Danny's Blog, Tools & Hardware, Video by Danny Lipford
This is the first of my video blogs, where I’ll be giving you a peek at what goes on behind the scenes here at Today’s Homeowner and on my Homefront radio show.
Today I’m in our workshop where we shoot a lot of the segments for the show. It’s a real working shop that’s used by the carpenters in my construction company and for projects on the show. We keep a lot of tools and supplies on hand, including the first jigsaw I ever bought when I was in the 3rd grade for $11.31!
Check back soon for more of my video blogs.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
This is something I’ve not figured out yet! I know all the rules about leaving your work at home, don’t call the office, do things on vacation that you never do, read a book . . . but I still find myself slipping into work mode.
Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to take my wife and girls on some very nice vacations and it has always been a challenge to me to rest and relax. Usually after two to three days I start getting into the groove a bit, then as soon as I’m rested, my mind starts thinking about ideas for new shows, new web directions, segment ideas, expanding the brand . . . .
Recently we went on our summer vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands and had one of our best trips ever. I almost relaxed, did a lot of diving, laughed for days with my family, ate some great food, and realized that these are probably the best days.
I think I enjoy what I do so much that I don’t “need” vacations as much as some people. That’s not a bad thing, but after this trip, I think I can get the hang of it. 
Danny's Blog, Financial by Danny Lipford
The recession is over.
I have decided that I’ve heard enough positive news about the stock market, housing starts, banks recovering, etc. that I’m convinced that we are on our way back from a tough period in America.
It was scary for a short time as we watched and listened to the media tell us what could happen to our economy. But we Americans listen, respond and are willing to do whatever we need to do to get things back on track.
We are doing it now and I’m very happy for our country, my family and my company. Times like this make us appreciate what we have and where we live. I’m proud and ready for great times ahead . . . for everyone.
Happy 4th of July.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
I remember when I first went into business in August of 1978. I started Lipford Construction with an old pick up truck and $300 worth of tools. For marketing, I had 500 business cards and that was it. Later on I started using job site signs and always relied on valuable “word of mouth” recommendations.
Things are different today in the world of marketing, especially in the media world. A website, complete with blogs, is a necessity, and lately all we seem to hear about is Twitter and Facebook. From everything I’m reading and hearing, these new PR/marketing tools have become a must.
OK, we’re in . . . you can now follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/dannylipford and on Facebook by searching for “Danny Lipford media.” We hope to provide you with some insights and a behind the scenes look at the many projects we’re involved with these days.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
Checking out new products at IBS in Las Vegas
I’ve always traveled a lot all over the country for both business and pleasure. I am on my way home now from a long trip, and I can’t wait to make it there. Every time I head home from a trip, I think about what occurred over the course of the trip, and this one was memorable.
It started about 17 days ago when I headed to Las Vegas for the International Builders’ Show. I go every year to tape an episode and check out all the new stuff that is introduced and featured. The taping went well, along with numerous meetings and dinners. Also, a great night at the Penn and Teller show at the Rio.
After the Builders’ show ended, another began in Vegas two days later. NATPE—the National Association of Television Programming Executives—held its annual conference at Mandalay Bay, and it was very weak. In its heyday (10 years ago), NATPE was the place to be. All the new shows were being introduced, the stars turned out, and business was done. We usually picked up numerous stations at the event to air our show, but this year I’m not sure there were any stations there at all. The economy has canceled a lot of business travel, but we made the best of it with a few meetings that will help us to expand my brand.
I left Vegas for two quick nights at home, and then it was off to New York for a visit with Rachael Ray. I taped a special piece with a family out in NJ, then a studio piece with Rachael in front of a live audience that turned out great. It was a blast, and I can’t wait for you to see it on air in a few weeks. I’ll keep you posted.
I also spent a couple of special nights while there with my oldest daughter, Chelsea, who goes to school in NYC. We saw The Lion King one night and the living legend himself . . . Les Paul, on another night. What a treat to see someone 93 years old play the heck out of his guitar and entertain better than someone half his age.
Ok, so I do have a little fun on the road from time to time, and one of the best parts is having viewers of my show come up to me and talk about home improvement. I really appreciate you saying hello.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
Everyone always says, where did the year go? I have been thinking back over this past year and all the great people I’ve met, the cities and places I’ve traveled to, and the way our country has changed. I’m very thankful for these experiences and in spite of all the gloomy things I hear everyday, I am looking forward to and very optimistic about this next year. I am making plans for the new shows we will be taping, the appearances I have lined up, the special projects that we are working on that will be announced soon and getting back to the basics. When times get a little tough, like they have in the past and may this next year, we all need to look at the essentials in our lives and businesses and embrace them. It’s time to eliminate the bad habits and really focus.
This past week has been very special having my girls home, hanging out in their rooms, laughing together at our family meals and gatherings, and seeing them maturing into the young ladies they have become. And even spending a little time down at my little river cabin that I enjoy so much. Actually I am heading down there right now to think deep for a few hours and write out a plan for 2009. A plan for my business and me personally. Not a list of resolutions, but a list of thoughts, directions and goals I WILL accomplish!
