Progressive state lobbyist, drafter of laws, developer of innovative public policies, startup founder, attorney, adviser to founders of charities, work well with those who want to change the world
The way you become a state legislator is you get more votes in the primary election than anyone else and then you get more votes in the general election than the other nominee. Hiring staff, raising money and endorsements by national figures are all secondary to getting more votes. There are about 40,000 residents in each representative district. Start getting to know your neighbors. Knock on doors, every night, on behalf of other candidates or on behalf of an issue you and your community cares about. And when the incumbent decides to retire or run for a higher office, then you're in a good position to be the next legislator.
A few options: increase your prices, lower your costs and/or increase your volume. Sounds like you've got a low-margin growing business, but as you can see, it's not what you make, it's what you keep. A staff of six on a $300,000/annual budget doesn't leave much room for profit. You might want to lower your head count. If not, then drop your lowest-margin services altogether. And raise your prices on your mid-margin services to make them high-margin. If you lose the customers, then that frees you up to focus on your high-margin services. Happy to go over any of this in more detail on a call.
Depends. How much do you really need to build out your app? If you don't need investor money, better to avoid it. And how will you disrupt the space? I don't think there are any shortcuts to organizing.
Dan was great! understood my issue and offered helpful suggestions.
Purpose changing conversation in just 15 minutes.
Dan has a very good understanding of how to start a campaign. I look forward to his counsel as I grow my concern. He's a good listener as well.
Dan "gets it" — how to use media, community partnerships, technology, and strategy to create change and deliver results — specifically to build public and political support for public transportation and build ridership. It's exciting to work with Dan, someone who understands how the pieces and people fit together uses that to assemble great projects and teams.
Dan is a smart guy - he gets policy. But even more important, he has a passion for his clients' issues that is hard to match. He takes his work to heart and I've always admired that. He knows how to maneuver the complexities of legislative and government affairs and has built strong relationships with many people throughout his career. That's no surprise given his positive energy and genuine personality!
Dan has the right mix of passion and creativity to make an impact on whatever project he takes on.
Dan is a great resource to keep on hand. He’s an expert on legislative and legal affairs and I’ve found his counsel immensely valuable.
I have worked with Dan for many years on numerous issues. He has, without exception, been a thorough, conscientious, and most importantly, effective advocate on behalf of the clients and causes he has represented.
Dan is a bright, innovative policy and political entrepreneur. I enjoy working with him because of his can-do, creative spirit and outstanding instinct. He is always on the right side of the issues.
For me, Dan stepped into the middle of a major strategic planning effort at the Regional Transportation Authority and was able to move it forward toward a productive and successful conclusion. His effective insights into the Chicago region were very valuable in helping to brand the plan called Moving Beyond Congestion. Dan is a tempered radical who knows how to stir the pot, causing some overflow, to achieve a constructive and innovative result. Every complex initiative needs such an approach.
I have had the pleasure of working with Dan on several job growth activities including driving forward specific pieces of business legislation, organizing local business owners into a citizen advisory group, and helping to bring funding to Illinois for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business. Dan is energetic, accessible and passionate about what he does.
