Client Profile: Guytano Magno Photography

Here at Safe Shield, our business success is reflected perfectly in the successes of our clients. Today, we’re profiling Guytano Magno - the owner and head photographer of Guytano Magno Photography.

Magno has made quite a name for himself - and expanded his business - in a relatively short amount of time. Magno has been shooting weddings for the better part of a decade, but made the decision to create an entity and formalize his photography business three years ago.

Magno cites several reasons for forming his own business. He says he’s always been an adventurous, independent person, so the idea of starting something of his own - something without limitations - has always been very appealing.

“I don’t feel like I have a ceiling…in any capacity,” Magno explains. “The only thing that will hinder the growth of the business is me.”

Magno also appreciates the flexibility that comes with being able to craft his own work schedule.

“I work much harder now, but I have the control to take time off whenever I choose,” Magno says. “This is a huge blessing when it comes to helping my wife raise our beautiful son -  I love slow mornings when the 3 of us get to spend time together at the house.”

This blessing, however, does not come without cost. Magno says, as a business owner, he faces unique challenges all the time - many related to growth.

“If your business never grows or changes, you can stay put in the same structures you’ve always had,” Magno explains. “But, if you are growing and adapting, you will need to figure out how to do that in a way that is right and healthy.”

Magno says Safe Shield has been an integral part of making those growing pains manageable. While he’s only been working with Safe Shield for a few months, Magno says, since then, he’s developed a subsidiary business under the umbrella of the main business, hired a new employee, and remodeled his studio. Magno says Safe Shield's services have given him the structure and support he’s needed during this busy time. “All of these things take planning and structuring. Safe Shield has been invaluable in doing those things well.”

We have little doubt Guytano Magno Photography will continue to boom. The proof is in what Magno told us when asked what the future holds.

“I would like to go to the moon…or anything else equally ambitious.” Safe Shield is very excited to be along for the ride!

Client Profile: Solid Rock Home Innovations

Here at Safe Shield, our business success is reflected perfectly in the successes of our clients. Today, we talk with Dale Gronhovd, the founder and CEO of Solid Rock Home Innovations, LLC. here in St. Cloud. Dale is a passionate small-business owner with years of experience, and we’re honored to be able to share his story. Here’s Dale:

How long have you been in business?

I started in November 2013 - so about 5 months.

Why did you first get into business for yourself?

I have a degree in Carpentry and have worked in the construction field for the past 20 years. I absolutely love working with homeowners to help them enjoy their home. I had always dreamed of owning my own business, and have done projects for family and friends for years. Even though there are plenty of remodeling/repair technicians in the community, I saw a gap in customer service and expertise - and knew I could fill that gap. My fiance was very supportive, so when I needed to make a job change just a few weeks before our wedding, we decided it was a great time to start the business. Solid Rock Home Innovations specializes in remodeling, repair and DIY consulting.

What is the most rewarding part of owning your own company?

It is so rewarding to talk to a home owner or business owner who has a challenge with their home or office and be able to offer a solution they didn't realize was possible. Because of my years of experience, I'm often able to find a more cost-effective solution than they had imagined. Knowing my work is helping people enjoy their home gives me tremendous satisfaction.I also know that the buck stops with me and I can perform each job to my own high standards. I truly enjoy each day and come home at night with peace knowing I gave my clients my all.

At what point in your business journey did you start using Safe Shield? How has using them helped you? What feature has helped you the most.

I could have started my business under the radar and waited awhile before getting set up legally; in fact, there were people who suggested I just take cash jobs for the first few months. However, as our business name suggests, we wanted to run a business with integrity and wanted to start by doing things right; I just had no idea where to get started. My wife, Tara, had worked with Kent in the past and had respect for Safe Shield. Meeting with Kent was one of the very first things I did in getting started and he brought tremendous value! He helped me understand my options for setting up my business and advised me on a number of business issues I had questions about. Not only did SafeShield help us set up our LLC, but taking Kent's advice brought incredible peace of mind as I started my business. What could have been a very stressful process, was exciting and motivating!

How do you see your future?

Solid Rock Home Innovations is growing at a steady pace and once I obtain my contractor's license this summer, the opportunities will be endless. I'm excited to grow Solid Rock Home Innovations into a respected brand in our community as we continue to delight our clients. In addition to providing for my family, we pray Solid Rock will grow so that we can also give back to our community.

What makes Solid Rock unique is the ability to find creative, cost effective solutions combined with carpentry expertise (high end attention to detail) and a sincere heart for our clients. This combination of skills and values aren't found in many businesses nor are they being taught, so one day I hope to take on apprentices to teach and mentor the next generation.

Client Profile: DAYTA Marketing

Safe Shield is in business to protect you and help your business succeed. Which is why it is wonderful to see a client like DAYTA Marketing prosper while enjoying peace of mind. Headquartered in St. Cloud, MN, DAYTA Marketing is a marketing firm specializing in social media. The company was created when CEO and founder Luke Riordan teamed up with his uncle and now business partner John Riordan during Luke’s final semester at St. Johns University. “I decided there was no better time for me to start a business coming straight out of college. I had an awesome mentor and business partner, the market was ready and was in need of social media marketing services”, said Luke Riordan. On February 1st 2012 DAYTA Marketing was born.

In the 2 years DAYTA Marketing has been open, they have gained over 100 clients and opened a second location in Minneapolis, MN. All of DAYTA Marketing’s success has made Luke realize that as the CEO his time is valuable. It is one of the reasons in December of 2013 he called Safe Shield. It has only been 2 months since Safe Shield started working with DAYTA Marketing and Luke can already feel the difference, “Safe Shield takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders. They are proactive and provide invaluable advice when dealing with corporate compliance and formalities. We should have started using them sooner.” With the new office in Minneapolis, both Luke and John and have spent a lot of time traveling. Fortunately, they never have to remember to pack any of their business documents; they can securely access their corporate record book and other important documents via the Internet from anywhere thanks to Safe Shield’s cloud-based Online Record Management System. 

For Luke, watching the company and the team of employees grow is the most rewarding part of his job. Of course a larger company means more responsibility, “Our company will become more complex and having Safe Shield help guide our company in the right direction is very important. Safe Shield's affordable compliance services ensure our company is compliant with both state and federal laws.”

Safe Shield is very excited to see what the future has in store for DAYTA Marketing. Good Luck – and enjoy peace of mind knowing that we’ve got your back.

The Desire to be an Entrepreneur

Behind every business is an entrepreneur; somebody who decided they wanted to venture out and build their own company. Starting your own business is a time consuming process that includes strategic planning and most importantly creating the foundation and structure of a business entity that will protect you. So why do people choose to start their own business?

There are many interesting facts and statistics that explain why people choose to start their own business and the desire to become an entrepreneur is on the rise. According to a survey conducted by Rassumssen University, 71% of Millennials would prefer to work for themselves and 60% of them say they likely will do so within two years. For many, freedom plays a big part in entrepreneurship and more college graduates are choosing to forgo nontraditional employment paths.

Freedom for future entrepreneurs means the power to control their working conditions. They want to be able to work wherever and whenever they like, work on projects they find interesting and travel while working. Its notions like working while traveling that illustrate the point entrepreneurship is not a title or a job description, it is a way of life and it requires desire.

Are you ready to embody the entrepreneurial lifestyle? Click HERE to check out the entity formation section of Safe Shield’s website. “Chase the vision, not the money, the money will end up following you.” —Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO.