For Mavericks, the closing of the year marks the opening of new opportunities… and the discovery of new Maverick DNA while adventuring in Baja and Hawaii! This winter, we’re thrilled to welcome some seriously cool powerhouses to the Maverick1000 collective — entrepreneurs ranging from Santa Barbara to Namibia — who have their hands (and visions) in all sorts of pots. Those of us who had the pleasure of meeting them at the First Annual M3 Summit have no doubt: these people are bona fide rock stars in terms of brains, biz savvy, spirit and wit… and an ability to rock Miami beach neon like nobody’s bidness.
Here’s a peek at the new friends you’ll be meeting this year. Who knows? Your next business partner / adventure buddy might be listed right here… reach out and say hello Now!
WELCOME New Maverick1000 Members…
#142 Matt Curry
#143 Landon Ray
#144 Lena Requist
#145 Jeff Spangler
#146 Kris Gaunt
Matt Curry, M1000 Member #142
“I left without a map, got lost and ended up near the Burma border.…”
Hey Matt! Tell us about your businesses…
I own and am President & CEO of Curry’s Auto Service. Curry’s Auto is a high end, full-service auto repair group, with 8 locations (soon to be 9) in the Northern Virginia / Washington DC area. We work on all makes and models, but specialize in European and Import vehicles, performing routine maintenance, repair and high performance upgrades.
I started the business 14 years ago, with $103,000 on 13 credit cards and over $350,000 in debt. Curry’s was voted the “Top Shop in the Country” by MotorAge Magazine, and “The Best Shop in Northern Virginia” by the readers of Northern VA Magazine. We were recognized in the Inc. 5000 “Fastest Growing Businesses 2009 and 2010,” as well as Washington Business Journal’s “Fastest 50 Growing Businesses in the DC area.” We were also recently a semi-finalist for the National Capitol Area Business Ethics Awards. We have earned many other honors and awards as well.
Why did you become a member of Maverick1000 and why are you a good fit for the group?
I love to travel… especially adventure travel. I think meeting like-minded, high-energy entrepreneurs will develop great friendships and opportunities.
What top things would you like to gain / learn / do with other Mavericks, and what unique value do you bring to the group?
I would like to meet interesting people who like to take risks, travel and do cool things… and I would like to find new business opportunities and learn from other experienced entrepreneurs.
What interests, activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
I like to travel — specifically adventure travel. I’m an avid skier and diver. I love cars, or anything that goes fast and have raced cars for many years. Golf and boating are high on the list too.
What are the top adventures / things on your Big Life List now?
- Hike to Mount Everest base camp (maybe the summit).
- Boat/hike/camp in the Amazon
- Jump out of an airplane!
What’s the most “Maverick” thing you’ve ever done?
I backpacked through Thailand, all of Central America… and hiked to Machu Picchu earlier this year with my 16 year old son. But the most “Maverick” thing I’ve done is in Thailand… when I rented a motorbike and rode from Chaing Mai to Pai, Thailand. I left without a map, got lost and ended up near the Burma border after going through two military check points. When I finally figured out where I was supposed to go, it was getting dark, so I rode the motorbike up and over a mountain, and through the Thai jungle in the pitch dark — in the middle of nowhere. I finally arrived in Pai around 8 pm. While in Pai, I hiked into the jungle and spent four days with a hill-tribe village people. I think they were Hmong.
What’s the most significant / important contribution you’ve made to a community or nonprofit organization?
I was Founder, President and Commissioner of Football for Dulles South Youth Sports, a 501c3 non-profit youth sports league for Loudoun County, VA, which is the area I live in. There was no organized youth sports program for our area… so I started one. I raised $209,000 to start the league; and what started with just football now has seven sports, with over 1700 kids who participate annually. I also coached youth football for 6 years.
Which books, authors or programs have been a powerful influence in your business and life?
- The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni
- DSP 20 Group (Peer auto-repair owner group)
What’s the weirdest skill, quirk or stupid human trick you’re known for? (C’mon, we’re gonna find out anyway.)
I don’t have any stupid human tricks; I’m not that clever… I’m known for drinking too much beer.
