One of the most frequent questions that I get asked is, “So what do you actually do for a living?”     Well, that answer can be quite long.   But if you are reading my blog – then obviously, you don’t have anything better to do anyway.    So, let’s start at the beginning.

After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1986, I went to work for PlantersFirst Bank.    I was first the in-house computer guy and eventually became Operations Officer.    While working there, the Real Estate Appraisal industry was in the process of becoming legislated and regulated.    This meant that to become an appraiser, you must become licensed.    I took the necessary tests and become a certified real estate appraiser.   I thought that would be a great part-time job.    However, competitive banks did not want to hire me while working at their competitor – understandable.    Along this same time, my family had the opportunity to open up a second Radio Shack franchise in Eastman, Ga.    So, I had to try out my entrepreneurial wings.     It was my intention to run the Eastman store – and let that support me – while I built up my appraisal business.     The exact opposite happened.   The Radio Shack store never took off, but my appraisal business did.    So eventually, we closed the Radio Shack and I started MidState Appraisal Company.

MidState Appraisal did very well.   However, one large client that ordered multiple appraisals per day (and paid for them exactly 90 days later) one day stopped calling.  When I inquired, they had closed shop overnight.    They left me with a $30,000 plus money owed to me.    I almost went under.    I borrowed money and kept afloat.    But about that time, Dr. John H. Bembry, assistant superintendent of Pulaski County Schools, approached me about joining the school system as a technology specialist full time.   I had been doing some part time consultant work for them.     I saw this as a way to get health insurance AND help me dig my way out the sudden problems with my appraisal company.    So I took this job.

While I loved the school job I realized that my entrepreneurial leanings were still there.    My appraisal company was doing okay, but needed full time supervision.    So I eventually went into a partnership with a fellow appraiser and we each closed our independent shops and opened up VALUEFIRST Appraisal Company.      As it grew, I considered leaving the school system, but again, the insurance was good and the people were great.    So I negotiated moving to a part time with the school system.

During this time, Kristen, my (at the time) 14 year old daughter, expressed an interest in learning to develop a website.    She is so gifted in art, photography, poetry, etc.   I showed her how to create a site and a couple of days later she had created a GREAT website to showcase her work.    I was really impressed.    I encouraged her to start a little company and create  websites for some mom & pop businesses downtown.    She wanted my help, so together we started Ga WebServices.

Eventually, she tired of the websites and just wanted to be a full time teenager.   But by then, we had several clients.   So I kept growing the company.    Eventually, the websites were growing at a much faster pace than the appraisal company.    I wanted to spend more time on the website company, but wanted to be fair to my partner.   So we negotiated a buyout and I left the company to devote full time to my website company.  (which now has over 200 clients in over 20 counties).   We also employ Cory Mader (web designer) and Renee Chester (web designer) and Kristen eventually came back on board as well.    So I hired Valerie Martin to oversee this operation.

However, I was still getting lots and lots of appraisal calls, so I started Georgia Appraisal Services thinking I would just do a few along.   Eventually, I hired a guy full time to help with the appraisals.   He does the research, courthouse work, legwork, while I inspect and conclude values.   It works great!  Frankie Faircloth is a great asset to the company.   Then as it continued to grow, I also add Angie McLeod to our office.   She gets it done, no fuss, no hassle.

So at this point, I was part time appraiser, full time web developer, and part time technology specialist at the school.    You’d think that would be enough….

I met Wayne McGuinty due to having created a few different websites for him.  Like me, he was involved in several businesses.   We had a natural friendship that flourished.    We knew at some point, we wanted to do some business together, we just did not know what.    We formed KAIZEN, LLC with no clue as to what it would become.   (Kaizen is a japanese word for – always getting better).

Wayne runs the WILCOX MARKETER in Wilcox county and we eventually decided the same type of classified ad newspaper would work in Hawkinsville also – so…  The Pulaski Progress was born.   So add editor, copyrighter, reporter to my list of activities.    We started the Progress in November, 2007  and ran it for about a year and a half.   It was a profitable paper after only the first 4 editions.  But one day an opportunity to sell that paper presented itself.   The paper was in the black but was time consuming.  So we cashed out and sold the paper in July of 2009.

