Johnson Family

Just about a year ago the State of Michigan implemented some new regulations requiring people applying for a driver's license to submit additional documentation. About 2/3rds of the people that Jackie and I did testing for were Hispanics. Apparently many of them were not here legally because our Road Test business slowed down quite a bit after that. Although we are still doing the driver testing I went through what was needed to get licensed to sell insurance in Michigan, and to operate as an independent insurance agency.

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One of the companies I represent has a very inexpensive accidental death policy which provides a lot of coverage and will return all premiums after 20 years. There are no medical questions and many normally un-insurable people can qualify. I was thinking about whom to market the product to and thought that motorcyclists and snowmobilers and ATV'ers could be prime candidates. Thus began my journey into the world of black leather and biker babes.

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I visited a lot of the motorcycle shops in the area to talk to the guys running them to get ideas. Interestingly, many of these guys look just like Larry Laurin. I decided to try displaying at a motorcycle swap meet being held tomorrow at a show place in Lansing. Monday I stopped in a second time at the Red Arrow Motorcycle Shop on Stadium Dr. to drop off some flyer's that the guy there who looks just like Larry said that I could bring over. I told him I was going to show in Lansing and asked if he had any ideas how to get people's attention. He grabbed a small helmet and told me: "This is what they call a $20.00 helmet for a $20.00 head. It won't protect you at all, but many of the riders, well, you know, they've got a problem with the expensive helmets. This was my girl friends, take a sledge hammer to it. And what ever you do, don't wear a coat and tie to the show". The helmet had a sticker on the back that said, "I would do me!" I thought, "Oh dear!" But his idea sounded like a great idea so I gave him $20 bucks, peeled off the sticker when I got outside, took two whacks at it with a small mallet when I got home, and it dented quite easily.

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Then I wondered what type a display I should have. Stopping at Fris Office Outfitters I picked up a cardboard display board with folded wings for $4.00. Thinking I could slap some literature on it and hang the helmet off the top, and put it on our card table that is covered with paint smears, I asked Jackie what she thought, to which she replied; "Do you want it to look like a grade school project?". Well, of course not. So the photo's above are what we ended up with after Jackie's creative juices got flowing. Not quite a $25 display, but we did have most of the materials so we are closer to $100.00. It is not black leather, but the black vinyl with the metal (flashing) looks really good. Wish me luck (in our family we say "good faith!") at the show tomorrow.

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PS One of the companies I represent has a Drug Prescription Card. If you don't have prescription coverage check it out. You can access my web site, click on the "Drug Price Search" box on the upper left side, and compare prices on any of your drugs. If you can save money, sign up right on the web site. http://www.aimhealthplans.com/robertlabarge

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We also have access to a Dental Broker that gives comparison prices from over 30 dental plans. Type in your zip code and the web site will list comparisons on all the major plans, with a list of local participating dentists. http://www.dpbrokers.com/36921.dp