and I, I wanna share this because I, I think again, it’s important to know that, uh, I had a lot of setbacks.

Like it was not, again, this clear path of just peer success every day. Yeah. I applied to multiple PhD psychology programs, mostly in warm weather. ’cause you know, at that time my girlfriend and I, now my wife, we just wanted to experience a different environment. Mm-hmm. And I got rejected by every one of them.

And in fact, I, uh, I interviewed, I remember one of ’em was NC State. I did an interview and, uh, they rejected me and there must have been some kind of glitch in their system because I kept getting rejection notices in the mail. So it’s like, ah, we regret to inform you. No, really don’t want you to, you just, in case you forgot, you have still not been accepted for university.

Uh, rich, this is the dean calling. Uh, did you get our 12 letters? We really don’t want you to come here. Like, just don’t even come to North Carolina. Come here. Just stay out of our state. And in fact, we talked to University of North Carolina. They don’t want you there either. Yes. So the, the, the Triangle Research triangle.

Yes. Get the day outta that triangle. Charlotte, just please know. So is Illinois. Seems good for you. Yeah. Yeah, that was very much. Is that nice? So it was so, you know, at this time, you know, I got rejected from all these, uh, universities and, you know, there was one, uh, university I interviewed with and did not get accepted into the PhD program, which was University of South Florida in Tampa.

Okay. And, you know, my wife and I, then girlfriend, you know, we, we were there. You are like, you know what, maybe we, we should just move to Florida and just experience living in a different state. Warm weather, palm trees and, and the like. Yeah. They have sunshine there. All sunshine all year. Yeah. Right, right.

So that’s what we did. So we didn’t have any jobs. This was the year 2000. Uh, didn’t have any jobs, uh, nothing in our bank. Not really any savings. We’re didn’t, our families did not have the financial means to support us. Mm-hmm. Uh, loaded up a U-Haul and said, okay, we’re gonna do this. We’re gonna. Pick up, move to Florida.

We did secure an apartment, uh, before we moved there. Isn’t it amazing though how you just found a way? Yeah. Like you just find a way, like now if I, in my mind right now, if I looked at my account and it was like in that position, yeah, I think that I would, I would probably just melt, but no way. Right. We just found a way, found a wave.

It’s crazy. So get in the U-Haul and the thing was dead. So we’re like, okay, is this an omen and we, should we not be moving to Florida? So they fixed it. We, we got there safely. But, so in that journey, I remember in know in Florida, many of these apartment complexes have pools, so it wasn’t necessarily always a luxury.

But, you know, ours happened to have a pool and I remember just laying there in the, you know, in the pool and hanging out there. And I just think to myself. Man, I need to get a job because it was not really vacation. Like, we gotta pay rent. I’m not on vacation. Yes, I’m not on vacation. Not allowed in North Carolina.

I’m not on vacation. That’s it. And prior to, I’ll say this, uh, prior to moving to Florida, I worked at a high school at the Hoffman States High School in their special education department. So I knew, again, I wanted to do something in the helping profession. And it was a teacher assistant there in a self-contained classroom and, and really amazing group of students.

So again, I, I knew I wanted to be in the helping profession. So moving to Florida, I ended up applying to the Florida Department of Children Families. And so that was my real entryway into. Being exposed to all the challenges in life. Mm-hmm. And it was at that point where I decided I wanted, I was glad I did not get accepted to these PhD psychology programs.

Nothing against psychologists. I was just not something where I wanted to do assessments and testing and things of that nature. But I was really interested in the field of social work. Mm. And so I ended up applying, uh, applying to the University of South Florida and they just started a part-time masters of social work program.

And I did get accepted to that. It feels like to me that that social work is more in the trenches, whereas psychology is very strategic, looking at it from kind of a higher view and there’s some depth to it, but like social work, man, you’re, you’re really getting in there with these families and really working on their, their position in life.

Right. I mean, I. Yeah. Every helping profession has their role, but to your point, absolutely. ’cause the job I took on was going to family homes. Yeah. And it was then I realized, uh, how much, uh, social injustice there is in our world and society and going into, you know, whether it be impoverished communities from inner city to.

Rural mobile home areas that did not even have a cell reception at the time. And seeing the so many families try and work hard, work hard towards getting their kids returned back to them and then having systems pushing up against them and challenging them. So there was at some point, I don’t remember the day, John, but over time what evolved for me was this desire to go upstream and make change at a macro level and look at what policies, procedures are impacting families negatively.

And that is where, you know, my fire was lit in the field of social work. Interesting. Yeah. So, and I’ll, I’ll, I’ll share with you just a brief story. I, I had a young teenager who was just kept me in check. She lived with her mom and, uh, her mom was trying to just keep, make ends meet. Uh, she had, uh, a disability herself.

And one day I get a, a call that, uh, all of their belongings were out in their front yard and they had nowhere to live. So literally we had, uh, pulled together some coworkers, we rented a U-Haul and loaded up all their belongings. And, you know, when I saw their belongings, I’m not making this up, there were thousands and thousands of cockroaches, like all coming in and outta their belongings because they just did not have the means to purchase furniture.

Hmm. So we were able to set them up into a new apartment and get ’em there. But it’s, you know, these like, just a small story of, you know, someone who’s trying, but just for whatever reason, some sort of systemic challenge or mm-hmm. Uh, red tape with the process of trying to find a new home. You know, these are the things that I saw day in and day out, and I, it really altered my world because here I am, I’m probably in my early twenties Yeah.

Seeing things that, you know, no one would’ve prepared me for. Uh, and, and seeing good families and also seeing situations that were really rough where I’ve, I’ve had unfortunately to be the situation of removing kids from situations that, uh, they were not safe and that was heartbreaking. And, uh, you know, I remember having a, you know, I think she might have been like five or six year, 6-year-old girl in my back seats of my car and, you know.

Driving away from her family home and she’s kicking and screaming at how evil I am because she doesn’t understand that she was in a danger. She doesn’t realize how Yeah. High you are if she thinks you’re evil. Yeah. I mean at that moment you wouldn’t know. You wouldn’t know. And so it really helped reshape my, my belief system and mindset and, you know, how can we go upstream and, and be able to support families so that they can stay together so that as much as possible, that we don’t have these situations where we have to remove kids from families because of mostly neglect in, in many, many of these situations.

So, you know, here I am, you know, I’m working on my master’s of social work part-time and I was very fortunate. I’ll just say right time, right place. Of, uh, once I obtained my Master’s of social work, I was, uh, I’ll say catapulted to this like senior leadership role. Okay. Um, that was overseeing a center along with, uh, my, my director of about 1600 kids, uh, in the Tampa area.

And it was pretty intense and I was ex exposed to a lot of different circumstances and I look back on it now, I’m like, who the hell put me in that position? Yeah. Because it. Uh, I’m probably mid twenties now and, and making major life decisions or really with the support of the team making decisions. And, you know, from there, uh, I will say that that’s where my fire was lit of, you know, how can you know, we collectively make a, a greater impact on a whole system.

So I was a part of a team, uh, that time that helped create a risk assessment that was implemented for over 5,000 kids. And it was, that was so rewarding to yeah, know that there was, you know, I gave a part of my count to that piece, so I always have this curiosity. You talk about like, you’ve started to feel this is your calling, the fire’s burning in the belly.

Are you feeling some sort of like, are you getting signs? Are you feeling some sort of universal pull? Are you feeling a higher power calling you? Like I. Are you, like, are there, I’m not saying you have voices in your head, but that little, that little person in your head, you know, we all kind of have like, who’s, who’s actually talking right now?

Is it my flesh and blood? Or like, what is actually talking to you right now? That kind of silent voice that talks. Like, are you hearing that? Like where, where is this poll coming from? You know, that’s a good question. I, I don’t know. But, but I’ll, I’ll say this. Uh, it was a progressive sensation. Got it. Uh, of God, I gotta do more.

Yeah. So you were, you were starting to see success. Yes. And I, I just, I cannot, this cannot sit with me. Mm-hmm. Uh, of seeing how challenged our system is, especially for folks who are, uh, in, in impoverished areas or folks who were handed a deck of cards that was outside of their control. So you were inspired because it upset you.

There was. Yeah. And then there was that sense of urgency. Yeah, I gotta do something. Yeah. And I don’t know what it is, but I wanna do something. So it wasn’t like you were never seeking like, well, I’m gonna have this title, I’m gonna make this amount of money someday I’m gonna drive this car for you. It was, these people need my talents and I’m, I, shame on me if I don’t apply them.

Yes. Uh, and I, I think for me, um, you know, there was these, these nuggets and moments of, uh, a point in time where you’ve seen so many different experiences, good, bad, indifferent successes, whether it be families being reunited or a family, uh, kids being adopted by a family. And this is in my earlier career, again, in, in the world of child welfare in, in the state of Florida.

Yeah. And you know, there was also just these heartbreaking moments of, um, I, ’cause I would be on call for the whole, like, city, so to speak. And there was a moment where I got a call where sadly, uh, a child died. Mm-hmm. And, um, and for, not because of abuse or neglect, it was just a sad, uh, health related issue.

But I had to go pick up her siblings from the home where she was still there and, and had to pick up the siblings. And we were trying to locate other homes for them to live in and, and like, where are the parents? They weren’t, they weren’t around the, the, the child actually was in a foster home. Okay. Uh, so the fa Yeah, the, and there was again, no, no identified abuse or neglect.

It was just a sad health related issue. Yeah. And you know, these were kids that were, I don’t know, maybe under the age of five, like how do you explain to them that your siblings has now passed? And so the, I’m not trying to make this a no, but I mean, it’s a depressing talk here. No conversation. But, but it goes where it goes.

