 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Joe Higgins Biography
Early life and education:
Joe has been married to
Christine for the past 10 years and they are the parents of Hailey, 9 years old
and Jack 6 years old. Joe is father,
community leader, business owner and supporter of local charities.
Education
Joe attended St. Peter and
Paul Catholic elementary and went on to graduate in 1987 from
Business Experience
Hydrogrowth and Abtech Industries (founded 1992 and 1996)
Gotta
Go Wireless (1999 - $2.1 million
gross sales – 65+ employees)
Sports
Buzz Haircuts (2001 - $1.3 million
gross sales – 45+ employees)
Talking
Trash Waste Removal (2005 - $700,000
gross sales est. –
9 employees)
Silverbell
Pavilion (2006 – 7400 sq ft retail
strip center)
Charity Involvement
-
Founding Chair and Past
President of Catholic Community Services Foundation
-
Executive Committee
Catholic Community Services www.ccs-az.org
-
-
Foothills Sertoma –
Founding President www.TucsonSertoma.com
Business/Political Involvement
-
City of
-
Citizen Sign Code
Committee
-
Environmental Services
Advisory Committee
-
TREO – Small Business
Sub-Commission Chair (through 2006)
-
Caballeros Del Sol –
Business Ambassador Club of
Awards and Recognition
-
2004 Copper Cactus -
Small Business Leader of the Year
-
2005 1st
Inaugural
-
2007 Rev. Joseph
Gilmore Alumni Service Award
-
2008
Business Profile
Professional Experience
Hydro Growth – AbTech Industries - http://www.abtechindustries.com
While at the
Joe was involved in the
start up phase and early marketing and product, packaging and distribution of
the Abtech product. Abtech used patented polymer technologies to absorb oil out
of water. Their applications range from open sea oil spill containment to catch
basins for road way run off. In 2007 Abtech was listed by Fortune Small
Business as one of the 10 Big Ideas of the year. Joe remains a stockholder and
supporter of the company he helped start.
Gotta Go Wireless – www.igottagowireless.com
In 1999 Joe left corporate
sales positions at Alltel and Nextel Wireless to found Gotta Go Wireless. The
enterprise started as a direct wireless sales company where Joe sold wireless
plans and services to business. In a converted room and from the trunk of his
car Joe secured the carrier contracts, brought on partners and opened retail
stores. The timing was ideal as wireless was catching on in the
-
Growth to 12 retail
locations with locations in
-
$2.1 million in gross
income by 2001.
-
The company employed
over 65 sales and support staff
-
Created a household
brand recognized in each of the markets they worked in.
-
Gave back to the
community in the form of annual charity golf tournaments benefiting Big
Brothers and Big Sisters.
-
Media budgets in excess
of $20k per month including campaigns in TV, radio, print, online and outdoor.
-
Business grew by
locating, opening and establishing locations then selling or transferring
ownership to a qualified manager or partner.
-
Gotta Go Wireless was
the first dealer to sell all 7 wireless carriers in the
-
Gotta Go Wireless holds sales records and customer retention records from
Alltel, Voice Stream and Nextel Communications.
In late 2001 with the
correction of the technology industry and the events of 9/11 Joe could see that
the wireless broker model may not be around in the distant future. Joe spent
the next year identifying the next business model to focus on. From the
experiences at Gotta Go Wireless he realized that the next enterprise needed to
be:
-
Consumable - service
based
-
Minimal inventory
requirements and pressures from mass retailers
-
Expandable brand that
could be moved to other markets
-
A franchise opportunity
that can be expanded around the western US.
Sports Buzz Haircuts – www.sportsbuzzhaircuts.com
In 2002 Joe launched his first Sports Buzz™ Haircuts location. Sports Buzz™ is a unique new sports themed hair
care concept that markets and caters predominantly to men and children.
In the fast food arena, major fast food chains like
McDonalds, Chuck E Cheese, and Peter Piper Pizza have built their entire
business not around the food, but around the experience to the target audience
they are attracting. Sports Buzz™ is selling the
entertainment aspect of the common hair cut. Sports Buzz™
stores consist of bright red, white and blue stores with hard wood basketball
court floors, TV’s and or video games and each station and throughout the
waiting area. Sports memorabilia and photos set the tone of each location. An integral part of each location is creating
a special area for children. Child play areas, racecar cutting chairs and
cartoon stations make the experience of a Child’s haircut less traumatic and a
fun place to visit.
The brand grew to 9 locations in
Sports Buzz™ stores have been visited by 40-50k Tucsonans since it’s opening. The brand and image has become an integral
part of the
Talking Trash Waste Removal – www.88trash.com
Through advertising with Sports Buzz™ and Gotta Go Wireless, Joe developed a
relationship with Ad Vision Outdoors bus and shelter advertiser in the City of
Since the trucks and contract
required hand throw, non-automated trash service Joe looked for opportunities
to keep the trucks busy during the day.
