FAN MAIL!

"We have hired Ellen twice over the past year and a half to jump-start our business and straighten out the kinks we put into it over the years. Since following her amazing guidance, we have increased our sales by (gasp!) over 120% this year so far. She has helped us put systems in place to keep us accountable and on-track for success, and help keep the chaos at bay in our business and lives.

She is absolutely masterful at handling people and helping them to focus on what is important so they can do more of what they enjoy. She is a cheerleader, financial consultant, relationship counselor and lion-tamer all rolled into one package!
Kudos to Ellen!"

Ron Culver, Culver Architects, Inc.

Call Ron Culver at (310) 593-4563 to ask him about the positive impact of Ellen’s Financial Intensive program.

"The most memorable part of the Challenge was the “aha” moment when Bill & I realized that if we want to make money with this business, instead of just having a job, we would have to redesign our business to reflect our goals.   We also were amazed at the fact that Ellen took the time on a holiday weekend to meet with just 3 of her challengers.  She and the Bare Bones Biz program give more information away and offer more support  than any other program or training I have had. Again it has to be the fact that Ellen makes herself so accessible and gives all the tools needed to make this work.  And then she encourages you to pass it on to someone else.  Such a refreshing change in this world of “it’s mine and you can’t have it unless you pay for it.

I don’t know if anyone will take up the challenge but we have passed the book on to three of our friends who own their own businesses and we made up a business card that has just the web address on it so that Bill could give them to some of the other plumbers and construction guys that he has occasion to work with so they can check it out.  We just had a very promising carpenter that we had worked with hang up his business and I am sure that if he had taken the Challenge he could have made it work. Thanks again Ellen and the whole Bare Bones Biz team.  We will definitely be on the next Challenge call and may need to pick your brains again."

Cathy Smithmyer

“The Bare Bones Biz Plan was an easy, communicative tool, that spoke to not only me, but my staff as as well, (who do not have as much experience).  Having a written dialogue that speaks to you makes this program user friendly. This seems like a program that is designed for everyday people. I enjoyed Ellen’s delivery and program and the regular e-mail communication.”

Mary A. Ardapple, Apple's Bakery, Inc.

“This has been an AMAZING experience.  I’m so excited about our business and look forward to making lots of $$$ and having fun this year because I was part of this awesome process!  Thank you so much!”

Shirley Lidtke, C.I. Services, Inc.

As a sole proprietor, I was so overwhelmed deciding what “hat” to where that I never had the time to build my business. I can relate when Ellen says “get off the hamster wheel” because I was the hamster and have run many circles on the wheel. Creating a business plan always seemed to get pushed aside in order to handle the day to day, crisis and deadline driven projects. Once I heard about “The Challenge” I committed to spending one hour a day, 5 days a week to complete my business plan. Today, I know why it is called “The Challenge” because it is difficult to step back and take a look in the mirror when you aren’t where you want to be but Ellen holds you accountable for your actions, keeps you on track, and inspires you to think big!

Ryan Riley, Riley Athletics

"Neither one of us really thought we would sell many books at this tiny little conference, but 31 books later!  We are thrilled!  Thanks for all the inspiration, help, support, enthusiasm and genuine interest in our success." 

Trish Saccomano and Kathy Bringhurst, KT Educational Enterprises

"I am enjoying being a part of The Challenge!  Ellen has done a great job of keeping things moving and organized on the calls.  I think it is a very effective format to use and limiting the number attending lets everyone feel invested in the project-not just an unknown listener.  I love that we can send Ellen assignments for the week and have her comment on where we need to make improvements.  I really needed the one on one call to get me going in the right direction on the budget-I think that was a very nice effort on Ellen's part to reach each one individually to help with specific areas giving us trouble.  It's nice to have The Challenge site to log onto if you need to go back over what was said on a call from a previous week.  The Challenge is a good tool to motivate you and get you moving solidly in the right direction.  When it's done everyone will have a good foundation put together for their business and can continue to "tweak" it on their own.  We had purchased the complete system and have listened to the DVD and read all the books-but having a person to be accountable to is the key to keep the ball rolling with such a big project.  It is way too easy to cut corners or procrastinate (for me anyway) if I don't answer to anyone. By the end, things are well fleshed out and you're excited about it so you are more likely to finish the rest of your set up.  If everyone has the same Ah Ha moment I did, you realize your binder is a "living" binder and will never actually be done!"           

Stacey Ridgeway, Mason's Chimney Service

It was fantastic!  Ellen and Gail have enough energy to light a small city.  They are so positive and our experience with them was just great.  Since they left, we have been working on the budget and can now see just what the potential is.  The entire process was not nearly as painful as I thought it was going to be.  I was prepared for the worst and Ellen made it painless.  Since Ellen and Gail left we are starting to use what we have learned and see how all of it is going to work and tie together and can now make better decisions about our business.