I hope you and your family have a great 2009.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
Most of the time when we tape an episode of my show, Today’s Homeowner, it gets more and more interesting as the project develops, especially when there’s a nice background story to go along with it. We’re right in the middle of one now.
Hall of Famer (and the real Home Run King) Hank Aaron was born right here in Mobile, Alabama, where I live. Recently an idea was hatched by the Mobile BayBears (a minor league farm team for the Arizona Diamondbacks) to move Hank’s childhood home from an area right outside Mobile to the team’s stadium grounds, which happens to be named “The Hank Aaron Stadium.” Hank donated the house to the city and the BayBears’ management is handling the restoration. It’s being restored as a museum to house some of Hank’s memorabilia and will be remodeled to look just like it did in 1945.
This will be a great episode because of the history involved as well as the project itself—lifting a house and moving it across town, then rebuilding it. Plus, we’ll have several on camera interviews with the home run king himself. It was neat to talk with Hank and hear stories of how he played on the dirt street in front of his house and learned to hit bottle caps with a broomstick. He also talked about how the house was originally only 24’ by 24’ and how over the years he and his brothers and father added on to it whenever they could.
What a great project! The show will air a couple times in 2009. Check out our article Hank Aaron’s Home Moved to Ballpark to see how it was done.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
I’ve been looking forward to what happened last week for a long time. Everyone that appears on the show was in the same place at the same time—Joe Truini, Jodi Marks, Allen Lyle, and me. It might come as a surprise that we aren’t together all the time but with Joe living in Connecticut, Jodi in Atlanta, and Allen and I here in Mobile, it takes some planning to get us all together.
The occasion? Picture time. Jodi came in on Sunday and taped Best New Products segments as well as other segments for our show, then Joe made it in on Tuesday night so we could all be together on Wednesday for a photo and video shoot. What a great group of people to work with! Of course Allen kept things going with his jokes and poking fun at everyone. It was a good day and we ended up with some good photos in spite of Allen’s participation. Just kidding of course. Then Thursday and Friday were all Joe with Simple Solutions segments and segments with me and Allen.
I’m sure if you read our blogs, or just look at how happy we are when taping the show, you’ve figured out that we like to have a little fun…so, after filming, my buddy Joe and I headed down to my river cabin on Friday night for a weekend of canoeing and fishing. We had the best weather I can remember, the best time fishing I can remember, and one of the best fires on the beach that can ever happen.
He has been coming down to Mobile for over eight years and this is the first time we ever made it to the cabin. We just work too hard and don’t hang out enough. I think after this weekend, it will be easy to get him back down there.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
I’ve always enjoyed watching the news and reading newspapers. I like to keep abreast of things that are happening across the country and down the block. It always provides good conversation material and can keep you aware of trends that taking place. BUT I think I’ve heard enough about the gloom and doom of the economy. I have always been an optimist and still am, but the day in day out bad news is making me want to cancel the paper and turn my TV to the Comedy Channel.
No matter how bad things might get, people will always want to improve their homes. There are so many small things that you can do, with a small budget, that will change your home and lift your spirits. Painting always helps. Refinish your front door. Change the hardware on your cabinets. Clean your windows. Install a ceiling medallion. Install new house numbers.
Think about how good it feels to complete a project that improves the things you see each day. Think of the gratification that comes along with that simple task. Think of the time you will have to do these projects if you are not reading and watching gloomy news.
Darn, I feel better already.
Danny's Blog by Danny Lipford
Don’t you hear people say it every year…wow, summer went by so fast? It’s true, we’re all so busy these days that it does seemed to fly by. I had a good one, lots of great trips—New York 5 times, London, Ireland, Des Moines, Kentucky, Los Angeles, Orlando, and lots of great towns in between. I’ve always enjoyed traveling, meeting people, and learning all the little cultural quirks.
When people recognize me when I’m traveling, or find out what I do for a living, it makes for great common ground with plenty to talk about. It might be a repair project that went wrong, a funny story that starts with “I’ll never do that again,” or many times it’s “my wife and I just finished remodeling our bathroom, and we love it.” The passion people have with their homes is so cool. Everybody has something they’ve wanted to do to improve, change, or update it. I also just love it when someone comes up and talks about how they used a tip we suggested on our show or Weather Channel segments to solve a problem around their home. It’s great.
Our 11th season has started and the new shows are airing. We’re working hard to make it to where everyone in the country can see Today’s Homeowner. We are up to coverage in over 80% of the U.S. and working hard to make the show available everywhere. If you can’t see our show where you live (check your local listing), call or e-mail your favorite local TV station and tell them about us.
I heard today that some areas of the country may be facing freezing temperatures this weekend . . . did I hear that right? Wow! It’s time to get your home ready for the cooler temperature ahead, so check out our article on Winterizing Your Home. Small improvements can add up to big savings in your utility bills that lead to a little extra money for the holidays. Is that possible? Yes, it is!
