Drumroll please…
It’s our huge pleasure to introduce our newest game-changing powerhouses — and very possibly your next Big Connection! Please welcome our newest Mavericks…
#147 Tim Hawkins
#148 Derek Coburn
Check out who they are — and then reach out to say hi!
Tim Hawkins, Maverick1000 Member #147
“We really want to make our mark… and be remembered fondly by all facets of the community. Those traits seemed to mesh well with the philosophy of Maverick, so it seemed like a good place to hang my hat and order a beer.”
Hey Tim! Tell us about your business…
I am as focused on LTBD as I can be at the moment. I am constantly jotting out new business ideas; and while I have operated other businesses in the past (most related to or revolving around real estate, a passion of mine since my teens), LTBD shows such great potential and strong growth that I feel obligated to give it my full attention over the next few years, to see how far we can go. Our website is: www.ltbd.com
Why did you become a member of Maverick1000 and why are you a good fit for the group?
I appreciate the mentality of the group and the energy/verve for the entrepreneurial pursuit. I haven’t built this company to avoid “working for the man”; we are pursuing a lot more here. For instance, the ability to build something sustaining and vital to the community; to change the conversation around our staid and predictable industry, and give back to others. We really want to make our mark when this is all said and done, and be remembered fondly by all facets of the community. Those traits seemed to mesh well with the philosophy of Maverick, so it seemed like a good place to hang my hat and order a beer.
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 hear other perspectives on the challenges we share as business owners and builders of something cool. I am amazed almost daily at how I’ll find something interesting or valuable, which I had been totally ignorant of to that point… and I have a feeling there is tons to learn from the other members of the group.
I bring out-of-the-box thinking from a traditional field of business (accounting / finance). I think this helps me see how an idea is tethered to the long-term goals and success of an organization a little quicker, due to that intense (and often intensely boring — it *is* still accounting) experience with the numbers or language of the businesses I have worked with over the years.
What interests, activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
I love to follow sports, be it baseball, football, hockey, or basketball. I’m an avid reader, who seldom turns down a recommendation to read the next business book. Family time is more valuable every day, as the business continues to pull harder for my attention. And I’m a big fan of travel, especially internationally.
What are the top adventures / things on your Big Life List now?
Travel is something I have missed the past five years, as I got this business off the ground. I enjoy the traditional travel destinations, but gain the most enjoyment from those “off the beaten path” locales overseas. I want to re-start those adventures again in the next two to three years; and I am positioning my role in the business to allow for one to two months of living abroad each year. I’d like to plan at least a short visit to every country in the world before my days are done, and I still have a ways to go. (I think I’m at 35, per my last count.)
Scuba diving – I started seven years ago, and lost it in the rush of business and birth of my son. I’d like to pick it back up and start travelling, experiencing the great scuba locations around the world. I’ve spent quite a lot of time on top of the sea, but not nearly enough time below the surface.
Broadening my son’s mind – I had a great upbringing in a small tight-knit working class community, but some of my experiences were limited for various reasons. My wife and I constantly plan ways for our son (jury is still out on whether there will be one more) to understand what the world is from an early age, and how vast are his opportunities. I really want to nurture any entrepreneurial spark, and ensure he knows his opportunities are broad.
What’s the most “Maverick” thing you’ve ever done?
I’m generally somewhat of a risk-taker, but I’d have to say my answer to his one is: resigning from my job one day… and completely giving into my business ideas. I am amazed at the number of people with great ideas, who are afraid to take a chance and test that idea or concept in the marketplace. Relying on my own skills to derive income and survive has been a big adventure in itself.
What’s the most significant / important contribution you’ve made to a community or nonprofit organization?
We have a lot of nonprofit organizations as clients at LTBD, and our model lends itself well to their needs. We consistently bring an upgrade in quality of service of the accounting/finance department for any organization. But when we do it for a nonprofit, there’s the added satisfaction that our efforts directly affect the bottom line that helps feed children, promote health initiatives or environmental sustainability, etc. Our whole team gets excited about this impact, and we continue to find nonprofits to work with and help succeed. That impact makes a common task like accounting extremely rewarding to us.
Which books, authors or programs have been a powerful influence in your business and life?
