MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR & SUCCESS COACH

What is your business philosophy?
If you are going to own your own business I believe you should always remember it is not about you. It is about the people you are doing business with, what is important to them, fulfilling their needs before your own. Creating an environment that everyone you make contact with should be a great and memorable experience for them. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Give me a brief synopsis of VanDeeb.com?
VanDeeb.com is the parent company for my keynote motivational speaking business and also the umbrella company for my future  books, CD’s, DVD’S and any other material to be distributed.  www.VanDeeb.com is the web site which will eventually be a one stop shop for anyone looking to improve their business career and also their life in general.

The name of a business is very important to the companies’ success, what encouraged you to decide on the name of your company VanDeeb.com?
When I first started the company I picked the name sellabrationseminars.com which I never really was comfortable with. Then I started visiting with other well known keynote and motivational speakers and reaffirmed what I always thought from the beginning. It was too long and didn’t really fit me, most of your successful people in my industry have their name in the title. Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Tom Hopkins, etc. So it didn’t take long for me to realize VanDeeb.com is the right choice. I have always preached to new business owners to keep the company name short and I wasn’t taking my own advice. My advice to others is don’t be in a hurry when it comes to naming your company, it can be costly with changing marketing material.

What do you think makes your motivational/inspirational speeches and workshops different from other speakers?
I believe my background is just one of many areas that separate me from other speakers. I grew up in a family that was mostly educators with no one in sales careers of any kind.  I started out in real estate not far after college on straight commission  with about $500 in savings. I had an extremely humble beginning.  My speeches are designed to benefit anyone with drive, desire and determination like I had (and still do). I have been in the trenches not just financially but without a mentor to guide me, I had to experience mistakes and learn from them. I started a company by myself in my basement and created one of the leading real estate companies in the Midwest with about 350 people. I don’t know a lot of motivational speakers with that type of a beginning. I can relate to sales people, I can relate to business owners, I can relate to anyone who has nothing and wants to create something and be the very best they can be. A lot of motivational speakers don’t have the experience that I do not just talking the talk but also walking the walk.

What is your main message you are trying to get out in your new book “Common Sense Selling”?
That if you work hard and treat people well you can have a successful career. This book is a brief testimony of my career as a sales person and a business owner. It is my hope that the readers will think of ways they can incorporate some of my ideas, creativity and business applications to benefit their own careers. This book is a very easy read that focuses on the basic fundamentals of service, communication and salesmanship to build customer relationships that will last a life time. This book is a great sales tool for all sales people as well as business owners. It can be purchased at www.vandeeb.com

Obviously you are really into motivation, is there one quote that you like best?
There are hundreds that I really like. They get me fired up and excited to be alive, I display a lot of my favorites on my web site which I often add to. However, to answer your question, to identify one quote it would have to be “If there is one thing that you should repeat over and over it should be there is nothing I cant do.” I love that quote because it is so very true. With drive, desire, determination, guidance, sacrifice, passion and a positive attitude we can accomplish anything we want. I believe God gave us all the ability and talent to be anything we want to be. All some of us need is a spark to light the fire within.

Tell us something about yourself that people may not know?
I try hard to be a good Christian and try to lead by example and the second would be that I am always looking for an opportunity to be silly. I never take myself too seriously and like to make people laugh.

Do you have a target audience for your speaking business?
Yes! Any size group from a small networking group to a large fortune 500 company. Preferably sales or business related. Anyone who wants to be better at their career and increase their income and productivity.

Your former company DEEB Realty was one of the largest real estate firms in the Midwest when you sold it; do you have any regrets?
No, it was perfect timing for me and for the company and needed to happen. I am just extremely grateful that I had someone so deserving as Andy Alloway to take over. We had talked about him owning it for several years before that. Not many business owners have the luxury of selling their firm to their General Manager like I did. The transition went flawless. I do miss being around all the wonderful people at the company, we were a big family and they are exceptionally good people. The most satisfying thing for me now is to see how well they are doing and how much they have grown. I know they have yet to experience there full potential of what the future holds. Andy has a business philosophy and a culture that no one can compete with and most likely never will.

What is the one goal for your business that you have yet to accomplish?
I have so many things I want to accomplish with VanDeeb.com, however, in the big picture my goal is to build one of the most successful motivational speaking businesses in the world. How will I do it? I will do it by helping everyone else fulfill their dreams and goals.

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