Finance

Dollar Loan Center CEO Chuck Brennan on Security Measures

August 29, 2013 By Chuck Brennan Leave a Comment

Dollar Loan Center CEO Chuck Brennan was recently profiled in the security magazine Currents for his efforts toward customer safety. Chuck Brennan and his Dollar Loan Center staff have utilized a series of technological tools that ensure the security of his employees and his customers. For customers who seek a short-term financial solution, Chuck Brennan explains the security procedures at Dollar Loan Center.

A Gathering of Experts: In your opinion, Chuck Brennan, what’s the overall objective of Dollar Loan Center?

Chuck Brennan: Dollar Loan Center improves the lives of many Americans by providing small short-term loans for accepted applicants.

A Gathering of Experts: How many Dollar Loan Center locations are there?

Chuck Brennan: There are currently more than 80 locations in four states—Utah, California, South Dakota and Nevada.

A Gathering of Experts: Which region has garnered the most customer traffic?

Chuck Brennan: Las Vegas, NV is the most popular location.

A Gathering of Experts: Where is Dollar Loan Center based?

Chuck Brennan: Dollar Loan Center is based in Las Vegas, NV, a town known so well for its gambling casinos. However, there’s no sense in taking risks in terms of customers’ hard-earned money.

A Gathering of Experts: How are stores monitored?

Chuck Brennan: The surveillance unit monitors each location from a centralized spot. This way, the security team has the ability to see everything that occurs within the store.

A Gathering of Experts: The lending industry must be rampant with theft.

Chuck Brennan: In my cases, that’s true. Dollar Loan Center, however, uses cutting edge technology to curb theft and destruction of property.

A Gathering of Experts: How are customers cash protected?

Chuck Brennan: Each branch of Dollar Loan Center—from Las Vegas, NV to Sioux Falls, S.D.—contains a cash recycler that sorts and counts all customer deposits within a secure apparatus.

A Gathering of Experts: What happens to money deposited by customers?

Chuck Brennan: Once the customers’ money is placed into these machines, it is kept within a safe only accessible to the security team.

A Gathering of Experts: What if the safe is stolen?

Chuck Brennan: This apparatus has built-in security cameras, tracking devices and alarms. This technology was created just for Dollar Loan Center and is cutting edge.

A Gathering of Experts: How can prospective customers find out more about Dollar Loan Center?

Chuck Brennan: For more information, visit us online at dontbebroke.com. People can also call (866) 550-4352 to speak with a company representative.

A Gathering of Experts: Thank you for your time.

Chuck Brennan: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Filed Under: Business, Finance Tagged With: Charles Brennan, Charles C. Brennan, Chuck Brennan, Dollar Loan, Dollar Loan Center

Interview with Charles Brennan, Las Vegas, Nevada based Dollar Loan Center’s CEO

May 3, 2013 By Charles Brennan Leave a Comment

Charles Brennan

Charles Brennan, majority owner, Founder and CEO of Dollar Loan Center, lives with his wife and children in Las Vegas, Nevada, home of the first Dollar Loan Center. Here, Charles Brennan discusses Dollar Loan Center’s contributions to the Las Vegas, Nevada community in an interview with A Gathering of Experts.

A Gathering of Experts: Thanks for joining us! Please tell readers a little bit about yourself.

Charles Brennan: Thanks for asking me to participate. I am a Midwestern boy who grew up with big dreams of being in the Rock and Roll industry! I have always been an entrepreneur.

A Gathering of Experts: That’s quite the combination! How did you end up founding Dollar Loan Center in Las Vegas, Nevada?

Charles Brennan: I was a little precocious as a teenager and went to work for Citibank while I was a junior in high school. These first experiences seeded my interest in lending, collections, finance and eventually led me here.

A Gathering of Experts: What services does your Las Vegas, Nevada based company provide?

Charles Brennan: Dollar Loan Center provides short-term signature loans that help people bridge their financial gaps in life.

A Gathering of Experts: Would this be a payday loan center, then?

Charles Brennan: Dollar Loan Center sets itself apart from typical payday loan centers in Las Vegas, Nevada and elsewhere by not charging upfront fees, requiring collateral or charging interest or fees beyond the length of the loan. We do not even require a checking account.

A Gathering of Experts: What do borrowers typically use the signature loans for?

