The performance and health of your livestock is dependent upon the proper balance of digestive tract bacteria. Newborn animals and newly-hatched birds enter the world with a sterile digestive tract, which is quickly populated with health-promoting bacteria and the much quicker growing, pathogenic bacteria and viruses.Unfortunately, feed and environmental changes, birthing/laying, weaning, medication and transporting, among other common management practices alter the intestinal environment in ways that favor the disease-causing organisms of animals and birds of any age.
The Answer: Fastrack® Direct-fed Microbials – The Natural Way
The unique combination of natural, live lactic acid-producing bacteria, FOS, yeast, enzymes, vitamins and specialized proteins in the Fastrack® products helps to ensure a healthy digestive tract; enhancing the immune system and defending against pathogenic agents in the digestive tract. Specifically the health-promoting Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium in the animals ‘and birds’ small and large intestines utilize FOS.
Fastrack Probiotic Pack Organic Listed by OMRI
Conklin Company, Inc. has obtained OMRI Listing for Fastrack® Probiotic Pack as an organic feed ingredient. The Organic Materials Review Institute’s (OMRI) primary mission is to publish and distribute lists of materials allowed for use in the production, processing and handling of organic food and fiber.
Reduce Colic
Colic. The five-letter word that all horse owners fear. Many horses experience colic of various degrees at some point in their lives. Understanding colic and your horse’s susceptibility can lead to a management program to reduce the incidence or severity of colic. However, colic may occur due to many reasons and no horse should be considered “safe” from colic.
Research studies are attempting to determine the exact causes of colic; however, the answers seem to be evasive. . All breeds of horses are susceptible to colic, and gender does not influence the likelihood of colic. Parasite infection, soil consumption, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, strenuous exercise, or shifts from heavy exercise to no exercise are among the many situations pre-disposing a horse to colic. Changes in a horse’s day-to-day activities or schedule alter the body’s metabolism and digestive tract function. A steady, constant environment and schedule is the healthiest for your horse.
Over-feeding of grain, or even high-concentrate consumption, is cited as the most frequent cause of colic. A confounding factor is that horses fed large amounts of grain are generally undergoing intense training or performance events. However, the greater the grain content of the diet, the greater the risk of colic. Starch from grain and any dietary fat needs to be digested and absorbed in the small intestine. Enzymes breakdown starch into its building block units of glucose, which in turn are absorbed by the horse. Unfortunately, the limited amount of starch-digesting enzymes secreted by horses may be overwhelmed when high levels of concentrates are fed. Undigested starch flow from the small intestine to the forage fermentation vat, known as the large intestine. Starch fermentation changes the microbial balance and pH of the large intestine. Many researchers and horse people cite excessive digestion of starch in the large intestine as the greatest cause of colic.
The equine digestive tract features a large intestine design to ferment and utilize grazed forages and hay. Enhancing the microbial population and environment of the large intestine would increase the extraction of energy from forages consumed by the horse. Horses with high-energy requirements should be fed prime-quality hay and then fed a concentrate to fill the energy deficit.
Research studies suggest that beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium, could aid in starch digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Increasing starch utilization in the small intestine would reduce the starch flowing to the large intestine, thereby lowering the potential for digestive upset. Yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is noted for increasing the populations of fiber-digesting and pH-stabilizing bacteria for a more efficient utilization of forages. Supplementing a direct-fed microbial product featuring beneficial bacteria and yeast culture could theoretically increase energy utilization of forages, improve the efficiency of starch utilization and reduce the level of concentrates needed by a horse.
An excellent-quality hay or forage is the basis of a sound horse nutrition program. Some horse owners and trainers supplementing the Fastrack® direct-fed microbial products to their horses report the ability to maintain excellent performance and condition in their horses while lowering the concentrate proportion of the diet. Horses vary greatly in their metabolism and digestive efficiencies, and should be monitored individually for their response to the Fastrack products and need for concentrates to obtain optimal results. The Fastrack products do not prevent or treat colic. However, many horse owners and trainers utilize the Fastrack products as management tools in their nutrition and performance programs.
Lactic Acid and Tying Up in Horses
Horse owners frequently report reduced tying-up or muscle stiffness with Fastrack supplemented horses after strenuous exercise. Several scientific reasons and research studies support these observations. First, a review of lactic acid metabolism in the digestive tract is in order, and then a discussion of lactic acid production in the body itself.
Microorganisms produce two forms of lactic acid, depending upon how the lactic acid molecule is arranged. A horse can metabolize L-lactate and to a lesser degree the Dform. Fortunately, the beneficial bacteria in the Fastrack products, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus and lactis produce L-lactate, which the horse can easily metabolize. Harmful bacteria, such as Streptococcus bovis, secrete D-lactate. High levels of D-lactate often follow excessive grain consumption with the consequential population explosion of the undesirable bacteria.
Continuous production of low levels of L-lactate in the digestive tract should encourage the growth of lactate-utilizing bacteria. Supplementing a horse with Fastrack would provide the beneficial bacteria to supply low amounts of L-lactate to maintain a base population of lactate utilizers. The lactate-utilizing population would then be ready to expand when lactate levels elevate, such as excessive grain consumption. In addition, the Fastrack products seem to enhance the proper numbers of starch-digesting bacteria for controlled lactate production. Briefly, the Fastrack cultures produce a "safer" form of lactate and seem to encourage lactate- utilizing bacteria that increase in number during lactate challenges.
Let's move on to lactate production in the horse's body. Muscles secrete D-lactate as a by- product of energy production during anaerobic exercise or times of nutrient depletion. Supplying proper levels of nutrients in the blood system will reduce intramuscular lactate production during exercise. The microbial cultures in the Fastrack products enhance nutrient absorption in the small intestine and improve large intestine fermentation to extract energy from the diet. Consequently, blood nutrient levels are higher in animals fed probiotic cultures.
A study by Glade and Campbell-Taylor, indicated horses fed yeast culture had lower blood lactate levels before and during exercise, and faster clearance from the blood after exercise. Fastrack's combination of yeast culture and beneficial bacteria would enhance nutrient supply to the muscles above simple yeast culture supplementation. Performance and race trainers are observing less muscle stiffness or tying up of exercised horses and quicker recoveries.
The Fastrack products provide beneficial bacteria and yeast culture to establish the correct balance of fermentative bacteria and lactate-utilizing organisms in the digestive tract. In addition, the Fastrack bacteria yield a lactate form that the horse can metabolize. Improved nutrient absorption supplies proper nutrition to the muscles, resulting in lower lactate production during exercise. Owners and trainers recognize that Fastrack supplementation improves their horses' performance and recovery times.
