A Pizzazz Magazine Exclusive

Publisher Don Lemmon

Pizzazz Magazine: First of all, what is a day in your shoes like? What do you do from waking to hitting the hay each day?

Phlintrock: Ok this may take a while. Typical day starts at 630 or 7 with either the alarm or my three year old daughter knocking on the door of the bedroom demanding entrance. Get up drink half a gallon of water and get out of bed, go to restroom and read for 15 min. Eat, alone during the week or with Hailey, on the weekends. Get dressed for work, nice clothes during the week for sales, work clothes on the weekend for cleaning business. Leave the house about 730 8 and go to work. Eat again on the way to the office (BTW one of my favorite things to do is eat). Phone calls during the drive. Check e-mail and return messages at work, eat. Leave office and begin making sales calls. Eat lunch with client or partner. Three days a week I go to the gym, other three take a short nap with the rest of my lunch hour. More sales calls or phone calls. Eat mid afternoon and go home between 430 and 5. Eat dinner, change clothes for evening work. Check and answer e-mails and play with younger kids for about an hour. Start evening route, 3 days a week karate worked in here. Usually arrive home about 10 or 11. Work with older kids on homework or listening to their day. Eat again before or just after I get home. 12 answer e-mails, work on bids and writing, review folks goals for mentoring. Spend time with wife talking, although we have been chatting on IM or phone all day in between stuff. Watch 15 min of TV to fall asleep too. LOL couple days a week Dezie keeps me up a bit later, but being a bit sleepy the next day is worth it!! ;) Sleep about 1 or 2 wake up next day start all over again. Do this six days a week. Usually work enough naps in there to get at least 7 hours of sleep in a day!! Seventh day is only about 10 hours long and usually involves some hard play time.

Pizzazz Magazine: What would you say is the highlight of your life so far and how does it compare to your overall goals?

Phlintrock: My wife simply put. I would not be accomplishing even half of what I am today without her. Love is a concept that was foreign to me until we met. Dezie is truly my soul mate. God did not see fit to make me attracted to weak willed women. My wife is a firecracker who keeps me on my toes. Every day she tests to see if I am still a man, and that makes me proud. Not many could be married to my lovely bride and happily they would be hard pressed to find anyone. She makes me strive to be a better man every day. One day I may find a way to show her just what she means to me but until then I’ll keep trying.

Pizzazz Magazine: Who was the first person to tell you writing stories was a crazy idea? At what point did you agree (even if it was momentarily)?

Phlintrock: Of course writing stories is a crazy idea. First person to tell me that writing in general was a bad idea for me was my Senior English teacher, Mrs. Duncan. She hated me, slept through her class every day and had the highest average of all her classes but my grammar stunk. Told her I wanted to be a published writer. She laughed and said to stick to something I knew how to do. She would roll in her grave if she knew that I was a published poet and award winning one at that. And now writing for a magazine or short stories. Maybe she was trying to motivate me. Either way, nonfiction is easy to write, it’s mostly descriptions from your point of view, but fiction. Now that is a challenge. Lets see I am going to lie to you on paper and try to make it believable for long enough that you enjoy yourself. That’s crazy if you ask me.

Pizzazz Magazine: Have you made contacts using the internet that you know you wouldn't have if it weren't for the web being so accessible?

Phlintrock: Absolutely, meet me wife, Dezie. Dezie say hi to everyone reading. Dezie “hi.” See her? If not for the internet my life would not exist as it does now. We met on the internet! Life changing experience, you gotta meet my wife. She is the perfect woman, we truly are soul mates I met Don on the internet, still never even talked to him on the phone or met in person but except for my wife he has made the greatest impact on me personally of anyone in my adult life. I have changed the way I live because of getting to meet him. And no I’m not brownnosing to get some points because it’s his magazine. I have changed the way I look and eat and am much healthier because of my association with him. No longer take prescription medication or much over the counter for that matter. You name me someone who has that great of an impact on your life and tell me they are insignificant. There are more, many more but too many to list here.

Pizzazz Magazine: Funny how it usually works. We grow up wanting to be firefighters or nurses, then due to the glory of media, rock stars, actors, etc. and then reality sits in... We end up being ourselves... Good or bad... What's your story?

Phlintrock: I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. I know that I didn’t want to be poor; we were when I was a kid. Dirt poor, often not enough money for food for all three of us to eat, so went hungry from time to time so my sisters could eat. Mom may be seeing this for the first time here. Don’t be sad Mom you did an awesome job with us and did what you could! Anyway, I didn’t want to be poor and wanted to own my own business. Didn’t even know for sure what that meant but I knew that there was someone else’s signature on moms paycheck and it made sense that that person had more money than she did because it was the same signature every week. I wanted to be that guy. Now I am. My story is long and complicated and told over several articles on my website and in speeches given. I will be happy to share but it is not for this interview. Suffice to say that you don’t have to use your childhood and life as an excuse for what you are. Never cry to me about having a bad childhood, I don’t care and mine was just as if not worse, so get over it.