Charles Brennan: Borrowers can use the loans for anything, but financial emergencies are the biggest reason borrowers come to Dollar Loan Center. They save a LOT by using us instead of paying an overdraft fee or late fee.

A Gathering of Experts: How do borrowers apply for a short-term loan with Dollar Loan Center?

Charles Brennan: Dollar Loan Center makes it really easy to apply. Borrowers can apply online at any time at dontbebroke.com or can visit any one of our 80 stores, located in Nevada, Utah, South Dakota, and California.

A Gathering of Experts: Are there qualification requirements?

Charles Brennan: Certainly. Borrowers must have steady employment and the ability to re-pay the loan. We do run credit checks on our borrowers and report their good credit history also.

A Gathering of Experts: What if someone has bad credit; should they forget about a Dollar Loan Center loan?

Charles Brennan: Absolutely not. Dollar Loan Center prides itself in providing loan products for every credit situation. We try to weed out any fraud of course, but, unlike most banks, it is our goal to get the customer their needed funds.

A Gathering of Experts: How many loans can a borrower receive from Dollar Loan Center?

Charles Brennan: There is no limit; however, Dollar Loan Center encourages borrowers to use signature loans responsibly as to avoid creating insurmountable debt problems.

A Gathering of Experts: Do borrowers need to re-apply for every loan?

Charles Brennan: No, once a borrower establishes a credit line with Dollar Loan Center, their information is kept on file for later, additional loan applications. As a matter of fact, over 1/3^rd of our locations have a drive-thru so the customers can get their funds as quick as a taco.

A Gathering of Experts: Dollar Loan Center calls itself a “community lender”; what does that mean?

Charles Brennan: Dollar Loan Center is committed to giving back to the other communities where our stores are located. We also continue to support nonprofit organizations doing good work for the children of those communities.

Charles Brennan grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and has enjoyed careers in both the music industry and finance. He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with his family. Charles Brennan encourages readers to find answers to their questions by going to Dollar Loan Center’s website, dontbebroke.com.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: Charles Brennan, Charles C. Brennan, Chuck Brennan, Dollar Loan, Dollar Loan Center

Scott T. Sohr Interview: Courtside at Southern Woods

March 11, 2013 By Scott T. Sohr Leave a Comment

Scott T. Sohr

Scott T. Sohr is a land developer and serial entrepreneur who is the driving force behind Courtside at Southern Woods in Williamson County near Nashville, Tennessee. Scott T. Sohr grew up in Middle Tennessee, and is graduate of Franklin High School. Courtside at Southern Woods is one of the many successful projects that Scott T. Sohr has spearheaded in the last decade.

Gathering of Experts: Thanks for speaking with us today, Scott T. Sohr. Where is Courtside at Southern Woods located?

Scott T Sohr: Courtside at Southern Woods is in the beautiful community of Brentwood, Tennessee. It’s located in the northern part of Williamson County, which is among the most blessed counties in the entire United States. The recent influx of money and economic prosperity in this area has led to the city experiencing massive growth in recent years—which has paved the way for upscale developments like Courtside at Southern Woods.

Gathering of Experts: Tell us, what are some of the perks of life in Brentwood?

Scott T Sohr: Well, simply put, Brentwood is an amazing city in which to live. It’s close to Nashville, but it also has a very strong identity of its own. National companies have been moving here in recent years, and so families have been relocating here as well. For homeowners with children, one of the best parts of Brentwood and all of Williamson County is the school system. The schools here are recognized as being some of the best in the State of Tennessee as well as the entire nation.

Gathering of Experts: What else does Brentwood have to offer?

Scott T Sohr: The landscape of Middle Tennessee, especially the Brentwood area, is breathtaking. There’s nothing like a summer morning and seeing the dew rising off the rolling grass and hills.

Gathering of Experts: What is the job market like in Brentwood and Williamson County?

Scott T Sohr: There’s a very healthy job market here. As I mentioned earlier, many companies have made the Brentwood area their national base in recent years. And finally, there’s no lack of entertainment options, as Brentwood has some of the finest shopping and dining experiences around.

Gathering of Experts: Scott T. Sohr, how would you describe the Courtside at Southern Woods neighborhood?

Scott T Sohr: It’s an amazing development that encompasses everything Brentwood is all about. All of the homes have been built from 2002 until the present, so they are constructed with modern amenities and architecture, while keeping a goal of maintaining a very pleasant Southern charm and style.