Use of Microbials in the Horse Industry
A healthy and beautiful horse is the pride of every horse owner. Feeding selected cultures of lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast boosts horse health and performance, according to many owners. Understanding the benefits of direct-fed microbial cultures can help you decide when to use these products during your horse’s life cycle.
In 1908, the Russian biologist Eli Metchnikoff credited the long lives of certain Bulgarian and Russian citizens to the consumption of large amounts of fermented milk products (4). The key organism in these foods was later identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus, a lactic acid-producing bacteria (10). The lactic acid-producing bacteria are so named for their ability to produce lactate. However, lactate production is only one of many benefits derived from this collection of bacteria. The lactic acid-producing bacteria most frequently featured in direct-fed microbial products include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus (or Streptococcus) faecium and Lactobacillus lactis.
For many centuries, people have observed that their animals were healthier when fed feedstuffs resulting from yeast fermentation. Yeast are fungi, or one-cell organisms that reproduce by budding, or producing daughter cells. The yeast species most utilized by the direct-fed microbial industry are Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus oryzae.
Based on the work of Metchnikoff and others, the idea was developed to directly feed live, lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast to animals for improving their health and performance. The observed benefits may result from: 1) competition for attachment sites in the digestive tract, 2) competition for essential nutrients, 3) production of antimicrobial substances, 4) increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria and 5) stimulating the immune system (8).
Competition For Attachment Sites In The Digestive Tract
Some disease-causing bacteria reduce an animal’s ability to absorb nutrients by disrupting the small intestine (8). Lactic acid-producing bacteria attach to the lining of the small intestine and produce a substance to prevent disease-causing organisms from binding to the intestinal wall (7). The attachment of the beneficial bacteria may increase the absorptive surface area of the small intestine and enhance enzyme activity for greater nutrient absorption by the animal (8, 11).
Competition for Essential Nutrients
Lactic acid-producing and disease-causing bacteria require certain nutrients for growth. The beneficial bacteria could utilize vitamins, amino acids or other nutrients that might otherwise support the growth of harmful bacteria (5).
Production Of Antimicrobial Substances
The ability of direct-fed microbial cultures to inhibit disease-causing organisms is of considerable interest. Lactic acid lowers the intestinal pH to create an environment unsuitable for harmful organisms (8). Lactic acid-producing bacteria secrete hydrogen peroxide, resulting in conditions unfavorable for oxygen-requiring microorganisms (2). Bacteria produce bacteriocins that restrict the growth of other microorganisms, often genetically related species (8). The lactic acid-producing bacteria have demonstrated the ability to inhibit E. coli, Salmonella typhirium, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens (5). The reduction of scour-causing organisms is especially important in new-born and young animals.
Increasing The Growth Of Beneficial Bacteria
Enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria boosts the performance of healthy animals. The B-vitamins, enzymes and other factors secreted by lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast stimulate starch- and fiber-digesting bacteria (3, 5). The ability of yeast to enhance fiber digestion could allow dietary changes (12). The ability of yeast to increase feed intake has been recognized for centuries.
Stimulating The Immune System
Recent advances in animal health indicate the importance of proper immune function. Research indicates that lactic acid-producing bacteria heighten immune function at the digestive tract and whole-system levels (6). Experiments with bacteria-free extracts from lactic acid-producing cultures demonstrate improved macrophage activity against E. coli (9) and Salmonella typhirium (1). The role of direct-fed microbial cultures in stimulating the immune system warrants further research.
The Use Of Direct-fed Microbial Products With Foals
Although foals are born with bacteria-free digestive tracts, the tract is quickly populated by disease-causing and health-promoting bacteria. The question becomes, “Which type of bacteria will dominate?” Providing direct-fed microbial cultures shortly after birth can favor the beneficial bacteria. Studies suggest that lactic acid-producing bacteria inhibit scour-causing microorganisms, and can aid in the absorption of nutrients. Microbial gels and pastes are available for oral delivery to foals, or dry cultures can be mixed with milk replacers.
The Use Of Direct-fed Microbial Products With Growing And Mature Horses
Diet changes and other challenges at weaning can alter a foal’s nutrient intake and health status. Controlling harmful bacteria in the digestive tract during variable feed intake is very important. The microbial gel and paste products can be placed directly in the foal’s mouth, and the owner can confidently know that an animal with low or no feed consumption received the intended microbial dose. Dry products can be mixed with the feed for daily maintenance. Yeast cultures aid in stabilizing the microbial balance in the digestive tract, which may reduce the problems resulting from grain over-consumption and colic. In addition, yeast stimulates fiber-digesting bacteria to increase the energy a horse derives from forages. Consequently, the ration composition could shift in favor of forages over grains, increasing the safety of the horse’s diet. Always consult your veterinarian or nutritionist before making dietary changes.
Breeding, foaling, showing and heavy training can alter feed intake and increase a horse’s susceptibility to disease-causing organisms. Restoring nutrient intake, stabilizing the balance of digestive tract bacteria and proper immune function become critical during these challenging periods. Many horse owners suggest that direct-fed microbial cultures can play a major role during these critical periods. In addition, improving the nutritional status of the horse enhances the hair coat and durability of the hooves. The oral and feed products used for younger horses work equally well with mature horses, although the amount of lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast should be increased.
Direct-fed Microbial Products And Storage
Direct-fed microbial products are available that feature only lactic acid-bacteria or yeast, and others include bacteria and yeast combinations. Microbial gels and pastes are placed between the lower teeth and cheek of the horse. Certain dry powders are dispersible in milk replacers and liquid feeds. Other dry products are readily mixed in the feed. However, always be sure to purchase reputable products handled properly by the manufacturer and seller. The direct-fed microbial products should be stored in cool, dry locations to maintain their microbial viability.
Feedstuffs resulting from microbial fermentation have benefited animals and their owners for many centuries. Continuing research projects document the need to include direct-fed microbial products in horse management programs. Many horse owners have experienced the benefits of directly feeding live bacteria and yeast to their animals.
References Cited
(1) Hatcher, G.E. and R.S. Lambrecht. 1993. Augmentation of macrophage phagocytic activity by cell-free extracts of selected lactic acid-producing bacteria. J. Dairy Sci. 76:2485.
(2) Klaenhammer, T.R. 1982. Microbiological considerations in selection and preparation of Lactobacillus strains for use as dietary adjuncts. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1339.
(3) Martin, S.A. and D.J. Nisbet. 1992. Effect of direct-fed microbials on rumen microbial fermentation. J. Dairy Sci. 75:1736.
(4) Metchnikoff, E. 1908. Prolongation of Life. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. New York.
(5) Montes, A.J. and D.G. Pugh. 1993. The use of probiotics in food-animal practice. Vet. Med. March 1993:282.