Currently Talking Trash services 22 homeowner associations in
Talking Trash has added roll off
commercial trash collection and automated curbside cart collection and is
reviewing expanding into the medical waste industry.
Silverbell Pavilion – www.joehigginsinc.com
- Silverbell Pavilion link
In late 2005 Joe was
searching for a retail location on
Statement of Qualities
and Performance
He is a true three-pronged
leader with:
-
Proven business start
up, growth and sustainability.
-
A Business leader and
champion for many small business issues
-
Community and non
profit involvement and board leadership
In the business arena, Joe
has been extremely successful in identifying an idea and executing a business
plan to a successful business. He has
created companies that have employed 100’s of Tucsonans with higher paying
careers. He as enjoyed the roll of rainmaker by helping others start and live to
their true business potential under his umbrella. He as demonstrated an
understanding of micro and macro economic principals knowing when to grow, when
to find the next enterprise and how to manage extreme growth and rapid slow
downs.
As strong and dynamic as the wireless business was, Joe gave the business a 5 year window before the market would dry up for brokers. True to the original plan the business started to suffer cash flow and volume issues after it’s forth year. Joe had managed growth through opening then spinning off locations to other entities, managers or partners. When the market slowed Gotta Go Wireless was able to weather the storm by spreading the risk and not holding all the overhead. While large wireless dealers around the country were closing Joe was able to keep the business going and start focusing on his next venture Sports Buzz™. As of this date Gotta Go Wireless is still servicing clients. The firm is a fraction of it’s original size but 8 years later it still functioning.
The next business venture, Sports Buzz™ is a concept that carves a unique niche in the franchised hair care industry. Sports Buzz™ grew to nine locations in Tucson using a similar growth model as Gotta Go Wireless. Sports Buzz™ has grown by enlisting licensees to open locations. The system functions much like a franchise with partner stores paying a royalty to the licensor and sharing in advertising expenses. The original business plan called for 10 locations in Tucson all the while perfecting the system and laying the groundwork to franchise beyond Tucson.
Able to see an opportunity
when presented, Joe moved into the waste business and started Talking Trash
Waste Removal. The trash industry is
highly competitive and the start up capital is substantial but the business
principals were sound. The waste industry is virtually recession proof, service
based and ripe for a firm that can deliver superior service and will go above
and beyond for their clients. The cash
flow management side is excellent as customers pay IN ADVANCE for services.
With fuel sur charges and annual increases all variables are covered. The opportunities in the waste field are
endless. Joe is moving cautiously into commercial roll off services and is currently
analyzing the efficacy of getting into the specialty medical waste
industry. The mega trends around
healthcare in the southwest should make the medical waste division a major
growth opportunity for the company.
While launching and growing Talking Trash, Joe formed a partnership to build a retail strip center on Tucson’s west side. Joe secured the
property, hired the architectural team, managed the builders and navigated the
challenges of working with the City. The experience in developing
the retail center was invaluable and Joe intends to find additional
opportunities to develop commercial properties in the County.
In the city government and
small business area Joe has become a “go to” professional with a level head and
the ability to energize and unite people on both sides of an issue.
An example of how Joe took an issue and saw it through would be his work on the A Frame Ordinance and the City of Tucson Sign Code. An A Frame sign is a critical lifeline for many small businesses in a community. An attention getting sign on the street is an affordable way to get customers in the door. The permitting process for an A Frame was very difficult. It took him 3 sign companies and over $1500 in review fees to get a single A Frame permitted for one of his Sports Buzz™ locations.
Joe took the effort of fixing the cumbersome ordinance and making it easier to get a sign permitted. He enlisted the support of the Tucson Chamber and established a panel of concerned stakeholders to come up with a working ordinance. After 12 months of working with City staff, neighborhoods and elected officials they was able create legislation and receive a unanimous vote from a politically divided Mayor and Council. As a direct result of his work local businesses went from 28 permitted A Frames in 2004 to over 200 today.
Joe has taken on the leadership role as Chair of the Tucson Small Business Commission. For the first time in a number of years the Commission as focused their efforts and have taken on 3 areas to effect change for small business in Tucson. The Commission has focused on:
- Communications , which include an email database, that will for the first time connect and communicate to 30-50k registered businesses in Tucson.
- Development Services is a constant problem for the City and the business community. Our commission has assembled a blue ribbon panel to look at the processes and procedures of getting something in the community built.
- Small Business Department – An area that Joe is extremely passionate about is the possibility of forming a department in the City that functions as a source for small business and the City Council to organize, effect change and communicate. The sub-committee is working with the UofA Eller look at other cities such as Austin or Portland and to lay the groundwork on the value of such department to small businesses in Tucson. The goal is to work with the Chamber and put together a panel of stakeholders to build and prove the model for such a department.
