Practice Makes Perfect: Lakeside Polo Club Visit

Amateur series polo games create excellent opportunities to learn and develop your skills before moving onto serious semi-professional play. I had the pleasure of visiting Lakeside Polo Club and engaging in the polo culture and play. With practice you will get better, more nimble and more able to "push" the ball. Polo is one of those sports that will teach you advanced skills on how to ride horses; likely why the calvary military/police once engaged in these games regularly for skill development. 

Lakeside and Poway have some of the last green polo fields left (not in picture) after Del Mar closed a few years back. 

Dressing in Style for Polo Parties!

Robb Report

While polo players typically like to play sometimes they also want to watch; not to mention the fans. If your attending polo games and want to look your very best in the classic polo style you might need to update your wardrobe (I got some old stuff laying around but need to update myself.). I came across a  solid article by Robb Report entitled 'How to Dress for a Polo Match, According to Polo Star Nacho Figueras'

There is some pretty cool stuff in there and its one of those times one can dress to impress and feel good about it. When you attend a polo party there are dress requirements that include business casual clothing, sports jackets and brighter colors. In the bigger ticket areas it can be considered mandatory.

We usually get to see the outfits for the ladies with the big hats but we don't often see what the men get to wear. Some of the stuff might be a little upscale but there are some affordable alternatives. If your going to sit and watch the game your likely to turn some heads if you get your clothing "grove on". 

Pitch Letter on Soft Grip, Quality Materials and Deals in Polo Mallets

Part of the purpose of Escanaba Polo Mallet Co is to understand and raise awareness of how to start, run, and manage a business from start-up to whatever stages happen thereafter. Knowing and understanding your brand and what it looks like to customers (and the market) is important. I had a college student (Disclosure...I think I paid him $15 for the letter) write a basic pitch letter to share. 

This is what he came up with (You may want to double check pitch letter formatting).....

Polo Mallet Apprentice Pitch Letter

Escanaba Polo Mallets
escanabapolomalletcompany@gmail.com

(recipients name)
(recipients company name)
(recipients address)
(recipients phone number and or email address)

8/19/21
Re: Custom made polo mallets

Hello from Escanaba Polo Mallets. We are selling custom made polo mallets for $65 each with an order of 5 or more. This price includes free shipping! While many of our customers like our mallets for practice they also like them for play. Because they are unique it opens up new opportunities for “best match” between mallet and player.

Our polo mallets are made with care and with high quality materials. The mallets are crafted with hand made wooden heads, soft grip, and reinforced shaft making it a great polo mallet for new and experienced players alike.

We are also a start-up company that supports worthwhile causes in addition to continuously updating our mallets and brand to provide the highest quality products and service. Our little business is about developing relationships with the polo community.

To order some for yourself and/or your colleagues, have a visit at our website or send us an email. https://www.escanabapolomallet.com and escanabapolomalletcompany@gmail.com

Escanaba Polo Mallet Company Continues to Donate to Orphans (Positive PR and Societal Aspects)

Escanaba Polo Mallet Company is a small start up that hopes to build its brand capital. It has lots of goals of which building American made polo mallets is one. The other is to be a positive contributor to the world around us through prosocial activities. For example, we want to teach others how to build their own business (That is why this isn't being started with any serious capital but only a small idea.). Perhaps we can also expand polo as a game in the U.S. As each mallet (or other product) is made it will contribute in part to helping a worthwhile cause. 

In continuing with our general mission, we made a small donation to orphans supported by Corazon de Vida Foundation

I encourage others to continue to donate because of a lingering crisis at the border and how many of these kids lack consistent resources. It would be our pleasure to help them more as our business grows. You can donate Orphan Donation

Escanaba Polo Mallet Company: Advice on Getting Your Business Through the First Few Years

 Developing and growing a business is not easy! There is a big learning curve that can make or break your prospects. There are a few things you may want to consider during your first year. Escanaba Polo Mallet Company is a start up making mallets as well as helping others figure out how to be successful in their business as well. 

We are somewhere near the end of year one. We have done a lot. We started creating a brand and we are selling on a regular basis. We are not yet a big production but we know where our price points are and what market we fit into. 

The first few years is all about learning how to start, run, and manage your particular business. As volume and need change there is now a pretty good idea on how to meet those things and the general direction of the small business. 

We also want to help other businesses succeed as well (In Delta County and Other places). Here are a few things I have learned. 

1.) Focus on Brand: Profit is wonderful but your brand and core service offering is what will keep your business open next year. 

2.) Find Balance but Work Hard: You will need to work hard and harder than you thought to keep your business floating. The first few years are about sweat equity. Find a balance but stay focused. 

3.) Secure Financing: You either have all the money you need or you don't. There are fluctuations and dry spells so have back up cash/finance.

4.) Collaborate: Work with other small businesses in the area. They also need help and you can hedge and share services. If nothing else you have a community of people. 

5.) Develop Your Operations: This is your time to develop your operations. Figure out where you are getting your resources, how you are preparing them, and what distribution channels you are using. 

