Posts
Kansas City to Dallas to Waco, Texas, to Dallas and back to KC in one day!
Happy Monday!
In July 2024, I met Meredith Walker of Fortifying Roots, and we had a pleasant conversation during a discovery call. However, my services weren’t a good fit for her. No big deal. It’s life. (She’s a fellow Kansan and good person overall, too.)
Fast forward to June 2025. Meredith and I reconnected, and she referred me to a firm in Waco, Texas, that may need us. That company and I engaged, and they started using us.
With school starting soon, I decided to fly down to Waco, TX, to see Meredith and the new client before the fall semester begins.
Wonderful in-person meeting, lunch, and the chance to tour Magnolia HQ, among other things! Kansas City to Waco back to KC all in one day!
A few takeaways on Meredith:
• She has a gift for making people feel both challenged and supported at the same time. She speaks to what’s real, gets teams aligned, and builds systems that make growth sustainable. She’s the kind of leader who shows up, listens, and helps fix the root issues, not just the surface problems.
• Some people see messy systems, confusing tools, and leadership friction. Meredith sees potential. She helps organizations align their processes and technology, enabling people to thrive. Whether she’s speaking on stage or partnering behind the scenes, she brings clarity, direction, and the kind of leadership that lasts.
• When Meredith speaks, things click. Her framework provides leaders with the language and leverage to lead with clarity, take real control, and build consistent momentum. Her sweet spot? Aligning process and technology systems so people stop burning out and start showing up as their best.
If you can relate, I encourage you to reach out to her! Cheers!
Ray
PS: More on the other firm and the other 2 guys pictured here soon!
Happy June Everyone!
Happy June, everyone!
(This is a half-professional-half-personal post.)
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, head of a team, or whatever label you want to use, it is tough to unplug and disconnect.
Over Memorial Day weekend, my wife, kids, and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in Jamaica and spent six days there.
It was wonderful to decompress, unplug, and stop and smell the air and roses.
Along those same lines, Anne Lamott noted that “almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”
I agree! My company, Connect 5000, survived just fine without me, and I was able to create some lasting memories.
There’s always work to return to, but my family ranks first!
Cheers and blessings!
Ray
Happy Easter 2025!
For us professing Christians, happy Easter as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior!
Podcast Interview with EAG Group and Jeff Randolph
Happy Saturday everyone!
I recently was interviewed on EAG’s podcast here in Kansas City.
EAG’s website is https://eagadv.com/ and their specialty is marketing and advertising to small business firms.
They can help with strategic services, creative creation, website development, content creation, and digital and traditional marketing services, among other things.
I’ve known their CEO, Michele Markham, and staff members, Brenda Heffron and Jeff Randolph for quite some time.
Here’s the link to the podcast and less than 20 minutes long! Enjoy!