(6) Perdigon, G. et al. 1988. Systemic augmentation of the immune response in mice by feeding fermented milks with Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Immunology 63:17.
(7) Savage, D.C. 1985. Effects on Host Animals of Bacteria Adhering to Epithelial Surfaces. In: Bacterial Adhesion, D.C. Savage and M. Fletcher (eds.); Plenum, NY; pp. 437-463.
(8) Savage, D.C. 1991. Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology; Possible Modes of Action of Direct-fed Microbials in Animal Production. In: Direct-fed Microbials in Animal Production; National Feed Ingredients Assoc.; Des Moines, IA; pp. 11-81.
(9) Schiffrin, E.J. et al. 1995. Immunomodulation of human blood cells following the ingestion of lactic acid bacteria. J. Dairy Sci. 78:491.
(10) Shahani, K.M. and A.D. Ayebo. 1980. Role of dietary lactobacilli in gastrointestinal microecology. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 33: 2448.
(11) Whitt, D.D. and D.C. Savage. 1981. Influence of indigenous microbiota on amount of protein and activities of alkaline phosphatase and disaccharidases in extracts of intestinal mucosa in mice. Appl. Environ. Micro. 42:513.
(12) Williams, P.E.V. et al. 1991. Effects of the inclusion of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae plus growth medium) in the diets of dairy cows on milk yield and forage degradation and fermentation patterns in the rumen of sheep and steers. J. Anim. Sci. 69:3016.
Horses and Ulcers
Gastric ulcers are an increasing problem in equine athletes which results in performance and economic losses. Research studies suggest that 50 to 90% of horses within various disciplines may suffer from ulcers. Stomach anatomy, feed ingredients, management practices and horse temperament are some of the factors cited as causes for the high incidence of stomach ulcers. Understanding equine stomach anatomy and ulcer risk factors will help identify potential management responses to resolve gastric ulcers in horses.
Equine Stomach Anatomy
Approximately 80% of equine gastric ulcers occur in the promixal (front part) stomach, which is less resistant to digestive acids than the distal, or latter, part of the horse’s stomach. The distal stomach has a bicarbonate-rich mucus layer for protection, an extensive capillary network and a rapid ability for healing.
Causes of Gastric Ulcers in Horses
The equine stomach constantly secretes digestive acids, and the continuous exposure to the acids is the primary cause of gastric ulcers in horses. Bacteria residing in the stomach ferment readily hydrolysable carbohydrates (starch), and in turn secrete volatile fatty acids (VFA). The VFA are absorbed by cells lining the stomach, which then swell, die and finally ulcerate. The combination of hydrochloric acid (HCl), a low stomach pH, organic acids from fermentation, and the protein-digesting enzyme pepsin act together to cause gastric ulcers.
Risk Factors
Exercise intensity
A research study indicated that horses running on a treadmill had increased abdominal pressure and decreased stomach volume. Stomach contractions may push gastric acid from the distal part to the less-protected, promixal region of the stomach. Consequently, frequent exercise would regularly bathe the proximal stomach in acids for destruction of the stomach lining. Ulcer incidence and severity rises as exercise intensity increases.
Intermittent Feeding
The horse’s digestive tract is designed for grazing and the continual feeding and flow of saliva and ingesta to buffer the stomach. Intermittent or irregular feeding reduces saliva flow and allows the stomach to “sit empty” for various periods of time, resulting in a drop in gastric pH and exposure of the stomach lining to a more acidic environment.
Feed
High-starch diets are partially fermented in the stomach by bacteria, resulting in VFA, which combined with low-pH conditions in the stomach can damage the gastric lining. A research study compared a high-protein, high-calcium diet of alfalfa and grain to a lowprotein, low-calcium brome grass and grain diet for ulcer incidence. Horses fed the alfalfa and grain diet had a higher stomach pH, resulting in fewer and less severe gastric ulcers compared to the horses receiving the brome grass and grain diet.
Transport Stress
Transportation increases the incidence of gastric ulcers in horses. Horses risk dehydration, immune suppression, respiratory or digestive illnesses and other challenges while being transported. Water and feed deprivation lower stomach pH. Transport stress interacts strongly with the other risk factors, including heat stress.
Housing
Stall confinement changes a horse’s sociological behavior and feeding pattern. Exposure to other horses can have a calming effect with most horses. The risks from intermittent feeding have been previously discussed.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)
The NSAID decrease mucosal blood flow, decrease mucous production and increase HCl secretion. This combination of factors leads to a stomach lining less able to protect itself in a lower pH environment.
Heliobacter Species
The role of Heliobacter species in gastric ulcers is well-documented in humans, yet less certain in horses. The use of antibiotics to control these bacteria may result in undesired complications due to shifting of the bacteria population in favor of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Management Responses
Feeding frequency and diet type Grazing increases saliva production and allows ingesta to be present in the stomach to absorb gastric acids. When grazing is impractical, more frequent feeding throughout the day may produce similar results. A shift to a high-forage diet will reduce starch fermentation and acid production in the stomach, as well as have a more fibrous ingesta residing in the stomach. High-protein, high-calcium diets based on alfalfa hay have reduced ulcer incidence in some studies. Forage quality should be considered to help meet the horse’s energy needs and yet provide enough fiber for proper digestive function. Chewing long-stem hay increases saliva flow to aid in buffering the stomach contents and lining. Research studies suggest that supplementing vegetable oil may provide a protective lining to the stomach, while also reducing the amount of starch fed to the horse.
Transport and Housing
Frequently transported horses need periodic rest stops to encourage water and feed consumption along with reducing transportation stress. The diet fed prior to transporting may reduce the incidence of ulcers. Social behavior has implication for transport and housing decisions to manage ulcers.
Probiotics (Direct-fed microbials)
Veterinarians, trainers and horse owners indicate that probiotics, or known as direct-fed microbials, have reduced the incidence of ulcers in various situations. Probiotics encourage forage utilization to enable the feeding of a higher-forage, lower-starch diet. Reducing the amount of starch fed can lower VFA production in the horse’s stomach. Starch digestion in the horse’s small intestine results in glucose absorption and potentially has a negative effect on its behavior. A horse’s behavior or calmness has been correlated to ulcer incidence. The higher-forage diet would result in fibrous ingesta remaining in the stomach for a greater proportion of the day, which could moderate stomach pH.
Summary
Gastric ulcers occur in a high proportion of horses in various disciplines. Managing the risk factors for gastric ulcers can improve a horse’s performance and well-being and reduce economic losses. Probiotics can be a management tool to moderate diet and behavior factors leading to ulcers.
Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS is a research scientist with Conklin Co. Inc in Shakopee, MN. He researches the nutritional and microbial needs of newborn and high-performance animals.