Gathering of Experts: Can you tell us about the size of the homes?

Scott T. Sohr: The homes vary in size depending on the needs of each buyer, and square footage ranges from 2800 square feet to 4200 square feet. The prices are also very reasonable for families who want to live in Williamson County, ranging from $380,000 to $550,000.

Gathering of Experts: Finally, we must ask, Scott T. Sohr—how are the neighborhood’s amenities?

Scott T Sohr: Great question! We went all out with this development. It offers a huge community pool that is filled with saltwater, which makes it very relaxing and therapeutic. There are also tennis courts, a great playground for children, and several gathering areas to host community events and picnics.

Scott T. Sohr earned his MBA at Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management in Nashville, Tennessee. There, Scott T. Sohr learned effective time management skills through the necessity of balancing his studies, work obligations, and family life; he was married and the father of two children before he finished his graduate degree. Today, Scott T. Sohr and his family – which now consists of four children – still live in Middle Tennessee where he splits his time between commercial and residential real estate development.

Filed Under: Finance, General Tagged With: Scott, Scott Sohr, Scott T. Sohr, Scott Thomas Soh, ScottSohr, ScottTSohr, Sohr

Aldo Todini Offers Advice on Capri Travel

February 5, 2013 By Aldo Todini Leave a Comment

Aldo Todini

Aldo Todini stays busy with his career as a business consultant. However, he also takes time to relax and rejuvenate. Today, the Gathering of Experts Blog catches up with Todini who says the tiny Island of Capri is his go-to getaway.

Gathering of Experts: Thanks for taking time out to chat with us today. We always enjoy hearing about attractions that even the locals love.

Aldo Todini: My pleasure.

Gathering of Experts: Let’s talk about the island itself. Capri is known for its unique shoreline. Tell us about it.

Aldo Todini: The Island has many rock formations known as faraglioni. These are tall rock “islands” that jut out from the ocean, just off the coast. Plus, the waters are clear and blue – very picturesque.

Gathering of Experts: And, away from the ocean – what attractions does the mainland offer?

Aldo Todini: Anacapri, the Island’s highest town – it has spectacular views of the harbor and offers visitors the opportunity to ascend to Mount Solaro.

Gathering of Experts: Emperor Tiberius spent a great deal of time on the Island, correct?

Aldo Todini: Yes, he had several private villas here and used the island as a personal retreat.

Gathering of Experts: Can you tell us a bit about the town of Capri?

Aldo Todini: This is the main city on the Island, and also its namesake. Piazza Umberto I is located here. La Piazzetta, as the Piazza is known, is where the Santa Stefano cathedral is located.

Gathering of Experts: Capri is notable for having a traditional Mediterranean feel. How is that?

Aldo Todini: There are grapevines and olive trees growing throughout the island and the towns that dot the landscape. Capri is very typical of a Mediterranean village.

Gathering of Experts: What about shopping?

Aldo Todini: The Island and its towns are home to many unique shops. Handmade items and regional foods and wines are sold here throughout the year.

Gathering of Experts: Tell us about the monastery…

Aldo Todini: In the 14^th century, Carthusian monks erected the Certosa di San Giacomo. Historically, there has been much controversy around the land, stemming between the native islanders and the monks who lived there. Of course, now, the area is more modern and houses museums and a school. It is one of the main attractions on the island.

Gathering of Experts: Where are the best views on the Island?

Aldo Todini: I’d have to say that is from the Phoenician Steps – a set of 800 steps leading down to the sea from Anacapri.

Gathering of Experts: Sound like this is an interesting vacation destination.

Aldo Todini: Indeed and it is a wonderful day trip from Naples. I’d like to suggest visiting the Grotto Azzurra. This sea cave has the most beautifully colored waters in the world.

Gathering of Experts: We will keep that in mind. Thank you for talking with us today. We look forward to hearing more about Italy and all of its charms.

Aldo Todini: Again, my pleasure – I am always happy to share the beauty of my county with travelers.

Aldo Todini was born in Turkey to Italian parents and has lived here since early childhood. While he has traveled the world in his career as a technical and business consultant, Aldo Todini says there is no place that can rival the feeling of unity one feels in an Italian home or restaurant.