[Highly suspicious, Matt. We’ll take that as a challenge to test said beer habits and identify the stupid human tricks as they emerge…]
Matt Curry
President & CEO | Curry’s Auto Service, Inc.
matt@currysauto.com
Landon Ray, M1000 Member #143
“I’ve been in several other masterminds — some of which were great, but none of which let me shoot handguns…“
Hey Landon! Tell us about your businesses…
I started OfficeAutopilot.com about five years ago, and launched our entry-level version of SendPepper.com in 2009. Now we have thousands of clients around the world and 32 full-time employees… growing fast. OfficeAutopilot is our flagship product, and is a CRM, marketing, and business-automation platform designed for small businesses. It handles email, payment + subscription processing, landing pages, membership sites, tracking and testing, affiliate management, etc., etc.
Why did you become a member of Maverick1000 and why are you a good fit for the group?
Um.. Baja racing? Great white sharks? Ice-climbing and dry-suit diving? Yes, please. I’m excited to hang with like-minded entrepreneurs… share war-stories, strategies and visions. I’ve been in several other masterminds — some of which were great, but none of which let me shoot handguns.
What top things would you like to gain / learn / do with other Mavericks, and what unique value do you bring to the group?
Our business has grown 100% from word of mouth, which is amazing and a testament to our products, our business model, and our commitment to really delivering high quality experiences to our clients. However, it also means we have a lot to learn in the area of marketing and getting the word out in a non-passive way. So I’m looking forward to sharing the insights we’ve gained over the years through starting (and failing; and starting and failing, and then) growing, and running one of the most complicated and ambitious web apps ever built…. and I’m looking to learn how to take our growth from 100%+ year over year, to 300%+.
Interests, activities and hobbies you enjoy?
I play Ultimate Frisbee twice a week and am a long-time snowboarder. I’m a pilot and have a small airplane. I read a lot (but not nearly as much as I’d like to). Plus, I have two children, which pretty much command all free time these days.
What are the top things on your Big Life List now?
- More travel in general
- River trip down the Amazon and the Grand Canyon
- Buy and fly a Pilatus PC-12 (awesome!)
- More scuba diving in amazing places
- Write a book or two
What’s the most “Maverick” thing you’ve ever done?
Quit my job as a flower salesman and moved to NYC to become a Day Trader? Started a web app company with no programming or tech experience? Slept on top of Mt. Sinai (where Moses got the Ten Commandments) in a massive thunderstorm? Backpacked through India, hiked the Himalayas, got stoned with the sadhus, and came home with malaria. Seems like there’s more…
[Editor’s note: Um. WOW.]
What’s the most significant / important contribution you’ve made to a community or nonprofit organization?
In the past, I’ve mostly donated money, but Lena and I just started our own non-profit. We’re leveraging the skills and resources we have personally and as a company to launch a start-up incubator for young social entrepreneurs. We’re taking the Silicon Valley incubator model (Y combinator, etc.) and applying it to non-profits. We’re going to sponsor young leaders from around the world and bring them to our office for a year to train them, launch their ventures, and turn their projects into internally sustainable ventures that make a lasting difference over time. I‘d love to connect with Mavericks about this project, which we’re officially launching next month.
Which books, authors or programs have been a powerful influence in your business and life?
Sure. Landmark Education rocks socks off. Anything by Dave Logan.
What’s the weirdest skill, quirk or stupid human trick you’re known for? (C’mon, we’re gonna find out anyway.)
I can juggle four balls and ride a unicycle.
Landon Ray
Founder & CEO | SendPepper | OfficeAutopilot
landon@sendpepper.com
http://officeautopilot.com/
http://sendpepper.com/
Lena Requist, M1000 Member #145
“I like surrounding myself with like-minded people and it seems like the Maverick crew are just that…”
Why did you become a member of Maverick1000 and why are you a good fit for the group?
I like surrounding myself with like-minded people and it seems like the Maverick crew are just that: Adventures business people who are smart, interesting, successful… and who are actually making a difference on the planet.
What top things would you like to gain / learn / do with other Mavericks, and what unique value do you bring to the group?
I’m excited to have fun adventures, share ideas and develop lifelong connections and partnerships.
What interests, activities or hobbies are you into?
Being in nature, traveling… anything physical. I also love music, theater and the arts in general.
What are the Top 3 adventures/things on your Big Life List?
- Hike the traditional Inca Trail
- Go on African Safari
- Scuba dive with whales!
