September 4, 2011

When Evelyn Anderson wrote to "Your Business" a few months back, she had no idea the e-mail about her playground company would spark such interest. What we found in the city of Asheville was a really exciting business in need of some serious help. As a result, "Your Business" decided to assemble a rescue team and give Evelyn and her husband Jerry Hajek a much-needed push in the right direction.

Join the conversation ( 71 )

• Margaret Rekers 2 months ago

  

  Such a boust in a sort amount of time and money. Very inspiring. Thanks and hopefully Mike will help a lot of other businesses in de near future.

• Michelle Tennant Nicholson 4 months ago

  

  PS: This is such a great segment, I'm now using this to show others how important branding is to business. Well done!

• Terri L Maurer 5 months ago

  

  Great job of providing help in such a basic, yet concise manner. Nothing was presented in a way that could further overwhelm the already overwhelmed owners of Ashville Playgrounds. Bringing focus and direction to their branding and marketing will go a long way toward bringing in the new customers they want and need. It is heartwarming to see other local small businesses stepping up to help out colleagues. This is what will help bring our country through these difficult economuic times.

• Jorge Morales 5 months ago

  

  Wow man! I'm impressed about how much good Mike's done with Asheville Playgrounds. They're gonna inevitably do GREAT!!!

• Kathy Smyly Miller 5 months ago

  

  Awesome! So many business owners are struggling, and who will help them? I'm glad Mike Michalowicz and MSNBC are doing this.

• Karen Mazza 5 months ago

  

  It was such a rewarding experience to be a part of the makeover team. Evelyn and Jerry are on their way! - Karen Mazza, web developer for http://www.ashevilleplaygrounds.com.
  
  Karen Mazza
  Studio88
  http://www.thestudio88.com

• Troy Thompson 5 months ago

  

  This is awesome! It's great to see local businesses helping other local businesses! As business owners, we tend to work in vacuum- just us, our business, and our customers. But this shows what reaching out into the local community can do. I loved the idea of vendor referrals. Any ideas on how that might transfer to business that operates in the digital world (no products, just bits and bytes)? The trade show idea was a good one. Trade shows don't have to be just industry-related. Many local Chambers of Commerce hold business shows or networking events.
  
  The additive selling was something that any business owner should consider, whether it's with their products or products that their vendor partners provide. Also, as business owner, you are the expert, so offer your expertise in an advisory role to organizations (potential clients, but also planning committees and recreation departments).
  
  It took a lot of courage for Jerry and Evelyn to allow others to critique their business. Way to go!

• Yvonne Silva 5 months ago

  

  I love this story. I love how Mike and his team come and help the small business owner turn around their business. I desperately need this for my business. Being a small business owner and selling non-traditional health products, I can totally relate to the struggles. I've struggled to the point that I needed to go back to work just to keep my biz dreams afloat. Viewing this video I can take some ideas and implement them for my business. We need more people like Mike to help us!!! I wish Jerry, Evelyn, and Asheville Playgrounds ALL the financial and rewarding success. They deserve it!!! Now, where do I sign up?!?! :)

• Steve Silberberg 5 months ago

  

  How in the world does 1-800-Got-Junk get every possible TV gig? Surely there are other junk haulers that could use the exposure. Someone in that company must have some dirt on various network execs.

• Rosanne Dausilio 5 months ago

  

  Finally got a chance to watch, and glad I did. I especially like your razor sharp focus on the various aspects of business--any business- as well as your gentleness in moving them beyond their comfort level and exceeding their expectations. Bravo!

• Eula M. Young 5 months ago

  

  I love this segment on Your Business. Mike ROCKS! Looking forward to seeing more of these shows. Going to borrow some of those ideas for my own business.

• wood railing 5 months ago

  

  Wow! It's awesome to see a business from Western NC featured in this spot.
  I plan on using some of these insights in helping my business,
  Custom crafted, woven branch railings http://awoodrailing.com

• Michael Miller 5 months ago

  

  Mike great job! Words are thrown around too easy today about making the economy beeter. You put ACTION into making a difference in businesses today. Actions speak volumes- keep it up.

• Gina Nieves 5 months ago

  

  I love how you included the TPErs on the show. Mike - You Rock!

• Marlene Caroselli 5 months ago

  

  Mike is a natural--not only do his warmth and genuine desire to help clearly come across clearly, but his ideas and his ease on camera make him the Bob Villa of entrepreneurship! Perhaps the President should create a new Cabinet post and have Mike fill it--Secretary of Small Businesses!

• Lynn Edwards 5 months ago

  

  AWESOME!!! I can apply these ideas to my own business.

• Lynn Edwards 5 months ago

  

  AWESOME!!! Can apply many of the ideas to my own business.

• Tammy Berk 5 months ago

  

  Wow - Mike and his colleagues did a fantastic job! Where do I sign up? (And I even got some ideas to use as well - Vendor referrals first on the list!)...

• Ros Guerrero 5 months ago

  

  Bravo to Mike & team! What an amazing & heartwarming entrepreneurial story. Best to Evelyn & Jerry.

• Patty Foley 5 months ago

  

  Good Job Mike and crew. Amazing what can happen with creative people involved! Best luck to Evelyn & Jerry, may you enjoy the changes.

• Nicole Bienfang 5 months ago

  

  These tow have talent and passion! It was so great of you mike to share yours with them as well. I also liked finding out about Grasshopper, what a great resource!

• Nicole Bienfang 5 months ago

  

  These two have talent and passion! So great of you Mike to bring yours to them as well. I also liked finding out about Grasshopper, what a great resource!

• Aaron Jones 5 months ago

  

  That was great Mike! Seeing a mom and pop shop turn around like that with a little bit of insight and help from other business enthusiasts is exactly what is needed to bounce the economy out of this slump. It speaks to the American dream, and I'm certain those actions will inspire countless others to get themselves into a better position themselves.

• Ann Ranson 5 months ago

  

  I always watch Your Business - and thought this segment was another good one. The work with Mike was targeted and powerful. I liked both of the choices for new name and graphics, so that was a tough choice. I love the way that you helped to drill down to a few basic issues, and then tackled them one-by-one...good job!

• Carol Vare 5 months ago

  

  Fantastic job. Love the new name; very easy to remember.
  
  Best of luck to all and I look forward to watching your business grow!

• Shann Vander Leek 5 months ago

  

  Hey Mike, Great show! I love seeing you walk your talk. Small business owners are lucky to have you on their side. Right on brother! - Shann

• Nikki Rodriguez 5 months ago

  

  I enjoyed viewing the reinventing of this business. It was realistic and I felt that the improvements would
  definitely increase sales and open them up to a whole new customer base. They were receptive to the changes and genuinely wanted to make it work. I wish them the best of luck!

• Sarah Baldwin 5 months ago

  

  Mike --- This is a wonderful program! Love all the ideas and the fact that it will be helping American business makes this thE BEST! Lots of economic struggles for American's these days and most stem from the job market. It is so important that American's help each other with small business it is the key to our recovery.
  
  Here's another business to support.. www.goodnighties.com - this 100% MADE IN THE USA smart-fabric helps to neutralize the stress that our bodies produce ... it's pretty amazing if you need some sleep!
  Sweet dreams and keep up the great work!
  SARAH Baldwin

• Tina Holden 5 months ago

  

  wonderful Story and thank you for sharing. They embraced and accepted change of the process and welcomed others having input to their new forward success. Good luck to you both and again, wonderful Story, Dreams are meant to become reality, no matter how long it takes or how old we are.

• Rachel Speal 5 months ago

  

  It's so heartwarming to see the tremendous difference the makeover is for people. The giving and volunteering that take place are inspiring, and show that TPE is not just a great business, but a market leader.