Conklin Success Stories
Conklin the Better Bet for this Vet
Dr. Michael & Susan Brown
Dr. Michael Brown has been a veterinarian for over 25 years. He owns his own clinic, employs 13 staff members and treats hundreds of his four-legged patients annually. Also blessed with a beautiful wife and daughter, most in similar situations would be satisfied with a full life.
But not Dr. Brown.
He recognized a life-changing opportunity while caring for a very sick colt with colitis. When the patient recovered rapidly after treatment with Conklin’s Fastrack® Equine Gel, Dr. Brown was amazed. Convinced the colt would not have survived without Fastrack, he set about learning much more about Conklin, the manufacturer of Fastrack animal nutrition products.
He already knew that Fastrack is a world leader in animal probiotics, which are remarkably effective in keeping animals healthy. What he had not realized was that he could sell them in his practice and generate additional income.
A Match for His Ambition
But when Dr. Brown “crunched the numbers” the results really got his attention. He calculated his potential earnings in five years as a Conklin IBO would surpass his total earnings as a veterinarian over 15 to 20 years!
Knowing those Conklin dollars would provide residual income for years, even after he and his wife Susan were retired – his decision was made.
Dr. Brown threw himself into learning about Conklin’s wide variety of products, promoting them to his vast network of contacts, and attracting, training and coaching Conklin team members. His success at building a Conklin organization was soon evident with his rapid ascent up the Conklin management ranks.
He designed his own step-by-step IBO training program which has produced multiple success stories, massive momentum and dovetailed perfectly with Conklin’s corporate-sponsored trainings.
As motivated as he is to expand his business horizons, Dr. Brown is also dedicated to help others create their own American dream. His generous teaching, selling and support of Conklin IBOs, whether they’re part of his team or not, earned he and his wife Conklin’s prestigious Spirit of Conklin Award.
Within just a few years, Dr. Brown has achieved Director level status. Not one to rest on his laurels, he pushes himself daily to learn more, teach more and tell the Conklin story to all who can benefit from it.
Conklin Success Stories
Team Up for Success
Mike and Jodi Stout
Mike and Jodi Stout have always made a formidable team. Co-owners of Stout Construction, Mike has been a General Contractor for more than 35 years, while Jodi was employed as an Alzheimer’s specialist at an Independent Living center. However, that was before they decided to work in tandem promoting their Conklin business.
“We have always been happily married and lived without much money while working hard to get what we had” Jodi said. “We were not dreamers, and never thought things would be easier for us.” Working long hours at their respective jobs, they were just making ends meet, and had little hope of saving for retirement.
When Mike began using Conklin roofing products – and made a substantial profit from a roofing job in just two weeks – Jodi’s interest was piqued. Her eagerness to learn more about selling roofs was fueled by a background in healthcare marketing, and driven by her desire to make their own business more profitable. In a leap of faith, Jodi took an extended break from her job to begin promoting their new joint venture. “Mike figured it made more sense for us to work together for our own profit, rather than have me work for someone else,” said Jodi.
They began by making a plan of how they would work the business as a husband and wife team. Mike prefers to work on the roofs. He also enjoys selling roofing jobs, talking with contractors and doing shows and presentations. Jodi prefers the office work, phone conversations, marketing and advertising, brainstorming and training. Jodi cold-calls and writes email blasts, and then Mike follows up by bidding jobs and talking details. Together they sponsor contractors and attend trainings.
This partnership has afforded them opportunities they may not have been able to enjoy, such as their recent Master Contractor trip to sunny California. “We have more family time and money to spend on our four children and five grandchildren, and we want to travel, travel, travel!” said Jodi. In addition, they hope to fund their retirement, put their grandchildren through college, and give their children opportunities they may have otherwise never had.
This couple has found that a solid marriage is a great foundation for becoming business partners, and follows some similar principles. “Working together can be very rewarding if you decide who is responsible for each role. And knowing that you are there to help and support each other in whatever you are doing takes trust, faith and belief in each other as well” said Jodi.
Conklin Success Stories
Roofing Route to Riches
Jerry and Dorothy Cruise
Conklin has transported Jerry and Dorothy Cruise from struggling to feed their family of six and keeping their century-old home standing to owning two dream homes including a vacation retreat in Venice, FL. They’ve participated in extended family vacations to more than ten foreign countries including Czechoslovakia and Singapore. They’ve taken five international missions trips including West Africa and Russia. Jerry even flies his own plane.
What’s most important to the Cruise’s financial prosperity, though, is their increased ability to help others. “We’ll always treasure the security, freedom and travel opportunities that our Conklin business affords us,” acknowledges Dorothy. “But, the greatest reward is the personal growth and stability that we can impart to others by working with them to succeed in their own Conklin business.”
Back in ‘79, Jerry left the stresses of teaching junior high school math, going into business for himself as a home remodeler. He had to continue scratching out a living while the recession hit with a vengeance in the early ‘80s. His dreams were shattered when he had to go back to teaching again.
In ’83, Jerry and Dorothy took out a government loan for essential rehab on their home. They were quite self-sufficient, only needing assistance with their roof. They hired a church friend who applied Conklin roofing products usually reserved for commercial roofs. When they personally witnessed the quality of Conklin products and prayed about the Conklin opportunity that was introduced to them, Jerry once again left his teaching job. On a wing and a prayer, the Cruise’s Armour Roofing was born, exclusively for applying Conklin building products.
“Dorothy, our son Ryan and I were the Armour Roofing crew up on the roofs together,” says Jerry. “Lo and behold, it took us only a few months to make money! In our first full year with our fledgling Conklin business, we tripled the income that we had ever made in our best year prior to Conklin. And in a couple of years after that, our Conklin business got us totally out of debt.”
It didn’t take long for Jerry and Dorothy to get off the roofs all together to focus on building their Conklin organization. Today, they’ve built the largest organization in the Building Products division, spawning countless leaders who in turn are growing their own successful Conklin organizations. The foundation that Jerry set in the early days has set the stage for the surge in the Conklin Roofing Systems today. They are recognized for operating one of the best Conklin business models and are active leaders in training and marketing for the Conklin Roofing Systems division.
“Until Conklin came into our lives, our dream was simply to be able to buy enough groceries to feed our children,” says Dorothy. With their Conklin business, the Cruise’s initial dream has been eclipsed with multiple homes, world travel, building a business dynasty and financing church ministries and missions.
Conklin Success Stories
Moving to the Extraordinary
Jay and Cara Myers
On the surface, Jay Myers appears to be just another average hard-working, Upper Midwest farmer. Farming 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans in the rich black soil near Fargo, he is an active member of both the North Dakota Soybean Growers and Richland County Crop Improvement associations. He sells seed corn for Mycogen® and grows soybean seed for Syngenta® and Pioneer.® He’s planting his 20th crop this spring. Plus, he’s a great husband to wife Cara, who works as a CPA at Microsoft in Fargo, and a proud dad of son Travis, 12, and daughter Abby, 8.