What’s the most “Maverick” thing you’ve ever done?
Hiked the Grand Canyon from end to end…
What’s the most significant / important contribution you’ve made to a community or nonprofit organization?
I’m very involved with my local community. Each year I host and organize a large fundraising event for one of our local organizations. I also organize volunteer opportunities for my employees… and I created the National Organ Donor Program at the American Red Cross 15 years ago (and it’s still in place today!).
Can you recommend some books, authors or developmental programs, which you’ve found influential in your business and/or personal life?
- Radical Honesty, by Brad Blanton
- The work of Byron Katie
What’s a personal quirk you’re known for? (C’mon, we’re gonna find out anyway.)
I can beat box!
Lena Requist
COO | OfficeAutopilot
lena@sendpepper.com
Jeff Spangler, M1000 Member #145
“I love adventure and the idea of always having new exciting experiences…”
What businesses do you currently operate?
I’m currently involved in several businesses, but the two that occupy most of my time are Premier Mentoring and Daeus Financial. I’ve owned and operated Premier Mentoring since 1998, and our focus is on marketing, selling, and fulfilling high quality financial-based products and coaching programs. My partners and I started Daeus Financial in February of 2010; and our focus there is on selling and fulfilling entity, tax, corporate credit and financial services to startup entrepreneurs.
Why did you become a member of Maverick1000 and why are you a good fit for the Maverick group?
There are a couple of reasons I joined Maverik 1000. First, I really enjoy networking and associating with like-minded individuals — to gain perspective and knowledge, as well as create new contacts from people with experience. Second, I love adventure and the idea of always having new exciting experiences.
What top things would you like to gain / learn / grow with from other members, and what unique value do you bring to the group?
I think the top things I would like to gain, learn, or do with the other Mavericks is probably answered above. I’m not quite sure about the unique value I bring… but I’m assuming one of them is probably being one of the few people who has partnered with Yanik in a Baja car, where he hasn’t been in an accident (JK). I have extensive experience with offline marketing, including direct mail, short and long form radio, and short and long form TV. I also have extensive experience with high ticket phone sales of financial products, business products, and coaching programs around those products.
What interests, activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
Golf, basketball, baseball, wake boarding, snowboarding/skiing, travel, and mountain biking for personal activities and hobbies. Interests are probably spending time with my family and watching/coaching my kids in their activities.
What are the top adventures / things on your Big Life List?
- Take a company to $100M
- Shark Dive the Great Barrier Reef!
What’s the most “Maverick” thing you’ve ever done?
Having a car run over my leg and chest, leaving tire tracks on my shirt and face — without getting any broken bones or serious injuries, outside of a few scrapes and bruises. [HOLY COW, Jeff!]
What’s the most significant / important contribution you’ve made to a community or nonprofit organization?
Did a coat drive, hygiene kit, and food serving project for 800 homeless people; raised over $150,000 for local charities.
What’s a personal quirk you’re known for? (C’mon, we’re gonna find out anyway.)
My humor combined with my high level of sarcasm.
Jeff Spangler
CEO | Premier Mentoring | Daeus Financial
jeff@premiermentoring.com
http://premiermentoring.com/
http://daeusfinancial.com/
Kris Gaunt, M1000 Member #146
“The only certainty in life is CHANGE … We must all embrace this only constant in LIFE!”
What businesses do you currently operate?
Companies I currently operate are:
Aquataga Fishing Pty Ltd (Namibia)
Okoporo Pty Ltd (Namibia)
V A N G O H Pty Ltd (Australia)
(Websites coming soon!)
Aquataga Fishing Pty Ltd (Namibia) is a sustainable live seafood & deep sea crab fishing company, based in the Walvis Bay, Namibia. We operate a little like the famed “Deadliest Catch” from the Discovery Channel (six seasons running). We catch a similar species to the hailed Alaskan King Crab and other premium world class crabs. We also specialize in live seafood, including Famed Walvis Bay Oysters. However, we trap deeper than any other commercial operation in the world than I’m aware of — down to 1000m (3000ft), where the best seafood comes from cold, clean and unpolluted.