• MichelleTennant 5 months ago

  

  Mike WTG! Wow, I am so impressed with your tips like "vendor referrals" and "additive sales." While I've done work with Mike as a publicist via his online vehicles, I was on vacation in Colorado when you came to my Smoky Mountain stomping ground: Asheville. Oh, how I would have loved to have been part of this business transformation. I'm especially delighted to see the front page coverage from our local paper and I would like to underscore the importance of online reviews from satisfied customers. I always say, "In PR, it used to be Page Six but in today's social media world it's Google page one." I hope Asheville Playgrounds sees tons of business from this transformation. Oh! And I have a few personal friends in the construction industry in WNC (Western North Carolina) ... I'll have to spread the good work they're doing. Really great segment everyone. I'm going to share it. Cheers. - Michelle

  • Evelyn Anderson 5 months ago

    

    Michelle, please come by and see us live and in person sometime. We're just outside of Biltmore Village. We were also thrilled to have an article in the paper, and one of Mike's great team, Dana Hughens with Clairemont Communications got us started with reviews on Yelp. We look forward to continuing on from her great start, and implementing all that we can of the advice we received!

• Dawn Noble 5 months ago

  

  As a business owner we sometimes get tunnel vision and need a "Mike" to come in and see the big picture. After watching you in action I went right to my book shelf and pulled your book down for a re-read. Of coarse it made me laugh out loud as usual and with seeing you in action with this couple I feel like I have the 'live' version of you here looking over my business. Thanks for your honesty and refreshing approach to making changes happen.
  
  I particularly enjoyed the makeover of the look and feel of their shop inside and out. I'm sure coming into a clean organized space is very uplifting for them as well!

• ? Farah Belliard ? 5 months ago

  

  Wow, Mike. This was awesome. What a wonderful and informative way of helping them, AND teaching us! Cheers!

• Caroline Caroline Gosselin 5 months ago

  

  Loved the segment. I found it very genuine with no frills. It got right down to what was needed to turn their business around. I loved their new logo. I also found it interesting that some people are convinced that their style and their ideas are best for their business, as they did (and it worked for them for a while), but clearly in different economic times, small businesses have to be OPEN to new ideas and infuse them into their everyday practices.
  
  I am an independent contractor in New Jersey who could really use some help refocusing and recession-proofing my business. I sell real estate and am good at what I do, but sometimes that is not enough in such a competitive field. I hope you will consider me for a "business makeover" - I am ready to embrace new ideas in this tough real estate market. Please find me @ www.GosselinHomes.com and on Facebook @ www.Facebook.com/GosselinGroup or Twitter @ CarolineinSOMA.
  
  Looking forward to many more episodes and can't wait to see how Jerry and Evelyn make out with fresh start you gave them!
  
  Best,
  Caroline Gosselin

• Beuna Tomalino 5 months ago

  

  Not only was this show a great help to Evelyn and Jerry but also to the rest of us who are small business owners. I especially liked "growing by saying "No" ". I look forward to more episodes since I am sure to learn some more great ideas for my businesses: http://www.herb-arium.com http://www.qurkl.com

• Harry Husted 5 months ago

  

  By the way, Mike, with you directing things, I am sure that Evelyn and Jerry will see their business make an about face and become prosperous once again.

• Harry Husted 5 months ago

  

  I watched your show and you are so inspiring that I had tears coming from my eyes.
  
  I have a challenge for you. I have a writing business that is faltering. I live in NYC, but can't get people to contact me. I set up a website at www.creatingwords.com but am not getting emails or phone calls. I am literally treading water right now and need help.
  
  Also, my girlfriend operates an entertainment company (www.allanaenterprises.com) and she isn't getting much business either. I know you can't help the both of us at the same time, unless you want to, but whoever you choose will be eternally grateful for any help you can provide.

• Mark Riccitelli 5 months ago

  

  Evelyn and Jerry are awesome to work with and produce incredible products

• Erin Shakoor 5 months ago

  

  Wow Mike! I watched it twice and wrote a full page of notes. My favorite parts and probably most valuable to me and my firm is to get an industry insider/mentor AND asking my clients for their vendor referrals. Brilliant. Oh and let's not forget the most important, which has been a huge problem for the past 2 1/2 years, is "growing by saying NO". Your nuggets of wisdom always hit the spot and at just the right time. How do you do that? Thank you so much.
  