6.) Marketing and Awareness: Connect with your customer base. Get involved and find those marketing channels that focus specifically on your core customer group. If you don't know what that is make sure you spend the time figuring it out. 

Escanaba Polo Mallet Co Supports Local Firefighters

 Escanaba Polo Mallet Co supports local firefighters and will be sending the following article out to raise awareness of such issues for the local community. 

Delta County Firefighters are Motivated by a Sense of Community

Fires can have a devastating effect on families and communities that last longer than when it takes embers to cool. Property damage is one thing but losing loved ones puts the topic on a whole different level. Those who volunteer don't just show up to the parades looking bright and shiny; they also drop everything in their lives to respond to fires, car accidents, and other critical events. In the evenings, while most of us are engrossed in our favorite tv show, a firefighter will have their pagers within arm's length just in case they are called to duty. 

Why do they volunteer even though they may be yawning and rubbing their eyes in the morning? Racing to pummels of smoke in the midnight air to help their communities isn't something most are excited about. It is because these dedicated Americans choose to think beyond themselves to serve their communities in a meaningful way.

Despite the diligence of the firefighting crew, they are often asked to do more with smaller and smaller budgets. Rural fire departments have fewer resources than those in populated areas and must rely on the goodwill of the business community and individual charity to keep their operations functioning. In many cases, communities have no other alternative than to rely on highly trained volunteer firefighters that seek to step above self interest (See Values or Duty). 

Volunteer Firefighter Contributions?

Firefighters in Delta County MI.

People believe that firefighting in the United States is conducted primarily by full-time firefighters with fully funded departments. According to the National Firefighters Association out of 1,115,000 firefighters of which 745,000 (67%) were volunteer and 370,000 (33%) were full-time (NFPA, 2020). The training is the same in Michigan, and sometimes it can be difficult to attract volunteers to get through the courses and gain the experience needed when things get difficult. There is a significant time investment by firefighters.

It makes sense to use full-time firefighters in urban areas because of the demand and cost justifications. However, in rural communities where the geographic regions are large, firefighters must be prepared for all types of emergency contingencies. Volunteers need substantial training and commit significant time to training and staying up-to-date. For example, the volunteers in Delta County, Michigan train often work in environments like the national forest, a speeding highway, homes, urban businesses and/or snow-covered farm fields. 

Why Do They Volunteer?

Volunteer firefighting contribute with a smile on their face. As a dedicated crew, they do a lot with very limited resources. Despite the challenges and danger, they drop everything they are doing and rush headlong back to engulfing flames to save lives and protect property. Why?

The study assessed firefighter intentions and found that they were motivated by "leadership, attitudinal commitment, a strong sense of affiliation, altruism, and a sense of community" (Haski-Leventhal & McLeigh, 2009, pg. 1).

Volunteer firefighters care about their community and want to help out where they can. Certainly, firefighters gain a little recognition by their activities, but it is the inner satisfaction of helping others makes all the difference. They support their communities, and the communities should support and encourage this type of volunteering, among others. It's more than just setting an example for others, it is about walk the talk. 

The Fire Picture!

Resources are important for any organization, and when they are in scarce supply for first responders, it can create situations difficult situations. Any help from corporations, individuals, or other entities can go a long way in making a difference in the lives of people who rely on these institutions. Delta County Michigan is rural and relies heavily on volunteer help to protect vital infrastructure, property and people. 

When structure fires break out, it often takes all the resources in the area to respond, work as a team and overcome. For example, the picture shows a historic building erected 1881 swallowed in flames while a truck from Ensign Twp. feeds the larger pumper from Escanaba Twp with water! Responding departments include Nahma Township Fire Department, Ensign Twp. Fire Departent, Escanaba Township Fire Department, Thompson Township Fire Department, Masonville Twp Fire Dept. and Tri-Start EMS. There are many ways a person can engage in their community and volunteer firefighting is just one.

Author: Dr. Murad Abel

Haski-Leventhal, & McLeigh, . (2009) Firefighters Volunteering Beyond Their Duty: An Essential Asset in Rural Communities. Journal of Rural and Community Development, (4) 2, pg 1. https://journals.brandonu.ca/jrcd/article/view/400

NFPA (February, 2020). U.S. fire department profile. https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Emergency-Responders/US-fire-department-profile

Developing the Limited Edition Polo Mallet

 Much of business is about branding. It can be hard to find something unique. Escanaba Polo Mallet Co is a good works start up designed to better understand how to start small manufacturing businesses and see what road blocks and skills are needed by entrepreneurs. In creating this brand there are a few options for the development of differentiation with 1.) limited edition mallets, 2.) play mallets, and 3.) development of the "club" mallet. 

The mallet below is a limited edition mallet. I'm playing with the overall design on the head to make the mallet unique when compared to other mallets. The goal is to create a niche market of those who enjoy polo, polo mallets, and polo gear (not yet in the strategic set up). My goal is to help others learn from the process. 

I think it turned out pretty well. Will retail $99 which is higher than the standard mallet. Ebay Listing