Back of the “back story”: We were invited over to Namibia by members of the Namibian government and resource right holders, as they saw our Australian company sustainably adding value to seafood — while achieving extremely high margins. They asked us to do in Namibia what we were doing in Australia… but we would need to put in all the initial start-up capital and investments, purchase and refit the vessels, design and build a state-of-the-art HACCP processing factory, supply technology and skills transfer, etc. After a year and a half of due diligence, I said yes… and we came to Namibia and set up — from the ground up.
Production came three years later; and during this time, WFC happened; our markets changed, new players entered, competition increased and we needed to think and create outside of the box. A short reflective lesson: The only certainty in life is CHANGE — we must all embrace this only constant in LIFE!
So I am now actively transforming our deep sea fishing company into a fully sustainable and completely vertically integrated pharmaceutical company. (Website coming soon).
I see our company beginning and transforming in a similar way as the international cell phone company Nokia — which began in a 1865 as a wood-pulp mill in southern Finland, and has now transformed into the world market leader in cellular telephones to date.
How are we transforming?
Well… there’s a very special natural substance in crab shells called “chitin,” which we plan to convert into a wondrous product and gift to planet called CHITOSAN. There are more than 2,000 known uses for chitosannow — in numerous applications such as waste and water treatment, agriculture, fabric and textiles, cosmetics, nutritional enhancement, and food processing — and every week, scientists from around the world release new research revealing even more uses. In addition to its non-toxicity and non-allergenicity, and its biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioactivity make it a great substance for application in pharmaceutical and medical fields, where it has been used for systemic and local delivery of drugs and vaccines. As a nutraceutical supplement, chitosan is also an excellent fat binder and health supplement, with many clinical studies demonstrating an 8% fat loss by taking chitosan over the course of 30 days.
Chitosan has also proven to stop arterial bleeding, and is currently used in impregnated bandages by both the US and UK military. Cancer patients use it to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. And if you scratch your car… chitosan-impregnated paint even can heal the scratch! Check it out: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16748-crab-chemical-could-give-cars-a-selfhealing-shell.html
As you can see, we are very excited about our new transformation. We will be finalising our new pharma company’s name and structure before the year’s end — and we will produce high value medical and nutraceutical supplement grade chitosan only. Our marketing and sales program will be web-based, linked with direct marketing and daytime infomercials.
Okoporo Pty Ltd (Namibia) is a specialist engineering & fabrication company. We’re currently completing a contract to refurbish the National Underwater Aquarium and Marine Research Centre here in Namibia. Part of this contract is to design, fabricate and install giant interactive multimedia fish learning stations (over sized “Nemos”), which are aimed at educating children in a fun way. These complete education systems will be sold to aquariums worldwide next year.
Okoporo also has work with Hollywood studios in the pipeline, for specialist set manufacturing and fabrication with up and coming blockbuster movies being shot on location here in Namibia in 2012.
VANGOH Pty Ltd (Australia) is a fashion company inspired by a most unusual contact and a couple trips to Egypt. Normally a high-end fashion label starts with apparel and accessories, and moves into fragrances. My partners and I decided we would go the opposite approach, and start with beautiful high-end fragrances, and move into apparel and accessories later. We now have our fragrances together, and VANGOH will be launching next year — initially physically in Australia and then rest of the world via the Internet.
Why did you become a member of Maverick1000 and why are you a good fit for the Maverick group?
I think this is best explained in a message I sent Yanik last week — it’s like some Afest folk have been saying: “People ask how you found out about Awesomeness Fest…? Well the best answer is: I believe Awesomenessfest found me!”… Same perhaps for me and Maverick1000. Like surely attracts like; thought certainly attracts thought. Engaging and listening to some of the current Mavericks sharing their personal stories at the Maverick1000 luncheon at Awesomenessfest presented something I have been looking for a my whole life — a group of “truly like minded people” who endeavour in entrepreneurial outlooks, with a clarity of focus around what is important in life… and then acting upon it! It made me excited — made me feel is if I had found “my people.”
What top things would you like to gain / learn / grow with from other members, and what unique value do you bring to the group?
To learn: New ways of thinking… new ways of doing smart, EPIC business in a fast-changing world. I’m certain Yanik and the Maverick team will have the right introductions, right partners and great experiences to offer with my membership. I will also offer and share fantastic ideas, concepts and resources within the Maverick community, while adding to the adventurous Maverick spirit in us all.
