Beleaguered Entrepreneur Finds Turnaround Assistance in his Neighborhood



Dan Hostetler is an entrepreneur whose business has recently been put in harm'ss way due to the economic downturn. Instead of running for the protection of the courts, like many of his fellow business owners, he turned to his neighborhood for assistance. With the help of his wife, a graphic-designer-turned-retail-salesperson (also due to the downturn), the Hostetlers designed a simple but honest flyer pleading for their neighbor'ss help in keeping the home that they had lived in for 16 years. They then distributed them to their neighbor'ss homes including Dan'ss Resume and other ideas, including a tip on how to save money on natural gas bills.

The response was overwhelming.

Neighbors Sippy and Ed came over and asked for 20 more copies that they could take to their church. Neighbor Bill, in back, came over and offered to chip in financially. Neighbor Joe Pena immediately designed a website that explained one of Dan'ss tips on how to save money on natural gas bills that he made available, for free, at http://www.viddler.com/explore/clubweb/videos/11/. Neighbors filled the answering machine with wishes of support and offers of help.

The unexpected positivity of their neighbors reaction to their plea for help has reinvigorated the Hostetlers expectations for the future. Says Dan, I have known these people for many years but the confessions of their fears, which are identical to mine, has brought us to a new, more meaningful, level of relationship. I really care for these people in a way that has been brought about by the confession of my financial problems to them. It turns out that we'sre all in the same boat.

His wife, Tere, agrees. Says Tere, I have cried more by their wonderful, selfless offers than I cried when we couldn'st make our mortgage payments.





Beleaguered Entrepreneur Finds Turnaround Assistance in his Neighborhood