It’s, it’s like, it’s one of, it’s one of those many moments of just like, gosh, like how can I help that? How can I help? Yeah. How can I help? That’s it. That’s it. So that was the, the driving force behind, behind my motive. And so, yeah, I was there for, in Florida for six years and, uh, decided to move back to Illinois.

My wife, uh, we did eventually get married while we were in Florida, and she changed careers. She was in the, the world of business and wanted to teach, be a teacher, public school teacher, which is what she does today. Uh, we said, you know what? We’re coming back to Illinois so often, why don’t we just move back?

So we, we moved back and then I ended up working at a. Children’s residential, uh, center in Evanston, Illinois. And it was for kids who had severe emotional behavioral challenges. Many of the kids were placed at this program or the center, uh, through the Department of Children Families through DCFS and had severe trauma.

And so again, it was just this other opportunity of like, how can we help and support and, and through that I was, uh, you know, fortunate enough to be in a administrative role and, and did, uh, the admissions of kids coming in. I’d go to hospitals, assess kids to see if we were a good fit. And I, I saw the positive impact this program was, was having on their lives.

And so just the journey continued. And I, I find, you know, in each of my cross points, I find these moments of, or I feel like I’ve tapped out. Like I feel like there’s now like this next step, like where can I make, where do I go now? Yeah. Yeah. And, and that’s what led me to Little City. Uh, so I’ve been with Little City for now, 13 years as of this.

Okay. Last May 1st. Yeah. Uh, so that’s cool because that’s a, that’s a, a career path. It was. Right. So, uh, you know, a lot of times CEOs come from another organization. They were a CEO there, or they were executive director and then they, they, they just come to the new brand as the CEO. I think it’s always really cool when somebody.

Started at a position and worked their way into the CEO role. And, and that’s what had happened for me. Yeah. And, and I’ll, I’ll say this to a add fuel to this. So I applied to Little City. There was, I was told by a former colleague, Hey, there’s this director of a children’s residential that’s, that’s open and like, okay.

I, I applied to it and I had, I’m not even making this up, five interviews for this position. Wow. I think I was interviewing for the Pentagon. Yeah. For real. Uh, and one of ’em was with, uh, a friend that we both know, uh, Sean Jeffers. Yeah. And, uh, thought I was going, well, well I get a phone call. I didn’t get the job.

Like, was the interview in North Carolina? No, it was not. I mean, it feels, feel, I’m feeling like this is about gonna happen again. You feel like I received a letter shortly thereafter that and then another, yeah. Geez. No. So I, I didn’t get the job. That’s shocking. I’m like, so, so. They ended up going with someone else who was more qualified than I was.

Simply the, you know, the person had more experience. Okay. Uh, and fair enough, more qualified. So it was a, you know, a difficult decision. So you didn’t just give up on your dreams and just kind of walk away. You then did what? Well, I’ll say this. Yeah. There, this is where, uh, I, I really appreciate, uh, Sean Jeffers, who I know you’ve had on your podcast here.

Yeah. Is, um, there was something else that happened around that same time. It was quite tragic. And so this was almost like, um, it felt like a little piling on, even though no one intended for this to happen at that time, uh, my wife and I, we really struggled trying to have kids. Mm. And you know, she’s simply, I know this is all taboo, I’m sure in this.

Is, uh, she had five miscarriages. Wow. And we tragically had a stillborn. Oh. Young man. Uh, born at three, five weeks. Oh. And so we just lost our, our, I’ll say our first son, uh, just before this. And the part that I’ll never forget though, John, is Sean reached out to me even though I didn’t get the job. That guy is a man of character.

I, yeah. He still reached out to me and said, Hey, I heard about your tragedy and I just want you to know my, you know, heart minds with you, loves with you, and my prayers are with you. And I just thought like, wow. The head of this organization just reached out to me and, and the role I was applying for wasn’t gonna be reporting to him, but he still reached out to me.

I know Sean doesn’t need this, but the, a great way to judge somebody is what people say about them when they’re not around. There’s no reason, you know, for, for us to be touting him at this moment. But he obviously is part of the story. But is I, I spent two hours in the room with him. Mm-hmm. And I can’t even imagine working with him and interacting with him on a daily, but I spent two hours with him.

I’m still, I’m still flying from that. Like, I’m impacted. Like, I, I, I said to him, I felt like I was doing a podcast with my father. I believe it. Like, like I felt this, that energy, that, that wise energy, that kind of like gentle loving, but stern. Love like it. So I get I get that. Yeah. And what an amazing mentor.

Uh, he, he really is. And, and he and I stayed in touch still to this day. Yeah. Uh, but it was at that moment, John, that I’m like, I wanna work for this organization. I mean, the fact that this, this gentleman who I didn’t know at all, we only had a brief interview together, called me after that tragedy. And uh, you know, he reached out to me again and said, look, we have another opening.

There’s this director of foster care services and clinical services, and I think you’d be great for it. And so from there I was accepted to a little city. So Nice. I, I still joke with Sean to this day. Like, you No, you like denied me my first job, even in the city. But no, it wasn’t his decision. It was a collective.

It seems like when you get adversity though, you kind of kick it into another gear. I feel that way, John. And, and I’m not trying to reiterate. Sean’s podcast with you, but there’s something that he says that has always resonated with me. Uh, and I feel like I’ve, I’ve tried to live my life this way, but never had The terminology for it is when you experience adversity, you could be bitter or you could be better.

Mm. And I’ve always found seeking the better way always leads to success. Yeah. At least in my own life. Where do you think that comes from? Like, it, is that an upbringing bringing thing? Is that innate? Like, like how do you learn that quality? Because I gotta tell you, there’s a lot of people that don’t have that quality.

And I think if they, if if they did it first off, I think the world would be a better place. ’cause we all face adversity. Right? And so you kind of have a choice of how you’re gonna handle that. So how did, how did you get to that point? I, I honestly, I do not know other than I can, you know, just say that, um, my mom has been a shining star in my life and.

She is experienced so much of us, when I say us, my brothers and my dad and I, and she would always look for that silver lining. So if I had to dig deep John, maybe from my mom. Okay. Uh, from there, uh, at the same time, you know, various experiences I’ve had in my life, I’ve just felt that there’s always a fight that I just don’t wanna give up.

Yeah. And, and I’ve found that I’ve, I’ve only benefited when there’s those setbacks to keep moving forward and keep going forward. And so, I, I cannot concretely answer your question. Okay. Well, let’s, let’s say Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there that are the foundation and the rock and the inspiration to so many, especially great leaders.

Amazing, amazing, uh, men and women in the world that are doing amazing things. Um. The moms were involved. Moms moms built them right to go do those amazing things. So we are recording this before Mother’s Day. It will release after. So we are before and after, but we are saying Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there.

Absolutely. Mother’s Day. And I think every mom is amazing in some way, shape, or form. Right. Agree. So you get this adversity, uh, now you, you take this new role with Little City. Um, is it, um, uh, kind of a, a peer level role to the one that you wanted? Is it just a completely different division, like it, it was a peer level role and when I was in that role, um, uh, if many, Don May, may not even know this at Little City, uh, the person that was in the position that, uh, I originally applied for had left the organization and I was asked to take over that position and.

I did turn it down only because I just saw the momentum that our team was having in our foster care and adoption program at that time and our clinical services that I didn’t, I wanted to state through. Yeah, yeah. And so then there was a time in place, you know, maybe three years into my 10 year little city where I was over our adult services, uh, where we have, uh, you know, an employment program.

We have adult living arrangements, we have, um. Day services for adults and, you know, over those services. And was over that for about a short stint, about six months or so. And then Sean again reached out to me and said, rich, you know, okay, we have another opportunity for you. I know you have a lot of experience and residential as well as in the world of foster care.

Would you mind doing a, you know, lateral move over to this position? ’cause that person had just, uh, left the organization. So I, I graciously took it. And I, I loved, uh, working with adults as much as I do kids, even though most of my career has been working with kids. But working with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities is just as rewarding to me of just seeing them achieve successes, uh, moving from point A to point B or landing a job or learning a new skill has just been.

That’s what lights my fire for sure. Uh, so over at that point I was over our children’s residential services, our foster care and adoption services, and we also have a therapeutic day school. Mm-hmm. Uh, those are located in Palatine. Our foster care program is Lo was located, is located in Chicago, and um, was over those children’s services for about eight years.

And then, uh, Sean left, retired. Yeah. We had another, uh, CEO come in and was there for about 10 months or so, and here I am and then a year later you win the election and CEO of little city. I mean, all within a timeframe. Very grateful. Yes. Very grateful. Yeah. You have a household of stewardship, which is awesome too, with your wife being a teacher.

So there’s probably a lot of. A conversation that you have about like, how do you handle this? How do you handle that? And just, uh, the fact that you’re both giving back. By the way, folks, if you’re, uh, if you wanna play along it’s little city.org, so www.littlecity.org and you could check that out. And essentially Little City is, um, you know, providing, uh, services and safe spaces and education and activities and, uh, community for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Um, I don’t know if you could find something that is more purpose-driven. I, I just find it to be absolutely beautiful, uh, to do that. Um, I think that it’s, it’s very, um, look, I, look, I don’t, I don’t want to turn it into a Christian podcast ’cause I know there are people, a lot of people out there that think differently, but I think it’s very, um, holy.

As a profession to, to offer up services and to benefit people that are less fortunate or that just need a little bit of help, uh, to do those types of things. So, um, tell me about your team because, uh, I would say that any CEO, um, that I’ve met with kind of their pride and joy is their people. I could not do this role without our team.