But there’s more than what meets the eye. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, Jay is somewhat of a superhero when you look at his Conklin identity. Together with his wife Cara, they became Conklin Directors after four years as Independent Business Operators (IBOs), capturing the coveted 2008 Bob Conklin Award of Excellence at National Convention. This award recognizes the Director or Director couple who demonstrate outstanding leadership and selfless contribution to the entire Conklin organization. By nearly tripling their sales last year from $600,000 to $1.6 million, they also carried away the largest National Convention bonus check of any Directors totaling $46,730.
“Since joining Conklin four years ago, my life has become a whole lot better,” says Jay. “When I’m not out in the fields (roughly from Thanksgiving to April Fools Day), I’m able to expand my Conklin organization. I can continue farming and also build another business for additional income.”
When Jay was first introduced to the Conklin business opportunity, he was impressed that Francis Childs’ continuous world championship yields were achieved with the Conklin AgroVantage® system. Francis Childs was an active AgroVantage promoter and an eight time National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Champion who still holds onto the world-record corn yield title. In addition, Jay also found for the first time an agricultural products company that offered superior education and training with a practical approach.
When his schedule allowed him to attend his first Conklin Business Seminar, Conklin’s foundational training for new members where he got to meet the company owners Charles W. and Judy Herbster, he got so excited that he couldn’t sleep that night. He knew then that had to hop on board.
Since Jay started using the full gamut of the AgroVantage System’s products, he has become a regular NCGA state champion for North Dakota, placing first or second in record corn yields.
After five years in the business, Jay is fully capable of leaping over tall buildings in a single bound for many reasons. “There are so many incredible things about Conklin,” says Jay. “Our family is able to experience luxury travel to such exotic places as Cancun and the Caribbean through the Destinations program. We are receiving ever-increasing generous bonus checks. My circle of influence is ever expanding. I’m much more excited about our life now because our days take us beyond farming fields.”
Conklin Success Stories
Business integrity leads to success, recognition
Stan Volkman
In September, Conklin Director and Emeritus Master Contractor Stan Volkman, Robbinsdale,
Mn., learned some great news. His company, Skyline Consultants & Building Services, was a
finalist for the prestigious 2009 Integrity Award – presented by the Better Business Bureau
(BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota. The BBB bestows the award annually to a company
displaying exceptional ethics and integrity toward their employees, vendors, customers
and community. Although Stan’s company didn’t win, he was pleased to be one of 14 finalists
from a field of 200 nominees. Here’s why Stan and his company were seriously considered.
Dedicated to quality Conklin products
Stan began his Conklin career in 1979 when he applied his first roof coating system on his own trailer home. (He sold his ’69 Camero to purchase his training and materials.) It wasn’t long before he was applying Conklin roofs all across the country. Thirty years later, he continues to install high-quality Conklin systems exclusively. “With Conklin systems, my clients never have to
worry about their roofs,” says Stan. “Conklin’s array of quality roofing products and my experience installing each of their systems means I always have the right solution for every roofing situation,” says Stan.
Devoted to perfecting application
When it comes to application, no one sweats the small stuff like Stan. “My former job as a machinist taught me to pay attention to the details. And I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands,” explains Stan. “I rely on these qualities when applying my roofs.”
“There may be some contractors who consider cutting corners for more profit,” Stan continues. “I just can’t.” At times, he has butted heads with clients who demand the cheapest solution. “One of my customers has always focused on price while I’m all about quality,” says Stan. “But after seeing
how well his roof has held up over the years, he’s coming around to my point of view.”
Integrity in action: Three steps to more jobs, loyalty
Stan has built a successful roofing business by focusing on three important steps: “I ask lots of questions up front, focus on solving their problems and personally service my accounts. As a result, several of my clients have been with me for nearly 20 years!”
He elaborates: “When I’m on a roof for the first time, I ask them about their business operations as well as their roof,” says Stan. “Usually, the more questions I ask the more likely I am to land the job…often before I even finish touring the roof.”
Stan finds it easy to sum up his job. “I’m in the business of solving problems,” he explains. “It’s through solving problems that I apply roofs.” He continues: “Once you solve someone’s problem, you develop their trust – which helps ensure you won’t be underbid down the road. And if you can solve a problem that 20 other roofers couldn’t, you will earn a lifetime of loyalty.”
Finally, Stan services all of his accounts himself, even if he uses a subcontractor. “No matter how small the repair, I’m the one that shows up,” says Stan. “That’s how I maintain the relationship I’ve established.”
Time for family, career, new goals
Stan is grateful for the flexibility his Conklin career has provided. He’s been able to focus on raising his family while growing his roofing business. “With the freedom I’ve had to set my own schedule, I was able to coach youth hockey for about eight years,” explains Stan. “My kids enjoyed playing, plus it was a great way to give back to the community.”
With the kids now grown, Stan is focused on building a new team of Conklin contractors as well as selling and applying roofs. “I’m working toward securing my retirement,” he says. “This past year, I
sponsored five contractors, and I plan to start traveling like I did in the early days of my Conklin career – both to service customers and introduce others to Conklin’s Roofing Systems.”
Stan’s trade show “gold”
Stan believes in the value of attending trade shows – especially association trade shows that are industry specific. “We exhibit at several food industry trade shows. The people who attend either work for or service companies that process, manufacture, ship and store food and commodities,” explains Stan. “Many of these businesses have large facilities that need quality roofs – giving us plenty of good leads.”
Stan continues: “We started attending these types of events when a client invited us to exhibit at one of their industry’s shows.” If you’re interested in pursuing this angle, Stan recommends you check out your current customer base and learn which trade associations or groups they belong to. “Then, try to gain access to those associations and their shows through your clients,” advises Stan. “It has proven to be a very lucrative inroad for me.”
Conklin Success Stories
The Power to Change Lives
Don and Connie Benson
To count the number of lives Don Benson has changed is nearly impossible. He has made it his daily practice to give a word of encouragement, timely guidance or a little push when necessary for any nearby Independent Business Owner (IBO), whether in his organization or not. Since he never sits still or limits his influence to his personal organization, he has made a difference with hundreds, perhaps thousands of IBOs in his 15 years as a leader with Conklin.
Don’s passion to help others facing financial challenges and purposeful lives comes from his own personal experiences. Despite working hard all his life as a dairy farmer, Don and Connie were a few mortgage payments away from losing their family farm. Don started in Conklin by using Fastrack® on his dairy herd to increase their production and improve their health, which in turn delivered a noticeable increase in their dairy farm income. Don’s results made him want to share Conklin products with other dairy farmers so they, too, could benefit.