Pizzazz Magazine: What one thing haven't you done you would still like to?

Phlintrock: Why do I have to pick one? Skydiving, spelunking, Alaskan Cruise, Speak to 10,000 people….this is hard to choose as I spend every day thinking of new stuff that I want so I will stay challenged and not get bored.

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell me one of the negative aspects of life everyone needs to know. Do not say there are none!

Phlintrock: People will always try to pull you down. Not everyone but as a general rule, “People don’t care if you get ahead, as long as you don’t get ahead of them.” There is the story of catching crabs, which I have never done, but I love the story just the same. Catch one crab you have to put a lid on the bucket to keep him in but as soon as you have two you can leave the lid off as they won’t let each other get out. I have no idea if this is true or not but it is when it comes to people. You find a person who will encourage you to do better than them that person is a true friend.

Pizzazz Magazine: What are your 5 favorite or most frequently visited websites?

Phlintrock: www.phlintrock.com
www.liesandpropaganda.com
www.fark.com
www.drudgereport.com
www.google.com
LOL I know it’s predictable but Google links to everything!!

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell me something people do not realize about you, maybe it's not a secret, maybe it's not anything special, but it is something no one else has ever asked you about until now. What's boring to you is news to everyone else...

Phlintrock: This may be news to some but not to others. It took me most of my life to realize that I didn’t need outside approval for what I believe or want to do. The single most revealing thought I have ever had was this. “Just because I want it, is enough reason to give everything I have to making it happen.” Simple basic and took me years of misery to figure it out. This thought is the one thing that my entire manifesto is based on.

Pizzazz Magazine: What's the craziest thing you have experienced in your life? Maybe it's something you witnessed and didn't participate in, but what would shock us, make us laugh or show us another side to things besides the obvious...

Phlintrock: The craziest thing I see every day is the number of people who refuse to accept responsibility for their life. They live in misery, knowing they are worth more but refuse to take the step out of fear, or moral restriction, or simply the fact that they were told one time by somebody that what they want could never happen. They have lived this way so long they actually believe that it is the way life is supposed to be. We call these folks “settle for people” at our house. How do people decide to be miserable every day because they are too afraid to change what it is that makes them miserable? Define insanity “Doing the same thing every day, expecting a different result” That’s the craziest thing I have ever seen and still do every day.

Pizzazz Magazine: Anything embarrassing happen when YOU were trying to look cool? What? Embarrassing and crazy are different things!

Phlintrock: This question makes me laugh. I am not cool; I am a huge Uber Nerd. I have done so much stupid stuff, just look at the pictures from high school, long hair (mullet to be exact), ear ring, pinky ring, white pants and green shirt with a bolo tie. I thought I was the bomb. Problem is I was the city boy in the country and did not fit in. Guess I didn’t care but man was that stupid. Of course then there is the falling down or zipper down stories, but my claim to fame is bumping my head. Get a situation where I need to be cool, I will find a way to smash the top of my head on something.

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell us a few sites that friends of yours own that would appreciate a plug:

Phlintrock: www.blisterd.com, www.ideastaffing.com, www.unicorn-web.com

Pizzazz Magazine: The biggest PLUS FACTOR about being YOU:

Phlintrock: I am my own man. My life has been directed by me and my choices. I love being me because of this. After being raised to be a weenie, I have forged my own path in life and become a real man because of it. This is the biggest plus factor about being me. That and my wonderful wife!

Pizzazz Magazine: Did the people around you change when you started a website? Sometimes those who weren't so supportive in the beginning, suddenly become supportive or possibly vice versa; they became thorns in your side....

Phlintrock: Well not exactly change, I have two circles I operate in. One is business related and one is friend. My business contacts have no idea what my life is exactly like, they just know it’s not like theirs. My friends all know about everything I do and therefore are very into the website thing. I don’t associate with people who annoy me so from time to time the thorns are pulled, so to speak!

Pizzazz Magazine: What question makes you crazy whenever asked and hopefully saying so here will prevent it from being asked again?

Phlintrock: There are two. One is “Don’t you think you are doing too much?” Sometimes this is disguised and “Don’t get your hopes up, you might be disappointed.” This question/statement is for losers. Limits are for those who live in a small world and choose to stay there. So the answer to this one is “So what if I am disappointed, at least I shot for the moon and ended up higher than I would have if I had not tried. Life is full of struggle; if you are afraid to struggle you are afraid to live. Don’t limit my life because you are petrified by fear to try something new in your own life.”