Uh, I mean, at the end of the day, I’m even here with you. Yeah. Because our team is doing the work as we speak. Yeah. Uh, our team is so passionate, caring, and talented. And I think, uh, the challenge that we see in, uh, most companies, organizations, when you mentioned us, you know, the purpose that, that we drive.

Mm-hmm. Uh, I, I would say. That sometimes I feel may, maybe it’s just my own humble opinion that nonprofits are looked at as these, oh, you just do this good kind work over here and you just really don’t know anything about anything other than just doing this good kind work. Yeah. It’s a bit more strategic than that folks.

It it is, it’s a business. Still keep yourself. It is absolutely a business of serving people. Yeah. And that’s where I go back to our team, but they’re smart business folks as well as caring individuals. Okay. So, uh, I’m sure a very lovely lady. I only know through email by the name of Anne Morris. So obviously the last name is Amazing Pro, you know?

Yeah. But I have a sister name Ann. Okay. Okay. So every time I get an email from her, I’m like, why is my sister email me? But my sister is now a different last name. I won’t say ’cause she’ll get embarrassed. But, um, so every time I get the email, I will tell you. Extremely professional. Your team is extremely professional.

These are professional executives Yes. That are handling this. So this is not, you know, this is not a summer camp. They’re running here, folks. This is. Uh, this is a corporate setting doing amazing purpose-driven work, but it is absolutely a business. And why is that relevant? Well, there are 5 0 1 c threes, so they’re taking in a lot of donations.

I think if I’m gonna donate to a place, I kind of want to donate to a place with people with really big hearts. And really big brains. And it seems like you got that covered. We do. We do. And, and our, you know, our C-E-O-C-O-O, uh, Kelly Evans, she is just absolutely amazing. She, uh, she’s the opposite of me.

I’d say we’re a good yin, yin and yang. ’cause I’ll just throw things up in the air. I think we should try this. I think we should try that. And she’ll keep me in check and say, oh, wait, wait. So you’re a bit of a visionary and she’s maybe a little bit more operational. Operational and strategic. Yeah. Yeah, I would say so.

You gotta have both. You have to. And I feel like we have that synergy for her, which is just a good recipe for success for sure. And with that, you know. Each member of our team has a, has a role and function that is essential to us being successful. And what I’ve seen is, you know, with, uh, like companies, we can’t just raise our prices.

Yeah. 90% of our funding is coming from the state. Yeah. Uh, the rest, about five, 6% of that is coming from grants. And then really three to 4% is coming from, you’re raising contributions, you raising funds, raising people. Yeah. And we had a highly successful annual gala this past weekend. Mm-hmm. Which was just remarkable.

Had over 400 people there. It was at the Ritz Carlton in the Chicago. Chicago. Not too shy. Yeah. It was amazing. Amazing. Uh, but it was our team that did that. And I’m so fortunate where I could honestly, John just show up. Yeah. And our team just does this remarkable work to make our mission stay alive.

’cause it’s always about the mission. Mm-hmm. At the end of the day. And then, uh, we have our golf outing that’s coming out the day after Father’s Day on June 16th. Uh, little City Invitational, which. You all are major sponsors. We’re totally excited. We are. We can’t wait. Yes. I, I I will say, you know, it’s things like your, your company’s, uh, Tim Ward that keep us afloat because it’s the, the challenge we’ve run into is when we wanna provide anything above and beyond a state funding mm-hmm.

It always needs to come from donors and it needs to come or through some sort of grant. Yeah. Because the way we’re funded is for the bare bones, keep the lights on. Yeah. Uh, three hots caught in a cot. Mm-hmm. Uh, everyone gets the same rate for a day service, regardless of your support needs. So every dollar raise is meaningful and truly makes a positive impact.

So I just wanna at least say that piece to thank you to the companies and to your amazing leader, Tim Morde. Okay. So the golf tournament, uh, you’re gonna be shocked by this, folks. I’m not golfing in it. I know. Sounds very shocking, but you are going to see some really cool stuff coming out. So stay tuned for that.

But check that out on their website. I’m sure there’s information that will be coming out very shortly on that. And of course we’ll post about it as well. Uh, if you want to contribute in some way, shape, or form. Is there still time to do that? Absolutely, Al if that’s awesome. So we’ll put links in the show notes and I’ll of course, you know, I’m gonna post a whole bunch of content and clips and all kinds of stuff and I’ll put links where you can sign up to be, um, either a sponsor or part of the tournament or contribute in some way, shape or form.

Uh, and you will see me there right around on a golf cart. So I don’t know, it’s gonna be fun. It’s a blast. It’s gonna be a blast. And um, last year. The energy was just amazing because I think when people gather around around a really fun activity that’s run really well. I mean like a really top end event.

Your people do amazing things. Yeah. Like when it’s, when it’s top end and you just kind of calm and everything is thought of and taken care of and you’ve got all the things that would be the standard things that you would get at a really cool golf event. But then there’s like five or six things that are even better to add on to that.

Um, and then you’re doing it centered around a fantastic purpose. And people that go to things like that aren’t just going to golf. Right. They’re going because of the give back, which means they’re purpose driven. So you kind of feel this energy, like there’s like an aura right around the, the, the golf course that day.

It’s pretty cool. It it is. And I. I’ll say this, I am just as moved by our supporters and seeing folks come out to events like this, because it does take a village to help support, yeah. Little city and yeah. The vision that we’ve created is, and to me is what drives me is every individual we’re serving, we want them to be a part of a community.

We want them to have someone they call a friend. We want them to gain skills so that they can thrive. And that is something we are setting out for every individual. And when we talk about the folks we serve, and you may have touched on it earlier, John, is we’re not talking about folks who I would say, oh, these poor individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities who are helpless.

We’re talking about exceptional people. Yeah. We’ve met some of ’em. Talents Yes. The, the, uh, national Anthem last year. Yes. Jerry. Jerry. Unbelievable. Yeah. Amazing. And we have, yeah. Amazing artists, horticulture specialists, uh, Olympians, special Olympic champions who’ve won gold medals and donors and supporters help provide them the tools to be successful.

Mm-hmm. So if you didn’t have weights, if you didn’t have a gym, if, are you gonna train for Special Olympics? I know it’s, yeah. And by the way, like, how would you. How would you look like this? The physique of a 49-year-old man who’s let it go. I do have weights. They’re holding up my laundry, so it’s really good.

But I swing a golf club. I don’t lift weights. But you’re absolutely right. Like you have to have the tools, have the tools to be able to do, they have the talent, you give ’em the tools, the talent progresses to go win championships. That’s abs. Absolutely. It. And, and we had this, uh, as I reference this remarkable annual gala this past weekend.

And one of the things that was spotlighted was by one of our major donors. Uh, her name is Julie Bell. Uh, she has a sister that lives with us and we raised, uh, just in the, the single paddle auction fund. A need you wanna call, whatever you wanna call it, uh, close to $200,000. Wow. And you know, she’s helping match that.

But what that’s gonna provide is now the exceptional experience of Arch and giving them the environment and tools to thrive as emerging artists or as professional art artists. So it’s, it’s all these folks that make this happen, and that’s what John is so exciting about my role. I almost feel like, uh, sometimes guilty being in this role because I get to witness all of the amazing things everyone is doing to help support our mission and vision from our team to donors, supporters, corporate partners like yourselves.

It’s, it’s just truly privilege. You’re not allowed to feel guilty. I think you’re blessed. So I think you, I think, and I think you created your blessings. So I, I, I hope, um, that you, that you’ve turned the guilt into unbelievable pride. Because it is something worth being, uh, excited and happy about and and thankful for and having so much gratitude, which I know you have all of those things.

Um, I had a guest on by the name of Brian Floe. Brian, uh, started a a a 5 0 1 C3 called Bernie’s Book Bank. Okay. Um, I should probably make the introduction Yeah. The two of you. ’cause Sure. You probably would, would hit it off. But he talked about, and I asked him like, what caused you to start this? Like, why did you get into this?

Essentially what he does is he, he, um, raises funds. They, they buy, uh, new and used books, uh, uh, or they’re donated, excuse me, not by, they get donated books, new and used, and they distribute them to underprivileged, uh, economically challenged communities. Um, like 45 million books distributed. Wow. I mean, just crazy impressive.

And his whole goal was to. To, um, to close the literacy gap because it has an impact on everything. If you, if you can read, you can imagine, if you can read, you’re, you’re probably gonna have a better moral compass. Right? Right. Like, it impacts everything. So, uh, I asked him, uh, you know, like, what would, what would you want somebody to say about you?

Like, after you’ve, after this is all said and done, he said, look, nobody’s gonna remember my success. They’re gonna remember significance. I’d rather be significant. And I think that that’s an important thing, uh, to, that I’m embracing because when he, when he starts to talk about the people that are going to help little city, like a Tim Ward that we’ve talked about, yeah, he’s successful, but nobody’s gonna remember how many copiers and printers he sold.

They’re the, the people that are gonna be touched and impacted. It’s gonna be from the significant things that he’s done. Um, and the way that he’s contributed back to society. And I think that that’s, that’s you too rich. Like you’ve chosen this, this career, this, this journey. And you could have, you could have gone a whole lot of directions, but you kept feeling that burning and you, you choose to do this.

I don’t think this is a get rich type of a, uh, scenario, right? Like this is, this is more about being significant. So talk a little bit about that. Well, thank you for that, John. Uh, when you said that, it reminded me of that famous quote, which I’m probably gonna botch by Maya Angel of when it comes to, you know, people you encounter in your life, you might, may not remember, you might forget what they said.

Mm-hmm. You might forget what they did. You’ll never forget how they made you feel. 1000. And that’s, to me, if you ask me that question, I just hope that upon my end of life, folks could say he was someone who made me feel valued, respected, and in some ways empowered me and if not inspired me to do good in the world.