Aldo Todini offre consigli su Capri di viaggio

Aldo Todini molto impegnato dalla sua attività di consulente aziendale, ogni tanto si concede anche qualche giorno di vacanza per rilassarsi e rigenerarsi. Oggi, Gathering of Experts Blog si è fatto raccontare da Todini Capri, la sua destinazione preferita.

Gathering of Experts: Grazie per aver trovato il tempo per parlare con noi oggi. Abbiamo sempre piacere di parlare di luoghi meravigliosi con le persone che li amano.

Aldo Todini: Il piacere è mio.

Gathering of Experts: Parliamo dell’isola. Capri è conosciuta per il suo litorale unico. Ce ne parli?

Aldo Todini: L’isola ha molte formazioni rocciose conosciute come faraglioni. Questi sono “isole” – scogli alti – che spuntano dal mare, vicino alla costa. Inoltre, le acque sono limpide e blu – molto pittoresco.

Gathering of Experts: A parte il mare cosa offre la terraferma?

Aldo Todini: Anacapri, paese più alto dell’isola – ha una vista spettacolare sul porto e offre ai visitatori la possibilità di salire al Monte Solaro.

Gathering of Experts: L’imperatore Tiberio andava spesso sull’Isola, giusto?

Aldo Todini: Sì, aveva alcune residenze private e usava l’isola come un rifugio personale.

Gathering of Experts: Puoi dirci un po’ sulla cittadina Capri?
Aldo Todini: E’ la cittadina principale dell’isola. Piazza Umberto I si trova qui. La Piazzetta, la famosa piazza di Capri, è dove si trova la cattedrale di S. Stefano.

Gathering of Experts: Capri si distingue per la sua tradizionale atmosfera mediterranea. In che senso?

Aldo Todini: Viti, ulivi e limoni crescono in tutta l’isola e ne punteggiano il paesaggio. Capri è alla fine un tipico di un villaggio mediterraneo.

Gathering of Experts: Che dire sullo shopping?

Aldo Todini: L’isola è piena di negozietti unici. I prodotti che vi si trovano sono spesso fatti a mano e i cibi e i vini locali sono in vendita tutto l’anno.

Gathering of Experts: Parlaci del monastero …

Aldo Todini: Nel 14° Secolo i monaci certosini costruirono la Certosa di San Giacomo. Storicamente, ci sono state molte frizioni tra gli isolani e i monaci che vi abitavano. Naturalmente ora la situazione è serena e all’interno della Certosa sorge un museo e una scuola. E’ una delle principali attrazioni dell’isola.

Gathering of Experts: Dove sono i migliori panorami?

Aldo Todini: Secondo me alla Scala Fenicia – una scalinata di 800 gradini che scende verso il mare da Anacapri.

Gathering of Experts: Sembra come una meta turistica interessante.

Aldo Todini: infatti, ed è una gita meravigliosa che si può fare tranquillamente in un giorno da Napoli. Suggerisco ovviamente di visitare la Grotta Azzurra. Questa grotta sul mare ha le acque più incredibilmente colorate del mondo.

Gathering of Experts: Lo terremo a mente. Grazie per aver parlato con noi oggi. Non vediamo l’ora di farci raccontare di più sull’Italia e tutto il suoi luoghi pieni di fascino.

Aldo Todini: E’ mio il piacere – io sono sempre felice di condividere la bellezza del mio paese con i viaggiatori di tutto il mondo.

Aldo Todini è nato in Turchia da genitori italiani. Mentre lui ha girato il mondo nella sua carriera come consulente di business e d’investimenti, Aldo Todini dice che non c’è luogo che può rivaleggiare con il sentimento di calore e di unione che si sente in una casa italiana o al ristorante con i propri cari

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: Aldo, Aldo Todini, AldoTodini, Todini

The Fiscal Cliff Explained

January 31, 2013 By Admin3 Leave a Comment

The term “fiscal cliff” has certainly been kicked around in the news enough for the last year or so. For most, the term implies a financial doomsday, but there’s a pretty fair amount of misinformation and confusion about what it actually means.

The “fiscal cliff” refers to a series of tax increases and mandatory spending cuts that kicked in on January 1, 2013, when some 90% of Americans saw their taxes go up. At the same time, spending cuts that would affect defense, Social Security, Medicare and many other government benefits were proposed. The term “fiscal cliff” is shorthand for the shock waves that were expected to ripple through the U.S. economy.