This sharing of the Conklin business helped generate the extra income needed to keep the family farm. By promoting all Conklin product lines and teaching others to do the same, Don and Connie’s new business began to generate financial rewards in just a few months. “Within a few years after starting our Conklin business, our revenues were way more than we ever dreamed possible,” says Don. “When we became District Managers and were consistently earning an extra $1000 each month on average, I became a true believer.”
Don is a prime example of so many Conklin leaders who believe in giving back their riches, both personal and financial, received from Conklin. As a mentor and coach, Don teaches his up-and-coming team members how to listen to their customer’s needs, gather and deliver compelling testimonials, and organize and lead effective product demonstrations and meetings.
Don and Connie’s generous contributions to so many Conklin IBOs have been frequently recognized at Conklin’s National Convention. They have participated in about a dozen Destinations trips that they say “just keep getting better and better every time we go!” Never having missed a National Convention in all their years with Conklin, Don and Connie have won just about every award possible, and in some categories, two and three times. That says it all for the ongoing enthusiasm and devotion this outstanding couple give for their Conklin business.
Conklin Success Stories
Create a Family Legacy
Mose, Brian and Jonathan Beachy
Mose and Ellen Beachy’s commitment to excellence has set high standards for their children to follow. Leading by example, Mose’s determination and willingness to face challenges head-on have inspired their sons Brian and Jonathan to join– and succeed– in the Beachy family business.
Once a well-respected diesel mechanic, Mose was impressed with Conklin vehicle products, and recommended them to customers and friends. Holding sales meetings at his home, people were easily drawn to his honest demeanor and product knowledge. When a change of direction brought Mose to the roofing business, he utilized his natural talent for sales to market Conklin roofing products and share the business opportunity. During this time, his young sons Brian and Jonathan began working with their dad on the roof. Today, the Beachy’s roofing company, MEB Systems, is highly regarded in their home state of Ohio, and is a shining example of a successful second-generation family business.
After a serious fall from the roof in 2004, Mose has made a miraculous recovery and continues to work each day at the company office. Brian is in charge of bidding jobs and Jonathan manages a crew of seven as the field supervisor. Being part-owners in the company has given Brian and Jonathan a sense of pride and self-satisfaction. Mose appreciates the flexibility of being his own boss, and is pleased that he has something of value to pass on to his children.
In addition, Mose enjoys his Conklin business because “it doesn’t seem like a job. I have always liked taking on new challenges and using my sales ability. And I look forward to family time and working as a team with my sons,” said Mose.
Mose and Ellen have worn the title of Conklin Directors for 26 years, and Mose has held the prestigious designation of Master Contractor for over a decade. Brian is also a Master Contractor, and the Beachy’s actively share the business opportunity with those they meet. Mose and Ellen’s commitment to excellence has set high standards for their children to follow. “My father’s determination is inspiring,” said Brian. “He’s taught me everything. The important thing is that you don’t take shortcuts, and treat each job as if it’s our own building.”
Conklin Success Stories
Building Business Around Conklin Products
Todd Schoeben
Schoeben’s Window Cleaning Service runs on Conklin products. Since launching my business in 1985 just six months after I learned about Conklin, my fleet of vans has been maintained exclusively with Conklin Vehicle products.
After my very first customer raved about her sparkling clean windows and referred me to all her friends–thanks largely to Reflections™ Plus glass cleaner–business has been brisk. Now, my customer base expands beyond suburban Minneapolis into the northern Minnesota woods, where my crews leave a film-free shine on many cabins.
More business means more miles on my vans and vehicles. Using Conklin Vehicle products saves me money at the pump, improves reliability and performance and extends the life of my fleet.
I would never use any other cleaning products but Conklin’s. I use Reflections Plus exclusively for windows, WaushTM for cleaning up, and Conklin Vehicle Products to keep my fleet of vans in top condition.
Conklin Success Stories
Planting for Your Future
Pete and Judy Statlander
Pete and Judy Stadtlander are excited about their future. They have a plan for their Conklin business, and when you talk to them, you hear the words “going forward” and “making it happen” over and over.
Pete and Judy, Conklin District Managers from Centerburg, Ohio, know exactly where they’re going to be one year, two years, five years, ten years — and even further out. Eight months from now, they will be appointed Conklin Directors at the summer Leadership Conference. It’s circled on their calendar. Last year, they set “Become District Managers” as their goal at the Leadership Conference in Minneapolis.
The guy with the smile
Everything is going according to plan in Pete and Judy’s business because they are writing down goals. They are attending and participating in all the events that build Conklin leaders.
Corporate Training, Successful Sales Manager, Back to the Basics and all the product trainings in between have put Pete and Judy on a path to prosperity. At any of these events, it’s easy to spot the Stadtlanders. Pete’s the energetic guy with the big smile who is always taking notes and networking with people during the breaks.
This former teacher is always learning
The initial step to success begins with Corporate Training and the opportunity to learn about the entire product line and meet and shake hands with the company’s owners, Charles W. and Judy Herbster. “Corporate Training and the way it is packaged from an educational standpoint is so beneficial to me,” said Pete, a former high school industrial arts teacher and hockey coach. “You’re learning, but it’s in the spirit of fun. Every time I go, I learn something new. When I take a new person there, I love watching them get excited as they see the big picture unfold in front of them.”
Tools to run a strong business
From each training and workshop, the couple brings home yet another ingredient that moves their team ever forward. At the Successful Sales Manager workshop, it was the necessity of setting goals and planning (yes, there’s that word again that you hear when you talk to Pete and Judy). At Back to the Basics, a by-invitation only workshop for District Managers, Conklin President Charles W. Herbster told the attendees they needed to have a regular newsletter, the Stadtlanders wasted no time in resurrecting what had been a hit-and-miss communication tool. Pete and Judy wrote down in their notes that VoiceLink was an essential tool to keep their team informed of company happenings. Now, Pete and Judy are stressing the necessity of VoiceLink to their organization.
A full-time business
This couple believes they have to keep moving forward and talking to more and more people about how Conklin can change their lives. And they know they need to do this on a full-time basis – not just part-time. “If you only devote part-time energy to something, that means you only believe in it part-time.”
Pete says it is a disservice to other people if he can’t devote all his available energy toward spreading the mission of Conklin. With 80 percent of the tree business done in solitude, Judy said her husband needs to be around people.
At the end of December, Pete and Judy scaled back their successful Christmas tree farm business to a parttime endeavor. After a lifetime of planting seeds and watching them mature, they are now planting the seeds of opportunity into people’s lives and watching them grow into strong leaders.