I love it. That, that, that’s it. The ultimate in branding is empowerment. So like, if you can empower your customers, that’s, you know, you can satisfy your customers, you can delight your customers, but when you can empower them mm-hmm. That’s when you’re really winning. I think little cities customers obviously are, are your, your, your people Yeah.

That you’re, you’re stewards for. We’re empowering them. You’re empowering them. It’s absolutely the ultimate branding play. Yep. Um, so, uh, let’s, let’s empower our listeners a little bit. You’re a CEO. There’s a lot of people out there that right now are middle management. Maybe they’re just starting their career out.

Maybe they’re on the edge of, of deciding to go start their own business, where they’re gonna find they’re gonna put themselves in charge. Maybe they’re about to put their application in to go from VP and they want that CEO role. They’re gonna go for it. So talk a little bit about what it takes to be a CEO and like, if you could, uh, we’ve talked about your people, we’ve been humble.

I want you to not be humble now, I want you to, I want you to give us the goods. Like what does a, CEO, what does it take, uh, to be a CEO from the grit that you need to, um, the strategic thinking to when everyone’s resting, you’re not, whatever your perspective is, but like, what does it take to be an effective CEO?

The first thing that comes to mind is having the right mindset. And there’s, there’s two mindsets that I, I live by and I think I’ve been living by, but just recently over time, found the right words for it. And one mindset is having a growth mindset. Hmm. Believing that you could always grow and you can always learn that the learning doesn’t stop.

I am a prolific reader. I listen to books, I read books, listen to podcasts. Uh, I, I’ve been doing this for decades, a couple decades. Okay. So that’s interesting to me. Back, back, back to like, during my commutes to work, I would. Get business books on cd. Yeah. And, uh, from the library. Yeah. And pop ’em in and just listen and learn and listen more and check out the next book.

So having that growth mindset of just always being eager to learn and never getting to a place where you feel like you’ve got it. I’ve got it now. Yeah. Yeah. I got it. There’s nothing more I need to learn. I’ve been doing this for a couple years and there’s nothing more I need to learn. I, I feel like that is something that, of the successful leaders I’ve seen, it’s those folks who are constantly learning and are willing to accept that you might not have all the answers.

Because I think the, the common misperception is, well, if you’re the CEO, you should have all the answers. I find the, as I’ve so to speak, climb the ladder, the less answers I’ve had. And it’s about finding and building those relationships with the right people who do have the answers. Who knows someone who knows someone who, mm-hmm.

Answers. Mm-hmm. And, and working and building those relationships with people to find the solution and working together again as a team to overcome those challenges and not having to take all the, the burden of being the solver of every life issue. So one is the growth mindset. The second one is having a giving mindset.

And when I say giving mindset is I’ve, I’ve, John, I don’t know where I learned this. I wish I could tell you like, well, if you read books this like, I, I don’t know where I learned this, but I’ve taken the, the, the philosophy for every person I’ve ever supervised is how can I make them better? How can I give them everything I know, every piece of knowledge, uh, share any skill that I might have to pass on to them?

And when you begin to look at life, that through that lens of like, everyone can grow. And if I can just give it my all to someone else and give to them versus just take from them of, what can I get out of you John, versus what can I give John? It, it shapes that mindset. Yeah. Uh, where it, it opens up possibilities that you never would’ve thought of.

And so I think that starts there. Uh, pause there if you have any questions on it. ’cause I could go to Daily Grind. I, I have, I’ve never been a CEO, but I, I have been in leadership for a long time and I’ve always felt that, I’ll just give you an idea. Like the, the CEOs that I’ve, that I’ve really appreciated the most were the ones who, um, helped me arrive at the right answer instead of giving me the right answer.

Mm-hmm. And then, um, even though I knew that they helped me arrive at the right answer, they gave the credit to me for coming up with the answer. Right. And it was kind of like our own little secret. Between the two of us. Like, you know, I couldn’t have come to that answer without you, but then you gave me the credit for getting the answer.

Like, that’s awesome. So that, that, that’s that giver kind of a thing. Um, the other thing is, is, um, I’ve always thought that it’s amazing to get people to do things that they didn’t even think were possible or within them. It’s like getting them to do things that you didn’t think they could do is one thing.

Getting them to do things that they didn’t even think they could do. That’s a whole nother level. And I feel like that’s something that CEOs that are really effective pull that off. Yeah. That, that makes sense. And, and I think the, you know, going back to the, the, the giving mindset is we, we are encountering so many challenges in the work we do.

I mean, there’s just. Infinite challenges that we, that we face, whether it be funding or, uh, crisis involving and maybe someone we’re serving. And there’s no manual, just like when, you know, covid hit us, there was not a manual to say, okay, step one, do this. That is where we have to rely on each other and have to be humble enough to just say, again, I don’t have all the answers.

And to your earlier point of asking the right questions of like, okay, how do we solve this? Well, how, how will we handle this? And then through that process, the answers tend to emerge. And I’ll say, most of the time they’re not coming from me. And, and that’s the the part where, you know, if my, my kids ask me, you know, they don’t, ’cause they’re 11 and six, they’re almost seven.

It’d be pretty cool if they did. They don’t, they don’t understand what I do. I mean, but you know, to, from their perspective, my job is. Responding to emails. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So like that, that, that’s it. Uh, but like, again, I feel like that is how I was, um, the, the, the successful leaders I’ve seen in my life, whether it be near or far, were those folks mm-hmm.

That, uh, were that. Put the onus on you as you put it, and say, okay, how would you solve this situation? You, you’re running into this challenge. What are your thoughts in solving this challenge? And to me, that’s part of the giving mindset of just like giving you the opportunity to solve your own challenge.

Yeah, it, decision makers, this might sting frustrated with IT issues, security threats, and the stress of your technology infrastructure. Your technology should blend seamlessly with your business objectives. Technology infrastructure management with limited resources can be exhausting and counterproductive.

Do have an MSP, but still have problems and technical hiccups. GSDs advisement, proactive maintenance, cutting edge cybersecurity, cloud solutions, data backup and local 24 7 help desk can change the game. Your technology should outpace your business operations to allow for growth and proactive strategies should prevent issues before they arise.

Get back your time and your money with GSD Drive business forward. Leave the technology to gsd gsd now.com, helping you to arrive at it. And by the way, I also think that that’s important because you want to create, you want to create CEOs like you, you wanna find your replacement Yeah. Within the organization, right?

Like you want to create, if you have, you know, six CEOs in the waiting, your organization is automatically a hundred times more effective. But let’s not kid ourselves here, as we said earlier, like you’re running a business. So what are the, what are the some of the most important fundamentals of running a business and your opinion that really focus on like.

Do you have like a daily checklist? Um, I’ll, I’ll, I’ll put it in this fashion, like a swing routine, right? I have a swing routine when I’m golfing. Like, like I, I, I’m gonna check all these different gauges before I make that swing. Sure. So what, like, how do you attack a day in that regard? Yeah. No, it’s a good question.

I, I think it, I, I’m a big believer in developing habits. Uh, the success of organizations like ours or any organization is contingent on the habits that that organization has. Okay. In place. And for me, it starts with me. If I’m gonna be the leader of an organization, if I’m the CEO of the organization, I have to have healthy habits.

Mm-hmm. Uh, whether it be, you know, staying healthy from diet wise, exercise wise, sleep wise, starting with those core. Yeah. ’cause I’m useless if I’m not getting sleep. If I’m not eating healthy and I’m not gonna sit here and claim that I eat healthy. ’cause I, I don’t, I could always do better. Uh, trying to do better with exercise peace.

I do sleep fairly well for the most part, but starting with those core things. Mm-hmm. I think without that, nothing else really matters Beyond those core things, I, I really believe it’s important for myself or any other person who’s in a, in a leadership role is to carve out time to think. Now we are so into the busy work of respond to this email, then that email, then this email, then take, handle this phone call or follow up with this.

But I think it’s important. And that’s fascinating. And I’ve actually carved out in my calendar each week a time for just like weekly reflection and time to think. Uh, what I’ve, what I’ve done is, um, I set goals for myself every week, and then I have a daily goal. Mm-hmm. And then I reflect on that goal each night of what I wanna accomplish the next day.

Uh, I’ve something I just started doing, gosh, maybe several months ago, uh, is I’ve, it sounds really awkward and weird, like, why would you do this? I bought an a physical calendar, and so what I do is once a week, whether it be on a Friday or a a Sunday before the work week, I will look at my Outlook calendar and I’ll hand write my schedule for the week.

It’s like that second solidification. Yes. And, and look at the next month, two, three months down the road. Sometimes more, but it’s the process of like actually writing this down. It sounds like that’s so redundant. No, it’s the thought now, oh wait, I have this meeting next week, this leadership meeting, what are we gonna talk about that meeting versus I, it’s always paying me, and I’m guilty of this myself, of we might have a leadership meeting and then, oh, uh, let me come up with an agenda that morning.

Mm-hmm. Let me send you the agenda versus being planful. Like, no, what, what’s gonna be the meaningful conversation we’re gonna have? Mm-hmm. We’re gonna be some of the difficult decisions that we’re gonna make at that meeting versus let’s just show up to the meeting to give each other updates on what’s going on.

So it’s that, that planful, methodical process I found the least be helpful of recreating that physical calendar is forcing me to think strategically is I’m now in a place, uh, where I feel like my role as CEO is really making sure that our vision is crystal clear of not just the next year, but the next 10 years.

At the same time focusing on our strategies of how we’re going to get there. And it’s very hard to do that if you’re just in constant operational mode. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Task mode. So what I’ve found is those thoughts come to you when you’re going for a walk, uh, when you’re just taking that time to just think or doing some other relaxing exercise where your mind can wander.