In the non-profit sector Joe
has been instrumental in changing the landscape of some of
Since the CCS Foundation’s
inception and under Joe’s tenure as President the board has grown to 13 members
and 10 honorary members including Jim Click, Alan Norville, Buck O’Reilly, Jim Ronstadt, Bill Holmes and others. The Foundation has
embarked on an annual Una Noche de Algria dinner and expanded outreach and
donations. The Foundation groundwork
will be an important part of meeting the mission on CCS for generations to
come.
As a member of the board of
directors as
Joe has been a member of the
Sertoma service club for 3 years. In 2006 a group came together to charter a
new chapter of the 90+ year old service club.
Service clubs like Sertoma, Rotary and Lions have been on the decline
for years. The newly formed Foothills Sertoma has tried to address the issues
of poor attendance and created a service club that meets monthly and integrates
charitable service with business networking. The club elected Joe the President
and has grown to 24 members in 6 months.
Joe is excited about the ability to show younger business professionals
the value of helping the community and giving back.
Favorite Books:
Defining
Moment – FDR’s 100 days and triumph of hope –
Jonathan
Alter
Polio, the Great Depression, WWII
need I say more! A political genius and powerful leader.
4-Hour
Work Week - Timothy Ferriss
It
was recommended, can’t image pulling it off but maybe
some day.
Giving
– Bill Clinton
Wrong party affiliation but great premise. The more you
give back to the community the more it comes back…try it!
How to Win Friends and Influence People. –
Dale Carnegie
It is probably the most valuable
book I ever read. It was written in 1936
and the principals are even more fitting today. I’ve bought it for friends,
manager and employees a number of times.
Being Happy – Andrew Matthews.
It’s
a quick easy read and
really great to cruise through
when you’re having a tough week.
The
New Earth - Eckhart Tolle
A
bit heavy but has some very important topics and ways
of looking at your life. You can’t change the past and it’s
not doing you
any good to worry about the future…all you have is NOW.
Rich
Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
There is a whole series of books by Kiyosaki that are great to own. This was the first book that let me know I was on the right track by taking a road less traveled in my career and businesses.
Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom
Want to have a good cry and find out what’s important in life. Read it!
Favorite Podcasts:
If you’ve never heard of a podcast it’s basically a radio type program that can be made at your kitchen table or be produced nationally by one of the large news agencies. You can really find out a different prospective on the world, business, science or politics.
-KCRW – Left Right and Center
It’s a weekly political show out of
LA and they tackle topical issues from the conservative and liberal points of
view.
- American Public Media – Marketplace
A daily recap of business news and trends. You can catch it live on local FM too.
- CSPAN – Q&A and Afterward
In a world of sound bites and short-term memory on the news CSPAN goes really deep into interesting topics.
- This American Life – Great stories about ordinary people
- On Point with Tom Ashbrook – great topical interviews and analysis on all types of subjects. Tom grew up on a Midwest farm, which I can really relate to.
Favorite Hobbies
Golf – I pretend to like golf. It’s that great shot you get a couple times per round that keeps you coming back. A few lessons wouldn’t hurt!
Salt Water Fish – I’ve had a large tank on and off over the years and its fun and really hard to make it all work. You have to watch every variable and it’s very sensitive to just about everything. Sure is fun to see take on a life of it’sown. Kind of like life.
Antique Cars – I’ve been a Cadillac fan since high school. I’ve had convertibles. My most recent project is a 1963 Coupe De Ville convertible. You have to own a convertible in Arizona once in your life.
Swimming with the kids is probably my favorite thing in the world to do. As soon as it warms up, that’s where you’ll find me.
Traveling to Mexico with my wife and friends is pretty high in my book as fun things to do. I’ve been going down for over 20 years and love to get away. My phone doesn’t work, emails don’t come through..how’s that for perfect!
How to Win Friends and Influence
People
This is Dale Carnegie's summary of his
book, from 1936
Fundamental
Techniques in Handling People
1.
Don't criticize, condemn or complain.
2.
Give honest and sincere appreciation.
3.
Arouse in the other person an eager want.
Six
ways to make people like you
1.
Become genuinely interested in other people.
2.
Smile.
3.
Remember that a person's name is to that person the
sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4.
Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5.
Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
6.
Make the other person feel important - and do it
sincerely.
Win
people to your way of thinking
1.
The only way to get the best of an argument is to
avoid it.
2.
Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never
say, "You're wrong."
3.
If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
4.
Begin in a friendly way.
5.
Get the other person saying "yes, yes"
immediately.
6.
Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7.
Let the other person feel that the idea is his or
hers.
8.
Try honestly to see things from the other person's
point of view.
9.
Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and
desires.
10.
Appeal to the nobler motives.
11.
Dramatize your ideas.
12.
Throw down a challenge.
Be
a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense
or Arousing Resentment
A leader's job often includes changing your people's
attitudes and behavior. Some suggestions to accomplish this:
1.
Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2.
Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3.
Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the
other person.
4.
Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5.
Let the other person save face.
6.
Praise the slightest improvement and praise every
improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your
praise."
7.
Give the other person a fine reputation to live up
to.
8.
Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to
correct.
Make the other person happy about doing the thing you
suggest.