Right in front of him
With a changing tree industry that was seeing a sharp decline in the number of farms through the years, Pete knew he needed a new course in his life. He didn’t know exactly where he was going to turn. When his friend, Art Walkden, a Conklin District Manager, introduced him to Conklin, Pete couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “The Conklin business felt so right,” he said. “This was exactly what I was looking for.”
A mentor, a leader, a guardian angel
Pete’s passion to help people makes him a muchadmired man. The people who know him best call him a leader, a mentor and a guardian angel. A stranger could just hear the enthusiasm in Pete’s voice when she called the Christmas tree farm. He had been so nice and helpful over the phone that she wanted to meet this happy man in person.
“I owe so much to Pete,” said Brenda Reeves, a Sales Manager in Pete’s organization. “I was going through personal problems in my life and Pete made me believe in myself and the power of setting goals. It’s stories like Brenda’s that makes Pete’s smile grow a littler wider. Hearing words like hers is part of the plan.
Conklin Success Stories
Merging Two Businesses Together
Judy and Ivan Dardar
East Central Illinois is Amish territory. And unlike the stereotype, the horse-and-buggy Amish community there, as well as the other hundreds of bucolic Amish communities throughout the country, reaches out to its non-Amish neighbors which they affectionately call the ‘English.’
In fact, one particular ‘English’ family, Judy and Ivan Dardar, have earned the trust of and developed strong friendships with their Amish neighbors both professionally and personally.
For the past eight years, the Dardars have built a local passenger transit empire serving the Amish’s travel needs through extensive word-of-mouth. Operating a transportation business coupled with building their Conklin business dovetails nicely for the Dardars. For the past year as Independent Business Owners (IBOs), they are attending more and more Conklin trainings themselves while escorting their prospects and IBOs from their front doors right into Conklin’s meeting rooms.
It wasn’t until Judy and Ivan transported a vanloadof Amish IBOs to last year’s National Convention in Louisville and attended themselves that they were convinced to start their own Conklin business. “We were so energized at National Convention. We knew we were in the right place, connected to a great company in which to build a great future,” says Ivan.
Judy and Ivan have become one of Conklin’s most dynamic new IBO teams, quickly achieving Sales Manager status. Judy won’t leave a Conklin training without depositing at least a dozen testimonials on the meeting registration desk. She’s also one of the most prolific storytellers wherever she goes.
The Dardars are constantly talking about Conklin products and trainings to friends and acquaintances, encouraging them to “hop on board” one of their passenger vans or motor homes free of charge any time they want to attend Conklin trainings with them.
Judy describes how Conklin has changed Ivan’s life: “I’m so proud of Ivan. He’s ordinarily such a quiet guy who keeps to himself. But now, when he’s driving the vans or ate talking about Conklin. It delights him. He lights up like a Christmas tree and comes right out of his shell.”
The Dardars feel like they earned multiple college degrees each time they “graduate” from a Conklin training. In addition to the Conklin Business Seminar (general foundational training) and National Convention, they’ve attended trainings for Fastrack® and Vehicle Products.
“The knowledge of the products we’ve acquired at Conklin is invaluable,” says Judy. “When we leave the trainings, we feel like we’ve sat through a lesson from an accredited institution of higher learning. Imparting this knowledge to our customers lends so much to our credibility as business owners.”
Conklin trainings have also enriched the Dardar’s lives by providing fellowship. Judy and Ivan explain: “There’s never a time when we don’t walk away with at least half-a-dozen ‘friends for life’ who we not only admire, but are delighted to spend time with socially.”
The Dardar’s current goal is to build a large Conklin organization. They are already well on their way, holding joint monthly meetings with Annie Otto and her son Rudy, both Directors. The Otto’s nearby canvas shop or their ice cream and coffee house provide ideal meeting spaces to hold Conklin meetings.
“The Dardars lend so much to our monthly meetings,” says Annie. “Their enthusiasm and knowledge about the products, especially Vehicle Products, Fastrack and Cleaners, are invaluable. They always have prospects attending. They are a great example of a Conklin business builder team making all the right moves.”
Judy and Ivan make an ideal team for their passenger transit and Conklin businesses. Judy mans the phones, sets the appointments and cleans out the vans while Ivan does the driving and maintains the entire fleet. For their Conklin business, Judy brings in the prospects while Ivan lends his technical expertise to product awareness and training.
As more Amish actively operate Conklin businesses, their need for rides to Conklin corporate-sponsored trainings is greater than ever before. And because their families are so large, it doesn’t take long to fill up a van.
“For most Amish, driving your own motorized vehicle is not permitted,” explains Ivan. “But they need to travel long distances for business and personal reasons. That’s where our transportation business fills the gap.”
Because Ivan has a ‘captive audience’ whenever he drives the motor home cross-country, he exposes his passengers to Conklin through product displays in an exhibit area and unleashes his newfound passion by telling the wonders of Conklin products to any passengers that want to listen.
Ivan and Judy weren’t always the crackerjack marketers and savvy chauffeurs they are today. Ivan, a former shrimper and native of southern Louisiana, and Judy, a former native of midcentral Illinois, met in New Orleans. After their marriage, they returned to the Midwest to raise Paint horses and Labrador Retrievers.
They revved up their transportation business to a sizeable fleet of vans, a motor home and four drivers while raising three sons, one daughter and many litters of Labrador pups. They are now enjoying a passel of grandkids.
The Dardar’s Conklin business is an ideal fit for them. In one short year, they are demonstrating just how easy and lucrative it is to weave Conklin into their working and private lives. They are driving straight for success.
Conklin Success Stories
From Rodeo to Riches
Dan and Crystal Hensley
Today, Dan, wife Crystal and son Jace live in a beautiful, new home on a 15-acre spread outside Kansas City. Together, they’ve built Hensley Coating, a thriving Conklin roofing business which has made their new home and lifestyle possible. They’ve also enjoyed many extra perks of a Conklin business, such as Destinations trips to Jamaica and Puerto Rico plus Master Contractor trips to San Diego and Marco Island. Most importantly, says Dan, “Conklin allows me the luxury to travel overseas and spend significant time with my family several months of the year.”
What a wild ride to the top for Dan and his family! They’ve come a long way in just a few years, since Dan was pursuing his first career as a bronc rider on the rodeo circuit. For several challenging, free-spirited years, “I found myself driving cross-country three to four times a week, crashing overnight in budget motels or campers and putting up with the usual aches and pains from a steady line-up of bucking broncs. I drove an ’80 Olds with bald tires and lived on ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese. Between rodeos, I squeaked by with sporadic odd jobs to pay my bills and entry fees.”