Yeah. It’s amazing that you say that because I had, I had a complete trip, right, like a mind trip when I was in the director level for the first time. And, uh, CEO said to me, we don’t pay you to do anymore. We pay you to think. Yeah. And I was like. What had just happened. Right. What just happened because my whole, you know, 20 years of my career was just be, be on the top of the leaderboard, be the doer.

Right. Get it done. Just go, go, go. And then to have somebody actually say, stop doing for a second. Start thinking like, we need you to think what’s the next thing? Right? It, it kind of, it kind of blew my mind. So how do you do that? Is, is it a meditative state? I know you had said like, the walking is like, I do.

And again, I could do better at this. I, I do meditate sounds crazy. Five minutes every day and I, and I five minutes more than I do morning. And I, I have this app, it’s called like Insight Timer. Mm-hmm. I’m on a streak where I’ve not broken the streak in years. No kidding. So I, I feel like the, that’s discipline.

It’s discipline. There was a book I read. It was right around covid called Atomic Habits. I’ve, I’ve read the same book, James Clear. I read it. Yeah. I read it. Uh, it changed my world. Oh my gosh. The tail end of 2023. The beginning of 2024. Yes. I read that book. You did. Completely changed My world. It it, yeah.

Unbelievable. Yes. It, because what was so fascinating about that book was just do a tiny little action things and make it fun. One little action, make it fun, make it simple, visible versus I’m gonna run a marathon. You know, like, let’s just get the shoes on first. The shoes on. Exactly. Exactly. And, and so it, it was right around that time, John, where I, it was like I had to, I think it was 2020 maybe.

2020. Yes. In Covid. I remember that, that specifically. That’s awesome. Of, okay, what are some small things I’m going to do every single day and I don’t wanna break the streak. Yeah. And one of them is meditating every day. Uh, the other thing I I do is, um. Do like a series of stretches every morning, including situps, some, like right when you get out of bed kind of a thing or?

I would say yes. It depends, depends on the day. I would say mostly within that first hour of, and it’s all scheduled like it’s on you. You have like reminders or you now the habit is established and you’re good. The habit established. I used to have reminders. Okay. Yeah. And I used to have it on my schedule, but now it, it’s just habits here.

I don’t wanna lose my streak. Mm-hmm. And it’s such a, that such a weird game. You’re competing with yourself. No, I’m fully competing with myself. Yes. It’s freaking awesome. So and so if Yeah. Whether it be sit ups, just basic stretches and uh, it just really helps warm the body up. Mm-hmm. Ready to go. And it’s like they say mind, body, soul.

You gotta get ’em all kind of moving in the right direction. So do you have it stack? I. When you say habit stacked, you mean having a habit on top of a habit? Like if Yeah. Exercising, listening to a podcast. Well, yeah. So yeah. What I, what I did, like, I was try, I said, okay, so I need to get back to like doing pushups.

Mm-hmm. The best I ever like, felt about myself when I was doing 400 pushups a, a day. And I kind of have lost that. So I gotta get back to that again. So let’s make note of that. We’ll re I’m gonna make a clip just to remind myself, uh, ’cause we’re getting a little soft. Uh, but, uh, what I was doing was I knew that every single day I was gonna come into work and I was going to flip open my laptop.

So that is a habit. Yeah. So what I did was I stacked a habit on that habit that, and I created like a Pavlov’s dog kind of a scenario that every time I opened my laptop in the morning, I had to do a hundred pushups, a hundred pushups. There you go. So if associated with the, okay. Right. And then, so, so then I was like, okay, well if I’m gonna do 400, I need to stack it onto another thing.

So it was like, well, I know I’m gonna go out to lunch every day. Right? That’s a habit. I’m gonna go do that. So before I could leave for lunch, I had to do a hundred pushups. Okay. And so like, it, it just kind of, and then next thing you know, you, you get going for a streak. I unfortunately lost my streak and put more of my emphasis into hitting golf balls.

But nonetheless, habit stacking is awesome. It’s, it’s, and building those habits, the book. Yeah. Yeah. It is. And I mean something else, when you talk about just habits, I am always listening or reading something and people are like, I don’t know where I find the time to read or, or listen, I. You know what I’m reading and listening or, or specifically listening, it’s on my commute.

Mm-hmm. To and from work. Yeah. I’m listening to a book. Uh, if I am, sometimes I’ve gone to the extent of when I’m brushing my teeth, listening to a book or doing laundry. You’re ha like, I’m doing laundry. I’m, I’m listening to a book. You’re innately habit stacking. Yeah. But, and I hate doing laundry, but I do my own laundry and I’m listening to a book while I’m doing it.

Yeah. So it, there, there’s windows there. Mm-hmm. To do these things that, uh, it’s just, yeah. To your point, habit stacking. Uh, but also there’s some times things that, uh, just need to be replaced. Like if I’m doing one thing, why am I doing that? How can I replace that time with something else? Yeah. Okay. So what’s, what’s in the, what’s on the, the list right now?

What are we listening to right now? What are we reading right now? You wanna know? Yeah, I do. This is actually embarrassing. Okay, cool. I love that. I love that about you, so I love that for you. Okay, I’m gonna preface this. My wife is a Swifty. Okay? Mine too. And I. I’m gonna say this publicly. I, she converted me and I’m a swifty.

You’re now a Swifty. I’m now a Swifty. All right. There it is, folks. There it is. We are fortunate enough to see her live. And by the way, I got a text from her. She was waiting for you for a long time. She said, when did, when is, I know you work with Rich Bobby. Like, when do you think that he’s going to become a fan?

I’m like, I can’t, you know, I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve, I’ll send him a note or whatever. Like, we really love him and he’s got a golf tournament coming up that raises awareness and money and, and for a fabulous cause. But like, I, I, Taylor, I can’t make the guy be your fan. Like, so I’m sure he, I appreciate you when she listens to this episode, when she listens to all of the Get Shit Done Experience episode, probably habit stacking.

Yes. While she’s writing her next hip, her next song, she’s listening to this podcast. Likely you better believe it. Yeah. High odds. Very high odds. So, um, so. Yeah. So you’re a swifty now. So I’m a swifty now. And so back to your question, like what am I listening to right now is, it’s a book actually written by, uh, a professor out of Harvard is the strategic genius of Taylor Swift.

Really from a business perspective, which you could make the argument that she absolutely is. She is. And what it, what this book is doing is it’s taking you through her career and how she’s making these solid strategic business decisions of like, moving from country to pop was a very strategic decision, but how she did it was incremental.

So she didn’t, you know, she sprinkled some like one at a time and then well, yeah, we get into the, ’cause I really sound like a swifty. I’m like, oh, in her red album she, uh, oh boy, here we go. Woo. She still had some country elements. Mm-hmm. But then she threw in some pop just, yeah. She didn’t just jump to a pop album.

She did not like fiance did that. Beyonce just went like, I’m going, I’m doing a country album. Maybe that works for some, but just, but this was a strategy. Yeah. This is very strategic. It was far less, all 100% pop. Yeah. Far less polarizing of a way because Beyonce just said, I’m doing a country album. And, and like half the people are like, oh no, you’re not.

You can’t do that. That’s not country. And I’m not getting into that argument, but I think it is really strategic and smart to kind of just like sprinkle in your versatility. Yeah. And then slowly make the transition so you’re not losing fans to gain fans. That’s it. That’s it. And, and why I bring it back to, uh, or the intent of this book is yes, it’s about Taylor Swift and gives her history, uh, but there is a lot of lessons to be learned on how when you make those incremental changes, you have pushback from your original core.

Mm-hmm. All your, yes. Your fans, your customers, or in our case families. So I’m thinking about it as CEO of Little City. We are currently looking at a strategic growth, uh, plan, uh, to really look at how are we going to grow, not for the sake of growing, but growing strategically so that we are providing higher quality services to the current folks we’re serving.

Mm-hmm. As well as expanding the services and supports to new people. So improvements and diversification. Yes. Because you, you don’t wanna lose your core of what you do, but how do you branch out? And if you look at, I dunno, apple, they made computers, right? Mm-hmm. People think about Apple, you think about iPhones, you think about iPads.

Like that was very, they started off with that computer that was like the Macintosh man was back in the day, in the late eighties. I can remember hacking away doing book reports on that thing. Yeah. So, uh, so that’s what I’m listening to. I love it. I, I It’s out. I love that for you. Yeah. I’m curious now.

Ready? So for it. Let’s, let’s just, let’s just, let’s just grind them up a little bit here. We’re going, we’re gonna just, we’re gonna mess with some people. Alright, so, Taylor Swift, Uhhuh, Travis Kelsey, right? She’s had every NFL game rooting on her boyfriend, rightfully so. Sure. Other players have their wives there.

What’s the big deal? What is the big deal? At the same time, the television channel that is pushing that game out goes well, we’ve got a unbelievable businesswoman here who’s got hit after hit and has billions of fans. Why wouldn’t we put the camera on her? Mm-hmm. So here’s the tough question that we’re gonna ask you.

Yeah. Where are we going with this? Are they really dating or is this a business? Business? Is that a, because I gotta tell you, Travis been getting some endorsements. Yes, he is. Oh my gosh. He’s on everything right now, right? So’s this brother. Yeah. Um, is that the swifty effect? Were they, were they a match made from the, the, you know, from the agencies, if you will?

The agents. Agents, like, you know, how do we really make some money? I mean, it’d be pretty b to get them some endorsements. We put this, the, one of the most popular players in the NFL together with the most popular pop country artists. We put them together, we dominate every deal, every market. Every market.