To understand how we got to this juncture, in August 2011, Congress raised the country’s debt limit by $2.1 trillion. As part and parcel of that 2011 deal, Congress was to find a more long-term plan; if they failed, the tax increases and spending cuts would automatically start in January of 2013. This harsh medicine was designed to force the government’s hand into more responsible spending and revenue policy. While the U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio is still lower than most European countries, a more indebted country is still at a disadvantage when it comes to borrowing and responding to the unexpected. In addition, excessive debt can spook investors, giving rise to another financial crisis.

A spike in unemployment is still expected, as well as a drop in the deficit and debt-to-GDP ratio. In addition, the expiration of the current tax cuts may stifle investment and rattle small businesses, contributing to more unemployment and a collapse in consumer confidence.

The only remedy to this situation, according to many experts, is a program of cuts in entitlement and defense spending along with a spike in tax rates. Health care and social security could be hard-hit, with a likely increase in retirement and eligibility age for both programs. The meat of this problem is what bedevils Washington, as there’s little political will to make these tough calls. The members of Congress want to get re-elected; to do that, they need to stay loyal to their contributors (many of whom are defense contractors) and constituents…and therein lies the problem. That’s why many Americans spent New Years’ Even wondering whether or not Republicans and Democrats would lock arms to avoid marching off the fiscal cliff, or if they would fight with each other the entire way, taking the rest of the country with them.

Filed Under: Finance

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento Wealth Management Professional, Explains eMoney

January 7, 2013 By Dennis Dachtler Sacramento Leave a Comment

Dennis Dachtler Sacramento

According to Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento area residents need round-the-clock access to real-time financial information. With eMoney, Dachtler Wealth Management provides this, as well as secure document storage as a value added service to clients.

Q. What is eMoney?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: eMoney is a Personal Wealth Homepage/Management system that Dachtler Wealth Management incorporates as a value added service to clients. Through this software, clients may keep track of their financial state by viewing an overall picture.

Q. What information is available through this software?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: The client’s investments as well as their goals and other personal information are available in a snapshot view.

Q. How do I know if my personal information is secure?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: The information is kept on an encrypted server and is monitored by the latest technology available in the industry. Information can be accessed securely from anywhere.

Q. How often does the system update?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: Every day, once a day, the system is updated with the most current information. The software also flags for any potential signs of trouble or conflict.

Q. Why use eMoney versus traditional wealth tracking methods like bank and investment websites?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: While banking institutions have reliable and secure information, eMoney goes beyond just data and offers a real money management solution, linked to every available account.

Q. I need help setting goals. Is eMoney right for me?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: We believe that the software is an excellent avenue to helping each client plan for future expenses.

Q. I don’t have time to sit at my computer and log hours tracking my finances. What does eMoney offer someone with my busy lifestyle?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: eMoney is available for smart phone users in a user friendly mobile platform.

Q. I’m a physician and I need a financial advisor that understands my specific needs. Is Dachtler Wealth Management right for me?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: Dachtler Wealth Management has extensive experience helping medical professionals keep track of and manage their growing retirement and investment funds.

Q. Now that I know more about eMoney, how can I get started with Dachtler Wealth Management?

Dennis Dachtler, Sacramento County, CA Lic # 0658362: Getting started is easy. Call our office at 800.333.1822 or visit us on the web at www.dachtlerwealth.com

Dennis Dachtler’s Sacramento County office may be contacted at 800.333.1855 or on the web at www.dachtlerwealth.com

This is not an offer of securities in any jurisdiction, nor is it specifically directed to a resident of any jurisdiction. As with any security, request a prospectus from your Registered Representative. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. A Representative from Dachtler Wealth Management will contact you to provide requested information. Representatives of AIC do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding your situation. Securities products are currently limited to residents of AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IN, KS, LA, MN, MO, NC, NE, NM, NV, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT & WA.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: Dachtler, Dachtler Sacramento, Dennis, Dennis Dachtler, Dennis Dachtler Sacramento, DennisDachtlerSacramento, Sacramento

Dennis Dachtler: 2013 Tax Change FAQs

November 19, 2012 By Dennis Dachtler Leave a Comment

Dennis Dachtler

Dennis Dachtler has been the President of Dachtler Wealth Management for 23 years. Through Dachtler Wealth Management, Dennis Dachtler assists clients with family wealth and retirement planning, investment advice and monitoring, and more. With many clients wondering about the tax changes proposed for 2013, Dennis Dachtler recently took some time to answer several issues about which Dachtler Wealth clients are concerned. Below, Dennis Dachtler addresses these questions about the changes to tax laws in 2013.

Q: Are these tax changes confirmed?

Dennis Dachtler: These are only proposed tax changes at this point and have not yet been passed into law.

Q: Why are there such big changes this year?

Dennis Dachtler: The Bush tax cuts are set to expire this year. Unless these cuts are extended, there will be some sweeping changes.

Q: What changes will there be in capital gains taxes?

Dennis Dachtler: The Bush tax cuts brought capital gains taxes down to their current rate of 15%. Once these tax cuts expire, taxes will return to pre-2001 rates of nearly 24%.

Q: What does this mean for the average taxpayer?

Dennis Dachtler: Well, the proposed legislation primarily impacts those who buy and sell real estate for profit. If someone buys a home for $100,000 and sells it for $150,000, the $50,000 earned from that sale would be taxed at 15%, at current rates.

Q: I hear the “top dividend tax rate” is increasing substantially. Who will this affect?

Dennis Dachtler: The top dividend tax, which is proposed to increase from 15% to 44%, targets income earned from certain investments. Currently this income is taxed under long-term capital gain rates but the proposal has that income being taxed as regular income.

Q: Tax brackets will increase on investment income as well. Please explain what this impacts.

Dennis Dachtler: This increase from 35% to 44% will affect short-term capital gains, interest, rental income, royalties, and annuities. Under the proposed tax increases, the cap on estate tax will go from five million dollars to one million dollars.

Q: What is this Medicare tax I keep hearing about?

Dennis Dachtler: This 3.8% Medicare tax will be levied on investment income, if passed. This tax will largely affect wealthier households.

Dennis Dachtler obtained a B.S. in marketing and communications before opening Dachtler Wealth Management. He currently lives in California with his wife and family.

Securities and investment advisory services are offered solely through Ameritas Investment Corp. (AIC). Member FINRA/SIPC. AIC and Dachtler Wealth Management are not affiliated. Additional products and services may be offered through Dennis Dachtler or Dachtler Wealth Management that are not offered through AIC. The opinions and views stated in this publication are solely those of Dennis Dachtler and should not in any way be considered to be an endorsement by Ameritas Investment Corp.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: Dachtler, Dachtler Wealth Management LLC, Dennis Dachtler, DennisDachtler

Kale Flagg on the Importance of Persistence Against Resistance

November 6, 2012 By Kale Flagg Leave a Comment

Kale Flagg

Kale Flagg has found that resistance is at its highest in the early days of a person’s career. Flagg compares it to a boat, sitting motionless in the middle of a lake. When a person pushes the throttle to full bore and it hits its highest speed, Kale Flagg points out that the boat is only at its fastest after it has gained some momentum. At maximum velocity the full weight of the boat is no longer in the water, and as the boat moves and rises out of the water, the resistance drops and the speed increases. Kale Flagg emphasizes that the same is true in a business.

Throughout his career, Kale Flagg has seen many innovators embarking on new careers. During the early days, people tend to offer opinions and resistance—often couching those opinions as being the devil’s advocate or simply wanting to help their friend avoid mistakes. Over time, as a person’s career gains momentum, that resistance begins to decrease. Everyone experiences resistance in the beginning, Kale Flagg points out, and there is no going around it. He advises people to simply push through the resistance, shoving that water away. According to Kale Flagg, people are merely testing you to determine how determined you are to moving that boat.

It is one thing to start your motor—i.e., talking about starting a new business venture. It is quite another to pick up the anchor and move your boat, sticking to it no matter what, Kale Flagg emphasizes. The people who are testing you are watching to see if you are so committed to your goals that you will move your boat even if no one follows.

As Kale Flagg has found, a person’s friends and family will be much more likely to follow if they believe you will pick up your anchor and move that boat whether they follow or not. People hate to be left behind, observes Kale Flagg, because it makes them feel as though they’re missing out on something.

