Maurilio Amorim

Author: Maurilio Amorim

  • How to Market Yourself: Lessons from a 15 yr Old Entrepreneur

    When I found out that my current lawn service did not mowed grass in my new neighborhood, I decided to call on a few people who have left cards or mailed pamphlets to my new house. One that caught my attention was Will’s Lawn Service. Will is a 15-year old 9th grader from the neighborhood, but according to his marketing piece he “has been on a lawn mower since I was 5 and have been cutting grass professionally for the past 3 years.”


    I called on 4 different people including Will. I talked with 3 people and left a message with the other, including my new address and needs; however, Will was the only one who called from the property with a price. He also offered to cut the grass right away. It’s been over a week now since my first round of calls, and I haven’t heard back from the other three people on a price. And, by the way, my yard is a respectable 1.2 acres.

    Will did a great job cutting the grass and even got the stripes in the angle I requested. He asked me if he had the job moving forward. “Let me talk with Gwen, and I’ll get back with you by the end of the week,” I told him. The rest of the week was busy and I forgot all about Will. Friday afternoon my phone rang. Will was on the other line wanting to know if I had made my decision. I remember thinking, “this kid is going to do great in life,” as I talked with the 15 year old.

    Here’s a few lessons business people need to learn from Will:

    1. Don’t lie, but make your pitch interesting. How much experience can a young teenage have? Well, enough. You don’t have to embellish your resume to get the job. Take your perceived weakness and turn them into strengths. Will didn’t have a large crew, but he was nearby, his price was good and he could cut the grass on a Friday, which is my preferred date (in case you didn’t pick up on it, I’m a bit demanding). I loved his line: “I’ve been mowing professionally since I was 11.”

    2. Seize the moment. Will called me back shortly after I left him a message. I know he was in school until 3 p.m. so he called minutes after he left class. When people want things done right away, often the first person to call back gets the job.

    3. Do good work. Well, you’d think that’s assumed, but you’d be surprised on how many times people have done substandard work and wondered why I hadn’t called them back.

    4. Follow up. Three days later, Will called me back to make sure he had the job. Instead of wondering why people have not called you back, follow up with them. I was just too busy to think about the grass until it needed to be cut again.

    It’s easy to blame the economy, unreasonable people and our insane parents. But if we were to try just a bit harder, we’d be surprised of how much more we can accomplish. Now I’m trying to convince Will to hire my 14-year-old son, Marcus and take him on under his wings.

    What lessons what you learned lately?

  • The Cat Condo

    I put my house in the market a couple of weeks back and, of all the upgrades we’ve made over the years, i.e. granite, commercial appliances, our cat condo got the most attention. We built the “cabitat” when we moved in 10 years ago in the garage to give Bob and Kissinger (Bob has gone to cat heaven) a place to enjoy the outdoors without going out since they were both de-clawed.

    The cabitat is near the garage door and is accessed from the house through a tiny door hidden behind a couch in our great room. I have been asked by several people who have heard of the contraption to take pictures. I decided a video was a better idea.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6d1FfJ4bHo]

    How far have you gone for a pet?

  • The Breakfast Song

    Even though I think their theology is flawed–we’re gonna have a big breakfast in heaven–this video just make me happy!

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    In the clip, Minister Cleo Clariet and his fiancé Katherine Lane are shown singing on “The Kay Bain Show” in Tupelo, Mississippi in May or June of 2004.Clariet passed away from congenital heart disease on Dec. 13, 2004. Lane said he would have been thrilled to know his song is now entertaining so many people.

    So what’s your favorite breakfast food? Mine? Biscuits with chocolate gravy, eberskivers (Dutch pancakes filled with jams, fruits or cheeses), and egg white omelets.

  • Are you Ready to Fly?

    What do you do when you’re not ready to make a move, or change your career or go out on your own, but, suddenly, you’re pushed out of your comfort zone? Do you free fall to the ground, or are you ready to fly?


    I was reminded of my own story today as I visited with my friend Joshua Phillips. I met Joshua years ago when he refinanced my home. Since then, he has put together three different mortgages for me and has become a good friend and client in the process. Besides being a businessman, Joshua has a heart for ministry and has spent a lot of his effort and money in helping people see themselves as God sees them through his involvement in Fully Alive Ministries.