Second Question that drive me nuts. In regards to my kids, all five of whom are adopted and one is in process if possible “Don’t you think that is too many kids, you know you can’t solve all the problems in the world.” First of all I’m not trying to solve all the problems in the world, I am trying to make a child’s life better, and trying does not belong in that sentence. I am making kids lives better. We have a large family and I love it. We struggle with many things and I love that too, but the one thing these kids will have because of me and my wife is a great childhood and a chance at a life worth living. Now if it is too much to ask of you to look at a little baby or small child and say “yes I'm willing to sacrifice a bit for you” then fine go on and be selfish and pray to god you are never put in that position so you wont look like a jerk. But when the question is put to you then it’s up to you to answer by what is best for you. I answer by what is best for the kids. As a result we have a very full life, very chaotic house, and a wonderful family who resembles a cross between the Osborn’s and Roseanne. Never in a million years would I choose anything other than what I have, so quit asking!

Pizzazz Magazine: Who do you see on TV, in film or hear on the radio that just makes you wonder how in the hell they got where they are?

Phlintrock: Ummm Jessica Simpson, why exactly is she on TV? And any number of the MTV VJ’s what exactly do they bring to the table, oh that’s right I forgot they don’t actually play music on MTV anymore. Add to this list most of the music artists in pop or rock today. Here is a tip “quit whining at us and copying the same old crap, get an original idea and use it.”

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell me a joke!

Phlintrock: I want someone to tell me a joke; the joke from the Breakfast Club when he is climbing through the ceiling. “So a duck walks into a bar….” Big fall down and joke never gets finished. Can someone please tell me the end to this one? I have been wondering about that for years.

Pizzazz Magazine: What music group do you listen to most often and what is their best album?

Phlintrock: Rob Zombie!!! I don’t think this man could make a bad album. Although if he reads this he may be enough of a smart ass to try!! LOL His best album? No idea I listen to them all depending on which vehicle I am in. This man is one of the most gifted musicians I have ever heard and what he has done for metal music hasn’t been seen since Metallica in the 80’s. One day I would love to meet him and just talk with him for a while.

Pizzazz Magazine: Who should hang up their hat in your business? Why?

Phlintrock: Sales is such a maligned profession because of all the amateurs out there to make a quick buck. Professional sales people are few and far between and those of us out there are very well paid because we do our jobs. All you losers who don’t know how to sell but from a 10 min training course need to move on an let the big dogs play the game our way without you yipping at our heels begging for scraps. I’m getting tired of kicking you back!!!

Pizzazz Magazine: Tell me your favorite movie genre, name a few titles, think video rental or DVD’s you own and watch the most:

Phlintrock: Horror or B movies or Sci Fi. I own them all, rental is stupid, I never return them on time and end up paying 20 for a movie I can’t keep. So we buy. Lately I have enjoyed Sin City the most, but Skeleton Key was good. All time favs are Matrix trilogy (yes I got it), LOTR, and Fight Club. Classics are Wild at Heart, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Return of the Living dead. But the ultimate B movie is Army of Darkness! Sam and Bruce rock together!!

Pizzazz Magazine: What TV show do you miss from childhood... I used to love Land of the Giants and Dance Fever (kidding on that one)....

Phlintrock: Starskey and Hutch, and Star Trek Next generation. Loved those shows Also Airwolf and the A-Team. But the best one when I was a kid was Knight Rider! I wanted to be David Hasselhoff.

Pizzazz Magazine: Ever had someone from your past try and track you down and bug the tar out of you? Maybe we can put a little tact in people's future efforts here...

Phlintrock: My ex wives! Actually if my first found me it would be amusing to see what she is up to now and who she finally married. But to my second, here is my statement “There is a reason I divorced you! I don’t want to know what you are doing now and how your life is going. Mines great and if you need to know go to my website and read all about it. But don’t bother me!” Whacked people from the past need to stay there.

Pizzazz Magazine: If you were anyone besides yourself, who would you be (even for just a day, on a good day, of course) and did you emulate them growing up or is this a recent admiration you have acquired?

Phlintrock: Vin Diesel? (LOL) Seriously I would be Ben Franklin, the most interesting character from history and a man much like myself who dabbled in what interested him and as a result has changed many lives over the years. He actually thought visiting the local brothel was a good thing, just not in excess.

Pizzazz Magazine: Who in show business would you like to say, "Hey, remember the time someone hooked you up and now look where you are? How about hooking me up with... (blank)?" Insert the BLANK....

Phlintrock: wow this is a great question! And I have no idea who I would need to ask. I haven’t done much to be famous for but I am a public speaker as the story of my life inspires people. Not sure why but when I tell it, folks say it helps them. So if you are in need of some fill for a conference between speakers and want your crowd to laugh and be inspired to be more than what they are now. Contact me!

Pizzazz Magazine: What did we forget?

Phlintrock: Life is what you make it. I have lived more in my life than any two people do in their entire life. We all have the same 24 hours in a day; it's what you do with it that makes the difference. Don’t give up because something is hard, try it anyway and fail. Then get up and do it again until you get it. Then you will know what its like to be alive!!!