Kale Flagg paints two scenarios. The first is one in which you are invited on a trip with close friends who are waiting to see if you will join them or not. The trip will be canceled if you don’t come along. In the second scenario, those friends are planning a trip but plan to go whether you go or not. You have no doubt that if you don’t go, they’ll still take the trip, Kale Flagg states. Most people would be more likely to go with the friends who plan to go with or without them. As Kale Flagg puts it, if no one is going without you, it’s far easier to cancel than if you know people will have a good time in your absence.

Why is that? Kale Flagg believes that it is because everyone hates to be left out. We all hate to be left behind. It’s this same feeling that has your friends and family going along with you on your business venture, Kale Flagg says. When you pull up that anchor and start up that boat, it’s hard for people to watch you take off without them. So when you are starting a business that you want to succeed, don’t play at starting it, don’t think about starting it. Go for it without looking back, and KNOW you will succeed, that there is no option but success. That will turn the naysayers into believers—or at least leave them behind, eating your wake.

Kale Flagg currently serves as a General Partner in the American Redevelopment Fund, a real estate fund that specializes in redeveloping single family residences in California, Nevada and Arizona. Flagg graduated from Yale University, where he majored in economics.

Filed Under: Finance

Jeffrey Kale Flagg | Unlocking the Key to Success

October 15, 2012 By Jeffrey Kale Flagg Leave a Comment

Jeffrey Kale Flagg

As co-founder, COO and/or CEO of three distinct $100 million enterprises, Jeffrey Kale Flagg has overseen more than one hundred thousand sales people; and Flagg has spoken to and motivated more then 15,000 individuals at single venues . A skilled communicator, Jeffrey Kale Flagg shares some of his secrets to success in this brief article.

According to Jeffrey Kale Flagg, it can be quite frustrating and disappointing to spend time with people that constantly complain about their lives but never do anything to remedy an unwanted situation. The amazing thing, says Jeffrey Kale Flagg, is that even though everyone can fix their problems, very few people try. They prefer to sit, do nothing and complain. Why don’t people choose the mountain peak that they want to climb and just do it? “There is no simple answer,” says Flagg. “All I can tell you is that no matter how good any opportunity is, some people simply aren’t willing to put in effort. They aren’t willing to change.”

We all know people who constantly complain, points out Jeffrey Kale Flagg. They complain about their job, complain about their relationships, or complain about no money or their weight. They may complain about their boss, or the weather or just about life in general. They keep doing the same thing day in and day out, adds Flagg, and are shocked when nothing changes. Why would people rather moan and groan than take action? The answer to their problem, according to Jeffrey Kale Flagg, is really so simple. All they have to do is to stop doing the things that are creating the wrong results. They simply have to change their approach, says Flagg.

Jeffrey Kale Flagg suggests a simple formula for success. Step one, says Flagg, is to find someone that has accomplished what you want, someone who has achieved the result that you want to achieve. Then, says Jeffrey Kale Flagg, copy their formula–do what they did to get their result. Lastly, concludes Flagg, is to stay persistent and never quit. It sounds too simple, acknowledges Jeffrey Kale Flagg. Like many others, he says he was brought up to believe that to become successful, the formula had to be complex, difficult or unique. But according to Flagg, “that is pure hogwash!”

According to Jeffrey Kale Flagg, to be successful all you have to do is find the vehicle that has taken another person up success-mountain. And then, concludes Jeffrey Kale Flagg, use the identical vehicle and drive on the same road.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: Flagg, Jeffrey Kale Flagg, JeffreyKaleFlagg, Kale Flagg

Arthur van der Vant Explains Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors

October 10, 2012 By ArthurvanderVant Leave a Comment

Arthur van der Vant

Illinois Receiver Arthur van der Vant has helped countless corporations, LLC, and partnerships avoid bankruptcy through a process known as Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, most commonly referred to as “ABC.” Arthur van der Vant is an expert in corporate turnaround and commercial real estate as well an adept and experienced business executive. Here, van der Vant offers information about the ABC process and what it means to everyone concerned.

Illinois Common Law

Arthur van der Vant explains that the Illinois ABC process is a contractual general assignment based on Illinois common law. Through an assignment, debtors release their assets to the control of a trustee. This trustee, or assignee, is responsible for the physical state of the assets in questions, says Arthur van der Vant. These assets may be sold to generate fund to settle outstanding debts or the assignee can essentially take over day to day operations of the debtor entity to generate additional profits and to enhance the estate. According to Arthur van der Vant, an ABC is a voluntary process and the assignee is chosen by the debtor.