So do they really love each other or is it a deal? I’m, I’m going to, I. Respond for the benefit of my lovely wife, that it was love at first section. Okay. Yes. Plus Taylor’s Li listening. So very political, and you’re in politics now in Huntley, so you took a very political answer. Safe. Fair enough. I’m gonna do a podcast about my views and opinions I might not be able to do on this channel.

We’re gonna do that on a different channel. So it might be one episode from my kitchen table, um, with no logos or anything. It’ll just be the, the JMO show. Uh, fascinating stuff. So we’ve talked about kind of your present and now you just mentioned that you’re expanding, you want to grow, you want to grow through providing better service.

What does better service look like for a little city? Right, right. Well, you know, again, our, the folks we serve, uh. Have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Uh, many have mental health challenges is, you know, providing them with going back to the tools to enrich their lives. Mm-hmm. Having their lives be so fulfilling and meaningful that each day they feel like they’ve just given a part of themself to the, to the universe.

Yeah. And as we go, yeah. And as we expand services, you know, right now the, the waiting list for people who have disabilities is like over 15,000 people in the state of Illinois alone. Can we plan a flag here real quick? Yeah. One of the biggest 5 0 1 c threes in the Chicagoland area. No, we’re not, I don’t know if we’re the biggest for this, for this, for this, um, top five genre of like, of business, the size of our budget.

It, many of us. There’s many of you, but you, you’re one of the biggest 1, 2, 3 in your field, your specific 5 0 1 C3. I think we’re in the top five. That’s pretty awesome. Pretty awesome. So offering the best type of environment, making them feel so fulfilled, like how are we gonna do that? Right, right. Well, and again, it starts with vision.

I think if we are working from the place of every individual who has disabilities has the right to be part of their community and integrated into a community, having someone they call a friend, building skills, much like you and I want to do, I mean, that’s all, that’s what we want in our life. We want to have friends.

We want to have a community that we’re a part of. We wanna learn and grow. ’cause if we’re not learning and growing, then are we just dying? Mm. I mean, so that’s what we want for folks that have disabilities. And right now, because of the lack of services and supports, uh, funding in general, there are countless folks who have disabilities right now who are maybe sitting at home, uh, who now are in their twenties, early twenties, thirties, waiting to get their lottery ticket to get services because they’re on this waiting list.

And so, one thing, what we’re doing as we started a private pay adult service for, uh, adult, uh, recreational service that includes recreational opportunities, art, uh, that is very much community driven, where if someone is on the waiting list, they can still access the service. Or if someone is maybe not on the waiting list for services, they can still access this service.

And we would meet them where they are. But ultimately we wanna be able to serve more folks and not necessarily wait for the state to select them for services. Yeah. So that’s one angle that we’re looking at. Okay. Uh, little bit more of you’re controlling your own destiny kind of a thing. Yeah. Yeah. And our team has done amazing job.

It’s, it’s called Life in Motion. Mm-hmm. Uh, they, I didn’t name it, our team did. Uh, yeah. It’s, uh, ’cause it really is life in motion. So that, that just started up, uh, back in December and we already have a, a couple folks that have already participated in this service. And then we opened a community mental health center in Chicago about two, three weeks ago to provide services for children and families who have autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as mental health challenges, uh, that does accept Medicaid, which is rare to find because so many.

Uh, folks, uh, that have Medicaid, it’s hard to find services in general. Mm. So that just opened about three weeks ago and we’re very excited about that. Congrats. Yeah. So if I have a child mm-hmm. Uh, or, um, I know of a, an adult, um, that has, uh, intellectual disabilities or other disabilities, um, and would want to be part of Little City, is that coming through the government or does the family have a say in that?

Does the family push the government? Does the family contact little city? Like, how does the model work where people end up part of your community, um, and, and, uh, getting the care and, and, and, um. Teaching and everything that you offer. Sure. Yeah. It’s really multiple directions. Uh, one is yes, a family could reach out to us.

Okay. And if they don’t already have the support for government funding, we would help them get on that list to waiting list, so to speak. So you’ll hold their answer the process. Absolutely. Absolutely. Awesome. Uh, and even though if we don’t benefit from it, it’s just, that’s just what we do. ’cause it, we care about folks brain experience.

Yeah. And, and so the other part of this is, um, we’ll get referrals maybe from the state, whether it be through DCFS, if they’re a child. Uh, might be through a, what they called as this, uh, individual service coordinating agency that would work with that family’s community. And they would refer, uh, their family, that family’s loved one to us.

And then for our school, we get referrals from school districts. Okay. Uh, that. Our, our school is just remarkable. I mean, we are serving kids that no one else has been able to serve. Mm. Uh, kids who have very severe autism, uh, many, you know, not just, you know, nonverbal, but have high behavioral support needs.

And so we’ve created a school that is by far serving some of the kids that have the highest behavioral support needs in the state of Illinois. And it’s serving ki the school is serving kids. Right now. We serve about 30 school districts where. Their home district was unable to serve them safely because they did not have the resources Yeah.

And supports. But ultimately, parents make the decision if they want their child, their student, or their child to come to our school. Yeah. So it’s all parent driven. That said, what the sad state of Illinois right now is in many kids are being transitioned out of state because there’s not the capacity in Illinois to serve them.

Hmm. And so we at Little City are really trying to drive and be part of that solution of how do we continue to support children and adults who have especially severe autism in a manner where their family doesn’t have to pick up and move or they need to transition obviously. So you, you have to expand with more facilities, more brick and mortar?

Well, it, it may not even be brick and mortar order, it might be community-based services. Okay. Uh, like what we’re doing in our Chicago office. Yeah. Uh, so it could be, it could be that, but. Ultimately the, the challenge that we run into is workforce, is, you know, finding qualified folks who have the heart, uh, mindset to want to do this most challenging work.

Mm-hmm. And so any expansion we do in services, it’s about, yeah. Are we gonna have the team enough people to be able to Yeah, because you have to have a ratio, right? You have to have, like, you know, for every three, you have to have one kind of thing. Yeah. It depends. Yeah. We have one from one to one to one to three.

Yes. Yeah. There, there are ratios. And then our more intensive school, we have what’s called Thrive. Uh, we have five, four students in a classroom for one-on-ones a teacher, a teacher assistant, a board certified behavior analyst, a speech and language pathologist, uh, occupational therapist. So we’re surrounding students who have some of the most high support needs.

But the challenge right now, John, is that when those same students turn 22. The funding’s cut. Wow. Whether it be from a school district or through a residential setting. So we’ve been really advocating on our front. Uh, so that’s been a big part of my job as well as being the CEO is advocating from a legislative perspective of why is it somebody’s getting these supports when they’re 21 on Monday, and then on Tuesday they turn 22, they still need the same supports.

Yeah. And so we really advocating for, they just throw ’em out into society. Like they, you know, that, that’s it. Back to the family. That’s it. Like the family’s not prepared for that and society isn’t prepared for that. This is, and, and you’re, you’re taking somebody who is already in a mental capacity that isn’t.

Equivalent to the blessings that we have. So can’t really cope with that the way that we could. And you’re just kind of uprooting ’em like that can’t happen. Right. And and it’s no one’s fault? No. I mean, it’s the way, this matrix way, they’re better. Yeah. I mean, it just, the way the individual is born, they have higher support needs and so we, we do have families who, uh, they, they cannot safely go back to their family because they would be a risk of either wandering in the middle of the night, uh, out the door while they’re sleeping or physically hurting themselves or their family members.

And, you know, that’s where our supports have been so successful. And it, it’s very, you know, the next, you know, the big piece here is it, it’s painful to see that the supports drop off simply because of an arbitrary number. Mm-hmm. And so we’re advocating that the supports continue beyond the age of 22. And already in the school system, there was a law that allows students to finish out their school year if they turn 22.

But that, that’s great. It’s great progress, but it’s not enough. We, we need to do better as a system for folks who have disabilities and especially those who have very high support behavioral needs that have autism. There’s, um, yeah, I just wrote, uh, an article that I’ve been mulling over for I’d say over a year.

Uh, I just titled it Seeing the Unseen. And the premise of this is just trying to give folks a snapshot of some of what our families experienced day in and day out. Because we often will see, you know, someone who has autism with an intellectual disability, uh, do amazing things that we should absolutely celebrate from, you know, bagging groceries at a grocery store to, you know, starting their own business.

Yeah. Or, you know, doing some major work with, uh, rocket science. You know, whatever. You, you, you see these stories and they’re all successful and we need to celebrate those stories. Mm-hmm. At the same time, this is not an or this is an and, and we also need to recognize that the spectrum, especially for autism, is so wide that the folks that.

We, we forget about, are not always out in the community because they’re not always safe enough to be on the community because their family does not feel safe enough to bring them out in the community. So to bring their, their child to say McDonald’s, they may have the fear that their child, because they severity of their disability, not because of bad parenting, because the severity of their disability, that they may have this fear that they’re gonna hop over the counter and grab, grab the fries outta the fryer.

’cause they don’t understand that the fryer’s gonna be hot or grab other people’s food. Yeah. ’cause they don’t understand that that’s food’s not my food. Yeah. And it’s no one’s fault, but there are individuals who have that level of severity and we don’t wanna forget about them. Mm-hmm. They should be seen too.

And they should deserve the same supports and there’s opportunities for them. There’s, we’ve seen massive successes for individuals who have those high support needs. So they’re not, uh, let’s just. Yeah. Keep them unseen. Yeah. We need to keep them seen. Absolutely. And as you mentioned, that spectrum is wide.

It is. My wife just said to me this morning, ’cause we watched the Bob Dylan movie, which by the way, oh, I wanna see it. Oh my gosh, rich, it’s so good. I wanna see it. It’s so good. You gotta watch it. But I love Bob Dylan. So now we’re in this like, what’s the planet time? You know, we’re like saying that to each other.

