“I think we’ve got something special here.”

Like so many good things, it was born out of pancakes and bacon.

It started innocently enough – as a way to prove my point to a church with whom we were providing some pro-bono consultation.

They were concerned about their message. Over breakfast, I told them they were putting the cart before the horse. I then told them what they had to do before and after the message.

I first drew it (badly) in one of my notebooks, then I drew it again on a piece of scratch paper.

A couple hours later, it occurred to me we might have created a framework that will completely rework the way we help our clients.

It also occurred to me we might have invented something that could help every owner-operated company and non-profit in the world … if they’re willing to do the work.

I realize that’s lofty. Maybe I’m nuts. I’m probably nuts.

But…

It’s simple to explain. It’s simple to understand. It’s simple (for our company) to use. And it’s true.

Like many profound truths, it’s simple. That doesn’t mean it’s easy.

I then googled it because surely someone had come up with it before me, right?

Nope.

Lynn? Dee? I think we’ve got something special here.

That’s what I said to them a little later that day.

The next day, over another breakfast, I presented this theory and framework to about a hundred owner-operated companies and non-profits back in the town where I was born. As I began to explain my theory, I noticed something interesting.

People were leaning forward in their chairs and nodding slowly. No one was checking their phone. No one was looking away. People were taking notes feverishly.

They put down their bacon.

All because of this thing I badly sketched out in my notebook to help a church I liked. Hmm.

Lynn? Dee? I think we’ve got something special here.

After, at Lynn and Dee’s urging, giving it a couple weeks to marinate and to try and prove it wrong, I’m ready to share it with you.

We’ll start tomorrow.

And we’re never going to stop.