ABC Versus Chapter 7 and Chapter 11

Bankruptcies are a matter of the public record, ABCs are not. The biggest benefit of an assignment is that it is cost effective and can be completed more efficiently than Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 proceedings, notes Arthur van der Vant. Also, since the Illinois ABC process is non-judicial, it can be quicker, and it can be done with less notoriety for the debtor. Unlike a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, an ABC allows for the business to operate under the assignee’s control to generate additional income to be used to repay its debts.

Benefits to the Debtor

Arthur van der Vant explains that an ABC does not mar a debtor’s credit score. Additionally, once the assets are liquidated and all creditors are paid in full, Arthur van der Vant says that excess funds, if any, are returned to the debtor.

Creditor Benefits

The ABC process is less complicated, says Arthur van der Vant. This translates into less wait time for creditors to receive more of their funds. According to Arthur van der Vant, an ABC may be completed in months whereas a federal bankruptcy case may extend debt settlement by years. Arthur van der Vant also notes that the general assignment process typically generates a larger income in which to repay creditors. This can help the creditor regain a larger portion of owed funds and decrease the likelihood of having to write off large amounts, reports Arthur van der Vant.

Assignee Duties

The assignee is in a position to gain a clear understanding of how a business was functioning that made it fail in the first place, says Arthur van der Vant. The assignee will have access to all documentation and financial records, and would investigate the debtor’s true and honest value. Arthur van der Vant notes that one of the most important roles the assignee plays is investigating the debtor’s financial habits in the time before the ABC to determine if there was any possible attempt to defraud creditors by hiding assets, or payouts made based on preference versus priority.

Question: Can an Assignee such as Arthur van der Vant act on behalf of the debtor to collect debts owed to them?

Answer: A debtor in the assignment (ABC) may also be a creditor to whom monies are owed. For example; imagine a Widget Corporation that sold goods or services but did not receive a payment from its costumes and as a consequence of its financial difficulties elected to do an ABC. Upon assignment the assignee (Arthur van der Vant) would own any and all rights to and interest in all assets including Widget’s account receivables. Therefore, after the assignment the assignee (Arthur van der Vant) could take legal action to collect and recover debts owed to Widget Corporation who is now debtor in ABC.

Question: How can I get in touch with Arthur van der Vant about his Assignee services?

Answer: A full description of Arthur van der Vant ’s Assignee services and duties may be found by visiting www.illinoisreceiver.com

Question: As an Assignee, is Arthur van der Vant legally operating as the in-debt business or is he considered a third and neutral party?

Answer: Similarly to a Bankruptcy Trustee, in the Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC), Arthur van der Vant (assignee) becomes a third party who takes the control and management over debtor’s assets, but Arthur van der Vant is not the debtor. Upon assignment Arthur van der Vant obtains all decision making over debtor’s interests, including over its board of directors, if any, and could continue to operate the business for an undefined period of time, but keep in mind that his purpose is to close the business and to liquidate its assets to pay creditors.

Question: Does the ABC process provide for an automatic stay for the debtor as in the Bankruptcy Code §362?

Answer: No, the Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC) does not provide for an automatic stay and creditors may obtain judgments against the debtor entity(s). However, before initiating any legal action after the assignment, creditors must also evaluate how much a judgment is worth against a debtor entity that has no assets?

Question: Once Arthur van der Vant has accepted the assignment, could debtor’s creditors force the debtor into a bankruptcy if they feel it would better serves their purposes?

Answer: It is possible during the first 120 days after the assignment for creditors to force the debtor in ABC into an involuntary bankruptcy. However, it is also worth noting that the bankruptcy court may reject the involuntary bankruptcy in favor of the ABC, if there is no compelling justification for the involuntary bankruptcy v. ABC.

Question: What are Arthur van der Vant’s fees for ABC services?

Answer: Arthur van der Vant’s fees in ABC very on case by case bases and are usually relative to the difficulty of the assignment. Arthur van der Vant may charge an upfront flat fee upon assignment, a percentage of value generated, an hourly rate, or a combination of all the above. Regardless of the fee, Arthur van der Vant will not take an assignment unless a value can be created for the creditors.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: Arthur, Arthur van der Vant, Arthur van der Vant Assignee, Arthur van der Vant Illinois Receiver, ArthurvanderVant, der, Illinois Receiver, Legal Services, van, Vant