I read a lot of the books out there, and there have been different books that have made a big impact on me at different points in my life. Lately, my focus in business has been on creating the best experience for employees, and maximizing their impact on their own worlds and environments through the business. That leads me to books and ideas from guys like Tony Hsieh and the Zappos mentality, among others.
The one book that consistently keeps a place on my nightstand and desk is Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius. I’m not sure how well I heed the book, but it’s a constant reminder to do whatever you do honorably and selflessly; and to respect what you learn from each teacher in life, wherever he or she may come from.
What’s the weirdest skill, quirk or stupid human trick you’re known for? (C’mon, we’re gonna find out anyway.)
So I grew up in farm country… where you find your fun in different ways than you might have growing up in an urban area. I worked and lived on cattle farms through most of my childhood — and there’s probably not a more stubborn animal than a cow. So I had to overcome the fear of a charging, stubborn, 1,200 pound sack of steak, and be ready to grab it around the neck and get it back in line with the rest of the herd. So that’s a weird skill right — wrestling cattle? I haven’t utilized it in a while… but give me a call if you are having a bovine attitude issue.
[AJ: HA! “Hi Tim? Aydika here. I’ve got a pretty serious bovine attitude issue on my hands… can you help?“]
Tim Hawkins
President | LT Business Dynamics
thawkins@ltbd.com
SUPERIOR ACCOUNTING FOR NONPROFITS, CORPORATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS
Derek Coburn, Maverick1000 Member #148
“I hope the fact that I am never complacent will uncover a few goods ideas I can contribute to the group…”
Welcome Derek! Tell us about your business…
CADRE (www.cadredc.com) and Washington Financial Group (www.washfinancial.com)
EDITOR’S NOTE (AJ): Derek was too humble to elaborate on his (really impressive) businesses… but I couldn’t help but snag some excerpts from his company pages and share them here. Check it out:
The challenge for truly remarkable professionals is finding other businesses with which to collaborate. So husband and wife team Derek and Melanie Coburn founded CADRE out of a shared passion to connect remarkable professionals with one another…
“When I have a great experience with a business, I love to tell everyone I know. I also love connecting people. In fact, I’ve referred over 300 opportunities within my network just this past year…
As an owner of Washington Financial Group (a wealth advisory firm focusing on high net worth individuals, including corporate executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, and their organizations), most of my clients view me as their “Personal CFO,” and turn to me for advice whenever they’re making a financial decision. I want to help them in any way I can, which has made it imperative for me to have a diverse network of remarkable professionals that I can call on whenever a client’s needs are outside what our firm can provide. I consider myself very lucky to have a great core of strategic partners, but these relationships have taken years to develop, and I’ve always wished there was a way to build such relationships more efficiently.
Typically if you’re a remarkable professional, you are extremely focused on adding value for your clients – which limits the time you have to market and network. We created CADRE as a way for remarkable professionals to connect and develop meaningful relationships with other top professionals efficiently and effectively, with the ultimate goal of working together to promote each other, while adding value for their existing clients and network.”
Why did you become a member of Maverick1000 and why are you a good fit for the group?
Yanik told me to!
What top things would you like to gain / learn / do with other Mavericks, and what unique value do you bring to the group?
I love the idea of being around super-smart people who are leaders in their industries. I hope the fact that I am never complacent will uncover a few goods ideas I can contribute to the group.
What interests, activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
Golf, Travel, Wine, Sports, Music (indie-rock mostly)
What are the top adventures / things on your Big Life List now?
Haven’t focused on this much…
What’s the most “Maverick” thing you’ve ever done?
I was on Elimidate!
What’s the most significant / important contribution you’ve made to a community or nonprofit organization?
Currently, I am vice-chairing the upcoming NFTE (Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship) Gala.
Which books, authors or programs have been a powerful influence in your business and life?
Top books are:
- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Robert B. Cialdini
- Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd, by Youngme Moon
- Drive, by Daniel H. Pink
- Anything by Godin. I am also a big user of GTD.
What’s the weirdest skill, quirk or stupid human trick you’re known for? (C’mon, we’re gonna find out anyway.)
????????? Might help to see what others have to jog my memory. I know that is a lame answer, but I’m not sure!
[AJ: Hm… okay then game on, Derek. Because have no doubt: We WILL find out anyway. And we might even instill a few more.]
Derek Coburn
derek@cadredc.com
http://www.cadredc.com/
http://www.washfinancial.com/