Also in November of 2007, Kristen, through involvement in a film class at her school, became involved in filming football games to be rebroadcast at a later date on ComSouth.     However, the next year, the class did not exist.    Mike McClain of ComSouth asked me if I knew of anyone that could tackle that job.   They wanted Hawkinsville, Cochran, and Perry Games filmed (their market area).  They also wanted some Fullington and Westfield games filmed.   Loving a new challenge, I presented ComSouth with a proposal to film these games.   It went well.  The relationship was good.   So after football season, I presented them with the opportunity to keep the relationship going but in addition to high school sports, we add civic and governmental meetings, high school plays, parades, opera house events, etc. etc.    And thus, ComSouth TV channel 1o0 was officially born.    So now I was a TV producer!   (and cameraman, and editor).

This went so well that we added ProgressiveTel (another cable TV provider in Rentz, Ga.) and began doing the same for them.

Eventually, ComSouth wanted more and more involvement in the direction of their channel.   Certainly understandable – as the channel was getting lots of attention.    But being a sole entrepreneur, I really do not like weekly meetings and lots of  “foreign” involvement.   So in January of 2010, I asked ComSouth to take over the channel and I would bow out.    We parted ways but I continue to love the channel (my baby) .

However, I still ran (and run now) the ProgressiveTel cable channel.   The software that I utilize is actually designed to create/schedule/ maintain remote digital signage.    So as I explored how other people were using this software, a new opportunity presented itself.    I have now launched Georgia Media Services.    GMS is actively pursuing restaurants throughout Georgia that will allow us to install a 42″ – 60″ inch television in their establishment that will display current events, trivia, ads for their restaurant as well as ads that we sell to other businesses.   We currently have about 27 displays around Georgia.   For a complete list, go to www.gamediaservices.com

I have also always been fascinated with politics.   I have never considered myself a politician, but have always considered myself a conservative political person.   On the local level, I kept saying to myself, “I hope someone decent runs”.    I finally decided, that while I may not have ALOT to offer, I was at least decent.   So about 10 years ago, I ran, unopposed, for the Hawkinsville City Council.    I have re-ran twice (again unopposed) and am currently vice-chairperson on the Council.    I was also elected as district 6 president of the Georgia Municipal Association  advisory board.    (position elected from among area elected officials by the elected officials).

My most recent venture has been with a good friend (and relatively new comer to Hawkinsville), Charlie Harper.  Charlie just retired as Chief Credit Analyst at SunMark Community Bank.   In his position, he noticed that an issue that area banks were having is dealing with their foreclosed properties.   Current appraisals need to be in the file when bank examiners arrive or the bank gets in trouble.    Most REO (REAL ESTATE OWNED, foreclosed properties) files are pushed to the side and it is hard to keep these files current.   So we started SOLUTIONS FOR PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS together to offer banks a management tool for their REO properties.  We kicked off in 4th quarter 2013 and got our first client, Citizens Bank and Trust of Eastman, Ga. in January of 2014.    We already have appointments with other banks as well.   So wish us luck on this new venture….

So…  What do I do?   Well, I am now back full time as a Technology Specialist with the Pulaski County School System.   I own Ga WebServices, Georgia Appraisal Services and Ga Media Services.  I am a partner in Solutions for Property Assessments.    I am on the Hawkinsville City Council.    I am vice chair of the Deacon Board at Broad Street Church where I teach Sunday School.      I serve on the Executive Committee of the Pulaski County Archway Initiative (board to facilitate the resources of the state’s educational assets to help with problems /opportunities within our county).     I serve on the Pulaski County Senior Council on Aging.  I serve on the MGRDA (Middle Georgia Regional Development Authority – a tri-county economic development board).     And I am a member of about 5 area chambers.  I just joined a local tennis league in Perry, and just so that I would not get too bored, I just agreed to help coach our local High School’s tennis team.

I stay busy.    I like juggling lots at a time.    I like starting things and creating things.     I’ll admit, I do get bored with the status quo.    Let’s keep things improving, or let’s move in another direction.    They say if you want something done give it to a busy person.   Please don’t – I am busy enough!    But now you know the answer to the question.    What do I do?   I am a serial entrepreneur that is also involved in local community affairs.   I love my life and would not change a thing!

Shelly
Updated 1-17-14