    Three days after I closed on my new home at the end of January, Joshua emailed me to let me know that his current employer, Realty Mortgage, was going out of business. My mortgage was the last one they closed. (Thank you Lord and thank you, Joshua). He also mentioned that he didn’t know what his next steps were but that that he was praying and seeking God’s will.

    During lunch today Joshua told me he now owns his own company backed by PrimeLending, a large bank and mortgage from Texas but new to Tennessee. He currently owns two branches, Brentwood and Murfreesboro and is looking at adding another one soon. The truth is that Joshua was very comfortable at Realty Mortgage. He was making great money and his hours were flexible. However, it took Realty Mortgage going bankrupt before he was pushed out of the his comfortable nest and forced to fly on his own.

    Today Joshua is a business owner. In a few months, he’ll probably make more money than ever before, and beyond the extra money, he’ll be able to impact a lot more people through Fully Alive Ministries because of the extra resources he’ll be able to allocate to the cause he is so passionate about.

    Years ago I went through a similar experience as Joshua as I found myself in a crisis situation that propelled me to start The A Group.

    I want to encourage you today if you find yourself in a difficult time. Like Joshua, don’t dwell on the failure, but look beyond it into the opportunity and how you can seize it. I hate going through a crisis, but I’m amazed at how much I have grown spiritually as well as professionally because of them as I look back and take inventory.

    What’s going on in your world? How are you being forced out of the nest into your new future?

  • Ready or Not Here Comes Change

    People often say they like change. But they lie. We really dislike it. Very few of us are truly “change agents,” as it has become of the battle cry of so many consultant wannabes. Most of us only seriously contemplate change when staying the same is more painful than the perceived cost of the path.

    But whether any of us like it or not, change is being thrown at us at an unbelievable pace. If you have problem with it in your life, watch the video below at your own risk.

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    So what does it mean to you? I’d love your input.

  • A Lesson in Raising Money in a Bad Economy

    It’s a Recession. It’s a compression. It’s a depression. Whatever it is, it’s bad and particularly so to non profits. Right? Recently, however, I experienced something that cannot be explained easily if you’re listening to the news and getting your worldview from the media.

    Tuesday morning I attended the “We Build People” kickoff breakfast for the YMCA of Middle TN. I hosted a table of 8 and invited some of my Y buddies whom I see most every morning in spin class, Yoga class, swimming pool, running group or workout floor (Ok, I get around). During the breakfast, we heard first-person accounts from cancer survivors finding support group in the ABC (After Breast Cancer) program , from a woman whose entire family livelihood had been wiped out by a debilitating disease finding a welcoming place at the Y through the Open Doors program that makes the Y network free for her whole family. We also heard from a once-troubled teen who found a second chance through the YCAP program and is now a leader and role model.


    At the end of the breakfast we all made our pledges and waited for the total amount to be announced. Last year, the breakfast brought an average gift of $ 511 per person. Since the sky is falling and the world is about to end, we all expected the giving to be down this year. To our surprise the per capita giving this year was $628. The breakfast raise $88,000 with 140 people in attendance. And there was no one single large gift that would have skewed the total.

    So what happened? Here’s a few observations:

    1. The vision grew. The organizers of the event did not ask for less money this year. They asked for more. Their vision didn’t shrink in bad times; it grew. Your ask should mirror the perceived giving potential, but it should be aligned with your opportunities to impact and the importance of your mission.

    2. The fund raising team made a compelling presentation of how their funds were going to be used and the impact their cause had in our community. Don’t assume that people know what you’re doing, even those who have given in the past. Renewal is not automatic; you must show what you do still matters today.

    3. They didn’t cut corners. The event was well organized with first-class catering, video and print support. Times are tough but people still need to be compelled to give by a powerful vision. Clear and professional communication is a must. The Y team got most of the event donated, but they made sure everything was done well. “Donated” should never mean cheap or second rate. If what you do matters, then it should be presented in the best way possible. So don’t cut corners.

