April 5, 2006

Dear Mr. Hurley,

I am writing to express the impact you have had on my company and on my personal business skills. In 1987, my father and I founded the company and together began the journey into running a traditional family business. For sixteen years my father and I worked together and built the company into a multi-million dollar operation. It was run during those years, in a very loosely structured environment. Nevertheless, we expanded and brought on board employees and sales representatives. Being of different generations and different ideas and principles, we quite often ran into problems that are typical in most family run businesses. And as a result, we were a successful company; although there were many obstacles that were holding us back from the progression that I envisioned for the company.

In September of 2004, my father retired and left me with the business. He also left the burden of having to find the way to achieve the goals I wanted to pursue for the company, as well as a plethora of problems within the business itself. There were many contributing factors to the challenges I faced. Quite frankly it was frightening to be responsible solely now, for the entire future and longevity of the company and to be in complete control of my staff and the productivity within. Because of the problems that were present at the time he retired, I was in a position of complete chaos on many levels. 2005 turned out to be a year of many transitions: high turnover of in house staff and sales reps that didn't produce, recruiting and training new sales representatives and assistants, losing a sales representative that started his own company—thus taking away about 30% of my annual revenue, having to weed out bad employees, and trying to regain a customer base to replace the revenue lost.

Toward the end of the third quarter of 2005 I realized I was in need of professional help. It was at that time I sought your expertise. Meeting you and developing our professional relationship was the turning point for my company. From a personal perspective, I felt immediately comfortable and knew that I made the right decision to bring you on as a business consultant. Your business advice provided me with knowledge and confidence in running my office the way I always wanted to, but never knew how to implement. Your business consulting and input has taught me how to bring structure and productivity out of my staff, and has made the office a new place. You have been more than a business consultant. You made it clear that you were available to me and have mentored me in many beneficial ways, and I know you will continue to do so. Having that advantage has changed me. I value the relationship we have developed and I feel confident knowing that I have a business mentor in my corner. It is something I never had, and it is a necessary tool for my business that will remain a constant. I would recommended your services to anyone that I think could benefit when they are struggling to get control or overcome obstacles that are preventing them from being successful.

The best part of seeking professional help from you was that I got to meet a great man that I genuinely like and feel so comfortable with. You have a great personality, sense of humor, and the knowledge to direct business owners like myself toward the path of success. Your availability to me has been above and beyond what I would have expected. I truly feel I have my own personal mentor. My respect for you is obvious, and I am a better businesswoman because I have you on my team. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Gabrielle Mariani
President

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