I’ve been thinking about Reviewing, Reflecting, and Refreshing.
I was going through some photo files on my computer the other day looking for a specific picture. In doing so, I came across a very special photo of two friends who have had a major influence on my life … Jim Rhode and Joe Bonura. Jim and his wife, Naomi, and Joe and his wife, Carol, are part of a 25 year mastermind group of three couples who have traveled the world together, studied, learned, and shared ideas together.
Jim and Naomi Rhode are the founders of an amazing company called Smart Practice that grew into one of the largest suppliers of information, products, and services to help dentists grow their practices.
Joe and Carol Bonura are the founders of what was then the largest advertising agency in Kentucky, and then went on to a second career as a professional speaker and author. Joe’s agency is now known as BCH.
As many of you know. Elizabeth Jeffries and I organized Tweed Jeffries LLC in 1996, and founded Leading Home Care … a Tweed Jeffries company in 2002, the Home Care CEO Forum in 2012.
Reflecting back on these five special people and out time together really gives me such an appreciation for the influence they have had on my life, my family, my business, and my profession. There is no doubt that their influence shaped my work in the Home Care industry and my leadership of the Home Care CEO Mastermind Groups.
The Power of Uncommon Friends
The photo shows Jim, Joe, and Me in Fort Myers, Florida in front of a fountain with statues of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. These three industrialists, along with Charles Lindberg and Dr. Alexis Carrel made up a mastermind group known as Uncommon Friends. (There’s a book by that title if you want to learn more).
Joe, Jim, and I and our wives Carol, Naomi, and Elizabeth, were in Fort Myers, FL visiting the Edison Ford Winter Estates and Museum. We spend a whole day on the grounds of the museum, and even picked up a copy of the book.
This group was formed when Henry Ford decided he wanted to get to know Thomas Edison, so he went down to Florida and bought the house next door to Edison’s in Fort Myers. Edison had his winter estate here, and had a small house and a full laboratory on an amazing property on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Ford and Edison became fast friends and spent many hours together sharing ideas, solving problems, and supporting one another. They formalized their group by adding Firestone, and later Lindberg and Carrel.
Forming The SoulJourners
Our mastermind, The SoulJourners was formed in 1999 when Elizabeth and I were planning a trip to Italy to visit the small town in Calabria where her grandparents came from when they moved to the upper peninsula of Michigan. Over dinner one evening, Joe and Carol invited themselves to go with us on our vacation. Six weeks later, we were telling Naomi and Jim about it, and they too invited themselves on our vacation.
That first trip to Italy together let to 25 years of friendship, learning, masterminding, and traveling the world. We have spent hundreds of hours in deep, meaningful conversation about family, faith, fun, fellowship, and finances. We have helped each other with our businesses, and we have prayed together over family challenges and health issues.
While there have been many mentors and advocates over the years, none have been as important to me personally as my connection with the SoulJourners.
