Regular readers of my blog are quite familiar with my ‘flipping’ exploits.  One of my favorite items to flip is dry erase boards…but this isn’t another post about flipping.  Instead I’d like to share some thoughts on the people buying the dry erase boards…

Almost every person I’ve sold a dry erase board to is a “hustler.”  (Hustlers are people who are striving hard to be creative and productive.)  They run their own business, are managing a busy family, or are working at a start-up.  Coincidence?  Or have I tapped into a tool that busy, productive, creative people use?  Today I have sold my 50th white board of 2014 and I’d like to share a bit about the people I have met when I’m selling these boards…

• Writing dreams – Last week I sold a board to a young man who was working for an internet start-up and a local security company.  The security company paid the bills but the start-up fueled his dreams and ambition.  He bought a pair of boards from me.  One board was going to be the home of this to-do list for the start-up.  The other board was going to be his location for writing down dreams, ideas, visions and notable quotes as he works to build online presence with his staff.  Dry erase board provide an ever changeable surface for those who are building, dreaming, and creating.
• Business is good – Many of the boards have been sold to entrepreneurs who run a small business from home.  I sold a big board last week to a fireman who runs a lawn service on the side.  His 3×4 board could no longer house his clients and schedule so he bought a 4×12 I had posted.  Business is good when you have to expand your scheduling area!  I have met car dealers, insurance agents, real estate brokers, and a variety of other independent small business owners who need more board for their growing business.
• Who buys chalk? – I have also sold a ton of small chalk boards that our church was needing to clear out.  You know who buys chalk boards?  Hipsters and homeschoolers.  I don’t really have a point, other than I thought it was interesting that all 12 of the chalkboards I sold went to these two groups.
• Creative tools – A few of the boards I have sold were purchased for children to draw, doodle and write on.  In essence this isn’t that far removed from what the adults will be doing with the boards.  Kids have an amazing amount of creativity and energy and I love to see what they can come up with on a blank board.  Motivated adults can also have a lot of focused creativity and energy.  I really enjoy visiting some of my driven friends and catching a glance at their white board to see what they have brewing.
• Erase and start over. The appeal of the dry erase board is the ease of erasing it.  Idea didn’t work out?  Plans need to change?  Direction changing?  Time to erase it and start over.

Today’s post was a bit random, I know.  I think dry erase boards are great tools.  I have one in my office and I love it.  You don’t have to buy a dry erase board though.  Glossy white shower board from Home Depot ($16 for 4×8 sheet) does the job pretty well.  Dry erase markers on mirrors and glass typically works well too…just test it in a small area first.  It’s nice to have place to scribble down your dreams, ideas, and plans where they can stay in plain view.

10K Challenge Update

I didn’t get the chance to give an April update since I wound up taking some time away from blogging.  I’m glad to say that the 10K challenge is going well.  I’ve hit my monthly goals for setting aside an extra $10K for our family goal this year, thanks to flipping all those dry erase boards and quite a few other items.  I’m also pleased to let you know that I’ve started running again a bit.  It sometimes feels like I’m knocking the rust off a car that spent 30 seasons bumping around the winter roads of Maine.  Overall I can see running a 10K is within reach this year.