One unique value I bring is my ability to come up with new concepts and ideas — and bring them to reality. For example — and I’m certain some Mavericks will want to be part of this one — I am planning a very special trip to the South Pole, which will be completely video-documented. The trek will be called “Peace Trek,” and will eventually become a foundation.
This won’t be any ordinary trip — the people coming will be very special. Our mission is to bring more peace to the planet through the demonstration of communication, education and understanding on the most politically neutral and environmentally pristine continent on the planet. We will take 24 individuals from 12 different active conflict areas from around the planet. (There are about 16 -17 right now.) One person will come from each of the conflict zones — which have been actively trying destroy each other — who have decided they don’t want to do it anymore. They share a mutual desire to look for other peaceful solutions together (+Mavericks, film and support crew)… and will trek to the Pole together to prove it.
Every human step on the Peace Trek to the South Pole — every conversation, every story, and every night in each polar tent — will be filmed and recorded and put into a reality TV series and IMAX documentary. This event will educate the public about the real stories of conflict — — what’s happening in the world outside mass media selection — and demonstrate to the public that dialogue with your enemy IS possible. Solutions can be found. Friends can made. Peace will WIN!
Peace Trek will be syndicated in 160+ countries.
What interests, activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
NOT watching TV, adventure, traveling, surfing, diving, snorkeling, skurfing, wake boarding, sailing, paddle boarding, flying helicopters, being outdoors, mountain climbing ,mountain trekking, quad biking in the sub-sarhan dunes, abseiling, driving fast (in the right areas), helping people change their thinking to release negative situations and create happy, fulfilled lives… I love hearing different ideas around all that life has to offer.
What are the top adventures / things on your Big Life List?
Discover a still-secret ancient mystery… and be part of a successful hunt for lost treasure!!!
What’s the most “Maverick” thing you’ve ever done?
It’s hard just to mention one! Completed an exploration expedition summit trek on Mount Rinjani (a 12,000ft active volcano) on Lombok Island, Indonesia. (Rated by Outdoor magazine as the #1 trek you can do that year.) On this expedition, I had the strangest event happen while the free-climbing (no ropes) into the volcanic rim, halfway down an unexpected 800m climb down, which turned into a vertical rock face, requiring 3 points of contact at all times. To this day, I still help out the Lombok villagers, who were my porters and helped save my life there. Made me see life with new eyes — and made me discover new strengths I never knew I had. The experience was epic — and to survive and succeed was very Maverick!
Side note: There is more to this story, and will likely be imparted later… ie: the company that organised the trek is called “NO ROADS”; very Maverick in itself. 🙂
What’s the most significant / important contribution you’ve made to a community or nonprofit organization?
Lived in an African community with 55% unemployment without pay for two years, while developing and employing more than 70 previously unemployed and unskilled Africans; up-skilling and training them to enter new industries and new companies, which never existed until I arrived.
Can you recommend some books, authors or developmental programs, which you’ve found influential in your business and/or personal life?
Yes many. This is a long list, so I’ll just put a few down for now…
- Silva Method, by Jose Silva (I was taught a powerful form of this when I was 19)
- The Art of War, by Sun Tzu (and various versions adapted for business)
- Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramhansa Yogananda
- American Monk, by Burt Goldman
- Alwaleed: Businessman, Billionaire, Prince, by Riz Khan
- The Magic of Thinking Big, by David Schwartz
- 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene (I don’t agree with all of his style, but ihelps me identify others seeking power while relating with history)
- Body Language, by Allan & Barbara Pease
- Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins
- Overseas Chinese, by Stirling Seagrave
- 1421, by Gavin Menzies
- Think and Grow Rich, by N. HILL
What’s a personal quirk you’re known for? (C’mon, we’re gonna find out anyway.)
Oh, come on — fly helicopters! Some might call that stupid… I call it freedom. How about: Touch my nose and cover my nostrils with my top lip (you try it). Haven’t tried stand-up backflips, yet… its on my list though. 🙂 Actually I just thought: I can beat anyone at old school video games… anyone!
[Editor’s note: WHOA. With this crowd, that’s a serious challenge. Anyone have the urge to enter the ring with Kris here?]
Kris Gaunt
Aquataga Fishing (PTY) Ltd (Naminia)
Okoporo (PTY) Ltd (Namibia)
VANGOH (PTY) Ltd (Australia)
krisgaunt@gmail.com