Jim Taylor, Taylor Roofing, Inc.

Call Jim Taylor at (319) 657-4349 to ask him and Paula about the positive impact of Ellen’s Financial Intensive program.

"After meeting with Ellen it became clear where we are making money based upon our ability to analyze our weekly quick check forms. She is teaching us to charge the correct price for staying in business and make a profit, and how to watch your expenses so decisive adjustments can be made quickly to correct a dangerous situation."

Scott Hale, President, Scott R Hale Plumbing, Heating & AC

CLICK HERE to learn how Scott Hale got a handle on the MONEY...

"I believe the best thing I could have done for my company was to earn the right to become a Power Partner of El and Al and I believe it will be the best thing you’ll ever do if you earn the right to become a Power Partner."

Mark Paup, Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating and Cooling

CLICK HERE to learn how Mark Paup got a handle on the MONEY...

Click Play to view video

"The one trait that makes Ellen stand out above all the rest is her commitment to helping others achieve their dreams."

Ed and Vicky Turek, Turek's Plumbing, Inc. 

CLICK HERE to learn how Tureks got a handle on the MONEY...

"Everyone including myself has grown from the experience with Ellen Rohr and everyone at Bare Bones Biz. It was a great decision to have them in our company."

Tim Flynn, President, Winters Company

CLICK HERE to learn how Tim Flynn got a handle on the MONEY...

Dear Ellen,

Thanks for the great seminars at the National Chimney Sweep Guild Convention. I was wondering what it was that would make it worth going to a casino! I am the fellow with the beard that sat in the first row. I will repeat that yours is the first financial seminar, of many, that I have gone to where I have come out feeling better that when I went in. You are able to give hard advice about finance and do it from the heart. There is hope for me!   

With great gratitude,

Ian R. Conway, Owner, The Chimney Doctor

Ellen Rohr is the reason that Radiant Plumbing is at a known financial position (KFP) today and what a difference it makes! We have operated in the dark for years and are now able to make sound decisions based on up to date, accurate information. Ellen helped us turn around our accounting nightmare and was very encouraging throughout the process.

Sarah Casebier, Vice President, Radiant Plumbing Service

Call Sarah Casebier at (512) 264-7275 and ask her about the positive impact of Ellen’s “Financial Blast” Program.

"Prior to creating our Biz Plan, my business partner and I had a sort of 'mishmash' approach to getting projects done.  Thanks to The Bare Bones Biz Plan, we have a clearly defined organizational chart which outlines our responsibilities for each position.  I discovered that I don’t need an MBA and I am smart enough to handle the financial aspects of our business.   Once we finally got started on creating our Biz Plan it was EASY.  It’s true what they say…you don’t need a well-defined plan if you have a small business.  However, we don’t plan to remain small.  We aspire to grow our business into an EMPIRE!”

Mark Steiner, Steiner Talent/ Gig Salad

"At the time I hired Ellen, my books were sufficient for my CPA for taxes but they did not allow me to make good managerial decisions. For example, my insurance, labor, gas, materials, etc. all have gone up dramatically. How can I quickly determine what I should charge and still maintain my desired 20% net profit? How should I control inventory and tools and how should I carry these items on my books? What is an accurate system of job-costing to see what type of work is making me money? Which technicians are bringing in profitable jobs? These are questions I had and together with Ellen, was able to set up systems and re-arrange my books and chart of accounts to solve these problems. If you are thinking of hiring Ellen.
do it! It will be the best investment you could make in your company. Best of luck!"

Dan Foley, Foley Mechanical, Inc. - Plumbing & Mechanical magazine cover story February 2006

Brent Brooks

Brooks Construction Group, Inc.

Home Make-Over Experts

Learn About Brents Business Makeover...

"Wow !! Finally a helpful book. Being a potter and making each item by hand has always caused me to ask "How much should I charge?". After years of searching for help in this area I came across this wonderful book. Those with MBA's may not need this book, but those of us with BFA's, MFA"s and just plain creative talents will find this book very educational. Ellen's easy reading style and logical approach to pricing makes this book a "must have". Many myths about pricing are pointed out, like charging what every one else does or what the market will bear. If I am to make a living creating handmade items it is important to identify my customer and realize I am not competing with mass produced products. Thank you, Ellen, for putting me on the road to profitability."

Gail Sellers, River Hill Pottery

"The neat thing about this workshop was it addressed what every contractor has experienced when attending a workshop or a seminar. They typically went to a seminar and got a great idea only to wonder whatever happened to that great idea 6 months later. But, not this time! The whole workshop was built to get things changed!" 