  Your Luxury Interior Designer & Space Trainer,
  Erin Shakoor
  Shakoor Interiors
  http://www.shakoorinc.com
  http://www.facebook.com/interiordesignandrenovation

• Robin Smith 5 months ago

  

  Your experiences are inspiring and helpful. Thanks Mike! On behalf of our community of over 7,000 nationwide agents and office staff, my company would love to be considered for a future project.
  Thanks again! Robin Smith, WeGoLook.com

• Jeremiah P. Sullivan 5 months ago

  

  It's great to see this go from start-to-finish! I can remember first hearing of this a few months back, and now seeing the finished product, and hearing the story all the way through...was just very inspiring. Thanks for sharing this and continuing to going to bat fro small businesses and entrepreneurs! From a fellow TPE contributor and fan...Jeremiah Sullivan, Framework Media Strategies.

• Andrea Raquel 5 months ago

  

  Great job Mike! Your team shared helpful tips, useful solutions and the true TPE way of making improvements on a budget.

• Glenn Richards 5 months ago

  

  i like squirrels - i trust u hit the sweet spots

• Tangela Walker-Craft 5 months ago

  

  What Your Business did for that husband and wife team is life changing. Mike Michalowicz is providing an outlet that not only helps small businesses, but potentially will help people become employers and revive the local economy for that business's local area.
  
  Where can I sign Simply Necessary, Inc. up?

• Janet Foust 5 months ago

  

  Great video and great job Mike! The changes were nicely done and did uplevel the brand. I wish them the best of luck in the future! BTW, will there be follow ups with any of the businesses you help? That would be a great segment.

• Joyce Brewer 5 months ago

  

  Are business stories supposed to bring tears to your eyes? Well, this one did. I'm so glad they got a makeover and their lessons were shared via Open Forum & MSNBC.
  Even though I don't sell a product, I do social media and video marketing, I learned a lot from this business makeover.

• Peggy Gaffney 5 months ago

  

  This was a great remodeling job. This gave me some ideas.
  
  Peggy

• Sarah Drummond 5 months ago

  

  How inspiring and energizing!!! I heart Mike Michalowicz and everything he stands for. Thanks for the shot in the arm I needed today. From your fellow TPE, Chapel Drummond (Designed By Yo Mama, LLC owner of Fat Rolls(TM)

• Grainne Foley 5 months ago

  

  Thanks for sharing this story Mike. It's amazing to see the transformation of their business, what a fantastic experience for them and for everyone involved.
  
  It certainly seems to be a job well done!
  
  Grainne Foley
  http://www.live-hire.com

• Irene Richardson 5 months ago

  

  This was a great show. I loved how you breathed new life into the people and their company. They looked overwhelmed and honestly didn't know where to turn next until you showed up Mike. Great job!

• Kathi Browne 5 months ago

  

  This video was perfect timing for me. I have been trying to identfy my customers and figure out how to get more customers. So much good info here!

• Tangela Walker-Craft 5 months ago

  

  Can Your Business help a mompreneur with a well reviewed product, but no advertising budget? My patented GoPillow! is the best baby product that the world may never see if I don't get some marketing help. Moms have emailed from Australia, Germany, Norway, the UK, Singapore, Sweden, and more wanting to make purchases. But I don't have an international distributor. My small business needs some big help. Simply Necessary, Inc. is family owned and operated. Our purpose is, and always has been, making life more comfortable for moms and babies.

• Harry Rakfeldt 5 months ago

  

  From 'talk' to 'walk;' this is the kind of information that makes sense and is applicable to many others.
  How often do we see instructions, saying do this or do that. Flat, black-on-white words. It's the action that we can 'see' that leaves the impressions. And Team Mike did it! Kudos to all.
  
  Harry Rakfeldt
  4topoil.com

• Evelyn Anderson 5 months ago

  

  We had so much fun with the whole team. What a great, caring bunch of people - and we are so pleased with the finished product. Thanks to all, and especially Lisa Everson the producer, and Mike Michalowicz our makeover guru, for such a great profile of our business.

• Teajai Stradley 5 months ago

  

  Great show Mike! Super ideas for the clients, love the work that was done. This is definitely something I will want to watch when new episodes air. Would be interesting to have an update on how well the advise worked down the line, like in 3 mos or a year from now.
  