You, he and you. Didn’t you, you know, we’re doing that like to each other, like, did you make dinner, you know, doing that. Um, so yeah, it really hit us. But she, she’s now, so now she’s like reading about him because she wasn’t like a, a fan or whatever. It doesn’t, so now she’s bringing, so I come down to make a cup of coffee this morning.

She goes, did you know that Bob Dylan was on the spectrum? And I’m like, first off, how would they know that? But you know what, there’s a strong likelihood of that. The music that that person wrote was unbelievable, but he was so socially awkward. He wore sunglasses all the time. And so like when you think about the spectrum of what you just said.

Yeah, I can totally see that. Yeah. The number one golf influencer, uh, on Instagram and, and YouTube and TikTok or, uh, TikTok is, um, I. Is autistic. Okay. And, um, so he like, won’t play in any tournaments, but he’ll, he goes to these really hard courses and shoots like a 63 Wow. On camera and like the whole time he’s just, he’s just kind of, it’s his superpower.

Yeah. And so like when you see that spectrum, we tend to think of that. Part of it where the person’s got autism. Yeah. So like they just, you know, maybe don’t make eye contact with you, but they could play Mozart. Right, right. We think of that person, but there’s a whole nother level of like, on the other side of the spectrum, where these people really need love, support, care, ongoing 24 7.

24 7. Yeah. And they’re a danger to themselves. Um, without knowing that they are, they’re a danger, uh, to without the right support. Yeah. And, and, and, and, and not with the intent. There’s no intent. They just don’t, they’re not operating with the same facilities. So they need the love and support and guidance, um, that you guys offer, which is just, it’s, it’s fantastic.

Yeah. We, we do what we can to be part of the solution. Yeah. And the, the needs are just infinite and the resources are limited. So, so Rich, I want to ask you some crazy questions and then we’ll, we’re gonna tie this with a nice, beautiful bow at the end. Okay. But I want to ask you some crazy questions here real quick.

That’s, and I think there Swift No, but we already hit that part of the segment. Um, but I, I, I just want to kind of get to know, I want some of your wisdom, if you don’t mind. Like, I’ve really enjoyed this and I think you’re, you’re very thoughtful. And when I say that, I mean from the heart and the mind.

Thank you. Um, and so I, I just have a couple things that I, I wanna learn from you, if you don’t mind. Um, so what’s more important, happiness or joy?

It depends on how you define both. I would, I would say joy because I. Our definition of happiness oftentimes is feel good all the time when the reality is that’s not, that’s not practical for me to just feel constant happiness every single moment of life. Because if I’m doing that, I’m denying another part of life, which is struggle, challenge.

Mm-hmm. That we all need to experience, in my humble opinion, to grow and learn from, to get to that place of joy, of just like you just, life is joy. Mm-hmm. Uh, and happiness, you know. Riding a rollercoaster is, it could be a happy moment, but are you gonna ride a rollercoaster for, you know, a whole year straight?

Oh, now without vomiting. Exactly. Exactly. That’s, that’s my point. Yeah. Uh, so yeah, joy, I love that. And I, I think I agree with that and I’ve really been trying to figure that one out. I think, I think, um, happiness like is, is, is amazing and awesome. But, um, if you could have joy through adversity, like you rarely are happy while you’re having adversity, right.

But you could still have joy while you’re doing that. Like, I think of, I, I, everything takes me back to golf. So I just think like, if I double bogey a hole, I’m not happy. Mm-hmm. But I’m playing golf and I’m in nature and I’m amongst friends, so I’m still joyful. Right. That’s a good way of putting it. So that kind of like sits with me.

I love your answer. Yeah. Okay. So if you were given. If you could give us two things that you are, you think are right with the world and two things that you think are really wrong with the world, what would they be? Good question. Two things that are right with the world is that I, I do believe most people wanted to do good in life.

I, I, I, I do believe that. Yeah. I know. Despite what we might see in social media, tv or on the internet in general, I believe most people wanna do good and it might have different perspectives, different political opinions. At the, at the core of this though, they’re coming from a place of good and their definition of good might just be different than your definition or my definition of, uh, another right thing in the world is that, uh.

I, I feel that our children today, uh, despite, you know, all of the challenges that they might be thrown their way, uh, are eager to learn and, and grow. Uh, and I see this personally with my own two kids is that they’re, they are curious. Yeah. So I think that the fact that the curiosity oh, is steal there in life, that inspires me seeing my own two kids.

Mm-hmm. Um, and just seeing them wanting to figure out life Yeah. In general. So versus I don’t care about anything. And do you feel like they’re kinder too than when we were growing? ’cause there was, I, when we were growing up, it was like there was always a fight. Like there was always bullying. I feel like they’re kinder now.

I’m fortunate. Yeah, I would say so. Because you know what’s, here’s the challenge not to derail. ’cause I will answer your this. Yeah. The other part, well, I derailed it. This is my fault. That’s okay. We’ll come back and get it. Is that right now when my 11-year-old is having a fight with his friend and hopefully he doesn’t listen to this podcast, but we know it because my wife can see his chats.

Mm, yeah, yeah, yeah. And we were intentionally staying out of it. Yeah. And I keep telling him, her like, don’t let him work through it. Let him work through it. And it’s his back and forth like mm-hmm. And I was telling her, I said, you know, the difference between today and then, first of all, I’m just so proud of him, of how he responds to a fight.

Mm-hmm. Is he’ll just say like, oh really? That was mature. Oh, I’ll just walk away. Yeah. Yeah. So he’s, you know, he’s handling it very well. So I’m very proud of him. He’s being bigger. He Yeah, he’s being, yeah. Better, right? Yeah. Yeah. He is being better. Um, but at the same time, the difference is we actually see that today, but when we were kids, like my mom would never have access to my fights with my friends No.

Or arguments and name calling of each other. So, uh, the, the fact that I could see his politeness mm-hmm. And his, uh, being bigger and better is, is pretty cool. Yeah. Yeah. So I do, I do believe that, at least with my kids, I’m fortunate. Alright. Too bad with the world. What are two bad things? I, I think we often don’t stop to listen to each other as much as we could and, and seek to understand each other’s perspectives.

Hmm. Uh, we’re often jumping to I know what’s right and so I don’t even need to hear your point, John. Don’t even tell me your point. My, my point is right. Quiet, like, uh, yeah, you can say whatever you want. It’s not gonna change my Cut you down. Yes. Yes. And I, and I feel like at least this is just the perspective I found to be helpful and effective in my own life, is even if I disagree with somebody, to actually hear where they’re coming from, of like, why is it they came to that belief in the first place?

Even if the belief might be ridiculous, or if you think it’s ridiculous or if you think it’s flat out wrong, they came to the belief from somewhere, somehow. And, you know, there, there’s, um, something I read, I don’t remember where, where it came from off the top of my head, but it, it reminds me of, uh, like what you, um, you’re a Bears fan.

I am. Okay. My bet is that I’m just gonna pick some random country in Fiji. There’s not as many Bears fans as this area. Likely. Right. Well, because we’ve grown up in this area in Chicago, we’re immersed Yeah. In the world of the Bears and 85 Bears and everything else. Ab about the bears and the history of the bears.

But then there’s other countries, whether it be, uh, Abu Dhabi or Fiji or somewhere in, um, you know, Turkey. Turkey, you name it. They’re, they’re not talking about the Chicago Bears. No. So there’s something to be said about the environment that’s around us that kind of shapes our belief system. And I think it’s fascinating to learn about how one came to that belief system.

Yes. So someone might be like, what, what’s the big deal with the bears? And we might be offended. Mm-hmm. Like, because it’s bears. Because it’s part of our, it’s part of our world. Like, it’s part of our world. Right. Yeah. Right. And that’s a, a weak, so we shut each other down too quick. Yes. Yes. So shutting each other down too quick.

Uh, and then, you know, if I had to think about a second one is, um. I, I, I tie back to the shutting down quickly is that turns into sometimes hate or hate speech. Speech. Mm-hmm. Where, you know, and I, and I saw this, uh, sadly in my, uh, running for school board Mm. That you would think, uh, I was running for president.

I think that you, I think you’re a little nuts, to be honest with you, and it’s truly an honor. I’m excited about it. It’s, it’s an honor. But my gosh, like you, it’s not an easy honor. Like, there are some folks that like, take that stuff very serious and can be foreign in the side and, and well, right.

Rightfully so. I mean, you know, the folks who have very strong opinions about their kids’ education. So I think at the end of the day, yeah, I, I, I respect that piece. I think the part for me where it was really eye-opening and somewhat bothersome, uh, in this, is that I. Someone didn’t even know who I was and they hated me.

At least it would, it would post. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Their hate towards me. That’s crazy. And I don’t even know you, man, still, and this would be through social media, you know? So, and by the way, like if they spend like 10 minutes with you, it’d be like, uh, I should probably delete that. I mean, you, you have opposing views, but no need to hate you for having go.

Like, so, I mean, I, I don’t wanna end on that like a bad note. No, but it’s, but like, I think tho those are some things that, uh, I, I feel bothered by in our world. At the same time, I’m an eternal Optima optimist where I think that in the end. We’ll, we’ll, hope we’ll prevail, we’ll come to each other’s senses.

And I, and I have to believe, and I’ve seen it in pockets where I can have, you know, I’ll just use, um, I have a uncle that is like four years older. Okay. Me. So like, we’re around the same age. He lives in another state. Love the guy dearly. We have polar opposite viewpoints. Mm-hmm. But what I love about it is like he and I can just joke with each other about each other’s perspectives.