Pete Duesterbeck, Mid State Supply, Inc. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about the tough-love, business-changing experience of The Al and El Show - One Two Power Punch!

"I can't believe it! I followed your advice and I doubled, actually TRIPLED, my sales for April!!! I attended your free teleseminar on April 20th in which you issued a challenge for us to follow your techniques to see if we could double our sales with only a few days left in the month and it worked! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!"

Sharla Riead, Hathmore Technologies, LLC

"Where Did the Money Go?" is a must read for anyone who runs a business. Ellen Rohr has debunked the myth that one has to have a degree in accounting to understand financial reporting. That is good news for many people! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever been intimidated by the mysterious world of debits and credits."

Carol Frohlinger, Crossell Inc. 

"Where Did The Money Go?" should be required reading for anyone going into business for themselves! Ellen simplifies one of the most daunting tasks of small business...understanding financials! "Where Did The Money Go?" and it's companion book "How Much Should I Charge?" are must reads for small business owners. Without a clear understanding of YOUR cost of doing business, you'll never know how much to charge. This book will walk you step by step along the path towards really understanding the numbers. That path leads to what all businesses seek...being profitable!"

Paul Swan, Swan Plumbing & Heating

"As a small business owner I was looking for a book that would assist us in our pricing. "How Much Should I Charge" did just that and more. This book is an excellent tool that brought up expenses we would have never thought of including in our selling price."

Sarah Casebiar

"If I only knew then...
This book makes basic accounting and reading financials so clear! If only my first year accounting class in college would've been this clear. I might have stuck with it! If you are scared of numbers and financial statements make your eyes glaze over - this is a must read. It will open a whole new world for you."

Marla Coffin

"WOW!! Accounting language that's not intimidating for the basic business owner!
This book spells out accounting basics in simple to read format. This book is a 'must have' for all small business owners. The terminology and format is designed to teach the basics, leaving you not intimidated to move on to the more finite accounting. The author utilizes enthusiastic analagies that keep you on the edge of your seat, and as a matter of fact, you can read this book in one setting. Plus, you will feel rewarded to gain so much incredible information that will turn your bottom line into a BIG reality!"

Lisa Carter, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

"This book is USER FRIENDLY!
Ellen showed me how I could charge more for my services and justify the costs with a better product! Ellen's simple and sound advice is peppered with humor and words of encouragement."

Ross Rivera, freelance sports photographer

"This book is another gem from Ellen Rohr. Most small service businesses seem to screw up their pricing by letting competitors setting their prices, then they wonder why they aren't making money. Rohr takes you through the steps so that you price for profit. It can scare the bejeebers outta you to figure out what you should really charge. The only thing more frightening is continuing to operate in ignorance."

Matt Michel, Service Roundtable, Inc. 

"I have purchased both of Ellen's books and have found them so useful. She certainly has a way with putting all of this in "laymen's terms" so to speak. I also talked personally to Ellen and she was just great and informative and she has such a vibrant personality. I have just downloaded the Bare Bones Fitness Plan and can't wait to dig into that. I am so glad to have found such a great source of info and encouragement as Ellen and Bare Bones Biz!"

Robin McDonald, River Street Pottery, Inc. 

  Are you READY to MAKE MORE MONEY? 
Quit messing around and CHANGE
your approach.  Ellen can
help you learn and APPLY the business
BASICS that make all the difference to your
SUCCESS.  Big? Small?  It's your business. 
Ready to make MORE MONEY doing it! 

Schedule a FREE Half Hour "Get Acquainted"
phone call with Ellen Rohr.
Send us your completed
Bare Bones Biz Basic Questionnaire

and we will set it up.

"Ellen has a unique gift - she is a business expert who makes accounting, finance and business planning easy and FUN!" 

~Nancy Michaels,

Grow Your Business

Network, Inc.  www.growyourbusinessnetwork.com

"Stop feeling stupid...about business.  You are smart enough!  You just never learned how to MAKE MONEY and GROW CASH FAST!  I didn't even learn how to make money in college...though I graduated at the top of my class with a degree in Business Administration!  They don't teach you how to MAKE MONEY in college. 

"The Bare Bones Biz Plan shows you how to FIX and GROW your company.  How to MAKE MONEY.  How to keep the cash flowing.  The Bare Bones Biz Plan helps you craft a PLAN for making MONEY and keep you FOCUSED on getting it DONE.  You can do it!

"Learn more at our next Teleseminar.  It is FREE and we can help you SOLVE your PROFITABILTY PROBLEMS.  Bring YOURS to the Teleseminar.  Sign up HERE!  "

~ Ellen Rohr Author of The Bare Bones Biz Plan