  Thanks for sharing!

• Caroline Riepler 5 months ago

  

  Loved what you did for them. I wish them all the best!

• Shai Atanelov 5 months ago

  

  Mike, this was amazing. The video does a great job in explaining certain marketing aspects very well and I learned a lot from it. Out of curiosity, what would a small business need to spend in order to a makeover such as the one Jerry and Evelyn made for their business? What I mean is, what should a business expect to spend when hiring a branding expert, business mentor, and marketing advisors?
  
  Keep up the great work. Go TPE's!!

• Lee Romano Sequeira 5 months ago

  

  So wonderful for these small business owners -- I'm so happy for them! Great advice by Mike and the team - BRAVO!

• LAUREN MILLIGAN 5 months ago

  

  I love your energy - you were constantly moving around! All your tips were excellent, especially 'say no to grow'. I think that's where a lot of entrepreneurs falter

• Maria Ross 5 months ago

  

  What a great job, Mike! As a brand strategist, I'm always skeptical of "quick and dirty" rebranding efforts, but I was so impressed to see that all the background due diligence was done to understand the company personality, strengths and ideal customer in order to come up with two killer rebranding proposals - both visually and experientially. You can really come up with the right look, feel and message if you just ask some key questions, can't you?
  
  Fantastic job with this business. Well done, Team! I am sure they are going to have great success.

• Dave Baker 5 months ago

  

  Thoroughly enjoyed it! Nice Job!

• Tracy Matthews 5 months ago

  

  Great video! I love how you got them to identify their client! Very important to know where you are going!
  
  Tracy Matthews
  
  http://tracymatthews.com

• Marla Bosworth 5 months ago

  

  Fabulous work - what a great project. You also provided solid insights in how to apply to my own business. Thank you. By the way, it brought a tear to my eye at the end - it was evident that they appreciated your help far beyond words.

• Lawrence Polsky 5 months ago

  

  Wow! Mike you and your team are awesome to turn that place around in such a short time. Such a heart warming story. And talk about Change! You hit on all the key cylinders. Well done!

• Karina Alvela 5 months ago

  

  I really liked this video, Mike. Vendor Referrals is a great way to expand your business and can give a business organic customer referrals, as well. I also liked the technique the branding expert recommended incorporating with the NC state mammal, but their new logo & branding is extremely professional and crisp. I wish Asheville Playgrounds the best of luck!
  
  Hope I can help you with one of your upcoming projects.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Karina
  www.prforsmallbusinesses.com

• Brad Semp 5 months ago

  

  Hey Mike - Congratulations on an excellent show! I think that it is awesome that you are helping fellow Americans to realize (keep alive) their dreams.
  
  I'm here for you as you encounter overly "busy", stressed, or overwhelmed entrepreneurs or business owners. It'll be time for a "Busyness Intervention" to systematize their business and help them to live an Unbusy Lifestyle.
  
  Keep up the great work!
  
  Sincerely,
  Dr. Brad Semp
  Host - The Busyness TV Show
  http://Busyness.com

• Peter Awad 5 months ago

  

  Great job Mike!

• TPEntrepreneur 5 months ago

  

  This was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I absolutely loved working with Jerry & Evelyn, and was taken aback by the tremendous out reach from entrepreneurs both local and afar. There is no question that Jerry & Evelyn have a long journey to recovery in front of them, but there is no question they have started.

  • Evelyn Anderson 5 months ago

    

    We were also just amazed at the support from so many different places and want to thank every single person from the bottom of our hearts. You all inspired us so much!

  • Jonathan Kay 5 months ago

    

    I 2nd this, I flew in from Boston and had no idea what to expect. I was immediately put to work doing physical labor around the shop, simply helping clean things up. It wasn't until the 2nd or 3rd hour that the magnitude of the whole situation really hit me. This experience was something Jerry & Evelyn would never forget, it was forever a part of their life.
    
    And to be part of something like that, which was so impact-ful - is an experience i will never forget.
    
    Thanks for letting us be a part of it,
    
    Jonathan Kay - Grasshopper