MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

SOLD OUT!

May 2025 GOOD NEWS Big Hat, No Cattle

Big Hat, No Cattle

We all know someone who fits this description:

They talk a big game. They’ve got the plans, the dreams, the ambition — or at least they say they do. They walk around wearing a big hat, but when it comes time to actually deliver… they have no cattle. No action. Just words.

I first heard this phrase in 1983 in Dallas, Texas, where I started my career in real estate. Growing up in Nebraska, I was surrounded by people who would do what they said they were going to do… honest, hard-working people with midwestern values. In Dallas…

Posted 4-28

April 2025 GOOD NEWS Plant the seed of success

Plant the Seed of Success

Success doesn’t happen overnight. It always starts with a single thought, an idea, a dream—just like a tree starts with a seed that is planted in the soil. Before the tree can grow strong and tall, the seed must sprout and take root. The same is true for success in any area of life. If you want to achieve something great, you must first plant the seed in your mind and then nurture it with action, patience, and belief.

We All Have to Start Somewhere

Every success story begins with a single step. Every champion was once…

Posted 3-23

March 2025 Newsletter The Power of Believing in Yourself

March 2025 Newsletter

The Power of Believing in Yourself

One of the most important keys to success is something that won’t cost you a dime, yet it’s worth everything. It’s belief in yourself. If you don’t have it, you’ll struggle to move forward. If you have it, you can accomplish anything you decide to do.

I’ve seen it time and time again: People who believe in themselves exude confidence. They attract opportunities. They gain the trust of others. Your belief in yourself sets the tone for how the world perceives you. On the other side of the coin, lack of belief in…

Posted 2-25

February 2025 Good News Enthusiasm wins the sale!

Enthusiasm wins the sale

In the sales and service industry, three traits are crucial for your success: enthusiasm, passion, and self-confidence. When you are genuinely enthusiastic about your product or service, it doesn’t just boost your own performance. It also makes a positive impression on your customers, building trust and increasing the likelihood of making a sale.

If I had to identify one trait that has propelled my success throughout my career, it would have to be enthusiasm. Self-confidence and passion were also important, but my enthusiasm and excitement for being in the real estate business has always motivated people to…

Posted 1-26

January 2025 Good news Have faith in yourself

Have Faith in Yourself

It is my hope that 2025 will be one of your best years yet. I want to share something today that’s been on my heart—the importance of having faith in yourself. I’m not talking about blind optimism or wishful thinking; I’m talking about the unshakable belief that you are capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to do.

I just had a conversation this morning with a business owner who asked me, “What is the one thing that you still want to accomplish while you’re here on this earth?” It took me a whole two seconds…

Posted 12-30

December 2024 Good News Disciplined workers get there faster

Disciplined workers get there faster

I have always felt blessed to have been born into a great family. Most of my relatives were teachers or preachers. My mother is one of nine siblings, and every one of them was talented in some way.

I am the youngest of five, and I entered the world a lot later than my siblings did. (I think some people would call that a mistake… LOL) I marched to the beat of a different drummer from the beginning. I was nonconforming and rebellious, unlike my siblings. I also had a difficult time focusing. ADHD wasn’t diagnosed…

Posted 11-27

November 2024 Good News ! Focus on being better today than yesterday

Focus on being better today than yesterday

Who is in charge of us improving our lives? That’s right. It’s you. You and no one but you. So now the simple question is what are you doing to make that happen? What actions are you taking to be better today than yesterday. It can be minimal or monumental, the plan is to move your needle forward a little every day.

I am an over-thinker, i sometimes over analyze situations ,however that mindset has worked for me my entire career. I think about yesterday and how I could be better at a meeting…

Posted 10-28

October 2024 Newsletter Let’s turn it up!

Let’s turn it up!

This is the time of year when motivated achievers decide to finish the year strong. If you have not met your goals for 2024, you still have time to get there. And if you have met your goals, now is the time to plan for a successful 2025.

No matter where you are in meeting your goals, now is a great time to turn it up. But instead of trying to finish strong for the rest of this year, let’s turn it up to finish strong today.

If you get inspiration and guidance from reading motivational newsletters and…

Posted 9-26

September 2024 Newsletter

Be memorable

When you want to do business with someone who is choosing between you and three of your competitors, you need to stand out from the others. Let’s say your competition has a product or service of equal quality, a comparable price, and basically everything else is the same as what you have to offer. Why would they choose you? Well, I can tell you why they might not choose you, and that’s because you were not memorable. You didn’t stand out. You did everything the same as the other candidates. Do you want to miss out on an…

Posted 9-1

August 2024 Newsletter More Passion, More Sales

More passion, more sales

Would you agree that it’s way more enjoyable to purchase a product or service if the provider likes their job? I personally prefer not to purchase a product or a service from someone who is not passionate about what they do for a living. Notice that I said “I prefer not to” instead of “I will not.” I understand that not everybody is going to be excited about what they do for a living, and if that’s the case I hope that they’ll find something that they do love. I do know that when I purchase…

Posted 7-29

1 2 3 … 10 Next

REQUEST VAN FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

What People in the Audience are Saying…

With Van's passion, humor and experience you can be assured of one thing- your audience is going to get fired-up, built-up, and fully charged –up. As an entrepreneur at the top of his game Van is in the unique position of being able to "talk the talk" because he has "walked the walk". Over the years he has been a great inspiration to me and my staff. Van is a speaker with charisma, humility and impact and he's a difference maker in the lives of the people he touches…"

—George Akers // President, First Mortgage Corp.

I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking with our company today. I thought your presentation was awesome! I was really motivated and inspired by your thoughts and ideas. I will use this motivation to grow my business and my personal life.”

—Justin Pauls // Realtor, Tampa, Florida

We are delighted you will be accepting the award for Omaha’s Top 25 fastest growing companies. Congratulations on your outstanding growth and we wish you continued success.”

—Tracey Fortina // Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Thank you for running such a class act company. It is an honor and a pleasure to be associated with someone such as yourself. I know you are probably one of the most respected businessmen in the region.”

—Dustin Talacko // Realtor, Omaha, Nebraska

Congratulations on writing “Selling from the heart” and thank you for sharing a copy with me. Your class has been one of the most enjoyable classes I’ve ever taken. Your enthusiasm and passion for your work are awesome. But the most refreshing part of the class was your delightful sense of humor. Thank you again for being a fantastic teacher.”

—Linda Reismeiler // Student at Randall School of Real Estate, Omaha, Nebraska

Kudos to you, Van, for reaching a major goal. But more than that...For successfully building one of Omaha’s best companies from scratch and making it thrive even in less than ideal market conditions. You have realized the American Dream...And brought it home to many, many others. My best to you!”

—Todd Andrews, Anchor and Producer, KETV Omaha

Having you here again was such a blessing to so many! As I looked at the pictures, I could see just how interested each and every person was in what you had to say!

This has been such a gift to our agents when they need it the most. The fact that you come, you are so genuine and caring, you are so honest, you are not trying to sell anything and your passion to help each and every person believe in themselves and become the best they can be is HUGE! The timing is perfect for us all helping and caring about each other, so, thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving of yourself to help all of us!”

—Carolyn Summerton // First Mortgage Company of Idaho

I enjoyed your seminar and its focus. I was on the fence whether or not to attend and decided why not? I could have sat through an all day session if there was one, usually I end up at the seminars that start with a focus and quickly go astray. I found with yours time flew by too fast and it was already time to go but I wasn’t ready to go.”

—Scott Asbill, CDPE // Associate Broker, Realtor