Then, a fellow rodeo cowboy told Dan about a business that offered flexibility plus long-term financial stability. “When I first met Dan, he was 21 years old,” said Richard Shuck, who taught Dan how to apply Conklin Roofing Systems. “He didn’t know a thing about roofing, but he did know how to work. He had great charisma, doggedness in follow-up and was very goal-oriented. I knew that if he hung with it, he was really going to be a big success.”
After attending his first Conklin Business Seminar, foundational training for new Independent Business Owners (IBOs), Dan was filled with new possibilities. Between rodeos, Dan rode his Yamaha street bike around industrial parks, leaving dozens of Hensley Coating business cards. Whenever he landed a roofing contract, he used Richard’s equipment, rounded up his work crew and got to work. As business picked up, Dan was able to pay cash for several pieces of essential equipment, including a new truck and an enclosed cargo trailer.
It took only a year for Dan to go full-time with his Conklin roofing business, hanging up his saddle and spurs for good. Thanks to Conklin, Dan has achieved the American Dream in his early ‘30s. Moving his success from the rodeo to the rooftop, he has carved out financial stability, a beautiful home for his family, first-class traveling opportunities through the Destinations program and a thriving business with a flexible schedule to enjoy ample quality time with his growing family.
I gave one of the Spa Samplers to an AgroVantage® fertilizer customer. It was a thank-you gift he could share with his wife. For only $4.00 I did not mind giving the Spa Sampler away. It really paid off. His wife ended up ordering nearly $100 worth of Conklin personal care and other Conklin products after experiencing the products in the Spa Sampler.
The unique combination of natural, live lactic acid-producing bacteria, FOS, yeast, enzymes, vitamins and specialized proteins in the Fastrack® products helps to ensure a healthy digestive tract; enhancing the immune system and defending against pathogenic agents in the digestive tract. Specifically the health-promoting Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium in the animals ‘and birds’ small and large intestines utilize FOS.
Dr. Michael Brown has been a veterinarian for over 25 years. He owns his own clinic, employs 13 staff members and treats hundreds of his four-legged patients annually. Also blessed with a beautiful wife and daughter, most in similar situations would be satisfied with a full life.
Mike and Jodi Stout have always made a formidable team. Co-owners of Stout Construction, Mike has been a General Contractor for more than 35 years, while Jodi was employed as an Alzheimer’s specialist at an Independent Living center. However, that was before they decided to work in tandem promoting their Conklin business.
Conklin has transported Jerry and Dorothy Cruise from struggling to feed their family of six and keeping their century-old home standing to owning two dream homes including a vacation retreat in Venice, FL. They’ve participated in extended family vacations to more than ten foreign countries including Czechoslovakia and Singapore. They’ve taken five international missions trips including West Africa and Russia. Jerry even flies his own plane.
On the surface, Jay Myers appears to be just another average hard-working, Upper Midwest farmer. Farming 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans in the rich black soil near Fargo, he is an active member of both the North Dakota Soybean Growers and Richland County Crop Improvement associations. He sells seed corn for Mycogen® and grows soybean seed for Syngenta® and Pioneer.® He’s planting his 20th crop this spring. Plus, he’s a great husband to wife Cara, who works as a CPA at Microsoft in Fargo, and a proud dad of son Travis, 12, and daughter Abby, 8.
When Jay was first introduced to the Conklin business opportunity, he was impressed that Francis Childs’ continuous world championship yields were achieved with the Conklin AgroVantage® system. Francis Childs was an active AgroVantage promoter and an eight time National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Champion who still holds onto the world-record corn yield title. In addition, Jay also found for the first time an agricultural products company that offered superior education and training with a practical approach.
In September, Conklin Director and Emeritus Master Contractor Stan Volkman, Robbinsdale,
Mn., learned some great news. His company, Skyline Consultants & Building Services, was a
finalist for the prestigious 2009 Integrity Award – presented by the Better Business Bureau
(BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota. The BBB bestows the award annually to a company
displaying exceptional ethics and integrity toward their employees, vendors, customers
and community. Although Stan’s company didn’t win, he was pleased to be one of 14 finalists
from a field of 200 nominees. Here’s why Stan and his company were seriously considered.
To count the number of lives Don Benson has changed is nearly impossible. He has made it his daily practice to give a word of encouragement, timely guidance or a little push when necessary for any nearby Independent Business Owner (IBO), whether in his organization or not. Since he never sits still or limits his influence to his personal organization, he has made a difference with hundreds, perhaps thousands of IBOs in his 15 years as a leader with Conklin.
Mose and Ellen Beachy’s commitment to excellence has set high standards for their children to follow. Leading by example, Mose’s determination and willingness to face challenges head-on have inspired their sons Brian and Jonathan to join– and succeed– in the Beachy family business.
Mose and Ellen have worn the title of Conklin Directors for 26 years, and Mose has held the prestigious designation of Master Contractor for over a decade. Brian is also a Master Contractor, and the Beachy’s actively share the business opportunity with those they meet. Mose and Ellen’s commitment to excellence has set high standards for their children to follow. “My father’s determination is inspiring,” said Brian. “He’s taught me everything. The important thing is that you don’t take shortcuts, and treat each job as if it’s our own building.”
Schoeben’s Window Cleaning Service runs on Conklin products. Since launching my business in 1985 just six months after I learned about Conklin, my fleet of vans has been maintained exclusively with Conklin Vehicle products.
Pete and Judy Stadtlander are excited about their future. They have a plan for their Conklin business, and when you talk to them, you hear the words “going forward” and “making it happen” over and over.
East Central Illinois is Amish territory. And unlike the stereotype, the horse-and-buggy Amish community there, as well as the other hundreds of bucolic Amish communities throughout the country, reaches out to its non-Amish neighbors which they affectionately call the ‘English.’
Today, Dan, wife Crystal and son Jace live in a beautiful, new home on a 15-acre spread outside Kansas City. Together, they’ve built Hensley Coating, a thriving Conklin roofing business which has made their new home and lifestyle possible. They’ve also enjoyed many extra perks of a Conklin business, such as Destinations trips to Jamaica and Puerto Rico plus Master Contractor trips to San Diego and Marco Island. Most importantly, says Dan, “Conklin allows me the luxury to travel overseas and spend significant time with my family several months of the year.”
After attending his first Conklin Business Seminar, foundational training for new Independent Business Owners (IBOs), Dan was filled with new possibilities. Between rodeos, Dan rode his Yamaha street bike around industrial parks, leaving dozens of Hensley Coating business cards. Whenever he landed a roofing contract, he used Richard’s equipment, rounded up his work crew and got to work. As business picked up, Dan was able to pay cash for several pieces of essential equipment, including a new truck and an enclosed cargo trailer.