    What’s your experience with funding your ministry or vision lately?

  • Mobile Projector Unveiled

    I remember hauling a 15 lb projector around the country that took most of the space on my carry on bag. Recently, Microvision unveiled a mobile projector. Yes, this thing is the size of a cell phone.

    All I can say is wow. Now I need to figure out a way to justify the cost. After all, I’m in the communication business and this is a communication tool, right?

    http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3340611&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1

    Would buy one of these?

  • How Compelling Are You?

    Great communication always involves passion for the subject. Oceanographer Sylvia Earle presented at this year’s TED conference. Her 18-minute presentation is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. She used video along along with her written speech in a seamless and effortless talk that had me mesmerized, even as I watched it through video. Her smile was contagious, her warnings were sobering and yet she offered hope along with her challenge.

    This is her presentation. If you’re like me, you’ll want to see the whole thing. It’s remarkable.

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    How are you using media in your presentations?

  • What Volunteers Can Do that Preachers Can’t

    It’s easy for me to see what needs to be fixed in the churches I visit. I hate to admit it, but I’m a critic. I’d like to think that I’m a nice one, but I’m a critic nonetheless. After all, people don’t pay me to pat them on the back and tell them good job. Church leaders want to know what’s not working well and what can be done to be more effective for the kingdom.


    However, my favorite part of any secret shopper visit is to celebrate what’s done well. And nothing makes my heart happier than when I run into volunteers who love God and serve their church with a smile and open arms. This past weekend I was able to reconnect with two of the best volunteers I’ve ever encountered in all my secret shopper visits.

    Linda and her husband Harrod have been greeting at First Baptist Church Jacksonville for decades. They greeted me during my first visit to the church. They took the time to walk me around, answered all my questions, ask me to sit with them once they realized that I was alone and even offered to take me to lunch after the service. I couldn’t help but just love them. It’s been three years since our first encounter and they are still serving with smiles, open arms and hearts welcoming newcomers and making them feel like long-time family friends.

    Every time I visit a new church, I secretly hope to find someone as hospitable as the McNeils. Honestly, I don’t remember one point of the sermon from my first visit, but I remember how good I felt about being there because of how well I was treated by Linda and Harrod.

    Looking back in your life. Did you have anyone who either made you feel like home, or the opposite during your first visit to a church?

  • Should Pastors Use Social Media?

    “I think our pastor is spending too much time on his blog,” said the voice on the other side of the phone. I had to disagree with the caller and spend some time talking with him about why blogging was one of the best way for his pastor to spend his time, even if it meant that he had to cut some of his office time short or send someone in his place to make a hospital visit.
    When done well, social media will help a pastor connect with his congregation in a level that, previously, he could only do with a select few. My pastor, for example, Pete Wilson, is an avid blogger, Twitterer, and Facebook user. He has over 6,000 people who daily visit his blog and whose lives Pete speaks into, even though our church only runs 2,500 people in attendance. I keep up with him mostly through Twitter. I know that he had a date with Brandi, his wife, Saturday afternoon and that last week he and his boys played in the snow. In the rare moments that Pete and I have time to meet together outside a board meeting or some other church setting, I don’t have to ask him “What’s going on with you?” I know what’s going on. It’s much easier, then, to move beyond the ordinary and go into a deeper discussion. I find that our conversations these days have more substance and meaning than just those of a couple of years ago.

    Social media allows pastors to communicate real life issues with their congregants and potential congregants who find comfort in getting to know their spiritual leaders more intimately without being intrusive and needing to have “face time” with them. It also allows people to get to know their hearts outside the stage setting. Spiritual leaders are husbands, fathers, mothers, sons, bosses and face some of the same challenges everyone does. Social media allows for these real-life moments to be shared.

    If you are a Pastor I would encourage you to use these tools to engage your congregation and those you’re trying to reach for Christ. Years ago most pastors, and all committed Christians were expected to knock on thousands of doors in the name of evangelism. Our mandate for evangelism is still there, but instead of wood doors, we now have the opportunity to knock on much larger digital doors.

    Is your church and Pastor using social media effectively?