God is from Alabama--Just Ask Anyone Else From There

I spoke with a lender yesterday who asked me my religion. Normally, this wouldn't come up in professional conversation, but in Alabama, God is more prevalent in casual conversation than the weather. When I said I was Catholic this gentleman explained he was Baptist and then went on to mention how he knew a few people who were Catholic and how all of these folks are alright and he even recently went to a Catholic fish fry and had a nice time. Out here in the West that would be quite unusual, not to mention quite personal, but he isn't the first in Alabama to ask me my religion, recoil with horror and then either try to save my soul or explain that they will do their best to accept me.

I find it refreshing to work with people who believe in God. For the most part, people in Alabama are genuine and friendly. I have yet to meet a pretentious Alabamian. I find them to be hard working, and more importantly, grounded. They want to associate with like-minded individuals. Their faith in The Almighty is something they are proud of and it unites them under a common ground. It is one of biggest factors that attract me to these folks.

To clarify a point from my last post: Apparently Heritage Electric will return phone calls after I leave 5 of them in a week and my agent leaves her fair share too. Sadly they don't seem to grasp the concept of time zones, but we can't have everything I guess. The jury is out on the work they do.

A Fortnight in the Life...

When we last left our slightly sane heroine, she was trying to get it all together to start another advertising blitz.

So, I have now found a lender that seems to have a triple digit IQ. I have talked to a credit reporting agency who said they would fax me over an application. I called back to tell them I hadn't received it, and two weeks later, my fax machine has cobwebs. Yep, gotta love people with integrity. For the record, this company is called "Innovis."

I have found an attorney who is worth a darn. Actually apparently he is worth $200 an hour. I can't wait to get his bill! I am pleased at his assistance and am feeling better about not being sued. So, maybe it is worth all the bucks. Think of it as insurance.

I started my advertising campaign yesterday. Sadly, it is more like an advertising drip. Although, I did have more than 30 hits in the past 24 hours on our site. From that, I have received 4 calls and 1 e-mail. I might get one new person in our program from that and I certainly can't complain. But, last time we advertised, we had more than 100 calls in 24 hours.

I have an electrical issue, and worse, what stems from that is another #$*&^(*&! Birmingham vendor who refuses to work. Also for the record, if you are looking for electricians in the Birminham area, Heritage Electric does not return phone calls and a representative at Hill Electric in Anniston, AL is a rude hot head who will NEVER get a penny of my money.

A week in the life

As we are in the toddlerhood of business, we are discovering the world around us and finding ways to adapt, with the occasional temper tantrum when I can't have my way. And, just like any toddler deep in the throes of a developmental milestone, I am not sleeping; but wanting to concentrate instead on fixing/finding a new way to figure out what my latest hurdle happens to be. Unfortunately, just like grownups, my partners don't understand. It really isn't up for them to understand exactly. I would appreciate a little patience from them however.

On my list of to-dos this week. Find a lender who wasn't a complete bozo. I may have found one. Keep your fingers crossed folks. I absolutely have to get the lending thing under control before I do anything else. Next, I have a call into a couple of the credit reporting agencies trying to see if I can streamline the loan application process. Then there is the whole loan application process! Still working on that. I want to update it and include some additional pertinent information. And finally, I am interviewing my third attorney in Birmingham. I really think Birmingham attorneys go to the Alabama Plumbers' school of customer service. There are more items on my to-do list. I am just scratching the surface here. All of these little things are minor. But I have time to deal with them now. And, if I improve my processes now, I won't be trying to fix them later on when I am busier.

Just like learning to walk before I can run.