Yeah. Yeah. But I’m also learning about his perspective and why he, he’s like a chief of police for a small town and, but I’m learning about his world and like world disagree on anything. Because you have a different world. We do. We do. So we all think that we live in this one world. Yes. But we actually all live in our own version of a world.

We do. Yeah. Right, right. It’s a good way of putting it. And, and I think that is the piece where I, I do find that hope of like, look at, he and I can have a rational conversation. We’re not screaming at each other, yelling at each other, calling each other names. And, and walk away with like, well, that was a fun conversation.

Yeah. You know, and we still love each other. I love that. What’s the key to, uh, being a father? I wish I, you really want to know this one? I wish I knew. I was hoping to hear, to get in your answers. For you, in your version, what do you think has been effect most effective for you so far? Most, most effective for me is, um, I, I have to remember to keep my cool and not to overprotect.

Yeah. Yeah. Because it’s my natural inclination, inclination is to protect my, uh, two boys who I’d love dearly. And much like a, that now that, uh, story I was sharing with my, my son and him arguing with a friend is, uh, staying out of it and, and just letting him work through it. Because I, I do believe, uh, this is just my opinion that I, we, my wife and I.

We’ll not be doing our kids any service if we keep them in this protective bubble of never experience a bad moment, never experience a setback, never experience a failure. ’cause that was not my, my life. And I, I, I truly believe that setbacks, uh, challenges that we face, help us learn and grow and become stronger, more productive humans and many cases kind human beings.

Mm-hmm. And so for me, my, my goal for my two kids is that they will be respectful human beings when they are adults. I don’t really, it doesn’t matter to me. What they do in life is that they’re respectful. And in one of the most profound, uh, moments that made me choke up with my, my oldest son, uh, it was years ago, we were doing this parent-teacher conference.

And the teacher said, I. He is such a kind kid. There you go. That’s it. Thank you. Winning. Like I’m, I’m done. Yeah, drop it. That’s it. Just Emma’s just Mike. Oh yeah. That’s it. That’s all I want. But he’s doing this or he’s struggling with this and math or whatever it is. Like I don’t even care. Air he’ll figure that out.

He’s not being mean to other kids, thank God. But he’ll figure that out though. You, you, you and I both almost filled outta high school. I did fill outta college. Yeah. Like I, I’m, I’m kicking like you’re doing well. So like, you know, but I’ll tell you what I always was because my, my parents instilled it and it, it sounds like you, you had that and are, are doing that for your kids was like, it, it’s not hard to be kind.

Yeah. Like everyone can do it. So, and guess what? You’ll get a lot more outta life with sugar than you will with sour. Yeah. Um, so, uh, best advice that you were ever given. Best advice that you would give. And then we’re gonna tie this thing up and maybe the same That’s cool too. Is. I, I listened to this gentleman who passed away, and it’s ironic because I’m my insight timer.

As time went from my meditation, oh, a quote came up from him, uh, today. And, uh, it was something that I’ve really tried to live by. Just ironic that came up today. Uh, it was by this guy, his name was Dr. Wayne Dyer. Mm. Have you heard of this guy? I think so. Yeah. He was like one of those, like guru, spiritual guru.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because then I was really into, like, listening. I didn’t know he passed. Yeah. A number of years ago. Yeah. Um, he had like leukemia or something. But anyway, one of the things that, and I know he got it from someone, someone else, I’m sure, like we all do. Everything I’ve shared today, I, I got from someone else, but, uh, I, I learned it from him is to let go of the outcome.

Stop being so fixated on what the outcome is gonna be in life, and enjoy the experience of life. I remember worrying, whether it be in high school, to college, to, you know, job after, you know, job or my career of worrying what, what’s this gonna turn into? Am I paying it? What am I doing? Am I doing this right?

What, what’s gonna, what’s gonna be the end game of this? And, you know, letting go of the outcome. Like from a, you know what, just enjoy the journey of life and stop stressing. Yeah. And the, not to say, you know, the, this term I’m using that I, I feel like right now applies to like, especially our organization and many other nonprofits like us, is, um, yeah, we could let go of the outcome of, you know, worrying at the same time being productively paranoid.

So I’m not saying like, put our head in the sand Yeah. And say nothing’s happening around us and we’re not gonna listen to any challenges that are going on. Keep eyes and our eyes and ears open at the same time. Plan for all we can plan for. Because if I start planning for the infinite number of possibilities, I’m not gonna sleep John.

Mm-hmm. I’m not gonna be able to get to sleep. I’m not gonna be able to do anything productive because I’m gonna be obsessing about the constant rabbit holes we could go down in any given situation. So if, you know, letting go of the outcome to me is in the same sense of being that productively paranoid, we’re doing what you can do today at the same time, not obsessing about all the catastrophic things that could happen.

Yeah. You know? Um. I heard, uh, as a child, you know, people say like, enjoy the ride. Right? And you kind of like, you don’t know what that means. But one of the things I’ve been really working on is, is to not set expectations. Mm-hmm. Um, and expectations, I guess would be, you could say are outcomes, right? Um, but to be more focused on process, to be more focused on, uh, the present.

Yes. And kind of just being entrenched in the moment and finding beauty in, in the adversity or the joy, right. Or the, the, just the, the doing and not always looking at the scoreboard, uh, right. And then comparing yourself to not only what your goal was. ’cause let’s say you, you go to, you say, I’m gonna lose 30 pounds and you lose 24.

Did you fail? Or did you lose 24 pounds less, less pounds. Pretty damn good. Right? So I be, I’ve made that change. I love that advice. I think it’s, it’s, I think for anyone listening, I think it’s, it’s really calming too, um, to kind of set yourself free. Do you feel like you set yourself free in that regard? I do.

Like frees you up and Yeah. It’s like one of those situations where you wish you could go back to your earlier self. Oh my gosh. And just say, dude, chill out. Yeah. Relax man, relax. You hate up here. It’s gonna be okay. Yeah. It’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be okay. Yeah. And yeah, that’s for me, uh, it is freeing because we don’t know, one thing that’s guaranteed is we’re all going to die.

Mm-hmm. That’s guaranteed. And I saw this with my dad who died too soon. He had, uh, Lewy body dementia and it was really tragic. He was 68 when he passed, and I just. Saw these hopes and dreams that, you know, maybe you would talk about one day in the future. And what saddens me is, you know, he, he it’s not gonna happen.

Yeah. It’s not gonna happen. Uh, but he lived in those moments toward, especially towards the end of his life. And I, I just wanna do the same where I’m not worried about what is it gonna look like at retirement. And I’m not one, my wife, she’s, she’s counting the days retirement. I don’t like, I just, because you love what you do.

You love what I do. Yeah. And, and I just wanna enjoy the ride. Yeah. Enjoy the moment. I love it. Alright, so here’s a moment that all of you listening could enjoy and that moment would be on June 16th. Uh, again, we’re gonna put some information in there. You could join the cause, you could join the movement, you could join the collaboration of our teams, uh, for this amazing fundraiser and, uh, charity golf tournament.

The little, little city invitational. Yes. Uh, LCI, also known as LCI. And, uh, it’s, it’s just a fantastic event and for a fantastic cause. And I’m just curious, uh, rich, just w. I think people would know at this point that we do partner together, we do collaborate. Our ownership and our leadership team is so excited and happy to contribute, uh, as, as you at Little City say time, uh, talent and treasure.

Right? Uh, I know that’s a, a thing you say there. Yep. And, um, I think our team is really excited. I think you’re talked about your, maybe your ears are burning, uh, ’cause you’re talked about very often here at our organization. I think there’s a level of pride. You know how you have pri you have pride of brand for the company you work for.

I really enjoy when you work for a company who has pride of brand in the companies they support. So I’m just curious on your end, what’s it like working with the team at TTSG and GSD? Um, our ears are burning sometimes. Yeah. No, it’s, it’s been incredible. And, and I’ll share this, uh, I know you and Tim and I were talking earlier, uh, it’s nice to know I could sleep at night.

And not have to worry about a cyber attack, wiping out everything we have or one accessing everything we have when it comes to private, uh, information on, on the folks we support. And the the response we get is immediate. Uh, there’s not, uh, delays in issues. Uh, you know, we’re not waiting for a phone call back, you know, 48 hours later.

Response is timely. And I think the integration between your companies has been really helpful in many ways. And I’ll just, you know, again, share the part that really moves me is how you all have purpose too. It’s not just, uh, you know, a technology company, your companies, but you, what you give to organizations like us at Little City is so meaningful.

And I see the genuine love that Tim has. You have John for purpose-driven organizations like us. That I feel like we share the same purpose together, that we’re in this together and it doesn’t feel like. You’re a vendor. It feels like we’re a partner. Yeah. That’s the ultimate. Can’t thank you enough for being on the show.

We can’t wait to see you June 16th. Where is, where are we playing? Twin Orchards. Twin Orchards. Are you kidding me? Yes. By the way, I did play in the tournament last year. I saw you there. Yep. And, and, uh, it was pretty awesome. I did play really well that day. I did not. You did not. Well, we’re gonna get you on camera this time, so you better get to the range.

And, uh, rich, again, always, always great to speak with you. It’s great to be in the same room with you here for this collaboration. And sir, I wanna remind you, you got shit done. Well, thank you, John. Appreciate it. This has been a very pleasurable experience. Cheers.

Can your business handle 15% growth? If yes, you have to engage with 2020 design. They fuse data and creativity to stop the scroll, break through the noise, and grab the attention of your future customers. 2020 Design will create competitive click worthy campaigns. Design and build custom websites. Spark your social media presence and structure.

Email campaigns that get right to your audience, the decision maker. Let’s boost attention and awareness, which allows you to convert more sales. Check them [email protected]. That’s the number 20 T-W-E-N-T-Y design.com